Day 3 on Canadian - Saskatoon to Canadian Rockies

Day 3 started a little after eleven PM when Jane looked out the window - reading a book because it is really a little after 10 – we just set our clocks back.  Wonder where we are ?  looking out the window as a few passengers are walking around – the following sign tells us although we are much earlier than our schedule tells us.  One thing we have learned is the only thing that is really on time is the meals!

Train Station at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Having just completed “The Book Thief” I was looking for something a bit lighter to read next and chose “The Christmas Train” by David Baldacci.  Ben is reading a WEB Griffin book – not sure which one. 
Morning comes early with an absolutely beautiful sunrise at 5:30 and I promptly went back to sleep.

At 6:30 we heard an announcement that we would be in Edmonton for 1 hour…. so quickly got dressed thinking the blog could get posted there – no such luck but it was an interesting stop with Jane walking from one end of the train to the other and we watched them add a new car to our train.  The new car called a Panorama car will give lots more viewing area fir the remainder of the trip through the mountains. 

Bullet car at rear of train

Two 85 ton engines in the front

We got back on the train and enjoyed coffee and a croissant in the activity car.  Today the meal schedule is a bit different with Brunch between 8:30 and 11:30 and then dinner. We headed for seats in one of the dome cars to enjoy the morning as the scenery continued to change.We gradually changed from the plains and farmland to rolling hills to mountains. The scenery is spectacular.

Canadian rounds a curve

Mid-morning we headed down to the dining car for another excellent meal. 

Stuffed French Toast for Ben

 

 

 

Green Onion, Tomato, Feta Cheese Omelet for Jane

We returned to the dome car and began our entry into the Canadian Rockies.  Our next stop was Jasper Alberta. While there was not as much snow as we had expected – the mountains were beautiful.

Beginiing of Canadian Rockies

We arrived in Jasper about 45 minutes late so our time off the train was 45 minutes not 90 minutes as anticipated. Jane struggled to post the blog with no success.  There an issue that simply would not resolve.  Ben walked around and took a few photos and we left at 3:00 PM

Washing windows on the dome cars

We decided to sit in the new Panorama Car to compare it with the dome cars. They are both nice and have different pro’s and con’s.

Panorama Car

More Canadian Rockies

At 5 PM we took a break from viewing to have dinner.  We both had Prime Rib and it was very good…so good I forgot to take a photo!

The water is melting quickly and the waterfals off the steep mountains are beautiful. It has proved impossible to get a good photo as they arrive with no warning. We did get an announcement about one large one but alas the camera battery chose that moment to die! And my phone was also getting charged… but rushing is simply not sufficient.  The rivers as you might imagine are overflowing and at many points have whitecaps. The other thing that has been enjoyable to observe is the variety of evergreens. Huge trees and with such variety right beside the train windows. If we had a book we could identify them all.  We saw large groups of skunk cabbage with beautiful yellow blooms. The evening was  also filled with reading, down loading photos, writing the blog and more viewing from the Panorama car. One pro for the Panorama car it is 1 car from us and the Dome Car is 5 cars from us!

Tomorrow morning we arrive in Vancouver – it is hard to believe this portion of our trip  is nearly over.  The level of relaxation is high – we eat when they say first call for dinner or lunch; we read, take photos, talk to other travelers, walk here and there, don’t have any concerns when the train has to stop for a freight train – they own the rails – and there is nothing we can do about it at all.  We get where we are going when we get there – maybe a good lesson to learn. 

Narrow Hallway down side of each sleeping car

I end with a poor photo of the very narrow passage way down the side of each sleeping car. The rooms like ours are off this passage way. On each end is another short section of seats that are made into berths at night. It is also quite narrow. I think we have both finally gotten our “train legs” and can make it back and forth without catching on to the walls or seats!

Day two on the Canadian – Manitoba and Saskatchewan

It stayed light until nearly 10 PM.  I had forgotten how daylight lengthens as we go north.  I took some photos before we went to bed and took some again at first light  - still not much change in the terrain.  Time changed by an hour overnight so we set our watches back before going to sleep.  Breakfast was again excellent – today blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and or a 4 cheese omelet. No boring food on this train!

Scene at First Light

The train arrived in Winnipeg at 8 AM and would board at 11:30 for a 12 noon departure.  We had breakfast and left the train about 8:30.  Our first stop was in the rotunda of the station in Winnipeg to post the blog. No problem at all and in 15 minutes we had downloaded and checked email and posted the two days of blog.  Using Livewriter  from Microsoft allows Jane to write blog and insert photos off line and then quickly post it when internet is available. The rotunda was beautiful with a lovely ceiling. They are in the midst of a major renovation here like they were in Toronto.

Jane posting blog in Winnipeg Station

Beautiful Ceiling in  Rotunda

 
Within walking distance of the train station was a huge outdoor park and a market area called “The Forks”.  We first visited the market and enjoyed some looking.  Good thing we had just eaten.  Ben loves cannoli and one of the vendors in the market had more types than I had ever seen.  He did buy a little bag of Jelly Belly’s!  There were several gift shops and I was able to find a post card to send Daniel.

Bakery at "The Forks"

Inside "The Forks"

After some window shopping we headed out for some sunshine and fresh air – it was in the 80’s and very pleasant.  There was some sort of Scottish Bag Pipe Competition as well as some type of athletic competition among some college age students. There was also a skateboard park.  Being Saturday morning it was a BUSY place.  People watching was fun and I have to post one photo  for my neice Amanda to share with Ryan – her husband -who is an accomplished part of a bag pipe group.  Just wondering is they would be interested in adding skateboarding to their interests?!

Ben in park at The Forks"

Unique Skateboarder

Back on the train it was again time to eat. The lunch was great – grilled scallops and shrimp on a salad with Saskatoon berry chutney. Ben had an equally good ham and cheese sandwich on foccia bread.

Shrimp and Scallop Salad with Saskatoon Berry Chutney

Soon after leaving Winnipeg we passed through Portage La Prarie known as an area food processing center for all the produce raised in this fertile area.  Their other claim to fame is having the largest “Coke” can in the world.  I had forgotten that many small towns have the largest something – seems we have a lot of those photos from our AK trip.

Largest Coke Can

Our afternoon adventure was to make the hike to the very back of the train. There is a car called the bullet which has two lounges on the lower level and an observation car to the upper level.  I think I reported earlier the train had 21 cars – no it has 24.  We eat lunch in a car about 5 cars from the front of the train – so we came back to our car and then headed further back to the end….19 cars we walked through.
We sat in the upper level enjoying the view – changing as we are now in Manitoba – the plains – flat with some rolling hills. We have seen deer, various types of ducks, geese, grebes, coots, etc. Lots of beaver ponds and lodges but  no beavers to be seen.

Colorful Containers on Freight Train passing us

The only disconcerting thing about the train travel is when we pass a train and the cars fly by so close.  We the passenger train always stop for the freight trains to go by – they own the tracks so have priority.  During our time in the dome car we had one pass us that was VERY long – as far as the eye could see.  The colors of all the containers made a great photo.

Ben and Jane in Bullet Car

We staggered around on the lower lounge car – and I do mean staggered. It is difficult to walk anyway but in that last car – it really swayed from side to side.  We probably stayed a hour or so in the back lounge and view cars.

Dinner was excellent as usual. We both had short ribs.  I had never had them before – like pot roast on a bone. Very tender and tasty but way more than we could eat.

We have a new attendant for our car – Carla and she will stay with us all the way to Vancouver.  Time to download photos and write something. This blog is to stay in touch but also keeps my mind straight about what happened when and where.

Ben says to write about the electronics – well we do have a lot of cords and cables to keep  us connected and entertained.  1) 2 kindles and a charging cord 2) 2 iphones and a charging cord 3) camera, 2 batteries, a battery charger, and a cable to transfer photos to computer 4) my old dell computer, charging cord, and mouse (only thing I have not used) .  All these fill up one pocket on one carryon. The thing we did not bring that we see all the young people with is earphones.  Guess if we were big music listeners we would have that too.  I only wish the cords were in different colors for quick Identification.

No problem with being disconnected from WIFI – having periodically keeps us connected but we are certainly not tied to anything. Hope to post this tomorrow afternoon in Jasper Alberta.  We are looking forward to seeing the Canadian Rockies.  Since we have seen patches of snow both yesterday and today we expect the mountains to be fantastic.

Ben just added a fox to our wildlife count. It was running through a just planted field.  He is observing the various farm equipment. The fields are huge like Texas – fields stretch from horizon to horizon. We are now in Saskatchewan and have just entered another time zone – that is one yesterday and one today – I believe a 3rd will be when we enter British Columbia late tomorrow.  This is one huge country!

Day One on the Canadian

We both woke a time or two during the night but  all in all slept well.  There was an early morning clanking of cars at a stop about 5:30 but not enough to get us up!  Dressing is definitely one at a time much like living in our Sprinter!  The first views out the windows were of river or lake beside the track with evergreens and birch trees with their beautiful bark peeling off.  You could just imagine a moose behind the trees. 

We made our way to the dining car and had a delicious breakfast.  Scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast for Ben and pumpkin pancakes and Canadian sausage for Jane.  All was excellent as was the coffee!! We had breakfast with a young lady who was riding in the coach section and had come to the dining car to eat. She was from Boston and seemed to enjoy traveling – this was not her first train trip in Canada.

Pumpkin Pancakes

After breakfast we sat in the dome car for a while and the view is excellent – more and more of water, evergreens, birch trees, beaver lodges, and eagles and ducks.  We have not seen moose although you feel they must be there!  It began the morning spiting some rain but then the sun came out and the day is beautiful.  There are very few villages along this route across southern Ontario. We are well north of the main Trans-Canada Highway that we traveled on our return from Alaska several years ago. 


Ben left his kindle on the shelf beside his bunk this morning.  When we returned from breakfast the kindle and shelf were gone along with the beds!  When we found Emily she was able to let the bed down and low and behold there was shelf and kindle….lesson learned!

Our Compartment by day

I had thought I had read there was WIFI on this train – it is only in the stations when we stop long enough for getting off.  Tomorrow we will be in Winnipeg for several hours and then will have another stop the next day in Jasper so we can post the blog and catch up on email. Cell service works when in an area with coverage. I was surprised when the phone rang when we stopped in a small village – our garbage collector saying service would be a day late next week due to Memorial Day!  So far this is a stress free relaxing way to spend a few days.  Seems a good way to decompress from everything.

The scenery continues mile after mile with few if any signs of population by humans.  We made it back to our compartment to see how it looks by day and it is remarkably roomier than at night.  Lunch was great with Ben having a salmon cake and Jane a BBQ Chicken Wrap.

Jane finished writing a draft of the blog for yesterday and began one for today.  Photos are edited which is a first for traveling!  Think perhaps it is time for some reading or a nap. 

We stopped in the small town of  Hornepayne Ontario – it is small and known for wood processing and fishing.  We got off for a 15 minute stop and discovered it was really warm – sunny and probably 85. The town had a few stores and houses and a wood processing plant.  I have no idea how far they are from a major town – I am guessing at least 100.

Ben talking to Emily at stop in Hornepayne

We spent some time reading, looking out the windows and even napping.  Then it was time for dinner.  Dinner was pleasant,  There are 3 seatings – 5 PM; 6:30 PM and 8 PM  The same was true at lunch. There are 2 dining cars and you need to be sure to go to the right one or you will get sent to the correct car. There are 21 cars on this train. 2 locomotives, 2 coach cars, 3 activity/lounge,dome cars, 2 dining cars, 11 sleeping cars, and a club car at the very back.  We have not made it to the club car yet. 

Going from car to car is a workout – the doors are very heavy and one must be pulled open and then the second pushed open.  For us to get to our dining car we must pass through 4 sleeping cars and 1 activity car. 

Ben opening the doors between cars

 Ben says we are traveling through “Paddle to the Sea” country.  For those of you who have not read the book – a childhood favorite of Ben’s- check it out and enjoy the travels of a boy in a canoe traveling from Canada to the Atlantic Ocean.  This is beautiful peaceful country.  There is still some snow on the ground in the deep forests along the tracks. The first trees to be leafing out are the pussy willows.
We spent about an hour in the dome car after dinner and will finish the blog and read or go to a movie tonight.  There is always something going on in the activity car so you can be as involved as you wish to be.

View to front of train- 2 engines slightly higher than cars

Tomorrow we arrive in Winnipeg for a few hour rest from traveling. The entire crew ends their shift here.  They started in Winnipeg for the second half of an east bound Canadian train – had a few hours off and began our trip west with us last night.  So they will have been pretty much on the job 24/7 for the past 4 days.  Then they have 4 days off before doing this all over again!

Syracuse to Toronto on Maple Leaf

We knew that today was going to be the longest and probably the most difficult day of our trip.  We had to leave the hotel, get to AMTRAK station, find out about luggage etc.  Get on train, get off and go through customs, get back on train and arrive Toronto and lastly find our train for the main part of our trip on the Canadian.  We had a 2 hour window including any allowance for the first train being late. As I write this on Friday morning – we have recovered but it was indeed a long day!
The shuttle left the hotel at 10:15 as we had planned and we were at the Syracuse Depot at 10:30.

We had 2 hours to get the lay of the land, check in, eat lunch and wait for our train.  This was a new facility built about 10 years ago to house both the rail and bus traffic serving the Syracuse area.  It was clean and well kept.  Things fell into place. On all of our train travel except today we are traveling with sleeping accommodations which means your meals are included.   Not so today – so we ate a Subway at the station before our train arrived.

Everything was on time until about 15 minutes before departure when suddenly it was 20 minutes late.  Finally the Maple Leaf arrived and we boarded.

This train makes a daily run from New York City to Toronto.  The ride was comfortable with a bit more space than on a plane.  Our 4 pieces of carry on luggage were stored overhead in very roomy bins. Carry on luggage had to meet certain weight and size criteria.

We passed through rural New York and the outlaying areas of several cities.  First city was Rochester where we passed the Kodak building. It was large with a fairly empty parking lot.

Then we passed through Buffalo.  At both locations we stopped primarily to let passengers off. The last stop in the US was Niagara Falls. By the time we left Niagara Falls more than 75 % of the seats were empty.  The ride was comfortable but a bit bumpy and we were wondering if the tracks in Canada  would be smoother.  Between Niagara Falls US and Niagara Falls Canada they made an announcement to look for the falls – we had not thought we could see them from the  train – well we got photos out both sides of the train – one side was a bridge which obstructed any view of the falls and the other side was the Niagara River! Good thing we had already seen the falls!

At Niagara Falls Canada the train stopped and everyone was required to leave the train with all their luggage and clear customs.  We completed a short form, showed our passports, answered a few questions and stood along a wall while a beautiful chocolate lab paced back and forth sniffing everyone and their luggage. All in all a fairly painless process.  We then walked out of the station and back in another door and waited a few minutes before boarding the same train. Now the train was managed by VIA personnel. It was the AMTRAK equipment and the WIFI worked until we reached Toronto.

We stopped for a couple freight trains to pass us and had one 30 – 45 minute stop for a boat to go through a lock.  We passed through  primarily an agricultural area known for vineyards and fruit. 

We had dinner in the Cafe Car – soup, a hamburger, and cheese and crackers.  Certainly not gourmet but filling and good. The cheese and crackers were really excellent.
We were running about an hour behind schedule and while not frantic we were concerned about finding our way through Union Station. 
We saw lots of graffiti on buildings, fences, and train cars along the tracks and a nice sunset as we pulled into Toronto.  Just for the record – the train ride was much smoother for the Canadian leg of this trip – same equipment so it must be the tracks!

Union Station is undergoing a huge remodeling so it was even more confusing than we had expected.  We found the boarding gate but when we got there were told we needed to check in the VIA Sleeper Car lounge  to get our meal assignments etc.  So off we went carrying and pulling our luggage.  We found it, got checked in and collapsed in some comfy chairs for about a 30 minute wait for boarding. 


Most of the station was under construction but the original great hall was beautiful and we took a few minutes to admire it.

About 9:30 we got a boarding call and retraced our steps back to the gate and followed along the side of the very long train “The Canadian” to find rail car 113.  We were directed to bedroom B where beds were made up and waiting for us!

The bedroom has two bunks, a sink, a small toilet in a separate compartment and about 18 inches of free space. Not as large as the room on the AK ferry but adequate as long as small spaces don’t bother you! The main difference between this and the ferry is the compartment changes into two comfortable seats for daytime use.

Our car attendant – a very pleasant young lady named Emily gave us a short introduction to the room and train.  We pulled out of the station at exactly 10 PM.  We were both very tired and laying down felt VERY good.  The bed was most comfortable and sleeping came easy! 

Fog, rain, and miles and miles

Not a very exciting day.  Rain began about 5 minutes after we got in the Sprinter and continued for most of the day.  We drove through Hagerstown on the National Road which we traveled last summer.  The houses are right along the road and probably looking much as they did over 100 years ago.

We were back on I 81 and within about 20 miles were crossing into PA.  The scenery consisted of very nice looking dairy farms and soon we were entering the mountains.  The Appalachian Trail crossed the interstate but we missed seeing any signage.  Through the mountains we not only had rain but also fog so we can’t really say much about them.  Good thing our book on CD was very interesting!  We did see coal mining or what was coal mining.  We also saw some evidence of natural gas collection. 

Once in a while we could get a clear view.  We stopped for a quick lunch somewhere in PA.

About 2:00 we arrived at the NY state line and stopped to pick up a map.

Syracuse was only about 90 minutes north so we arrived at our hotel, checked in, and drove to the airport where we left the Sprinter in Long Term Parking.  The Comfort Inn courtesy van picked us up and returned us to the hotel. We had a simple supper – Jane pizza and Ben – chicken wings.

Tomorrow promises to be a long day so we are resting and watching some TV tonight.  The courtesy van will take us to AMTRAK tomorrow morning, we will leave on the Maple Leaf AMTRAK for Toronto. Then at 10PM tomorrow night we leave from Toronto on the Canadian.  We will have internet on the trains we understand but time will tell whether this blog is posted tomorrow or not.  So far so good!

On the road again !!!

We left for our much anticipated and planned for trip this morning about 8:30.  This will be a much different trip than most of our travels.  We are primarily taking a train journey with some time spent in Victoria BC and at Olympic National Park in Washington. 
Making many reservations when we normally make very few – only for a special hotel, tour, or campground AND having restrictions on size and weight of luggage made the preparations and planning much more involved.  However the need to research the areas we will visit took much less time since at least half our travel days will be on the train – and we just go where it takes us.
The trip up I 81 was pleasant with sunshine all the way. A short walk at one of the rest areas had an interesting bridge. 

We waved an imaginary hello to our friends in Lexington VA and will plan to see them on our way home.  After a quick lunch stop we a continued on enjoying listening to a book on CD and the beautiful mountains and farms in the Shenandoah Valley. 

Jane is testing her camera which she has not used much in a while.  And tonight is testing  transferring photos and posting this blog.  Nothing very exciting about our day – but that is good as our goal is moving north smoothly.
We crossed into West VA and then into MD. Half-way to Syracuse NY – where our train leaves from on Thursday mid-day was Hagerstown MD so we stopped about 3PM and Ben had a little nap.
This is the same area where we traveled the National Road last summer. Last summer we visited Antietam Battlefield and camped not far from Hagerstown at a KOA.  Today we crossed Antietam Creek several times and the Potomac River once. We traveled on state routes last summer and today we were on interstates the entire time. Different view for sure!

After some research on restaurants we chose Schula’s Crab House – we ARE in MD and it is time for CRAB!  Jane had a crabcake and Ben had softshell crab. Both were excellent!  No filler at all in the crabcake and there was a lemon wine sauce on the softshell crab.
 

Crabcake

Softshell Crab in lemon wine sauce

Great first day for our trip to celebrate our 50 years of marriage!

Short Trip to North Carolina

A quick trip to Durham and Wilson NC filled our past long weekend.  We were attending the wedding of one of Ben’s college friends. We can’t travel to that part of NC without a visit to our son and his family. 

We traveled on Friday afternoon arriving in Durham just before Jeff and Daniel left for their weekend Cub Scout camping trip. After a short rest we were off with Robin to visit a fantastic Fusion/Thai restaurant – Merlion – located in Chapel Hill. The food was wonderful. I only took a photo of my own dinner – Mango Chicken – it was fantastic but way too much for one meal! Could easily have split with someone. 

Ben had a beef curry dish and Robin enjoyed seafood in a coconut broth.  We walked around the very interesting and welcoming village green and then headed home to watch a movie. 

Saturday morning we headed out for shopping – primarily at REI – in preparation for our 50th Anniversary Trip.  After purchasing shoes, a new computer bag, security holder for passport etc; it was on to the mall for a few other items.  We had lunch and made arrangements for Ben’s college gathering in the fall and then headed out to Wilson. 

We found our hotel, had a nap, and met up with friends at the wedding.  The wedding held in a small country church outside Wilson was very nice. There was a FULL house – in fact we got the last seats.  After the service we headed out to the Wilson Country Club for an enjoyable evening visiting with friends and wishing the happy couple well. Sorry I totally forgot to take any photos!

The hotel was full of middle school age baseball teams – the ones on our floor had a party from midnight to 1:30. So I slept from 10 – midnight and then from 1:30 – 7:30,  Got plenty of sleep in spite of their party! 

Sunday morning we had breakfast with our friends – not the bride and groom of course – they were off to Charleston…. then took a short drive into downtown Wilson to see part of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Collection.  He is a now deceased folk artist whose collection of whirligigs are being incorporated into the downtown area of Wilson. http://www.wilson-nc.com/whirligigs.cfm

When the whole collection has been moved it should be quite a display.  We headed back to Durham after stopping off in Raleigh for a quick lunch.

Back in Durham we enjoyed an afternoon of hearing about the camping trip, learning about Pokeman cards, and just visiting and relaxing with family. 

Monday morning we were up early and on our way home as the Durham clan headed out for school and work.  The trip home was uneventful.  We did stop for gas and a quick lunch in Abingdon before arriving home to unload the van and continue our battle with the new computer and Windows 8. I am determined to master it! Mostly under control – if this blog posts it is one more item I can check off my list!