Day One

Wow Wow Wow, I guess I have to begin at the beginning and that is not easy. So much to report on.

We slept very little last night. It was warm and the air conditioner was noisy and of course we were not at all excited… yah right.

I am sure I was awake at least ten times. We finally gave up and got up around six.  We got ready and went downstairs around 6:35 and as soon as we reached the lobby our ordered taxi was pulling up outside. The trip to the train station was about ten minutes long and because it was so early there was no traffic to worry about. As soon as we pulled up to the station staff arrived and took our luggage and lead us into check in.

 The staff was so welcoming and so efficient.  They even gave us a wonderful Rocky Mountaineer pin. I went to the gift shop and got a hat for Ken. They were serving juice and coffee. The people watching was amazing and we were hearing lots of different accents. They announced an all aboard ceremony and I managed to weasel my way to the front to get pictures of the staff and the piper.

Then All Aboard was announced and we made our way to car number 8. We are the second last car so we have a good view of the entire train as it rounds a corner.

The first order of business was introductions of the staff and then the safety procedures and of course the washrooms.

We were served a grand juice and then we were told about breakfast and we were in the first group to go downstairs to the dining room. Breakfast really was gourmet. We were seated at a table for 4. First we were served coff and we had time to peruse the menu. It was wide and varied. I chose the fruit parfait and Ken choose the eggs benedict. Before the breakfast arrived we were served coisants and a wonderful fruit cup. We visited with our table mates. Coffee kept coming as did juice and water and tea.

I took lots of pictures of the food.

We were no sooner back when they declared that it was noon somewhere and they began to take drink orders. Ken had rum and I had sparkling wines. As soon as the drinks arrived one of the attendants came with snacks to go with our drinks. I am certain I will have to walk all evening to get rid of the calories. The really do spoil us.

There are 20 cars and 2 engines making up this train. There are 550 passengers and 60 attendants working on the train.

As we travel we are informed of where we are and what the claim to fame for the area .

WOW what a great day.

Before we turned twice they were back offering more beverages. I passed this time. After breakfast and almost to lunch time we went along Hells Gate. I happened to be out on the viewing platform and I got some amazing photos… I Hope.

We were called for lunch and right away they served wine. For a main course both Ken and I had salmon, the people we sat with… farmers from Australia… had the beef and chicken. There was more wine offered and there was coffee and a chocolate cake and ice cream dessert. I was like a volcano cake only better. By now we were so full. Then we returned to our seat in the dome car to enjoy the view.

The smoke is really terrible and as a result it is hard if not impossible to see the mountain tops. It is supposed to be hot today but the air conditioning makes it quite comfortable.

We are in Kamloops tonight.

We are at the Sandman Signature. It is a lovely room and it is too bad that we have to leave so early in the morning and cannot spend time enjoying it.

We went for a short walk and the smoke is so bad that it was less than an hour before our throats were beginning to hurt. You cannot even see the mountains.

We have a wake up call for 5:45 so this has to be a short night.

First Day on the Train

This is the information we were given before trip began,

Itinerary Details:
Monday, July 31
Vancouver Rocky Mountaineer Train Station

Check-in:  06:40 to 07:15 Boarding:  07:30
Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, located in the heart of British Columbia's interior. Upon arrival at the Kamloops Station, you will be transferred by motorcoach to your overnight accommodation. The pick-up time for tomorrow morning's motorcoach transfer to the train station will be posted in the lobby of your hotel.

Our expected arrival time in Kamloops will be between 17:30 and 19:00. Luggage:  As a GoldLeaf Service guest your checked luggage will travel separately from the train and will be waiting for you at your Kamloops accommodation. Please note there is no overhead or under seat storage, and your carry-on bag must fit at your feet.

Important: All medications, valuables, personal items and travel documents must be carried with you in your hand luggage.

Meals onboard the train:  GoldLeaf Service guests will be served a hot gourmet breakfast and lunch in the lower-level dining room. Guests will also receive complimentary snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the rail journey.

On Our Way

The day began early with us deciding to rearrange the boxes etc. that are stored in the garage so we could store the Jeep in there. That took an hour and several boxes and totes are now in the house awaiting our return. But doing that means that the truck will not be parked on Trafalgar while we are gone. Instead it will be parked in our assigned parking spot in Whispering Pine Meadows. That was a job well done but it meant that we missed church.
After the Jeep was parked and we were changed and ready for our adventure we met Marg and Dave Ruben at the Crossroads . We had lunch together and had good visits.
Then it was back to Trafalgar to get he luggage and head out.

The trip into the city went quickly with no traffic snarls.

Dave easily found the hotel and before we knew it we were all checked in and relaxing in our very nice room. We have arranged for a wake up call at 6:15 and a taxi will be here at 6:45. The clerk told us the train station is only a 5 minute ride from here. All is good.

Imagine our surprise when there was a picture of the Point Atkinson lighthouse on the room wall.:-)

We would be meeting Kerri and family for dinner and after texting them we learned they were still at the baseball game. That meant we had time to relax and enjoy this air conditioned room.

We watched TV and played on the computer until it was time to meet them in the lobby.
They took us to dinner at a place called Fable Diner. The food was delicious and it was so nice to visit with the children. I brought the "bags" and the children enjoyed their surprises and treats, and grandma and grandpa enjoyed watching them open and play with their gifts.

The dinner was a birthday dinner for Ken and I so it was a special treat. Ken had salmon and he ate every single morsel. Yummy

After dinner we walked back here to the Best Western to relax. That wake up call will come early and the excitement of our train adventure will require that we are well rested.

 Rocky Mountaineer here we come!!!

Where and When

Here is a list of where we will be and when!

The Itinerary:       

       July 30: Vancouver overnight at Best Western

Jul 31:    Independent arrival in Vancouver. Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Kamloops – overnight in Kamloops

Aug 01:  Rocky Mountaineer train from Kamloops to Banff – overnight in Banff

Aug 02:  Half day Banff sightseeing tour, including Banff Gondola – overnight in Banff

Aug 03:  Tour from Banff to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – overnight in Lake Louise

Aug 04:  Icefields Parkway tour and Ice Explorer ending in Jasper – overnight in Jasper

Aug 05:  Day of sightseeing in Jasper National Park. Board VIA Rail for Toronto – overnight on the train

Aug 06:  A full day and overnight on train whisks you over the picturesque prairies – overnight on the train

Aug 07:  Enjoy the scenic lake country of Eastern Canada – overnight on the train

Aug 08:  Arrival in Toronto and a city sightseeing tour – overnight in Toronto

Aug 09:  Day trip to Niagara Falls and return to Toronto – overnight in Toronto

Aug 10:  Board VIA Rail for Montreal. Check into Montreal hotel – overnight in Montreal

Aug 11:  Day of sightseeing in Montreal. Board VIA Rail for Halifax – overnight on board the train

Aug 12:  Arrival in Halifax. End of tour services

Aug 12: Dartmouth

Aug 13: Yarmouth

Aug 14: Digby

Aug 15: Green Bay

Aug 16 Wolfville

Aug 17: New Glasgow

Aug.18: Truro

Aug 19: Truro

Aug 20: Dartmouth

Aug 21: Halifax

Aug 22: Abbotsford

On the Road Again

I guess I should say on the rail and on the road again.

Ken and I have important birthdays this year. I guess I should rephrase that because all birthdays are important and special. Ken turns 75 and I turn 73. We wanted a special way to celebrate and after considering a few options including a big party we decided that we would like to take a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer. This has always been a dream of Ken's and this seemed a perfect time to make a dream come true.
 We considered a Vancouver to Vancouver loop and then decided to take the train across Canada, all of the way to Halifax. We would leave July 31st and be on the train until August 12. That would include both of our birthdays which would be perfect.

This will be a 13 day  dream train trip with lots of stops and lots of tours to Canadian landmarks. But when in Nova Scotia why not stay a few days longer and visit family and friends?
We thought that 9 days in Nova Scotia should be about right. We would fly back on August 22. Well now we wish we had planned to stay for 2 weeks because there are dear friend that we just can't possibly get to visit.
But with plane reservations made and car rentals arranged and hotels booked changing plans is impossible. So if we missed you this time you will be on the top of our list for our next trip.

I will be posting accounts of our adventure when ever we have internet available. Some days will have longer blogs than other. Follow us if you can find the time.