Quesnel to Jasper

We boarded our coach right on time and we will delivered to the train with no problem. We liked it here and we have decided that we will return. The next time we will bring the Avion. It is just a beautiful and oh so friendly part of the world.

We continued our travels to the Rockies. It was sunny again today so we were treated to amazing views.The Rockies were glorious as we expected. While the train is making its way besides feeding us too much and too often the 3 hosts are telling us the history of the area and pointing out engineering and geological features. They also have extra amusing antidotes about the areas that we are passing through.

This group of travelers seems to be more friendly and indeed more social. The train is seldom quiet. People are constantly laughing and visiting. Perhaps the system of seating guests with different people at each meal is partly responsible. No matter the cause the train is very friendly.

This was the day that the souvenirs that people orders appeared at their seats. We ordered a cap for Ken and a bag for me. We were very pleased with both.

Because a lot of people are disembarking and continuing their adventure in another way it was the time for comment cards and tips.

We crossed the continental divide and entered Alberta. We had to change our watches because have entered Mountain time and we left Pacific time behind.

We arrived in Jasper about eight o'clock. We were very surprised to learn that our accommodations is miles from the train station. I didn't give it a thought I just assumed that the Fairmont Jasper Point Lodge was a hotel. It is not, it is a series if cabins around a lake. It is very high end with a living room and a bedroom. It has the usual Fairmont touches of robes and slippers and very nice pens and a coffee machine, and the list goes on. Our place is right on the lake front so the view is really special.

It was not long before we were sound asleep. The forecast is not great for tomorrow. If it rains as expected we may just treat this as a sea day and just relax and catch up on our sleep.

Jasper point Lodge

Our Cabin,

Exceptional Landscaping and views

Tour tomorrow.....if it does not rain!!

August 4th

We were up early to meet our motor coach to get to the train.
 We were early breakfast and we were treated to gourmet delight.
The day went up from there.
The scenery was amazing. We saw soaring peaks, roaring waterfalls, stretching desserts, beautiful wild flowers,remnants of massive forest fires, towering old growth trees, distant glaciers and the list goes on. We saw deer and birds including eagles and herons. So far no bear have posed for us.

The food was wonderful as usual. Because our arrival took us past dinner time we were served a surprise evening meal.
Dessert was a warm oatmeal raisin cookie.

So basically it was a dry of relaxing and enjoying the train and the food.
I will tell you a little about the food .
When we board the train we are brought a glass of juice. Then half of the people go to a full breakfast which includes rolls, a smoothie and a choice of 4 different main courses which included a vegetarian selection and a gluten free option. While that half is having breakfast the other half is served coffee and warm home made biscuits.

Then right after breakfast we are served beverages which can be everything from water to coffee to gin and Baileys.

Then we are served snacks and more beverages. Then it is time for lunch . Again there are starters, and main course choices and desserts.Wine is also served with lunch.
After dinner there are constant rounds of beverages.
The food is great and they serve you constantly. All are included.

Our day ends with arrival at Quesnel

Great Day

This was a great day, but it was a long and tiring day so I cannot blog until tomorrow night.

What a day!!!

I will try to begin where I left off.
My phone alarm worked,,,, but because I had to leave it on ( I think) I wore down my battery and I do not have a charger with me. Fortunately Ken has his phone and it is working.

So my cell rang, the radio alarm rang and the hotel computer called. BUT none of it was necessary because I was awake. I do not sleep well when I know it is vital that I be awake on time.

We went to the desk and checked out and the taxi arrived right on time. A tour bus was waiting for us at the Fairmont and it had to make one more stop. Before we knew it we were on our way but first the guide gave us a bit of a tour of Vancouver including a ride around Stanley Park.

We were greeted warmly when we arrived at the train. We were served juice right away and then half went to the dining room and our half were served biscuits and mixed berry preserves. That was just to hold us until it was our turn to go to the dining room. They were so good and I was so hungry that I forgot to take a picture . But here is a photo of the empty plate. Use your imagination.

At 9:30 we went to breakfast. It was fabulous. We were served sweet rolls and a smoothie while we waited for our breakfast. Our choice was basically a sampler plate, very nice and too much food for me. I had to send some back. Perhaps it was the biscuit.

The entire morning was amazing. The day was bright and sunny and we got wonderful views of the mountains.
We took loads of pictures but I am not pleased with the way this camera is producing. So many pictures are hazy. But Ken took some great ones. So I will use his snaps when I don't like mine.

We arrived at Whistler around 11:30 and a bus too us to the Four Seasons. Luckily our room was ready although many would not be usable for 2 or 3 more hours.
For this stop there were 2 hotels being used. The Four Seasons and the Fairmont
It this is second best I would like to see what is better. There is a living room, a half bath, a master bedroom with a Queen sized bed and a large screen TV, there is a full bath, a balcony and there is another TV in the living room. There are robes and a walk in closet and a safe and a fridge and a bar and the list goes on. We are on the top floor and the view is amazing. It has a pool and hot tubes as well.
I am including a few pictures.

We had to force ourselves to leave it is so grand.

But we had tickets to take the Peak to Peak Gondola ride.
It really is amazing. The views are unreal and we loved it. The weather was perfect and the crowds were not too bad at all. I took loads of pictures and I am adding a few.

By the time we got down from the mountains it was time for supper . We went to the Mongolian Grill and had a very nice meal. They do a good job of cooking right in front of you. It really was tasty. I like the fact that you decide how much food you want and they is what you pay for.

Next we found our way to the free shuttle which would take us back to our hotel.
When we came into the room there was candy and a welcome note waiting for us.

A perfect way to finish our day in Whistler.
Tonight we are relaxing and enjoying this grand room.

We have to ready to leave at 6:30 in the morning. TOO Early!! We are off to Quesnel,  309 mile trip or is it KL I don't know but it will be another memorable day to be sure.

Best Western Plus

We have to be at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver to get a transfer to the train by 6:50 on Saturday morning.
Anyone who has traveled in this area knows that traffic snarls during the morning commute are quite common.
So to avoid any possibility of missing our train we are heading into Vancouver on Friday and spending the night at the Best Western Plus on Kingsway.
We have stayed there before and it is not the calibre of the hotels we will be staying in during this adventure it is quite acceptable and the location is a short cab ride away from our pick up point.

We will leave the Jeep with Kerri and she will drive us to the hotel.

The trip into the city was uneventful. After a short visit Stewart drove us to the hotel and we checked in successfully.

The room is simple and clean.

 It was then that I discovered I have forgotten my best camera. Fortunately I always travel with 2 cameras and it has extra batteries. Unfortunately this camera does not have very good zoom.

We put our suitcases in the room and then went over to Tim's and had a light lunch.

In the morning we have to be up and waiting for a taxi at 6:15. We have to be at the meeting point at 6:40 and then we will be transferred to the train in North Vancouver.

I have set the alarm on my phone and since this is the first time I have ever tried to do that it will be interesting to see what happens.

We have asked for a wake up call just in case. Double alarms should mean that one will work.

Tomorrow we head for the Rocky Mountaineer... YEAH!!!

Itinerary

August 3 Rocky Mountaineer Train to Whistler
August 3  Whistler Hotel
Aug 03 Peak to Peak Gondola Ride
Aug 04 Rocky Mountaineer Train to Quesnel
Aug,04 Quesnel Hotel
Aug. 05 Rocky Mountaineer Quesnel to Jasper
Aug. 05  Jasper Hotel, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Aug 06 Jasper nature Tour with walk
Aug 06 Jasper sky tram with shuttle
Aug.07 Jasper to Lake Louise, including ice explorer
Aug.07-Aug.08  Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel.

Aug.09 Lake Louise to Banff sight seeing tour
Aug.09 Fairmont Banff Springs
Aug.10 Explore Banff tour, includes gondola
Aug.11 Rocky Mountaineer Banff to Vancouver 2 days
Aug.11 Kamloops Hotel
Aug 12 Vancouver arrival 

Perhaps Twice?? Yes!!!

Do you know of something that is magical to you? Something that when you hear the name it congers up wonderful dreams?
What if those dreams were always just dreams and you felt that they would always and forever be just dreams.?

For Ken this dream was  to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer.

So in 2012 we took a short couple of hours trip on this train. It went from Vancouver to Whistler and back. It was a grand day and a real trip on the Rocky Mountaineer was quickly put on our SOMEDAY list.

Someday arrived in 2017. Ken was turning 75 and we decided that rather have a big party to celebrate we would travel to Halifax by train. Of course the first part of the trip was on The Rocky Mountaineer. It surpassed our expectations. It was our big Once In a Lifetime adventures.
It is now 2019 and in a week I will have my 75th birthday.

Twice in a lifetime  is the new adventure.
 We will be traveling from Vancouver back to Vancouver beginning August 3rd and ending August 12th.
Come along with us and see if it is as good the second time!!