October 7, 2022. Jasper, Alberta. A beautiful Drive.

 The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is the most beautiful drive in the world.  I remember it from years ago and today I was not disappointed.  The drive was wonderful.  We spent all day stopping at the highlights.  But for me the best part of the day was the drive.  Spectacular.

One highlight was going up to the glacier.  The Athabasca glacier  is still big so we took a large vehicle right up so everyone could hike out on the glacier.  I struggle standing on level ground so elected to stay in the big vehicle while everyone else hiked around.  It was still pretty special.  Butch also elected to stay in the big vehicle.

Now we are staying in the Fairmont  Lodge at Jasper which is a spectacular place.  It is old with the accommodations scattered around the huge property.   After checking into our places, we dined in their restaurant, which was busy.  The place is family and dog friendly and the place is fully booked.  Unfortunately we are only here for one night.

Tomorrow we board a train for Toronto.  So here we go again.

October 6, 2022. Lake Loise, Alberta. The Indispensable Three.

This trip with the five of us was not planned.  It evolved.  And has worked out very well for me.  Lynn, Larry and Margo have become indispensable to me.

It started out as a conversation.  On the phone, I was cajoling Butch to do something.  Due to illness and Covid,  my friend Butch had done nothing for the past three years.  He was living in Annapolis by him self doing nothing and going nowhere.  I asked Butch what he would like to do and he said that he would like to take the train across Canada.  And he agreed to take the trip if I found such a trip.  So I found out the journey and we both booked our reservation.

Butch asked his brother , Larry and wife Lynn whether their daughter Margo would consider coming with him  Butch was anxious about traveling  with just me, who had health issues of my own.  So they asked Margo who said yes.  In addition, Larry and Lynn suggested that they might like to accompany us.  I was asked about the idea.  I thought it would be a fine idea.  This was 18 months ago.  I felt that we would have a good time but I did not realize how important these three able bodied adults would be to me.  But they are.

They help me in every direction.  These hotels are huge so they help me find my room.  And Margo and Lynn set up my room and turn on all the lights and find the plugs.  And as I now use a walker, I am unable to carry my bags by myself so they bring me and my bags in the morning to meet the bus.  My vision is limited so either Margo or Lynn hold onto my walker to keep me going to the correct direction.  Plus a million other things every day.

I had no idea when we planned this train journey how important these three adults would be to me.  But they are.  And for all their assistance I am grateful.  In addition, we are having a grand time.

October 5, 2022. Banff, Alberta. A Day in Banff.

Our day in Banff was glorious., Not only the scenery but also the weather.    The temperature was 72 and it was sunny.  Local folks were loving it because by now, winter has started to set in.  In fact there is a forecast for snow next Tuesday.  We were picked up in a bus just after 8:00 and brought home host after 3:30.  And we toured and stopped at all the high spots.

First we went up the gondola, an elevation 2200 feet above our hotel..  The sights was amazing.  Next we stopped at Bow River Falls, then the hudo's, followed by a cruise on a big lake.  In addition we stopped for lunch at a new hotel.  We also stopped at several other vistas so we could enjoy the grandeur.  All in all, it was a lovely day in Banff.

We were here on a good day because the summer crowds have gone and the winter folks have not arrived so Banff was not too crowded.  Of course, I knew the scenery was lovely but I always forget how beautiful it really is.  The town is nestled by mountains.  We are staying in the Fairmont Hotel?Banff Springs Hotel, built in the 19th century.  The place is huge and beautiful.  My room has spectacular views.  Again, I feel fortunate to be in Banff.

October 4, 2022. Banff, Alberta. The Rocky Mountaineer.

 Oh what a day.  The scenery was spectacular, all day.  One gorgeous vista after another in an unbelievable display of beauty.  This trip is an unending series of beautiful sights.  I have seen this terrain many times but I am always surprised by the views.  In addition to the scenery we ate breakfast and lunch on the train. But it was a long day.  We left our hotel at 6:00 and arrived at the Banff Springs Hotel at 9:00. So in addition to the gorgeous view, we got weary.

In addition to the views, we saw four black bears, several long horned sheep, one bald eagle and two elk.  Nifty.

Today we followed the valleys of seven rivers,  And as we increased elevation, we came upon the rocks above the tree line, which is special to the Canadian Rockies.  These mountains are beautiful and majestic.  And we loved every minute.    This two day trip is truly a trip of a lifetime.

October 3, 2022. Kamloops, British Columbia. The Rocky Mountaineer.

This is a trip of a lifetime, except I have done it once already.  Today  we left Vancouver bright and early.  And we followed along the Fraser River.  The scenery was spectacular with gorges and bridges and lots and lots of trees and mountains.  Then we left the Fraser River to follow the Thompson River all the rest of the day.  Except the trees got scarce and the rocks increased.  At some point we were in arid country where we saw many rock slides.  We saw long horned sheep.  And we saw kayakers going through the rapids.  The scenery was spectacular.

Our happy group of five enjoyed our day on the train.  Butch and I had no trouble getting on and off the train.  And we ate breakfast and lunch in our same train car but on the lower level.  The staff was excellent and fun.  Lynn and Larry stayed outside on the viewing area and had lots of fun waving at the people they saw.  So far, our first day on the train was a winner.

Now we stay overnight in Kamloops.  We ate dinner here.  But now we are all weary.  And we will soon all be in bed because we begin our day  by getting on our bus at 6:00.  Tomorrow, the scenery will be even more spectacular.  We will enjoy.

October 2, 2022. Vancouver, British Columbia. What a Day.

 My day began by eating breakfast in my hotel room.  I always enjoy this luxurious event.  

Next item on my agenda was having lunch with nephew Kenny, wife Anne, grown children Eric and Elise and Anne's brother Robert, who I had never met before.  We at in the hotel, just keep it easy.  It was a wonderful event, getting to know Robert and seeing the children again.  I had last seen them in Ancaster at Dave's 90th birthday.  I am so impressed with our young people who are working hard in their chosen fields and are still doing interesting activities outside work.  These young people are impressive.  Robert is blind and finding out how he gets through his life in his independent way is equally impressive.  We met at 12:30.  And we left at 4:15.  I did enjoy being with these good folks.

Then our happy group of five had dinner together at an excellent restaurant two blocks away.  We walked there which was the only time I had any time in my day to take a walk.  Lynn paid the bill which pleased me because I did not take my purse.  The food was excellent and the piano player was quiet.  And we had a good time.  Now we are set for tomorrow for the train which begins tomorrow.  But today was a hit.

October 1, 2022. Vancouver, British Columbia. Getting Stuck.

We are all five in Vancouver, ready to get on the train on Monday.  But this morning I got stuck getting out of my room at the hotel.  I asked when checking in on Friday how I could get over to the airport.  It is not a long walk but now that I must use the walker, I thought I needed help.  But the hotel has no staff to help me.  They used a cart to take my stuff to my room so I wondered if I could push the cart myself with my walked on top of the bags.  So I did.  This morning I loaded my bags on the cart with the walker on the top.  And I headed out to check in with Air Canada for my direct flight to Vancouver..

But I did not get far.  As I was going out the door, the walker slipped off the cart.  I was at the back of the cart and my walker was at the front with the cart jammed in the door.  I tried my best but I could not get anything to budge.  Finally, I called the front desk.  The young lady came to my rescue.  And I was on the way, but not with a little trauma.

The walk is not far but with the heavy cart, the walk seemed long.   And with no warning, I was walking on a down slope that I could not control.  I ran into a railing on purpose to control my speed but a lady noticed and asked if she could help.  So even though she was going in the opposite direction, she accompanied me all the way to the Air Canada check in counter.  So I made it with no more trouble.  Next time I will ask for help right from the beginning.  But I made it to Vancouver and our happy group of 5 are all here, ready to rest  tomorrow.  Hurrah for us.