Next Stop Victoria

Leaving Jasper, I felt this sadness. Not only to be leaving the new friend I had made, but leaving my beautiful luxury hotel room , and the beauty of the landscape. I was sad knowing I would be forced upon a train for about 14 hours, and not have the freedom to climb up the side of a mountain anytime I chose to.

I took one of the few seats left available, settled myself and began to write.

I wrote a little… but wasn't quite in the mood. I put my laptop away, and headed up to the dome car to say goodbye to the mountains as we drove out of them.

As we were passing through such beauty, and it was such a clear day out, the dome car was packed. I grabbed the only empty two-seater and like everyone else, pressed my nose against the window. 

We passed through the mass mountains encompassing us on either side like giant fortresses. 

Lots of people say that Mount. Robson is a sight to be seen. I wasn't quite sure I would understand that. how could it be any different from the mass structures I was already staring in awe at. When I saw it, I knew! It was larger than all the others, and we practically drove right beneath it. The dome car has glass ceilings, and as I peered directly up, I felt as though I was at the base of the CN tower. The mountain is so high, that it usually creates it's own weather, and is only visible between 9 - 14 days a year. I was lucky, it was one of those remarkable days.

I stayed in the dome car for a couple hours as we slowly headed out of the mountains. There was a polite Spanish exchange student in the dome car running from side to side, with his fancy camera taking pictures of the beauty. When the car was full he asked if he could sit next to me and we started chatting. We chatted for about an hour or so, while some very misbehaved children ran around the car screaming and playing. 

His name is William, and he grew up in Spain. He decided to fly to Toronto and take the train to Vancouver, where he would be going to school to study English. He eventually went to have dinner, and I stayed in the dome car for a while.

I had dinner a little later in the dinning car. I sat across from these very friendly looking people, and as I talked to them more and more, I felt like they were the parents I never had. They owned a huge house and property where their children came to visit them a lot. They were brother and sister and lived together to take care of each other. They seemed quite informative, and told me lots to do to keep busy in Victoria (which happened to be where they were headed). We chatted a lot about Ontario, and Victoria. I told them I keep my eyes out for them on the ferry, and I did.

After dinner I got back to writing. I was at in for about an hour or so when William appeared. He just happened to be occupying the seat in front of mine. He sat with me and showed me his pictures of his trip so far. He had over two-thousand pictures. We chatted a bit and headed back to the dome car. We ended up hanging out there for a couple hours and what William referred to it as, painting.

Essentially, he was setting his camera's shutter speed to be extremely slow. So the camera would be more light sensitive. We started playing with lights and what-not… here's the best of what we came up with.

After painting I met some of the other people William had been hanging out with on the train. There was a wicked lady, a trucker, with an awesome personality. She was snappy, and witty, liked to drink, smoke and have a good time. She was in her late 30s, and travelling across Canada to pick up a truck and drive it back. 

There was Hugh, a 19-year-old Montreal born frenchman. He had a "Gangster" (his words , not mine) attitude, attire, and demeanour. His english wasn't very good, and he didn't try as hard as William to understand. He had decided to walk across Canada. He was starting in Vancouver, and walking back to Montreal. Seemed like a crazy trip, but even for his age, I could tell he was mentally prepared for it.

There were Jeff and Will, brothers travelling with their mom for a vacation and to visit some family. They were mildly attractive, and maybe a year older than me.

We all stepped off the train in Kamloops so they could have a couple smokes. 

Once the train started up again we all headed to the luxury class's dome car.  We all drank a lot, chatted and laughed as the train twisted and turned through countless tunnels. Hugh's was playing some old classic dance hits, and at one point Jeff, Will and myself were dancing to daft punk's around the world in the aisle of the dome car. It's not as easy as you think it might be as the train speeds along.

The brother's popped some mushrooms, and we kept joking about riding on a snake. Which I understood by looking out towards the front of the train, and seeing the whole thing wrapping around the mountains, and disappearing again into another tunnel.

I got back to my seat around 4. WIlliam was sleeping, and even though I said I would wake him, I didn't.

I slept for a couple hours, and heard the last call for breakfast. If it was last call, then we were pretty close to Vancouver.

Hugh, William and I sat in the dome car together chatting. There was a nervous feeling of uncertainty and excitement in the air. We joked and laughed, as we made our way to pick up our baggage. He saw Jeff and Will and say bye. I waved goodbye to the nice brother and sister I had dinner with the night before.

I said goodbye to Hugh and wished him the best of luck. It seemed pretty crazy what he was doing. However 19 was the prime male age to do so, and I know he will arrive home a different man, from the boy who started out. Or maybe he'll be like Nate, find somewhere he loves, and decide not to leave.

William and I were left. We picked up our luggage and I said goodbye. He gave me his e-mail, and I told him when I came back into Vancouver, I would let him know and we could go take pictures somewhere in the city.

I turned away and headed to my bus. Next stop Victoria.

Jasper

I awoke feeling refreshed. I think I slept about twelve hours or so. I felt happy still and was excited about the day ahead of me. I ran over to the window and pulled back the curtains. They were still there, it wasn't a dream, "Good morning Mountains," I said I headed to the shower.

One of the first things I noticed about this town (other than the distraction of the mountains), was that it has a lot of cobblestone. A lot of the building have stones in their walls. Also there are these benches. They look like something from the Flinstones. I giggle at them but I really enjoy the way they look.

I went for breakfast. I ended up at this place on the main strip. They were actually done breakfast so I had some soup and a sandwich. 

After I ate I headed through town to the museum. It was closed. It made me a little sad, museum number two I have missed. Directly behind the museum was some nature trails which lead into the foothills and into the mountains. OH FUN!

I looked at the map… Which way… twenty mile loop or nine kms to Pyramid lake. I decided pyramid lake sounded not only easier, but the reward of a lake was at the end.

Within two minutes I was in the forrest. I could no longer see the town, and all I could see was the forrest around me. There was this one rock I passed where I was sure there was a face in it. Did Medusa trap a man inside thousands of years ago? Do you see it?

As I followed along the path I watched the town of Jasper get smaller and smaller. I marvelled at how it existed perfectly with nature completely surrounding it.

I walked along in peace for about an hour or so. I had lots of time to think, and it was so nice to be alone, uninterrupted with my thoughts. I looked over the last year in my mind, and it helped me to better understand myself and my wants in life. I didn't get anything figured out, or come to an epiphany, but it was really nice to have some quiet to think.

SpongeBob and I had some fun staking rocks. I always love the way these mini statues look. Inukshuks!

Every jogger I passed in the woods said hello. All of them were with someone or had a dog with them. I thought it was kind of dumb to go alone. Not only are these woods full of wildlife, but I saw, on a number of occasions, bear prints in the mud.

I eventually ended up in Patricia Lake. It was nothing short of spectacular. The lake was frozen over and the contrast of green trees and hills between the mountains, sky, and lake was breathtaking.

I sat on the lake for about twenty minutes or so. Mouth-gaping stare I'm sure the whole time. Spongy got excited that we were at a lake and kept talking about searching for his pineapple. Eventually he got really excited and tried diving in. It took a bump on the head and twenty minutes of explanation before he understood the lake was frozen.

On the way back I took a detour. Took a path that looped around a different part of the woods. Was I ever happy that I did, for the trail winded further and further up the hill. The view was great and the rolling hills reminded of a bright eyed child, or little house on the prairie. I imaged running up the hill with my hair in pig-tails crying, "pa-pa! Pa-pa!"

The path went back and forth and slowly scaled back down the side of the mountain. I kept marvelling at how steep the slopes were (the ones I was staring right beside).

Not a trail? REALLY!? It certain looks like a tire rim to me. Hum?

I got back from my little hike just in time to watch Buffy… Oh how I love that show! Especially the old episodes.

I killed a bit of time and watched a silly 80s movie about a cross-dressing college kid.

Then I headed to the main strip for dinner. I sat at the bar and had a delicious steak, with some mashed potatoes and asparagus. I took my time there, it had a fun youthful vibe. I decided that I would have some desert, but what I wanted they did not have, so I opted for a glass of port instead (Taylor 20, my face!). I asked for a glass, but what I got was a bucket. The bartender poured me about 9oz. (For those who don't know, 2oz. of pour is equal to one drink). I was shocked, but knew I would enjoy it. When I headed out for a cigar, the bartender came out for a smoke and asked me to come with him to the nearby club (Pete's). He was a good looking, friendly English chap, and we were hitting it off chatting all evening. I decided I would hang out till he was done and follow him over.

Upon getting back inside I met one of the cooks who was at the bar. The bartender had poured him a pint and threw a couple shots of Hyphynoptic in it. It smelt strange, but he said it didn't taste terrible. We started chatting a bit, and I found out he was from Barrie. He seemed nice enough and told me he would see me over at Pete's.

Once the bartender and the manager were finished closing up, we all headed over. I got stopped at the door and asked for ID. I presented my health card, and his response was, "I don't take healthcard's." He wouldn't even look at it, and I had nothing else. I guess I wasn't getting in there.

I began my walk back to hotel. It was probably time to head back anyways, my head was swirling with all the port and drinks before that. I didn't even get a block when I heard someone calling my name. "No one knows me in Jasper," I thought to myself. I saw that it was the cook that I had been talking to at the restaurant. He asked me why I wasn't at Pete's already and I explained.

He didn't seem phased at all. "Let's go over here," and we continued walking.

He took me to a nearby pub and we grab a drink. We chatted some more and laughed an what not. Some of his friends invited us to a party just after last call. I said YES! But it was decided if we were to go to a party that booze was in order. We went to another hotel, or bar type place and bought a bottle of gin. It definitely was sketchy. (sorry daddy)

Then it was decided that one wold need juice with said gin and so the cook and I made a detour to the Mac's Mart. It was weird, the town had felt empty and quiet since I arrived, but during this time people were running around everywhere. The bar we went to, the sketchy hotel/bar, the club I couldn't get into, and the Mac's Mart were full of people having good times. Man, does Jasper ever come alive at night.

The cook, Nate, lead me to his place, and very much discouraged me from going to the party. He said that it would be twelve guys in a garage doing coke all night. I was still down for going, it was twelve guys I didn't know and could chat with while I got drunk. (Not that I was or anything at this point).

We ended up chilling at Nate's wicked apartment till stupid o'clock. Chatting, drinking, laughing. I remember we watched some BAD music videos.

I got back to my hotel at 5:30am.

We'll be coming 'round the mountain

I awoke again the the train stopping... The train going in fine... but the stops are when I wake up. I felt like we stopped a lot last night. If I can get back to sleep when we are stopped, the motion when we continue allows me to keep on sleeping.
Early this morning we arrived in Edmonton. That guy slept through and once again didn't buy his ticket... I wonder what's going to happen with that.
I decided I better go for breakfast... my tummy was crying!
Once I got in the dinning car I met Josie. A middle-aged interior designer who was taking a bit of a break between companies. She looked fresh faced and well-slept. I could tell she had just gotten on the train.
We were joined by Katie, a retired teacher, with very short red hair, drawn-on eyebrows and a no-nonsense Scottish attitude. They had both left their husbands at home, and decided to travel; Katie for the romance of the train trip she had dreamed about for twenty years. Josie for a break from her life and work. The three of us had a chat about compromise in a marriage. We all agreed that a necessary level of compromise was essential for success of a relationship. However, if you compromise far too much than you begin to lose yourself. While compromise is key, one must ascertain themselves and do the things that make them happy and complete as a person.
After leaving the breakfast table, the conversations lesson remained in my thoughts. I wondered where the lines of comprise could be blurred, and if a relationship could really exist under the ideas of comprise even if it wasn't meant to be.
Josie and Katie were preaching the responsibilities of comprise and marriages, important lessons, yes... I couldn't help but notice that Josie was not wearing her wedding ring. Now my question is: how does one preach the responsibilities of comprimise and success of a marriage, but yet do not wear the ring. Not only that, but what exactly was she planning to do on this trip. I do not judge, for everyone needs some excitement in their life. It just struck me as odd. I wanted to ask her about it, but knew it would be inappropriate.
I went back to my seat, and took a brief nap. It being only about 8:00am at this point.

When I awoke, I headed into the dome car. I wanted a good seat and a good view for the entrance of the mountains. It was raining, and pretty overcast outside. Gloomy kind of day, and I did hope that the mountains might be visible. The dome car was much more social than it had been in previous days. There was about six or seven or us in there all sitting alone, but carrying on a conversation about many things. We were all quite different people from different walks of life, and each of us had some different to add to different parts of the conversation. Especially on the idea of legalizing marijuana use.

There was one lady in particularly who was so well versed in the world, and great to talk to. When the dome car began to get busy, I sat with her. She was interesting because she knew so many different things about art, artists, writers, books, authors, travel, nature vs. society.. and the list goes on and on.

The vibe in the dome car was great. Everyone was excited and in a positive chatty mood. As we got closer to the mountains it cleared up, and the rain was gone.

Right after leaving HInton we began to see the mountains in the distance.

As they got closer and closer everyone could not help but gasp and marvel at their beauty. All these glistening peaks, getting closer and closer. 

We pasted by lakes, and the Athabasca River. The river seemed so clean and green. I could also tell that it expanded much further than where it was. As if during the summer, it was over three times the width then what it is at currently.

Everyone was chatting about the region and the mountains. Everyone had their cameras out taking pictures. We travelled in this happy bliss for about an hour or so. Every so often the man the operates the take-out car, Raman, would come up into the car and tell us something educational about what we were seeing, or what was coming up next.

He told us about this one mountain. It's one of the most popular in the region. It's called mount Roage (not sure if that's the right name), but to the locals it's now as Old Man or Pocahontas. Can you see the face? I thought it was neat how the terrain was naturally eroded that way.

I realized all of the sudden that Jasper sits right in the middle of all these mountains. I got so pumped just thinking about being immersed inside of all of these wondrous beauties.

I can not describe to you the feeling when I got off of the train. It was something I can not describe, I can only say that I was completely overwhelmed with the extreme closeness of the mountains, and their size. The air was fresher, people everywhere were smiling and excited. I got my luggage and walked across town to my hotel. I was simply in awe, and could not stop staring at the landscape. For everywhere I looked a beautiful mountain was hovering in the distance, as if smiling and welcoming me.

I dropped off my stuff and went out for lunch. I was starving and craving pizza. Turns out in Jasper, there is only one place where you can get a slice of pizza, and I couldn't find it. I ended up getting a small hawaiian and enjoying it's fresh baked deliciousness. Fresh home-made tomato sauce on a perfectly cooked crust, with the perfect amount of toppings. One of the best pizza's I've had.

I took an hour long walk up and down the side streets to explore. They have two main streets, and a bunch of residential streets. Jasper is an amazingly clean town as I saw NO garbage anywhere at all. I think this is due to it being a National Park, and the people that live there help to preserve it.

I was walking past a retirement home, a noticed a cute man ahead of me. He was shuffling along the sidewalk with a stick in his hand. The stick had a rope tied to it, and the rope was strapped around his wrist (In case he dropped it, he wouldn't have to bend down and pick it up). He said "hello there" and I said hello back. I mentioned the nice weather we were having was (it was about 14 degrees) and I was still in full awe about the mountains. He stared to tell me about how he has such a hard time going outside, but had to come out today because of the weather, and to say hello to the mountains. I liked him, and we exchanged a few more words before continuing on my adventurous walk. It was so quite and peaceful everywhere and the town seemed to have a permanent feeling of bliss hovering above it.

I passed the elementary school and heard some kid whining at his brother that he "didn't want to go home". I thought that if home was away from the landscape, then I completely understood why.

Once I had wandered all through the side streets and through the main part of town twice, I decided to head back to the hotel. I was inspired to write.

I relaxed completely, couldn't help it when the vibe was so present throughout the town.

I watched the sunset from my balcony and the mountains slowly disappear into the night.

FORTress of Solitude

There's a cute old man who's sitting across from me. I know, I know, I always think the elderly are cute…. but they are. Maybe that's why I'm enjoying this trip so much, so many cute and interesting elderly people to look at.

Anywho… when we pulled out of Winnipeg he raced over to my side of the train and pressed his face against the glass and started waving. We past by his apartment building and his roommate was on the balcony waving too. I couldn't quite tell if his roommate had seen him, but as we passed his waves got more aggressive, so I told him I thought he had. We got into a bit of a nice chat about the different markets around Canada. Comparing The Forks (Winnipeg), St.Lawerence (Toronto), and Grandville Island (Vancouver). He is retired and likes to travel the rails now as a means of entertainment because his cost of living is a little low. He has some family in Missasagau and seems to know a bit about the different areas in Toronto. It was to talk about something familiar. I gave him directions to check out mini-China town on Broadview (he asked), as well as Riverdale Farm and that giant Riverdale park. 

I did a couple silly things on this train trip. Firstly they wouldn't turn off the goddamn search lights! Ok, not search lights, but blinding overhead lights for the whole coach car. I was sleepy and the blanket over my head was NOT working this time. I built myself a little fort. Everyone was looking at me strangely who walks by. But i do my evil laugh to myself and say, "Suckers! They wish they had their own fort to sleep in!" SpongeBob loves it! I'm ready to take it down, but he won't let me.

There is another man, in a couple seats in front of me. He came on without a ticket. He was instructed to pick one up in Sasktoon. He went to the dome car instead. Let's see if he gets on in Edmonton, or if he can make it to Kamloops for free.

We just passed through Wainwright. I look out the window and once again see snow. I shutter at the thought that Jasper might have snow still. I've been checking the weather, and they have been around and above ten degrees for a couple weeks now… but snow I still fear. I think mainly because I do not have the approbate clothing to deal with said weather conditions.

It's almost 4am, and all my coach-mates are asleep. I was awaken to the sound of my phone receiving signal once again, and receiving 11 texts, 4 e-mails, and 2 voicemails. I LOVE YOU GUYZ! My coach-mates looked annoyed, and I was embarrassed, but happy to know you guy are wondering about me. If anyone would like to send me an e-mail with updates on how you are, that would be great! I would love to hear from you and see how things are going for you.

Quite mental breaks from trying so hard to sleep are good. It also allows me to write silly entertaining things to myself. I hope you are enjoying reading these entries… if not, oh well! I am:p

Passing through the prairies at night is interesting. It's so dark, and all you can see are a few specks on light on the far distant horizon. I read in my rail-guide, that they purposely go through the parries at night to avoid people from getting prairie fever. It's supposedly so flat and boring, that people need a mental break from it. Oh mental break!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I think I'm gonna go back into my fort now, or as Luke would call it, my "Fortress of Solitude", and try to get a little more sleep. Nighty!

Car Graveyard

I turned my alarm off this morning for what seemed to be the 20th time. I realized I could delay it no more… I must get up and leave Winnipeg.

I showered, gathered all my stuff, and checked out. I hit a coffee shop along the way and picked up a muffin for the train ride.

Although I slept in too long, and couldn't go out for breakfast, I did have some extra time before the train left the station. I headed back over to Forks. I picked up some fresh fruit, and a sandwich (and a brownie…shhhhh!) for the train ride. I once again walked along the historic nature walk.

This time I decided to stop and chat with the locals. SpongeBob called them wild animals, but they seemed pretty civil. I saw this awesome billboard overtop of the bridge to cross the river.

It was peaceful to listen to the river flow along, and watch it slowly trickle along.

Said my Goodbye to Winnipeg!

I got to the station early, hoping to get a good seat on the train. There was a huge group (20ish) of kids there. Maybe not kids, but late teens (14 - 17). I looked over at them throwing things at each other, playing clapping games, and repeating silly names at each other.

My stomach flipped with the idea of the coach car being full of these loud teens, and I possibly having to share a seat :( I tried to get to the front of the line, getting to choose the best seat. However, Via-Rail is awesome and attached a second Coach car for the occasion. They are all in the other car. The dome car is much busier.

Right after we crossed the boarder between Manitoba and Saskatchewan we went into the Qu'Appelle Valley. This valley stretches for about twenty-five miles and was formed by the giant ice sheet that covered Canada about 12 000 years ago. I really enjoyed seeing the carving, and erosion left behind from tens of thousands of years ago. (Yeah, Nerd here!)

We had a quick stop in Melville. I jumped off the train and noticed a graveyard for old cars. I couldn't help but turn my camera off of auto, and play with the shutter speeds and what-nots to get some shots of the these beauties. Most people would think this is junk, but I really enjoyed taking these photos. I really like the way that time and circumstance can alter something's appearance to become what we see today. I love the way that the rust is eating away at the car's exteriors and how abandoned and unloved they look. I hope you enjoy these photos.

Not in Kanas anymore

I awoke this morning around 5am when the train arrived in Sudbury. The couple of inches of snow startled me… are we not finished with winter already?

After a brief stop over the train began chug-a-luging again… When I awoke later I have discovered that we are now on our way toHornepayne, circling around the northern side of lake Superior.

Not only did I discover that we were a lot farer North, but we are also in a lot more winter. What began as only a couple inches seems to have multiplied rapidly with our increasing northernly direction. I am now looking at forests blanketed with between three to five feet of snow. The delicate white powder continues to fall from the sky. Every branch has snow on it, and it seems to be the very picturesque vision of an Ansel Adams photo. 

Simply said, it is winter in it's finest. Everything covered in snow, rivers and creeks frozen over, and a warm hot chocolate in my hand.