"Go West Young Man"

Those who have seen the film One Week will no doubt know this scene. Those who have yet to see it, stop reading and go watch it now.  

I mean it. Go now. 

Although I have yet to see any such profound message in my own roll up the rim cup, traveling westward has always been on the list.

And what better way to see western Canada than on a train? Especially when you manage to snag a heavily discounted ViaRail ticket?

(A lot of thought went into this. Traveling by car is more expensive - factoring gasoline and overnight accommodations - and not to mention dangerous since I'm traveling solo. An one-way flight ticket from Toronto-Vancouver is faster and marginally cheaper but where's the fun in that? If nothing else, I got time. And while traveling on horseback would be highly entertaining, I imagine knowing how to ride a horse beforehand would be of somewhat vital importance. Cycling across western Canada would be awesome, but I doubt I have the patience/stamina to make it across the Prairies alive.)

Here it is. My train ticket (or rather, the precursor to my actual ticket.)

No turning back.