Thursday, May 3, 2012

4.22.2012 The Rockies

Although I do wish that the weather was a bit nicer during the time spent in the Rockies, the grey skies over the mountains created its own unique and distinctive atmosphere. At the very least, I was very glad to still see snow on the mountaintops.

The poor weather also gives me a great excuse to go back.
 

So many cameras. All set to capture that one perfect shot.



The Case of the Mysterious Tunnel. According to the guidebook, we were supposed to pass through a 1700 feet tunnel at mile x. This mysterious tunnel never came to pass. Instead, we passed through this shorter tunnel at a much later time. Where did that tunnel go? The guidebook I'm referring to was published by ViaRail in 2009. So unless they changed the train route (which the dome attendant assured me that they did not), it will have to remain a mystery. Curiouser and curiouser.

 And then it started to rain.

One of the sights I was most excited to see was Pyramid Falls. It cannot be seen any other way except by train. I was so nervous that I might miss it during dinner that I actually skipped dessert just so I can get back to the dome car early.

And it did not disappoint. Even in the rain it was beautiful. The train conductors were nice enough to slow the train down so we could have a better look. I was told that at this time, the falls are still half frozen and that when it's fully flowing, the view is even more majestic. 

4.22.2012 Jasper Park

Let the oohing and aahing commence. Apologies for the photo quality. The windows of the dome car was supposed to be washed in Winnipeg/Edmonton but the attendant forgot, hence the specks and dirt.

The weather wasn't very cooperative that day but the impressiveness of the mountains still shone through.

 


 
 
 
 


Look! Mountain goats grazing by the track! I even saw one up in the rocks, its butt poking out over the edge. A little dismayed that no moose or elk were sighted but I'll take what I can get.

Finally, the town of Jasper. The train stops for an hour and a half but the reality is that you only get a solid hour, just enough to grab a coffee/snack but not enough for anything else. I wanted to try out the Jasper Discovery trail but it was simply too far from the train station. Instead, I just walked around a bit before heading back to the train so I can snag a decent seat in the dome car. I'm so glad I went back early because there were a lot of new passengers (including an entire tour group) getting on the train at Jasper.

 Once again, champagne and hors d'oeuvres to send us on our merry way.

4.22.2012 Sunrise in the Prairies and Edmonton in the Morning

 

We arrived in Edmonton bright and early. Unfortunately, the train station is located on  the outskirts of the city so not much to do except breathe in some of that fresh prairie air.

Then it was time for brunch. I had the smoked salmon with potato pancakes. As splendid as I had come to expect of the meals.

On the road again. Moving ever closer to Jasper, BC.

Yay trees! Yay hills!

Is that the Rocky Mountains I glimpse in the blurry distance?

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

4.21.2012 Dinner

 Grilled Arctic Char with Pickled Onion
 
Cherry cheesecake and chocolate mint sticks. So unbelievably good..

4.21.2012 The Prairies

Nothing much can be said about the prairies. The pictures should speak for themselves.


Beautiful sunset on the prairies.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012