....From Coast to Coast.....

Montreal - Quebec, June 9,2009

OK, we parked the car right next to the VIA station and are ready to board the train to Toronto. First experience for us to travel by train in Canada.

Toronto - Ontario

Apparently we have enough time to see a little bit of Toronto before we board the train again. We are very excited, it is our first trip to the West . A quick picture from the old City Hall

Early morning in Northern Ontario. 10.06.2009

It is early and we are rolling...we left Toronto on time and now we are somewhere in Ontario...it's still dark outside.
The staff from VIA is very nice and gave us Blankets and Pillows and we slept quite well.

Hornepayne, in the rugged Hearthland of Northern Ontario

We were invited to take a walk and some fresh air . There is a grocery store.....we shopped for some fresh fruit...wow. I just love the Train engine with the Spider man....very impressive!

There are two engines...we must be a good load !Later we were told that one engine is to supply electric power to the whole train and the other does the pulling.

...soon in Winnipeg, Manitoba - 11.06.2009

Where is everybody ?? Having Breakfast or enjoying the view from the Dome car.

Visiting Winnipeg

The Red River flooded "The Forks" in Winnipeg, a few weeks before ,but we still had a good time, excellent food and the people are very friendly and welcoming.

The Train Station in Winnipeg

We stayed 2 Days in Hotel Louis Riel, terrific place to stay,clean and very modern. We got an upgrade with a kitchenette. We visited the town and had more time to see the Station which was build in 1911 looks like Central Station in New York.
Tomorrow we pick up" The Canadian" again on the way to Jasper.

Look at this Architecture !

Located right behind the Fort Garry Hotel, this Condo building with the original decor.

In Saskatoon - Saskatchewan - 14.06.2009

In the background, the famous Potash Mines in Saskatchewan.

In the Prairies...

As far as you can see....fields and fields, near the Town of Rivers, a wheat growing community.

Wheat...wheat...

Fun...a short delay gives us a chance to stretch our legs and taking some sun.

North Saskatchewan River

The Canadian skirts the edge of the River!

Breathtaking...

At a loss to find the words to describe the beauty of this country !

Park Gate - Alberta - 14.06.2009

We enter the Jasper National Park. The Valley forms a natural division across the Park.

In the distance the town of Jasper - Alberta !

Main street, Jasper !

By the way, this is not our train engine!

We are leaving Jasper and it's late, but I got "The Monarch of the Canadian Rockies" ,Mount Robson" ,in the late evening mist with it's reflection in the lake.

Clearwater River and North Thompson River - British Columbia - 15.06.2009-

The meeting of the Clearwater River (foreground) and the Thompson River (background).
Notice the contrast in the colour of the water!

Leaving the mountains behind us.

The Landscape is desert-like, these rock formations are called "hoodoos", pinnacles formed by years of erosion.

Along the Fraser River.

Cisco Bridge (1885) and Fraser River, near Lytton.

Arriving in Vancouver.

What a Welcome to Vancouver: Lion's Gate Bridge with the Sky Train coming over and first evening out in Town...

Very early morning in Vancouver - 16.06.2009

We got an early Breakfast and are on our way to visit the City....love the reflections !

Going to the North Shore

Lots of fun with the Sea Bus

My sister Erika landed in Vancouver and she is ready to visit...

Back in Stanley Park...Just have to hug this tree..

Art is always present.

Entrance to the Aquarium

"The Girl’s eyes look out to sea, and her body leans easily towards the ocean demonstrating Vancouver’s dependence on the sea and the necessary role that it has played and continues to play in the lives of all British Columbians."

"Unique collection of eight Totem poles that share the history and longevity of British Columbia’s first people." Below is Erika relaxing after a good walk !

On the way to Victoria-Vancouver Island - 17.06.2009

We are traveling as "Foot Passenger" on the BC Ferry from Tsawwassan to Swartz Bay.

Rene is checking out Erika's pictures !

Admiring the sunset from the "Fisherman's Wharf". Across the Inner Harbour is the beautiful Faimont Empress Hotel.

The one car "Malahat Train" leaving it's tiny station, in Victoria, to go up along the Strait of Georgia to Courtenay.-18.06.2009

Arriving in Parksville for an overnight stay.

"Ti-na-mara" Resort and Spa, our home for tonight .(top left is Rene after a shower)

After a delicious dinner,coffee with a view!

A sunrise to remember !

Watching the tide going out,very early morning,from our balcony.

....tide's out !

Right on time and we're off again ! -19.06.2009-

One of the many gorges on the way to Courtenay.

Train station in Courtenay .

Back in Victoria

The Inn at Laurel Point is very "Zen" with a beautiful Japanese garden.

Cooling off in front of one of the fountains

Hotel guests (my hubby) are enjoying a
little walk.

In Chinatown we discovered this artistic "Mural"...so lifelike!

Fisherman's wharf with the many "Float homes" -- very colorful.

This is a Float Home ? Look at the Entrance!

On the way back to the Hotel, where
dinner is waiting, we admired the
BC - Legislature .

After a delicious dinner with some good wine, we relaxed on the balcony and watched the US Ferry coming in from Seattle-(Washington) !

Back to Vancouver - 21.06.2009-

On the Double-Decker Bus coming in to Swartz-Bay, Sidney for the Ferry to Vancouver .

This is Ladner Exchange !Debating: ...to stay or go back...

During our Brunch on the Ferry we were lucky to see the whales in the distance !
We were not this close... (Ad photo)

Erika and Rene are getting organized with the baggage to take the Sky train from Downtown Vancouver to the VIA Station.

Our Train to Edmonton leaves at 20.40 hr.

Erika having an early bird dinner.

Waiting in the Station, it's been a long day !

Near Chilliwack,BC the Bridal Veil Falls the sixth-highest waterfall in Canada, which tumbles almost 400 feet (122 metres) over a smooth rock face, creating a "veil-like" effect.

Rain clouds over Yellowhead Lake

The remnants of a forest fire.

Victoria Cross Range

View from the Main Street in Jasper -Alberta

Along the Athabasca River

Visiting Edmonton

View from our Hotel, the Crown Plaza (Chateau Lacombe)

West Edmonton Mall ...spectacular !

The Wave Pool....

Rene went shopping in the Chinese Supermarket. Wish we had a Market like this.

Erika working out after an excellent dinner.

The Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, in the background

Leaving Edmonton -24.06.2009-

We are waiting for the Train to Toronto.

All New, Modern and Clean ...with Prairie hospitality.

Say Good-by to Winnipeg

Winnipeg Station by night.

Getting to Toronto -27.06.2009-

View from the Island Airport

Birds-eye view of a Baseball game in Rogers Center

Rene playing Steelworker...looking through the glass floor

Girls are shopping again!

Soooo.. pretty, Dolphins all over !

Erika writing some more Cards ??

We say good bye to the Fairmont York Hotel !

Trip to Nova-Scotia

What you see from your train window: After leaving Montreal yesterday evening, we woke up to this beautiful sunrise in the Matapedia Valley (Matapedia means the "meeting of waters")