Author: Peg

Or what would Jim do?

Just finished packing. It is 1015. Need to be out of here by 1100. I’ll be a homeless person until 1700. Made a sandwich out of my leftover food. Old cheapskate/frugal habits die hard.

There is a museum to see. There is also movie theater. And lots of nice benches all around town.

I did make it to the top of Whistler’s. With more than a little help from the tramway. The last 600 feet were left to me. More than enough for my vintage body.

I did not do lunch at the top. I did do a KitKat bar. Back at the hotel I polished off the leftover chicken, tomatoes and avocado. Then I napped.

Tomorrow at 1730 it is back on the train. This time it is three nights and two days. Hope I have this whole train thing down. I have booked a sleeping “coffin”. Six feet three inches by three feet.

I was missing Mr C this evening. Found Canadian football on TV. Turned on football and it is like he is here!

I shall have my lunch on the top of that mountain tomorrow if the goddess is willing. No, I haven’t completely taken leave of my senses. There is a tram that goes almost to the top. And a bus that goes from town to the base station.

Today, I went on a tour on the back of a Harley. Great fun. The outfit was a little over the top. But I loved the electric vest.

Then I headed out on foot to find big horn sheep. Found no sheep. Got hailed on. Sure sign that I should spend the rest of the day on the sofa.

Woke up early and headed for the Dome Car.
It was a long train. 23 cars and 2 engines. I was in car 2. Right after the baggage car. They insisted that I take a golf cart to my car. I must have been looking really old!
I enjoyed a late breakfast and mostly looked out the window.

Got to jasper on time. Hiked to the hotel. Then went to the grocery store. This place has a kitchen. Got veggies, a chicken, some bagels, lox, and cream cheese, coffee, cream, yogurt.

Leaving tonight at 1930 or so on VIA Rail eta Jasper 1600 tomorrow. Spending the day seeing Vancouver.

Chinatown

Gastown

Around cruise ship docks – no ships.

View from my room at the YWCA. This is not your mother’s YWCA. One did not have to be young, woman, Christian or a member. The vending machine in the lobby sold KitKat Bars, wasabi peas, cup of noodles and condoms.

I went to Stanley Park and the aquarium. Not as good as the Chicago aquarium. But great exhibits from local waters.
After a little rest, then went to Granville island. Where the have a great market and lots of upmarket craftspeople. Splendid.

July 29 – on the train at last. I’ll do more with this on later.

Dawn’s early light in Spokane.
Finally got on the 1845 train at 2357. Hey, it was the same day! The train was supposed to get to Seattle well before noon. Giving me almost four hours before my Amtrak bus left for Vancouver. And the train ran out of food. Break out the Emergency Rations.

That is what coach folks got and a bottle of water. The sleeper people got a slice of processed cheese on a biscuit, a couple of strawberries and a juice box. The sleeper folk seemed to think we got a better meal.

The closer we got to Seattle the more it looked like I would just miss my bus. I was going to miss it by 10 minutes. But, Amtrak held the bus for me! Got to Vancouver on time. It was still daylight and I was able to figure out the Sky Train and find the YWCA Hotel without any trouble.
All is well that ends well. It was a fine sunny day and everyone in coach was a happy train rider. No worries.

After breakfast, oatmeal, I went on a little bus tour. We went on a little boat ride and “hiked” out to this nice water fall.

I had a cookie and coffee for lunch and will have an early dinner. Now, I do not need to eat early to get on the 6:45 pm train. Last time I checked the 6:45 had become the 8:48. Last night, the 6:45 didn’t arrive until 1:34 am. But it did get here. It didn’t go back to Chicago.

Back to eating today’s special is trout and I want to get some before it runs out and I end up with a veggie burger again.

I think it is nap time. This is why I am buying an extra hotel day.

The east bound train was 8 hours late. The west bound train went back to Chicago or something. It fell off the radar. It isn’t coming here. I am supposed to be on that train tomorrow at 6:45 PM. And my cell doesn’t work here. It should be interesting. Intrepid Little Old Lady Traveller may be in a pickle.

Well, just about everyday is laundry day. Today the Intrepid Little Old Lady Traveller is taking the day off. After eating everything in sight for breakfast I went on a modest four mile stroll to help giggle the eggs, hashbrowns, and toast down.

A hostel was having a yard sale of “left behinds”. Since I have been almost cold a couple of times, I picked up a sweater. It needed washing. I washed it and hope it gets dry before I train up tomorrow.

Today’s trains are 6-8 hours late. Doesn’t bode well for tomorrow. Tomorrow starts off with a morning bus tour.

East Glacier Park is inside the Blackfeet Reservation. The casino is in Browning about 15 miles away from here. I guess the elders want to keep the money close to tribal HQ so the can watch it. But, it means no sales tax. A $68 hotel room costs $68. This is a good thing.

Road all around Glacier National Park today in this fine vintage (1936) bus with 16 of my new best friends. Left at 9 am got back at 5:45 pm.

Saw a chipmunk. A one each chipmunk. Not two chipmunk. No bears. No fluffy white goats. No wooly sheep. A chipmunk.

But it was a fine tour. Just wildlife free.

It is nice at clear and sunny here at 8:15 pm. I am trying to stay awake until dark. Want to see stars.