TORONTO TO JASPER: Part One

The Fairmont Royal York was across the street from Union Station, so we had the chief bellman help us wheel our luggage to the check-in counter.  Except to the wrong place.  So we later had to bring our baggage to another desk where they were strict as to maximum weight.  Remember, we are on a nearly 2-month trip, and I have a rather large suitcase, which weighed 63 pounds, 13 pounds over the limit.  Had to scramble to get everything in order, and ended up carrying more on the train than we wanted.

Shocks came one after the other.  Our room on Rail Canada is so small, more like a short walk-in closet of our cruise stateroom.  When we were at dinner, someone can in and converted the room into a bedroom.

Compared to others, we had it well, for our toilet opened into another small room.  Many had no chairs and the toilet in the same room.  We all had to use a common shower.

The part that most stunned me was no internet.  While aghast, I was also curiously relieved.  This meant I could forget about this blog and my four ESPN fantasy baseball teams.  In the past 18 years I don't think I have ever gone this long without a daily blog posted, ever.  Last year, I was in a similar situation with my ESPN teams, for I could not access them in Japan or on the Oceania cruise to Vancouver..  A month later I returned to Canada, and I could again continue.  My four teams were, in 10-team leagues at #9, #7, #6 and #4, with #1 being first.  However, by the end of the year, three of them won their league, so not worth worrying over.  It's all for free anyway.

The main thing, though, was that our baggage and we were on the train and headed for Jasper. Rail Canada 1 left Toronto on April 29 at 9:30AM.

The aboved itinerary shows that we will tomorrow be picked up in a van and transported to Lake Louise for a night, then Banff.

Spent most of my time just gazing outside at snowed in terrain and woods.  People say things should get better in a few days, especially around Banff.  Moose, bison, elk, bear, etc.

Served are breakfast, lunch and dinner.  There are three sittings, and you are ushered to a table for four, so meet new people all the time.  Our first meal, lunch.

Birch trees and snow.

More snow.

And even more, although May is in two days,

Birch and snow again.

It's getting close to dinner time, so I'll end here.  Well, let me show you what President Donald Trump served King Charles and Queen Camilla at the state banquet fit for king. Further, what was served and the guest list.

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