It's easy to see why Ansel Adams fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. Continued from page 31 ‘The Canadian’ there are a few things you need to know. There are three types of accommodation (yes, you sleep on the train). | would recommend you stay away from the berths and sleeper seats, instead opting for a cabin. The berths, although comfortable, are nothing more than seats flattened with a curtain to separate you from the aisle. The sleeper seats are great for students or commuters, but offer no pri- vacy. Expect to pay about $1600 for a cabin. | have slept on trains in Egypt and Europe, and found We can help you find it, at Herder Sales QUALITY USED CARS All certified & emissions tested farranty available Good, reliable vehicles In-house leasing "Ppp ect 1 FA Port Perry 905-985-3885 Valentine — Your Prince awaits. 4 N Port Perry 905-985-0802 ‘The Canadian’ to be much superior. There were several things | learned the hard way. During dinner the bed in my cabin was lowered and it takes up most of the room. This was not a problem, except it rests on the toilet, which means once the bed is down you cross your legs. The cuisine was mouthwatering. Steaks and vegetables were cooked to perfection and a good selection of vintages made dining a memorable expe- fience. Conversations with newfound friends passed the time and a nightcap (or two) in the dome car was enjoyable. It was late and | was tired and it was only moments until the gentle rocking of the train lulled me into a deep sleep. My shock came the next moming. | awoke to bright sunlight and realized | had forgotten to lower the window shade (it was, after all, pitch black outside when I went to sleep). Through sleepy eyes | looked out the window (which was at the same level as the bed), only to realize we were pulling into the Saska- toon station. | scrambled to find the shade and clum- Sily tried to lower it as passengers on the platform looked on laughing. Needless to say | avoided most people that morning. The train is divided into two or three sleeper cars, a dome car and a dining car. Six or seven such sec- tions make up the entire train, but passengers are limited to their own areas. Each sleeping car has one shower. | made sure | was the first one to use it each morning, even though it is cleaned thoroughly after e There is a lot to be said for sitting at linen-covered tables, enjoying a made to order breakfast, while a moose swims by in an untouched lake. The trip gives you an appreciation for the size of this great country of ours. | have often flown from one end of Canada to the another, but the train adds a different perspective. The world offers fantastic locales and fortunately, many of them are in Canada. Several British passen- gers, whom | met en route, summed it up nicely. “It was a trip of a lifetime.” Join Jonathan van Bilsen’s Facebook page to keep up to date with his travels and photographs — www. facebook. 7 ‘www.green-apple.ca (905) 985-3767 48 Water St. Port Perry, ON WAGG Funeral _f HOME Funoral ‘ome. since ‘et6 Peace+Comfort*Family ~ Port rays 's oes sa 216 Queen Street Port Perry, Ontario LOL 1B9 Tel: 905-985-2171 ~ Fax: 905-985-4572 yLESG. O'RIORDAN 82 FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2012 02. FEBRAURY 2012.indd 32 12-01-28 9:51AM