There's a bear in there - and a deer as well...
Trip Start
Apr 18, 2007
1
9
64
Trip End
Jun 29, 2007
Banff,
Alberta,
Canada
Friday, April 27, 2007
Rocky Mountaineer Carriage CB04
Another 6am start - yes, startling - and off for blueberry pancakes in the dining car as we pulled out of Kamloops headed for Banff. More rain, more clouds but never-ending scenery with enlightening commentary from our two stewards.
Lakes and tunnels
Avalanche/Landslide Verandah
We travelled along the North Thomson River, crossed the Great Divide as evidenced by the change in direction of the river's flow and travelled through the Spiral Tunnels - an early railway engineering masterpiece whereby two loops of about 270o were tunnelled through the mountains to overcome a treacherous four degree slope. We passed numerous freight trains - the longest I counted was 3 engines and 127 carriages, some loaded with double-storey containers - and also saw the cairn commemmorating the place where the final peg was hammered in to complete the Trans-Canadian Railway. 
Lunch
Mmmm - dessert. Maple syrup custard.
Did I mention that there was endless food and drinks?
As we climbed higher, passing patchy drifts of snow, and when I was least expecting it (would you anyway?..) I spotted the first black bear of the trip. Sitting beside the line watching us go past! We saw a second one waddling into the bush and a couple of herds of white tailed deer. No chance of a photo, of course.
Riverside Cruising
To top off a great trip and a seamless transfer to the hotel - a king size two-level suite! On the budget hotel plan!
Bliss! Silky smooth sheets and no early start.
