Train to Jasper, Alberta

Finally made the leap and set sail from Vancouver — I've had an absolutely wonderful time there with the O'Donnells, and I'm glad they let me stay for so long. I've hopped on a 20 hour train bound for Jasper, Alberta which sits at an elevation of 1062m amongst the Canadian Rockies. I left late in the evening under darkness, but from the unlit cabin I could still make out parts of the starry sky and the outlines of mountaintops on the horizon that blacked out much of the space throughout the night. The economy class cabin was particularly empty, and I was able to fold out a set of 4 chairs, recline a couple of them back, and make myself a comfy little nest for the first part of the journey while the decadent folk retreated to their sleeper cabins. The few times the train stopped to let oncoming trains pass on the single lane stretches woke me up a few times, but otherwise I slept surprisingly nicely. First thing in the morning I made my way down a half dozen cars to the fancy restaurant on-board, and treated myself to a transcontinental breakfast and a pot and a half of coffee. I spent much of the morning in the observatory cabin, which is essentially a glass pod sitting atop a single car which gives you 360 degree views while you relax in leather chairs underneath a glass ceiling. The trip through the Rockies was incredible, and either side of a few small snow flurries visibility was excellent — It was impossible to capture it all on camera. As we arrived in Jasper, there was a herd of Elk just mowing about on the rail tracks, which the engineer had to shepherd away, and walking to the hostel a short distance there were definite signs of their earlier presence, strewn all about the footpath.

I have left much of the planning for when I arrive, however I know I'm in for a busy month ahead still within Canada. I have a couple weeks across Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff — then a flight booked from Calgary to Montreal where I'll trip to Quebec City, and likely depart from Toronto where Reykjavik, Iceland is likely my next port of call as March approaches.