July 10 & 11
We left Alberta and crossed the prairies of Saskatchewan and
Manitoba before arriving in Ontario. Lots of stops in small towns to let people off or pick them up.
Day 10 – Canadian Prairies
This was our first full day on the train. Getting ready in the morning
was interesting. Greg got ready while I stayed in bed but when I got up, he had
to stand outside in the hall or step into the bathroom. (makes cruise ship cabins seem huge)
I had just put the cleansing cream on my face and the water stopped running just as I started to wash it off. The drinking tap worked so I used the
cold water. (also used for brushing teeth, the taps were for washing only)
We had known there was a chance of a rail strike. If it happened, we would have to get off in Winnipeg and make our own way to Toronto. They kept us updated as they heard any news. It was to happen at midnight tonight. (they informed us before we left Jasper in case we wanted to change our plans.
We finally crossed the border from Alberta into Saskatchewan.
When we got to Saskatoon there was a guy with a big hose
outside filling the water tanks. So, until he was done the train had no water. Explains
why there was no tap water when I went to wash my face.
We went to breakfast and when we came back the room was made
up for day use. We spent the day in the dome car. I had been feeling poorly and
it was getting worse. Honestly, all I wanted to do was lie down and only chairs
in the cabin since the beds were put up. I think it was sinus issues, but it
turned into a deep cough and then a bit of a sore throat. I’m sure I could have
asked the steward to put the bed down, but I didn’t want to bother her.
At breakfast we heard that the strike had been postponed until
4:00 today. I ate my toast, but not much else. It was all good, but I just wasn't up to food.
We passed some Potash farms in Saskatoon. Here is a description from Wiki on potash:
“Potash refers to potassium compound and potassium-bearing minerals—the most common being potassium chloride–used largely for fertilizer, as well as for some industrial applications including glass, ceramic, chemical dyes, synthetic rubber and other manufacturing operations. Canada is the world’s largest potash producer and exporter – with Saskatchewan home to all of Canada’s potash mines.
Most of Saskatchewan’s potash deposits are located 2,500- 3,000 feet underground, with the reserves varying in depth based on their location in the province. Because of the varying depths of potash, different mining techniques are required, ranging from conventional mining (shaft based) techniques to solution-based mining, as well as hybrids of the two techniques.”
I ate the roll and maybe the soup or salad, but I wasn't up to eating lunch. Greg had the same dish. The server came to clear the table and remarked "you didn't eat".
There was a range of beautiful scenery today, canola farms with the bright yellow flowers, farms, lakes and trees. I spotted a beaver swimming. There were many beaver lodges on the ponds. Very relaxing watching the scenery go by.
Dinner was delayed because "the prime rib couldn't get in the oven". So, when the prime rib was ready, we were summoned for dinner.
Now the strike is delayed to 8:00 tonight. At dinner we were told it was delayed again
Either way we will be taken to Toronto since we had departed Winnipeg and it was the next major stop.
Dinner was the prime rib, and I did manage to eat some. After not eating much all day I was hungry and forced myself to eat. Desserts were good. (no photos, what was I thinking?)
The service on the first couple of days was great. They were always around and selling drinks and there were snacks out all day. They gave some short talks along the way.
The shower at the end of the hall was great. Clean and a
nice roomy shower with a small area to change. No reservations needed, as our
cabin lady preferred to let us go when it was cleaned and open for use. Worked
great.
July 11 - Canadian Shield & 3rd night on train and arrival into Toronto.
The prairies gave way to the Canadian Shield in Ontario as we traveled around Lake Superior.
The Canadian Shield, also called the Laurentian Plateau, is
a geologic shield and is a large area of exposed Precambrian igneous and high-grade
metamorphic rocks.
Today we encountered boreal forest and endless lakes and fishing cabins on small islands.
Greg spotted a moose today. I was just getting g ready to come out of the bathroom when I hear him calling out “moose - moose”. It was a huge male swimming and all you could see were huge head and antlers above water.
The crew changed in Winnipeg and was not as good as the ones that just left. Everyone remarked about the differences.
I waited an hour, and no one ever came out of the shower I was worried someone was hurt in there. Greg found the new porter and he says he always keeps it locked with an occupied sign lit and we are to find him, and he will clean it and let us in. He could have shared that information since it wasn't how it was done by the previous porter.
The guy who gets drinks does not ever come up to the dome car and ask if anyone wants anything, so we had to hunt him down. He came up to do the talk on the Canadian Shield and he acted like he was forced to do it. Such a change from the last lady that was always around and making sure we all had drinks and before she went on break, she made sure everyone was taken care of before going on break and her talks were more like sharing her love of her country such a difference.
At one point today the train stopped, and everything was turned off and it was starting to get quite hot on the train. They said something with the train was broken and needed to be fixed. It didn’t take too long before it was fixed, and the A/C was back on and we continued on our journey. We vacillated on how late we were with our arrival tine in Toronto. We'd pick up speed in the night and then lse it all in the daytime, so always around 4.5 hours late.
Tomorrow, we have our last morning on the train, and we spend 2 nights in Toronto.
For larger photos:
VIA Rail Canadian Train - Prairies
Day - 2 https://photos.app.goo.gl/mQVPXhNQ6gyEqzJ56
VIA Rail - Prairies to Canadian
Shield - Day 3 https://photos.app.goo.gl/mQVPXhNQ6gyEqzJ56
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