Northwest to northeast--what a ride!

For ages we have talked of taking a trip--a big trip. So, after countless armchair catalog previews we finally decided on the train adventure across the Canadian landscape. We signed on to a two week, 4000 mile train and bus journey.  From Vancouver to Toronto we found views, new friends and food too delicious to resist. And to get us off to a typical tourist photo album,George took the first photo of my train adventure, at the TX airport, and might I add, early in the morning.

Day 1 and forward--
My smile is all about the beauty of the fabulous Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC.--and the bears? sculptured with a moss like growth, carefully poised (almost hidden) in the forestry of the gardens.

Believe me, I could talk and show photo after photo of the fabulous sites, but here--just two more, totem art that is spellbinding in Stanley Park and the seafood markets--oh my, they made this

                                    Texas girls taste buds drool! And the photo below, a totem shop. Pure fascination to watch the storytelling detail come to life. I could have watched for hours. One figure at a time, just like our words and quilts.

From Vancouver, the Rocky Mountaineer train gave us the first view of the immense Canadian Rockies--so spectacular a photo cannot express.

Some of the evenings were in lovely hotels; others were bunks on the train. Two trains provided our journey--the Rocky Mountaineer and VIA. They were both perfect.

                                                                                From mountains to water, from water to mountains, our Texas eyes took it in. Logging to a saw mill; a geography lesson in the making.

Perhaps the most beautiful of the beautiful--Lake Louise with the Ice fields in the background. And if the view isn't enough, can you imagine such a splendid wedding??

And a personal photo with a REAL Mountie--Pretty cool, don't you think!

Of course, to complete our Canadian photo journey I had to show you my bear picture. They are difficult to photo as they are experts at privacy. From there we closed our trip with the spectacular Niagara Falls, more food, on going friendships and memories.

This post is so expected, so vacation like--but friends, it's somewhat like grandchildren photos. I  HAD TO SHARE. Enjoy and thanks--