And on, to Jasper

Reminds me of Amarillo

Impressions of Saskatchewan

Mile after mile of flat plains, fields of wheat, barley, and rye. Lonely grain elevators and malting sheds (hear that beer club members). The fences aren’t as good, but the barns and sheds are newer and more substantial. More fields and less pasture but the pastures are stocked with beautifully conformed black angus and scattered red angus. A lonely moose on the horizon. Six or eight Canada geese on every pond. But not one horse!

Not many pictures today. Few good scenes and on a train traveling 60 mph, most of those are gone before I can grab my camera. 🤬

Food seemed better today. My table ate at lunch was a delightful woman from Edinburgh Scotland with the most delightful Scottish burr since Mary Tarpley, at dinner it was the man in a dress. Turned out he is a really smart guy who, in my opinion, feels talents are unrecognized and is looking for attention. If he was looking for a reaction from me he was disappointed.

We went through Saskaktoon, at 200,000 the biggest city in Saskatchewan. It felt smaller than Wichita Falls. Please don’t misunderstand, none of this is criticism. It is my feeble attempt to reduce my impressions into a few sentences rather than the several chapters its would take to do the topic justice.

We were scheduled into Jasper at 5:30 AM MST, but due to track work we will be three or four hours late. I will finish this post at the hotel in Jasper

Self Reflection

Since this is my personal blog, I see no reason not to share a moment of personal reflection. Last night when I got to my hotel room I was mentally and physically exhausted. My continuing knee pain, walking through the train cars, and interrupted sleep contirbuted, but this was more than physically tired. Then it struck me… I am an introvert and although introverts, like me, need some people time, we also need some alone time. For 63 years, Mona — also an introvert — and I had shared that need. Being with her felt like alone time, not because we had been distant, but because our lives were so entwined, she and I were part of one another’s self identity. An essential part with whom we could safely be ourselves. Each contributing to the other and without thinking about it stepping in to bolster the other when needed. On this journey I have been beset with physical pain and never had any alone time. Forced to be the people person and initiate contact and dialog with myriad strangers from all over the world. A psychically and physically exhausting task. Dear God I miss her and need her.

The Canadian

I am glad I finally rode The Canadian, but I am glad that is over. The Canadian is well done using extensively rebuilt and re modeled 1950’s stainless steel heavy coaches. The seating in the sleeper cars was okay for the mythical average person and either just the wrong height and/or back angle and no adjustments possible. I was never really comfortable for the entire trip. The food was good, the service good but often spotty. What I saw and learned about Canada and the acquaintances made the journey enjoyable, but I would not do it again.

Tommorow The Rocky Moutaineer.