Chapter 180: The Rocky Mountaineer: Words

The Rocky Mountaineer

Our bus trip to Banff and the train shows us a coyote, some big horn sheep and a fox. The fox is a different darker color than our foxes. Michelle is so pleased to see the animals she puts on the song “It’s a beautiful world.”

The train is 100% non-smoking. For non-smokers we offer you either nicorettes or counseling.

The staff in their neat tidy uniforms put a red carpet on the platform to enable us to board the train. Each carriage is double story. The lower story is the dining room. The upper story contains our seats surrounded by windows. The seats are comfortable and recline forward to not affect the person behind.

The staff continually ask us if want more to drink. Our ticket includes all drinks (including alcoholic) and they are not reluctant to give us our money’s worth.

The meals are fantastic. Quality food as we roll along.  Late in the evening the staff bring out some fresh fruit which I am dying for. Everywhere you go it is very difficult to get an orange, banana or apple. On the train they offered me free alcoholic drinks countless times and late in the day eventually offered me some fresh fruit.

The train remains on the tracks. Through tunnels and across bridges. Out the windows the scenery is constantly unfurled past us.

How does the landscape affect the character of the people?

The scenery consists of steep rocky mountains, lakes, rivers and by the tracks a very dense forest.

The trees are straight, neat, tidy and formal.

The animals are hidden, dangerous and often eaten and shot. The elk and moose are eaten not the bear. We keep on peering into the forest hoping to see a bear.

The mountains are big, rugged, untamed and unfarmed.

The weather is constantly changing. A good day means it is about to change and become bad and dangerous.

The forest is not a friendly happy holiday place. It is dark, mysterious and in early days contained inhabitants who knew a lot more about it than us Europeans.

Staff provide a commentary: That mountain is called xxx because he was the first person to climb it or see it.

We constantly pass very long freight trains.

Most of the staff are young female Canadians. From the East. Ontario, Quebec or Newfoundland.

We approach a lady called Doris. She always comes out of her house and waves at the train. We all wave back to her. Other people also wave at the train. Including a naked man paddling on a board on a lake.