August 23-25, 2026
This morning, we transferred to the train station for one of the world’s most epic train journeys. Boarding the steel carriages of VIA Rail’s Canadian, we settle into our private cabins for a three-night ride across Canada to Jasper. We settled into our sleeper cabins that had a great window for viewing the landscape.
Traveling through raw Canadian wilderness, keep lookout for moose, lynx and black bears prowling its dense woodlands. We crossed the rocky ground of northwestern Ontario, a wild landscape pocked with primordial lakes and thick, verdant forests of ancient trees.
Waking up to our first full day on the Canadian, we journeyed to Winnipeg, considered the geographical center of Canada. We later cross into Manitoba, a province with more than 100,000 lakes stretching all the way up to the shores of Hudson Bay.
We then traveled through the southern plains of Saskatchewan. Next, with nearly half of its 1.2 million residents living in the province’s largest city, Saskatoon, scarcely populated Saskatchewan is ideal for sitting back and watching the world go by. It is amazing how you can relax when you have no screens or TV!!
The seemingly endless grasslands of the Great Plains stretch as far as the eye can see, with boundless farming communities passing by our windows as the Canadian rolls on.
Today, the scenery of remote settlements and serene lakes dotting the landscape transforms into views of glaciers, plunging canyons, soaring mountains and endless pine forests.
As the train approached Edmonton, we saw vast forests and distant mountains, contrasting with the previous day’s prairie views. This evening is an opportunity to view the Alberta countryside, dotted with rivers and lakes.
We traveled though areas that have been hit hard by the fires this summer. One town was totally wiped out.
We invented created creative ways to keep from getting bored including bingo!!! Yes, I played bingo…what could be next. One of the group had a single cabin which we decided was a Photo Booth and it became our happy hour location. Yes, we had 6 people jammed into a 6×8 space, needless to say we have become close mates.
My upper bunk had netting to ensure I did not fall out, so of course that became a photo….lol!
Tomorrow morning we arrive in Jasper. Looking forward to some fresh air!!
