http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/D-and-S/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from D and S en-us Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:24:37 +0000 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:24:37 +0000 Spent the night on the train again last night. We arrived into Toronto at 930am today and spent time touring the city on a doubledecker bus. We also went up the CN Tower to the Sky Pod which was at about 1400 feet. We took many pictures from here. Boys jumped around on the glass floor which is on the observation deck level. Across the street is an old roundhouse which is being renovated for http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Ontario/Toronto/blog-418675.html We spent the day on the train today. Traveled from Winnepeg last night thru the province of Manitoba and into Ontario. This morning there was a moose sighting but we didnrsquot get to see it. Brief stop at Hornepayne for a 15 minute break to take on water and get rid of the trash on board. We got to the front of the train and took a few pictures there. Went to the activity car to play card http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Manitoba/Winnipeg/blog-418671.html We were lucky enough to see another bear along the train tracks in the Rockies while we were eating dinner on the train. Many freight trains passed us last night as we slept on the train through Edmonton. Sleeping was easier this time with ear plugs. At about 11am we made a brief stop in Saskatoon to pick up some passengers. We are definitely outside of the Rockies and on the plains. There http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Manitoba/Winnipeg/blog-417998.html This morning we watched a number of trains pass our hotel before we headed to the Jasper tramway. We spent most of the day at the top of the mountain after taking the 7 minute tramway ride. It is the highest and longest aerial tramway in Canada. We saw 1 marmot watched clouds rise up and over us on the mountain and got some glimpses of the town of Jasper the surrounding mountains and a frei http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Jasper/blog-417525.html There is quite a bit of train traffic through town and our hotel is across the street and just down from the train station. For the rail fans out there here are a couple of pictures. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Jasper/blog-417427.html We took a bus tour from Banff back to Jasper today. On the way back we stopped to pick people up at Lake Louise and had the chance to take a clearer picture of the glacier and lake. From here we stopped to see the Peyto glacier many mountains and waterfalls. We were lucky enough to see three more black bear during the journey just walking along eating dandelions and turning rocks looking for http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Jasper-National-Park/blog-417269.html We spent the day walking around Banff today. The town reminds us of Estes CO at Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots of cool shops with gems tshirts souveniers and outdoor type stuff. We also went to the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum which shows the history of the First Nations peoples of the Canadian Rockies and Northern Plains. We saw tepees sled dog exhibits hunting exhibits and all t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff/blog-417001.html Boys started off the day with a swim at the pool at the hotel this morning at Lake Louise. After breakfast we decided to take another go at canoeing around the lake. It was raining so a bit more of an adventure today. We were nearly at the other side of the lake toward the glacier when we heard what sounded like thunder. We wondered if we should turn back because the clouds were so dark. It h http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff/blog-416661.html Today we spent some time in the town of Jasper walking on a path along the train tracks toward the station. Midday we left for Lake Louise which was about a 4 hour ride. Along the way we had a brief stop at the Columbia Icefield which was amazing and very cold. We also saw 4 adult bears and 2 baby bears which were right along the roadway at 3 different spots. Wow is really all you can say abo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Lake-Louise/blog-416292.html We boarded the Canadien at 830pm last night enroute to Jasper. Sleeping on a train was a first for us and it was quite the adventure. The boys loved the top bunks and slept like logs. Can't say the same for us......seemed that we went around one curve after the next and every freight train in Canada passed us through the night. It was fun to sit in the dome car play games watch the freight http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/blog-415983.html What a beautiful day. We hopped onto the trolley in the morning. First stop was Stanley Park where we went to see the Aquarium. Here we saw a 1 month old baby Beluga whale sea otters sharks dolphins and lots of local sea life. Next stop was at the Totem Poles which were very tall and all very different. From here we went to Prospect Point to get a great view of the harbor before it feeds http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/blog-415979.html We will be sightseeing in Vancouver today hopping on and off of a trolley. Not sure if we will have an entry later todaytonight as we will be boarding our train for Jasper later today and will be sleeping aboard through the night and into tomorrow as we travel through the Canadian Rockies. If they have wireless on the train we will try to connect. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/blog-415402.html Spent all day flying here through Phoenix. Our hotel is on the harbor so we took a walk around the convention center and the cruise ship docks at Canada Place. We watched a handful of seaplanes take off over the mountains and 2 cruise ships leave the harbor. And like all great vacations.....we had to go to the hotel pool. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/Vancouver/blog-415237.html We've made it to the airport. It's early but we are excited to be going to Canada today. Here's a pic of the happy crew eating a little breakfast before we board the plane. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Pennsylvania/blog-415047.html