Replying to Trip across Canada and to Florida

Another comment about The Canadian: On the last day of the trip, I received a small certificate, suitable for framing, signed by the Service Manager, entitled "Canada's Classic Train Journey" to commemorate my journey aboard the Canadian. It is a very nice touch AND it is printed on recycled stock. The reverse side of the certificate is written in French.

The Quibecoise would consider the French side the front, and the English side the reverse side

I do enjoy the bilingual announcements on the Canadian (and VIA Rail in general) and even have been to known to use one or two of the Canadian staff to practice my French a little, not that I am any good at it mind you. Just a smattering learned on the streets of Paris when I used to go there six times a year in the early 90s.

I am stunned by the great trips you guys make. Beautiful.

Hey Penny, sorry I came across your trip report so late, it would have been fun to follow along. I enjoyed reading all of it and so glad you had a great trip and that everything went well. Thanks for writing about it!

Another comment about The Canadian: On the last day of the trip, I received a small certificate, suitable for framing, signed by the Service Manager, entitled "Canada's Classic Train Journey" to commemorate my journey aboard the Canadian. It is a very nice touch AND it is printed on recycled stock. The reverse side of the certificate is written in French.

i was fortunate to also have pete as my attendant on the CZ in '08--i couldn't believe the efficiency! so glad someone else now knows. loved your whole post!

Thanks. I phoned customer relations to tell them about Pete. They took down my reservation number so they could make sure that Pete's supervisor was made aware of the commendation.

VIA miles don't count!!
I hope you mooned back the mooner's in Colorado!!
You didn't mention making any wrong turns.
It's difficult to believe that you could have traveled
for 14 days without any wrong turns!!
Welcome Home.

Thanks. VIA miles count (in my mind ).

It is pretty amazing that I made no wrong turns, but I was on the train for most of the 14 days. I walked to my hotel in NY (but you were there to make sure I made no wrong turns)and the cabbed back to NYP the next morning. My Toronto Hotel was across the street from the train station (with signs to direct me) and I took a cab to and from my hotel in Seattle.

The mooning was a surprise, since it was so cold outdoors. The Colorado River was frozen so no one was mooning from the River. I was in the lounge at the time of the mooning - I would have had to move very quickly and in public to moon back - and that was not going to happen (on many levels).

VIA miles don't count!!
I hope you mooned back the mooner's in Colorado!!
You didn't mention making any wrong turns.
It's difficult to believe that you could have traveled
for 14 days without any wrong turns!!
Welcome Home.

i was fortunate to also have pete as my attendant on the CZ in '08--i couldn't believe the efficiency! so glad someone else now knows. loved your whole post!

Now comes the next question: When do you do it all again, in reverse?!

Thank you for your comments about VIA - I totally agree. I also agree that Winnipeg is COLD - but going outside in below zero temperatures was a new experience for me and I enjoyed it, albeit for a few minutes.

Well.... I am almost embarrassed to admit that I have already looked at my calendar for next October to see what days would work to do the trip in reverse - or even round trip (possibly after the 2012 Gathering) . I cannot afford to pay full price, so I will have to wait to see if express deals will be offered next year for dates that work for me. I enjoyed taking the trip in the off season, and want to do it again (and again and again), if possible.