After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel in Jasper, we walked to the local supermarket and bought salads for lunch on the train. We were early, so at first we found a seat in the shade of the Jasper Park National Park Visitor Center and read for an hour. Then we headed to the train station, checked our bags and then had a latte on the patio of the train station.
We then set out on roughly on time for Prince George. Lots of mountains, rivers, lakes and forests were seen, as well as small train stations in small towns.
But it was not to be - Via Rail trains have to yield to CN freight trains, so we sat and waited, and at one point had to back up, for nearly two hours. So our 7:05 p.m. arrival became 8:40 p.m. arrival. After retrieving out checked luggage, we walked to the hotel, got to our room by 9:20 and then went to the hotel restaurant for dinner, and then to bed well after 10:00 p.m.
On my early morning walk, there was a bright moon shining over Connaught Hill Park.
I found a 7 - 11 store that was open 24 hours, and bought salads and bistro boxes for our lunch and dinner on twelve plus hour ride on Via Rail. As I returned to the hotel, I looked east. Because Prince George is in the wide Fraser Plateau, there were no mountains in the distance - but there were a lot of smokestacks.
As with other Canadian Cities, Prince George celebrates and documents their history and heritage.
After coffee and pastries at the Starbucks in our hotel, we walked to the train station - it is co-located with the local Visitor Center and has other offices upstairs. They have tried to make the building as attractive as possible.
We arrived at the station around 7:15 and checked our luggage for the 8:00 a.m. departure. Once again, Via Rail was delayed. Our passenger train had to wait for freight trains to be moved and we finally boarded at 9:25 a.m. Our scheduled arrival was 8:25 p.m. - but once on board, we were told to be prepared for a long day. With luck, we would arrive by midnight. Such is train travel in the great distances of western Canada.
We then set out on roughly on time for Prince George. Lots of mountains, rivers, lakes and forests were seen, as well as small train stations in small towns.
Then we arrived in Prince George, apparently early - Google Maps showed us on a few miles from the city.
But it was not to be - Via Rail trains have to yield to CN freight trains, so we sat and waited, and at one point had to back up, for nearly two hours. So our 7:05 p.m. arrival became 8:40 p.m. arrival. After retrieving out checked luggage, we walked to the hotel, got to our room by 9:20 and then went to the hotel restaurant for dinner, and then to bed well after 10:00 p.m.
On my early morning walk, there was a bright moon shining over Connaught Hill Park.
I found a 7 - 11 store that was open 24 hours, and bought salads and bistro boxes for our lunch and dinner on twelve plus hour ride on Via Rail. As I returned to the hotel, I looked east. Because Prince George is in the wide Fraser Plateau, there were no mountains in the distance - but there were a lot of smokestacks.
I passed the Prince George City Hall and the Cenotaph they created to honor those killed in wars.
As with other Canadian Cities, Prince George celebrates and documents their history and heritage.
After coffee and pastries at the Starbucks in our hotel, we walked to the train station - it is co-located with the local Visitor Center and has other offices upstairs. They have tried to make the building as attractive as possible.
We arrived at the station around 7:15 and checked our luggage for the 8:00 a.m. departure. Once again, Via Rail was delayed. Our passenger train had to wait for freight trains to be moved and we finally boarded at 9:25 a.m. Our scheduled arrival was 8:25 p.m. - but once on board, we were told to be prepared for a long day. With luck, we would arrive by midnight. Such is train travel in the great distances of western Canada.
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