The Praires

By the third day we have pretty well figured out this train travel. Before you go for dinner make sure you have everything you need for the morning on your seat because when you return to your seat, the upper and lower sleepers will be made up and you can’t get into your luggage that is stuck under the seat. Last  night we both slept very well, so we are adjusting to sounds, rocking and lights. 

You’d think the train ride would be smooth since Saskatchewan is flat. Roads go straight forever but alas no. The train rocks so much that it knocks you over.  

But there is beauty in flat. 

Our first stop was Saskatoon. Unfortunately the train station is 6 km from town and we only have 25 minutes. Norm couldn’t even buy a newspaper but we did walk for 25. And this is all we could find in the train station! 

We missed the buffalos but saw the old and new grain elevators. 

To fill time we played Scrabble. There are lots of games to entertain. 

Maybe Crib tomorrow??

As always dinner was good. We shared lunch and dinner with a really nice couple from Crawford Bay and he was a teacher so lots of good stories. At breakfast we met a couple from New Zealand. I commented on their wonderful prime minister, and they completely disagreed! I quickly remembered that politics, religion and sex are best not discussed with strangers. 

Halibut with mango salsa and strawberry cake for dinner tonight. 

We had a 5-minute break earlier in the day to walk along the station platform at 

Melville and wow was it windy! 5 was enough. But nice clouds. 

And before bed the sunset was lovely but as we traveled through the Qu’Appelle valley it blocked out some of the beauty. 

Via rail finds way to fill in the time during the day and evening. Today I walked in (actually through) a class doing chair yoga. Tonight Norm and I found ourselves in a wine tasting gathering, a nice kind of class to join.

We were early for the entertainment, Jamie and Dan playing bluegrass and folk music. 

A great way to finish off the evening. Thanks Via.