Mountains 

Words can't climb them

can't capture their

ethereal, grounded quality

This is the post office where I go every morning to get the mail.

Just can't believe the view.

Right across the corner is the library & what a great library it is. ALL the new bestsellers. I am reading quite a lot ---it is my way of resting after the mighty move.

This is the landscape of Eastern Alberta which I fell in love with at first site. The picture doesn't give you a sense of the space...

Even with the mountains ringing the town of Banff there is a sense of spaciousness. The sky is huge and close and the clouds become a feature of constantly changing light and shadow. The mountains make it seem as if you are gazing into a horison...it's just different than looking at the sea.

The train disappearing into the trees (and trees and trees) of northern Ontario. I had never been in the regions north of Lake Huron or Lake Superior.

I admit I was disappointed the train veered inland and away from the shore of Superior as I had been told by many that it was breathtakingly beautiful.

Well I have to say I found the rivers and lakes and trees of the interior breathtakingly beautiful! What vast space in this country....I know it is a cliche.... but until I actually crossed 8 provinces I don't think I 'felt' the vastness.

The train from Toronto to Jasper had several groups of British tourists, mostly over 55, and I loved to sit int he lounges or the dining room and listen to the multiple accents. It was as if I was in an episode of Coronation Street.

One dear, retired gentleman, with whom I sat at lunch one day, quietly remarked that the trip was "bittersweet" for him as his wife had died at Christmas and they had intended to take this trip together. I was moved by the quiet acknowledgment of his grief. I thought of him often during the ride.

I fell in love with Alberta the minute the train crossed the border. Rolling, open ranges with folds of grasslands, and miles and miles of emptiness - though I imagine there were things - just not seen.

I spotted some deer and three times I saw creatures which I took to be large coyotes- though one may have been a wolf but the speed of the train made it hard to definitively identify anything.

I think the one thing that surprised me the most was how very few birds I saw on the entire trip. I know migration has begun but I saw so few birds I was stunned. Then I read an article in the Globe which revealed the very low population numbers of a great many common species.

I did see a flock of snow geese, gaggles of Canada geese, a few hawks, ducks (unidentifiable), crows, and that was all.

I covered four provinces and have hawk eyes and a passion to sight birds so I look carefully.

And really what else was I to do for 2 3/4 days on the train. (The train was late - it was only meant to be 2 1/2 days).

It was a stunning trip visually. Great swaths of forests, lakes, rivers, and more lakes. 

One could cure insomnia counting the leaves on the innumerable trees just in Northern Ontario.

I 

I am still learning how to create this blog so I haven't placed the pictures in the order of the text. The first photo is my eldest brother Mike. He and Mary are always so generous and the best hosts for my endless and frequent visits (as is my sister and her husband Eric, and my brother Bob who bakes my favourite treats when I am in London)

My visit with family in London was wonderful. I soaked up hugs and smiles to carry with me. The second photo is my sister, Judy with her first grandchild,

Cadence.

She is a spirited, wonderful, clever little one year old. And I am not just saying that because I am her Great Aunt Mojo.

She is a speed demon and I forgot how exhausting chasing a little person can be...though Nanna Judy was the chaser most of the day.

The third photo is Candance's daddy, Judy's eldest son, Derek. The baby couldn't help but be cute - her mom is gorgeous and her dad is handsome.

After my trip to London, I went to Niagara on the Lake to visit my mentor, Eila who at 95 is charming, funny, and spirited. Our friend Gordon, her son, was our landlord while Charley worked at Shaw and they were so welcoming and good to us every year- they feel like family - so I made a stop in NOTL to see them.

Then I went to Toronto to see more of my family.

I was grateful that the whole gang came for dinner so I was able to see my nephews, my niece (I always say I want to be Helen when I grow up), their partners and extended groups of family and friends.

I can't let myself think about how long it may be before I visit the family again. Though I am assured that they will visit us now we are in Banff. 

Next posting will be more about the train trip from Toronto to Jasper.

This is the Safeway Grocery store we shop at. Not a bad view - wouldn't you say?

I still keep my eye out for bears. Bear #133 has found out he can eat at the compost site on the other side of the river. He got into town a few weeks ago because new kids working at MacDonald's (which has its own staff accommodations - as do most large employers) left garbage and beer bottles on their porch. Bear # 133 came into town on the waft of a scent and has been lurking close to town ever since.

Those of you who have the benefit of the wonderful recycling programs in places like Halifax should thank you lucky stars.

We must carry all our garbage - whether it be cardboard, paper, organics and such...to the specific bins - named the bear bins - which have locking lids to prevent bears from finding food.

Fortunately for us there is a recycling station about four blocks from our apartment where we can take paper and bottles and such. And, there is a bear bin just about 100 feet from our building......but the fact that it is called a bear bin has me on edge.

This is definitely challenging my fears of big creatures who would like me for dinner...cougars rank right up there too.

Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my

Halifax in the fog, Mojo in her own fog leaving the city.

So many unsaid goodbyes, so many hard goodbyes, so many suitcases, all crammed onto the Via Train, The Ocean, as I left town.

Was surprised the departure day actually came. Denial

denial

Still possible

on via rail

(rhyme is better if you say Via Rail in French)

The train ride was the first leg of a journey that stretched from Halifax to Jasper.