Some peopel think that a long

rail trip is no different than

being at home. 

For me I find that that is not

the case.

Most things are like being at

home. 

The food can be great, and

the company and companionship

can be great.

You might want to bring along some

reading for those times that you have

seen just about as much great scenery

as you can take, or if it is too dark

to see anything.

A couple other things I would bring

are with regard to personal products.

Some chapstick would be good if

you are bothered by dry air.  the

same goes for skin lotion.  These

are two things I would not forget.

While it’s true you can live without

them, having them will make your

trip more pleasant.

Some people think Dramamine for motion

sickness on the train is a good idea.

Personally, this has never been an issue

for me.  It is my belief that the vast

majority of people will not need this,

but you can bring it if you are concerned

about the issue of motion sickness.

climes.

And also a little depressing.

For the longest time there has

been discussion about Seasonal

Affective Disorder as contributing

to depression, and possibly

suicide.

To me it seems that the winter

manifests itself in a variety of

ways for different people.

Some people thrive on the

cold weather, and are not

particularly bothered by the

darkness.

Others find the prolonged darkness

of winter weather to be a disturbing

facet of northern climes.

Some people I have know have tried

using a light box and have experienced

great success and great improvement

in their emotions.

For anyone who is concerned that this

might be a problem they are experiencing,

I would certainly encourage you to

investigate this treatment if your health

care professional concurs.

There are those who say they have

experienced warmer weather since

the advent of global warming.

For me, I am not sure that is the

case.

We all agree that yes, further north

the habitat of the polar bears is

threatened.  But I was speaking

specifically about where I live.

Here the weather seems as cold

and blustery as ever.

Sometimes people joke about where

the gosh is that global warming when

we need it.  They do not really mean

it, and are just a little impatient for

winter to break.

For us, it seems that there has been no

major change in the weather.

Sometimes it is accident that causes

a person to pick a hobby, and

sometimes it is fate.

In my case, I would guess that

it was fate.

Riding on the railroad it was an

inspiration. 

I had great admiration for the

people who built the roailroad

and finished it just fifty years

ago.

Also, for the people who operate

it today, I have great admiration.

It is no small accomplishment to

run such a large business, and

to care for so many huge machines.

Perhaps that is it– the enormity of

the whole endeavor.  It is, you might

say, as big as Canada.

questions you have always

wanted to know.

— 

Q.Tell me, What do Canadians do

up in Canada, way up there, anyway?

 
A.  Mostly just shovel driveways,

and then play some ice hockey.

—

 
Q. Tell me, does it really snow

for the whole year up in Canada?

A. No.  Only when it is cold.

—

Q.  Tell me, do you turn off the

Niagara Falls during the night?

A.  No.  That would only be if

there is a hydro outage.

—-

Q.  Have you seen Santa?  Does he

live in Canada?

A. Yes!  Since North Pole is within

the geographic borders of Canada,

St. Nick is technically Canadian.

Alot of people in Florida and Hawaii

(among other places) may wonder

why anyone would live in Canada.

Here are six reasons (among many others):
- A great heroic rail system built by

people of character and gumption. (Of

course that has to be one reason!  I am

crazy for the railroad!)
- Health care. People aren’t left stranded

without access to care.  It’s good , it’s

accessible, it’s reasonable to subscribe

to, and the facilities and professionalism

of the health professionals is excellent.
- Elders are respected and hold an esteemed

position in the community, receiving the

care they deserve.
-  Unsurpassed environment.  The environment

is not only appreciated, it is cared for

and protected.
-  Civility and sophistication of the people.

The good behavior of the people is something

not found elsewhere.  Canadians are respectful

and polite, showing a level of cultural

sophistication and maturity that is rare in

other places.
-  You may laugh at this one, but this is not

a hospitable place for bugs.  Just too cold

much of the year.  They don’t like it here.

legend across Canada.

it took years to construct, took countless

lives, and was only constructed by the

great an heroic efforts of many brave

and hardworking individuals.

The construction of such an expanse

of railway served to unite the country

and make it possible for people to

traverse it.  The importance of this

cannot be underestimated.

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