A Grandkids’ Guide to the Rocky Mountaineer

It’s funny how we have been flying in planes our whole life and never realized how much we’ve been missing by taking the sky route. For the first time, we experienced British Columbia on what will become one of our favourite trips. Not only did we explore with our feet but we also toured B.C. by train. Not just any train but the Rocky Mountaineer a breathtaking ride through the Rocky Mountains. You start off in Vancouver and make your way to Kamloops (fun fact: Did you know that the highest percentage of Canadians who make the NHL come from or have played in Kamloops as rookies?) You pass through valleys and hills covered with trees. Each new scene brings new wild life, like bald eagles, brown bears, mountain goats and, if you’re lucky, a harbour seal or two. During your sight-seeing, you are served a scrumptious breakfast that includes eggs Benedict, pancakes, omelets and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and yogurt with granola. For a mouth-watering lunch, order from a menu of chicken, pork, steak, salmon or a vegetarian meal. From the food to the scenery, nothing is ever the same. Everything is always changing, which makes this train ride spectacular because every mountain and every stop has a story. A history lesson mixed with humour equals happy, entertained people, all thanks to the on board attendants who provide interesting stories. Overall, we think the second day is the best part about the train ride because you go through the Rocky Mountains. These mountains are truly a wonder of the world, the grey and brown rocky edges with jagged snowy tops- and, by the way, we loved having the company of our adventurous grandparents! But we won’t spoil it all for you. If you want to know more, you will just have to ride it for yourself.