Later in the day, Art, a distinguished gentleman from Ontario, alerted us to more wildlife, crying o

"A-a-a-all abora-a-ard," automobile travel directions chimed the conductor at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station as we hurried down the platform toward the crisply-uniformed train staff standing by to welcome us aboard "The Rocky Mountaineer." We were about to embark on one of the world's classic train journeys from Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta.
Built over a century ago, this railroad opened up the Canadian West—a road of steel hewn by hand through some of the most rugged terrain in the world. For two days, we traveled during daylight hours through a land still wild, unspoiled and home to abundant wildlife, along the historical route of fur traders and gold rush miners who crossed the wilderness in the 1800's. With breathtaking views of the majestic, snow-covered Canadian Rockies, rugged automobile travel directions canyons, and seemingly endless waterfalls, many call this "the most spectacular train trip in the world."
The pampering began when we climbed the spiral staircase to the upper level of the GoldLeaf dome coach and settled into our spacious reserved automobile travel directions seats. Jennifer, our cheerful, green-eyed attendant, served coffee and chilled orange juice. We tipped our seats back and took in the 180-degree panoramic views through the glass dome and large windows as we glided through the Coastal automobile travel directions Mountains, following the trail of the world's largest salmon run up the Fraser River and by Hell's Gate.
Soon we were called to breakfast in the dining room on the lower level where white linen, gleaming tableware and fresh flowers adorned the tables. The most stressful moment of the morning occurred when we had to make a menu selection. It was a tough job to choose between the Eggs Benedict, Alberta Steak and Eggs, or the Smoked Salmon, Scrambled Eggs and Caviar dish. Breakfast and lunch both days of the rail trip were exquisite automobile travel directions dining experiences.
Outside our windows the vistas were constantly changing—from the vast expanses of rolling plains to foothills, which gave way to towering snow-capped peaks. We passed through the Jaws of Death Gorge and along Salmon Arm Nature Preserve. Rivulets of water flowed down the steep slopes in cedar and hemlock forests. The woods were weeping! Slowly the scenery changed to mountain landscapes with Aspen groves, wildflowers, bluebells, pastel columbine, automobile travel directions and wild rose bushes.
"Osprey nest on the left!" called out a bird enthusiast from London. And during the next hour, just twenty feet below the train window, we passed not one, but four osprey nests perched on the top of telephone polls along the banks of the tracks, and spotted the magnificent birds soaring overhead.
Later in the day, Art, a distinguished gentleman from Ontario, alerted us to more wildlife, crying out "bear on the right!" Thrilled guests dropped their books and magazines for a fleeting glimpse of a burly black bear in the verdant grass along the tracks. During the trip, we saw three black bears, as well as mountain sheep, and bald and brown eagles. The thick forests are also home to grizzly bears, moose, and mule and white tail deer.
"This is pretty close to marvelous, we're half way to heaven" commented Stan, a sixty-year old guest from California, as he stood in the dome coach gliding through some of the most magnificent mountains in the world. I d have to agree.
A variety of Canadian Rocky packages are available. We opted for a short excursion, beginning with the historic and sophisticated Fairmont in Vancouver and ending with sumptuous elegance at the regal Banff Springs Hotel, which is known for its castle-like grandeur, gracious service, peerless views, and the oasis of calm and pampering at the spa.
About the Author : Marybeth Bond, the Gutsy Traveler, National Geographic author automobile travel directions of 11 travel automobile travel directions books, featured guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and founder of the Online Travel Magazine www.GutsyTraveler.com She has been featured over 1,000 times on TV, radio and print. She is a Contributor automobile travel directions to CNN, CNN Airport Network and CNN.com
Speaker, spokesperson, author, travel expert, Marybeth, the Gutsy Traveler walks the talk. She's an adventurer; biked two months across automobile travel directions the USA, traveler to over 90 countries, media travel expert for CBS News, CNN, ABC, NBC, NPR and National Geographic.