Rocky Mountaineer ~ the sea to sky climb...

Train travel is rather a rare thing in Canada these days.

But western Canada is home to the busiest privately owned passenger rail service in North America.

 We checked it out last week...

...compliments of our family.

For Christmas they gave us a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer...

the 'sea to sky climb'.

The train operates between Vancouver and Whistler...

a day trip.

We spent the previous night in the city...

and were picked up at our hotel shortly after 7 am.

In North Vancouver...

we boarded the train for our first class ride in the dome car.

Can you tell we had rain?

Living on the west coast...

we know there is always that possibility!

The date was chosen last December...

with sunshine in mind!

However...

inside the dome car...

it was all sunshine and smiles!

Rocky Mountaineer has won many awards...

including that of  'World's Leading Travel Experience by Train'.

It has also been recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the 'World’s Best Journeys'.

The service was first class all the way...

reminiscent of a by-gone era!

Our knowledgeable host pointed out  places of interest along the route.

'Joy is like the rain'...

if one is snug and warm inside a train.

Jutting out into Howe Sound is the 9th hole of the scenic Furry Creek golf course....

 the backdrop for the famous fight scene between Adam Sandler and Bob Barker...

 in Happy Gilmore  (circa 1996).

We also had in-house entertainment in the dome car...

a drummer from the The Lil’wat Nation.

 It was short and sweet.

Three hours after our departure...

we arrived in Whistler.

We decided to forgo the chair lifts...

and spend our time in the village instead.

Yes...

we had an umbrella just like the rest of the tourists!

Rain...snow...or sunshine...

Whistler is always a fun place to be.

It brings back  memories and moments from the 2010 Olympics that we will always treasure.

And here was an entirely new-to-us Whistler experience.

We had an apple cinnamon 'beaver tail'...

and shared it in the rain.

It was good!

By the time we boarded the train for the homeward bound trip...

the rain had let up.

Not far down the rails we passed by the top of Brandywine Falls.

This was a whole new perspective...

...as we have previously only seen the falls from the viewing platform at the bottom.

Did you know that Brandywine Falls has a 70 meter drop...

higher than that of Niagara Falls?

The scenery along the 'sea to sky route' is most amazing.

There is an abundance of water in this part of the country!

In Squamish...we passed by the famous Stawamus Chief.

It is the second largest granite monolith in the world. 

This gigantic rock is a favorite among rock climbers and hikers.

Soaring mountains and dramatic waterfalls...

there is no shortage along the route.

As we neared Vancouver...

we passed through Horseshoe Bay. 

How fun to be tourists at home...

and ride the rails with folks from Florida, Mississippi and Saskatchewan.

It was a good time.

Thanks, kids for the fine Christmas gift!

I'll leave you with one last Whistler photo on this Canada Day weekend...

...one we took on a previous visit when the sun was shining and the flags were flying.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

of caps and corsages and certificates...

That could only mean someone is graduating, right?

And someone was!

That someone was our sweet grandgirlie, Maggie...

standing next to her favorite friend in the pink dress. 

'Graduation is only a concept. 

In real life every day you graduate. 

Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. 

If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference.'

~Arie Pencovici

I couldn't help but notice that Maggie and her friend wore wrist corsages.

Too cute!

As I recall...

grad ceremonies are long and boring and feature one speech after another.

Not so in pre-school grad ceremonies.

 We were entertained from beginning to end...

by the graduates!

They sang their favorite songs...

and did the actions with enthusiasm.

And each one stepped up to receive their certificate.

We clapped.

Lucy clapped...

and clapped some more...

for her sister.

'What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.' 
  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

And before the clapping died down...

there were caps flying through the air...

and diplomas being used as horns.

Now where did they learn that?

'There is a good reason they call these ceremonies 'commencement exercises'. 

Graduation is not the end, it's the beginning.'

~Orrin Hatch

Pre-school grad...

a milestone on the journey!

Maggie...

I'll leave you with a verse to take with you as you go forward from here.

I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. 

I know what I’m doing.

 I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you...

 plans to give you the future you hope for.

Jeremiah 29:11

The Message 

 

the garden tour of the year...

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; 
they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul. 
 ~Luther Burbank

I agree!

The 11th annual Chilliwack Rotary Garden Tour happened this past weekend.

I was there.

I think I have gone every year since 2005.

I tour for a good cause...

Rotary.

And it's always a good time...

usually in the company of a sister. 

And I go because...

I get to see the backyards of the places one normally just drives by.

Like this one...

on the same road as our farm.

A place I pass by many times every week.

Who knew they had exotic birds and beautiful gardens behind  the house?

It's always fun to pick up ideas for garden art.

Decked out bikes seem to show up in many a  garden!

I toured with my sister and a friend...

and we took a lunch break at our local airport cafe...

...famous for their pies.
They are meant to be shared!

After lunch we made our way up the mountain for the last three gardens on the tour.

We saved the best for last!

 

Each garden had a Rotary Club host at the entrance.
I had a favorite one...
but forgot to take his photo. :)

Here was a garden with a view...

...sprawling and inviting.

This particular garden has been in-the-making for only eight years.

The hosts welcomed us warmly...
even serving coffee, tea and goodies from their finest china out on their deck.

 And my favorite place on the tour...

...was the last one we visited.

It sat high on a ridge...

 

...and had 2 1/2 acres of gardens, paths and ponds.

 

With an incredible view...

and a lovely home...

...it was really something to 'crow about'.

I think I might do the tour again next year!

strawberry delight....

We have been enjoying local strawberries every which way this week.

Crepes with strawberries and whipped cream.

A feast of juicy strawberries over the kitchen sink.

Strawberry shortcake with a group of friends.

Yesterday we had strawberry waffles for lunch at Krause Berry Farms.

Yum!

We have heard much about this farm in recent years...

but this was our first visit.

It is about a 45 minute drive from our place...

and since we were in the area...

we decided to stop by.

We are glad we did!

Who knew...

there are gardens and a market...

and a bakery...

and a winery.

And u-pick berry fields open to the public.

And all things strawberry at this time of year!

The lunch kit reminded me of one my daughter had some 30 years ago.

The ceiling was lined with pie plates.

Rolling pins hung from the beam.

And one whiff of the fresh-baking-aroma...

was enough to make anyone hungry.

I saw this fresh strawberry pie leaving the store...

in the hands of a young gal who said...

'I love my dad!'

Her dad will be thrilled!

Who knew old church benches would one day provide ringside seating at a strawberry field?

I had to think about these washroom signs for a moment.

Cute!

Out in the fields...

families were picking strawberries to their hearts delight.

'Tis the local strawberry season.

Don't miss it.

They are the best!

I'll add one more garden photo.

Just because...

that's where I am today.

In a garden!

I'm enjoying the annual Rotary Garden Tour...

a ticket to view beautiful private gardens in my home town.

It's always a treat!

Have a great weekend!