My cell phone's low battery warning did an imitation of an alarm clock and woke me right on time to take a shower and meet Keith and Dee for breakfast.

Breakfast with Keith and Dee. She's really enjoying her toast.

There's one shower per sleeper car. (They say there's none in coach.) The water was really hot and you can watch the snow go by through the drain in the floor. It makes me wonder why a sign on the toilet asks you not to flush when stopped at a station.

Breakfast was wonderful with poached eggs and toast and lots of coffee. Afterward, I went to the lounge car and swapped more stories with Harry. He has a cottage industry revolving around photography and copying old photos. He's scanned all his old photos and put them on a cd. I've been wanting to do that for a year. Time to get off my butt.

Harry.

I got Lisa up in time to spend an hour in Jasper. It was beautiful and cold. We got some postcards, found Keith a crutch and took each other's pictures.

We reboarded just in time to be first for lunch. I think I'll find that 25 pounds I lost by the time we get home. After lunch Lisa took another nap and I sat in the dome car watching bighorn sheep, elk, outrageous geology and occasional pulp mills. Keith was also napping, so Dee and I had a great time getting to know each other. I've never known a mode of transportation so conducive to sharing stories. If anyone on a plane talks to me I just want to punch them. I feel like I have more friends on this train than I do in Gig Harbor.

Big Ass, I mean, Big Horn Sheep

Keith and Dee got off to spend a couple of days in Edmonton. I hope they can find something to do besides the mall. They'll arrive in Montreal the night before we leave.

Sunset in Edmonton

We had yet another meal and Lisa retired to the lounge car for drinks and tv. I'm holed up in our room communing with technology and watching the flatlands roll by. I'm almost glad the incredible beauty of the Rockies is behind us. I brought all these books and gadgets to entertain myself on the boring journey and all the captivating people and scenery have spoiled my plans. Hmm. I'm bored, think I'll go see what's happening at the lounge.

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On to day 3.