Rocky Mountaineer Trip: Days 1 & 2
How very exciting to be standing right next to this big beast preparing to commence the adventure we have planned for so long. The staff greeted us so very enthusiastically and escorted us to our allotted seats. I had been advised to pay twice the normal price and take the Gold Class which meant we were upstairs in the one bubble  car. There were several Silver Class cars and several cargo wagons. A very powerful beast with two engines. The speed limit is 25mph in the summer as the rails heat up. We have basked in total luxury throughout these first two days with constant attention from our delightful team of four stewards.
We left Vancouver at 8.00 with a promise of breakfast on board. However one of the staff I was chatting to the night before suggested we may like to think about a light breakfast before we boarded our coach. We don't need telling twice and had our normal breakfast. Well actually Peter had a cooked breakfast. Just as well. Obviously the wait staff have to prepare the dining area downstairs and then half the Gold Class passengers go down We were at the second sitting which meant we weren't ushered in for our orders to be taken until 10.15 which meant we were not served until 10.45. Hmmmm. We had some grumpy passengers by then.
Our first morning ended at Whistler which was in full celebratory mood by the time we were delivered to our Four Seasons Chateau. It really was one grand festival in perfect midsummer conditions. There were many forms of entertainment but we chose a scenic flight over Whistler in a De Havilland Otter seating 9 people all with window seats. It was a half hour flight but with all the organisation and transportation to and from the Green Lake it took an hour and a half. It was absolutely spectacular because the summer had been so long in coming and there was enough snow for many people to be skiing. Some of the lakes were still frozen over. I am sure that flight will prove to be the highlight of our whole trip.
Although there was so much fun on offer for the 150th birthday celebrations including the Vancouver Philharmonic orchestra giving a free outdoor concert, these two oldies snuck off to bed.
This morning was another 6.45 departure for a 14hour rail trip to Quesnel (Kwinelle). This time
we were at first sitting and enjoyed a breakfast for a king. Then we could settle in and enjoy the trip  with fascinating vibrant entertaining  commentary and the constant offer of food and drink. We are promised bears and otters tomorrow .All I saw today was horses, deer, and and totally different cattle and sheep - and timber .
We followed the mighty Fraser River all the way up and tonight started to walk across the old wooden Fraser Bridge until fork lighting struck. There were two spectacular rainbows on a sky that looked like a forrest fire but we all scuttled for cover once the thunder and lighning rolled in.
On the bus again at 6.45 tomorrow .