Honeymoon Part 2
Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper
Leaving Vancouver for this epic journey, I think this will be a different kind of journey. A type of journey I have never encountered. The contraption they have for me to get a wheelchair user on the Rocky Mountaineer train is huge. There is no real platform at the station. It’s not like the UK, where the train tracks are below where you wait for the train. Here the tracks here are level with your feet, and this is a massive train. The floor of the door is at the same level as my wife’s head…..
Transferring on
I’m on and need to transfer from my wheelchair as there is no specific space for a wheelchair on The Rocky Mountaineer. So I transfer off for a comfy seat in this massive carriage. I lift up and across, and my wife whips my cushion from my wheelchair and places it under my bottom – to reduce the risk of pressure sores. I’m going to be sat in the same place for quite some time. When everyone has boarded the train, both in the upstairs and downstairs quarters, we pull away. My lovely wife assures me my wheelchair is stowed safely.
And we’re off
Not long after the train started moving away from Vancouver, the voice of the chubby assistant, that made sure I was seated safely, and stowed my chair, came over the unseen speakers. He is our compare for the journey and a kind of tourist guide. He starts by giving details of the journey we are embarking on and the itinerary of the next two days. When he finishes, he starts handing out snacks and refreshments.
The trip continues for the day with a running commentary of the breathtaking scenery outside the window. We have a regular supply of food and drink hosted upon us. After about five hours, we pull into Kamloops for our overnight stay. There is a pre-arranged taxi waiting for us to take us to our hotel. This is another destination that is easy to wheel around using my skills.
The next morning
Awakening the next morning and we head to the station to continue our ride through the wondrous mountains. This final part of the journey sees us travel to Jasper. Soon after we pull away I spot a rail yard with a huge amount of cargo carriages in the sidings. I’m deep in thought as to where all the supplies must be heading?
This was a journey that I will remember for a long, long time. The running commentary from our host informed us we passed over the Continental Divide. The track took us around the edge of an inactive volcano and saw many amazing sights along the way. I would recommend this trip to anyone.
Pulling into Jasper and disembarking we see our hire car waiting for us. The next part of our newly married life starts….
Did you go on the gold leaf or silver leaf part of the rockymoutaineer. Im trying to cost the trip for myself at the moment however I am very nervous. Im in a manual wheelchair and not sure if its something i can manage.
Hi Kerrie, if I am completely honest, I can’t remember. I think it would of been silver as we were sat down stairs. I cannot walk and had to use a contraption to raise me up to the carriage door so I could wheel on, then I transferred on to the seat in the carriage. I was then in this position for the duration of the journey. Our carriage had a member of staff that fed and watered us, and gave running commentary of the scenery. The staff member couldn’t of been more accommodating for my needs and if I had an opportunity to do it again, I would! If you have any further questions, drop me and email.