When Cristy Parra of Bethesda, Maryland woke up this morning, naturally, she had no idea I'd nominate her to be the mascot of The Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery Route. 
But I just did.
Cristy's enthusiasm bubbled like champagne, and came closest to the collective spirit on the train, as we choo-chooed past majestic coastal mountains, glittering glacial-fed lakes, towering green 
Douglas firs and deeply carved valleys.
We made our way on the Rocky Mountaineer's newest scenic route (2006) from Whistler to the northern town of Quesnel, which is in the heart of what once was British Columbia's gold rush country and the place where I will canoe and fly-fish.
We looked for Big Horn sheep (I saw two), llamas (six),
elk, bison, horses, eagles and bears, but mostly we were taken with Nature's gifts and spectacular ever-changing views.
Of course, Cristy wasn't alone in her enthusiasm.
I heard things like:
"I took the Orient Express and this is world's better for service and scenery."
"We were on Via Rail and there's a little slit for a window and we traveled at night. Rocky Mountaineer has big windows and travels in the daylight. This is the only way to go!" Tom Hampshire from New Jersey with his wife celebrating 40th Anniversary.
"The beauty is so amazing, I'm crying."
Imagine yourself here and how you might feel. Here I am on the observation deck with train manager Wade Bush. We
were in an enclosed non-smoking (the whole train) open air area in the back of the train for those with the Goldleaf Service. It also came with sit down gourmet meals--vegetarian selections and fresh fruit, too! I shared meals with Judy and her husband. This family sat across 
from us.
Every moment offered a new visual treat of textures, dimensions, colors, and what each passenger brought to the equation: Awe.
The trip from Whistler (I loved Whistler... a fabulous magical natural wonderland) to Quesnel was an all day affair between nature and train, and one that started for me at 4:00 a.m. when I awoke too early, thinking it was time to go.
So in order to tell you about the Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery Route and my day, I may just need to revisit when I'm more refreshed.
Of course tomorrow I, the certified city girl who is 
committed to experiencing nature now, am scheduled to go fly-fishing.
I once had a client named H.S. Trask who loved fly-fishing in Montana. He loved it so much he rearranged his New York City life to fly-fish all day in Montana. And he decided to make money from selling shoes made from soft but durable buffalo hide because he saw a herd stroll by one day while he was fly-fishing. Everything was about fly-fishing. We were introduced when my PR business was going like a rushing river, and I helped him get featured in Forbes, CNN, and daily newspapers, and then he sold his company for a lot of money. And now I imagine he fly-fishes all day. Why I mention Harrison? I never forgot his enthusiasm. He's the reason I'll try fly-fishing tomorrow. He spoke of the peace, the beauty, the ???
Otherwise, it's really not me.
Dad, that picture you requested. It's coming.
British Columbia's beauty never disappoints me, only reveals itself in more grandeur at every turn.
I just noticed, as of this writing on The Rocky Mountaineer web site that they're running last minute specials. I believe July and August are some of the best weather months for touring British Columbia and Alberta.
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