Another early morning, we caught the bus from the Riverside Inn to the train station in Kamloops to board the Rocky Mountaineer for our 7 o'clock departure.  We quickly left the desert surroundings of Kamloops as we climbed higher and higher toward the Continental Divide, the spine of the Rocky Mountains.  The landscape was once again covered with evergreens of all types, firs, spruces, hemlocks and pines.  The air was cool and dry as the train made its way along bright blue-green rivers and lakes.  More bald eagles and mountain sheep made up the bulk of our wildlife sightings today, although several in our car spotted a bear that lumbered quickly into the forest as the train approached.  The mountains are rugged and magnificent.

You have to see these sights for yourself to fully appreciate what we experienced today.  Maybe you can get some idea through my description here or in the photos of Day 7 posted in the Eye on You section.  If you've been to this part of the world, then you know what I mean.  Our group of Brazos Valley explorers is ready for a good night's rest here at the Banff Park Lodge.  And we need the rest, because although our train adventure may be over, we do some exploring around Banff tomorrow.  We go to Chateau Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefields to walk out on the glacier.  And more.

I'll endeavor to update you tomorrow.  Thanks for keeping up with our trip.  I know your friends and family who are here with me appreciate it.  And they'll have lots more to tell you when we get home.  Be sure to ask them about the rafters we saw in the Thompson River yesterday, and how they "waved" to the train.

Pictures from the Trip