Last Day in Jasper

Day 31 Saturday 16 October – Last Day in the Rockies

Woke up this morning to a -7 °C outside temperature. Reorganised our luggage and had breakfast in the Moose's Nook. Back to our room for a quick check of the wardrobe and cupboards. Rang the front desk and had our luggage transferred to the Bell Desk for safe-keeping until our 4 pm shuttle to the station.

We have four hours to fill and spend them in the main lounge. The place is alive with activity as there's a convention of teachers from all over Alberta. Had a most interesting discussion with two who were interested in our medical system, our parliament and our education system. In many ways we are the same, in some ways quite different.

Yesterday, Al the driver, asked me what I had on my head. I said it was a 'beanie', he said that was a tight cap with a propeller on top. What I had, he said, was a 'tuque', a term I'd never heard. Looked it up on Wiki and he's right – about the tuque, anyway.

At about 4 pm we board the courtesy bus to the train station in Jasper, book in our luggage and await the boarding call. Back on the train and it is almost time for the first diner service. There's a 'wine tasting' in the club car and then off to bed.