Via Rail Canada Trip June 2016 - Hallifax, NS Tuesday, May 31

Halifax Skyline across from Dartmouth

I was tempted to insert another "selfie" type photo today but thought you would enjoy sharing the view I had as I sat in a park bench in Dartmouth across the bay from Halifax.  That is one of the small ferries that go back and forth every 15 minutes all day long.  Today has been full as I got to know the city via a Hop on, Hop off tour as well and spending most of the day exploring the Halifax waterfront.  I've set aside Wednesday for museums and Thursday I will be taking an all day tour south of Halifax to see light houses and beaches.  Then Friday I begin the journey back to Toronto on Via Rail's Ocean.

Yes, I am enjoying this trip to the fullest.  One of the affects of being 74 is that I tire much easier when I stay on the go all day being on my feet most of the day. I am looking forward to another night of good sleep.  Thanks for following me on my adventures.  I am taking lots of photos I'll share on my photo galleries website after I return home 

Via Rail Canada Trip June 2016 - Arrived Halifax, NS, Monday May 30

Arrival in Halifax, NS, on Via Rail's Ocean train

Seems like a week but I only left Toronto yesterday 11:30 AM on Via Rail's Train 64 to Montreal. We started late and arrived Montreal 45 minutes late 5:30 PM.  So did not spend any time in Montreal as we lined up to check in at 6 PM and then were told the Ocean was ready to board.  Travel on Via Rail's Ocean was enjoyable although we rode through rain all day long. Thankfully the sky's have cleared and next few days in Halifax are to be dry.  That's my train above in the photo. I was in the last sleeper car so had to walk through six sleepers to get to the sleeper lounge and dining car.  Good exercise. In Halifax, after deboarding we had to walk the full length of the train including three engines to reach the Via Rail waiting room. I met and visited with a lot of very nice people on the train from the Nederlands to Southern California.

After arrival I retrieved my checked bag and then found taxi quickly and was in my hotel The Hollis, a Doubletree Hilton Hotel shortly after arrival in Halifax. Thanks to Hilton Honors e-check in I had already checked in and selected my room on the top floor overlooking the Halifax waterfront - a fantastic view. After taking a walk along the waterfront, I am back in the room tired and ready for a night of restful sleep. I am in the Atlantic time zone or 2 hours ahead of my home Central Time.

Staying four nights in Halifax, so I will be out exploring and discovering this new exciting destination for me. Next four updates will include photos from Halifax.

Via Rail Canada Trip June 2016 - Toronto May 28

Fountains and park in Toronto City Center

I full day of travel and lot of late afternoon walking after arrival has made me very tired.  So it will be shower and early to bed tonight.

My friend Henry G. showed up at my home right on time at 4:30 AM and got me to the airport with lots of time before my flight.  Both flights were right on time and smooth flying getting me to Toronto a little early.  Coming through customs was uneventful but while okay, finding the light rail from my terminal 3 to terminal 1 and then on to the UP Express train needed lots of friendly guidance and directions.  Everyone I encountered was super in helping me find my way.  Got a taxi to the hotel and was in my room around 4:00 PM.

I did get out and walked back to Union Station to make sure all my travel documents for the Via Rail trains were in order. Later I walked out for a few blocks to find food to eat.  Only problem:  It's 85 degrees in Toronto today and there is a high temperature warning alert especially for us senior citizens. I know it affected me thus the early shower and on to bed.

Tomorrow is the first of my Via Rail Train rides -- first Toronto to Montreal at 11:30 AM followed by Via Rail's the Ocean overnight train to Halifax.  No update tomorrow night.  Next update with be Monday from Halifax.

Via Rail Canada Trip June 2016 - Packing Day Friday, August 27

Organized or Dis-organized? What my packing looks like

Packing for three weeks with only one large suitcase and one carry-on is a challenge but I think(I know) I can do it.  Except for tolietries including my shaver and glucose meter and supplies everything is in these two bags.  My doctor, Dr. David Allen, has helped me get over a "bug" and I am on the way to full recovery.  

I fly out Saturday morning at 7:24 PM.  One of my young friends Henry G. is picking me up 4:30 AM to take me to the Nashville airport. Will arrive in Toronto mid afternoon. I've already checked in for my flight and have my passport in hand. In Toronto, I am looking forward to my first ride on the UP Express train from the airport to downtown Toronto's Union Station just a short taxi ride to my Toronto Hilton Hotel.  

That's it for now.  This is the new shorter version of updates I will be providing you as often as I can during this trip.  Look for another update from Toronto.

Via Rail Canada Trip June 2016 - Departure Date May 28 is One Week Away

Scenes from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Via Rail Canada Trip May 28 - June 17 Trip Itinerary

In just one week on Saturday, May 28, I fly American Airlines to Toronto, Canada, to begin my Via Rail vacation trip to Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. I am hoping you are going to follow my visit to Canada via this blog.  I will be changing the format of my blog posts just a little.  I am planning to cover my travel and activities with regular updates(almost daily) featuring a single photo to represent the day and then a short narrative describing my day. I'll post the many photos I will take to my photo galleries after returning home to Nashville in late June.  Today, I'll share my itinerary with you.  And, no, I did not take the photos above.  I've never been to Nova Scotia or Halifax so that is why I am going.

While I will be traveling 21 days, I will only be on overnight trains two nights while in Canada and two nights on Amtrak traveling from Albany, NY, to New Orleans, LA.  Here is the itinerary:

May 28 - Fly AA Nashville to Toronto and overnight in Hilton Toronto

May 29 - Via Rail train Toronto to Montreal and overnight train on to Halifax

May 30 - Arrive Halifax for 4 nights in the Hollis Halifax-Doubletree Hotel

May 31 to June 2 - Three whole days to explore Halifax

June 3 - Via Rail overnight train Halifax to Montreal and on to Toronto

June 4 - Arrive Toronto for 3 nights in Hilton Toronto

June 5-6 - Two whole days to explore Toronto

June 7 - Via Rail train Toronto to Montreal for 2 nights in Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel

June 8 - Whole day in Montreal

June 9 - Amtrak Adirondack Montreal to Albany, NY for 4 nights Hilton Albany

June 10, 11, 12 - Three whole days to explore Albany and also do a little train watching.  On June 11 I will travel Amtrak to Poughkeepsie, NY, for a short outing along the Hudson River.

June 13 - Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited overnight train Albany to Chicago

June 14 - Amtrak's City of New Orleans overnight train Chicago to New Orleans 

June 15 - Arrive New Orleans for 2 nights Hilton New Orleans Riverside

June 16 - Whole day in New Orleans

June 17 - Fly home Southwest Airlines New Orleans to Nashville

Arriving home in Nashville/Franklin on June 17, I will take a couple or so months hanging at home.  Time for me to slow down just a little on the travel.  

While there will be small short trips nearby or to north Louisiana for family visits, I have only planned one week long trip in October to feed my Amtrak California Zephyr hunger. October 3 I will fly to Chicago for two nights at Doubletree The Wit hotel boarding Amtrak's California Zephyr October 5 to Emeryville, CA(San Francisco) for two nights at the Hyatt House Hotel in Emeryville before boarding Amtrak's Coast Starlight day trip to Los Angeles. I will stay two nights at the LAX Hilton Hotel and fly home to Nashville nonstop on American Airlines.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. 

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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Louisiana Trip to Visit Family - May 8-14

Dinner with Todd Young Family

Louisiana Trip to Visit Family

Friends and blog readers, just a short update to let you know I have traveled from Nashville to visit family in the Shreveport/Bossier City area in Louisiana. Since this is a time to visit with family, I don't really plan to take photos while here.  My brother-in-law Bobby had five bypass heart surgery April 11 and except for a short five day return to home, he returned to the hospital for intravenous antibiotic treatment for infections in his leg Monday, May 2.  As I arrived here today, my sister told us that the doctor had visited this morning and told Bobby he needs at least another week of intravenous antibiotic treatment.  For insurance reasons he will have to move to a assisted skilled nursing facility to continue the treatments.  Your prayers are appreciated for Bobby as well as his wife, my sister.

In addition to doing family things, I will be visiting with my great niece Cheri in her new home Thursday for another home cooked meal and spending time with her and her boyfriend.

After arriving here in Shreveport this afternoon, I met my long time dear friend Todd Young and his family for dinner at Outback Steakhouse.  That is the Young family and me in the lead photo above.  I have known Todd since he was a seventh grader and had the privilege to be his Bible study teacher when he was a tenth grader and life long friend, spiritual leader, and encourager.  And he has been all three of those to me.  Two years ago Todd and his family moved to Shreveport from Nashville to be an educational minister at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport.  Every time we get together is a time of happiness and blessings.  Except this time, Todd had the great idea that I could let him buy me an airplane ticket home to Nashville and leave my 2003 Honda here for his 16 year old daughter Sadie.  Not such a good deal for this soon to be 75 year old who doesn't plan to buy another car in my lifetime. Hopefully, he was just kidding.

Here are two more Iphone photos with Todd and his family tonight.

Sadie, Macy and I(Reagan)

Sadie, Amy, Macy, Reagan, Todd

I will be here in Shreveport/Bossier City until Friday and will begin the drive home to Nashville Friday.  Planning to drive home via Meridian, MS, where I will stay Friday night.  I came through Memphis and Little Rock unaware of the massive interchange construction project where I-40 comes into Memphis and encounters I-240 and I-40 West.  It will be a long time before I drive through Memphis again.  I will arrive home via Birmingham in I-65 Saturday.

Personally, your concern and prayers for me are appreciated.  I was diagnosed type 2 diabetes when I was 61.  Until this past Tuesday, I was able to control my diabetes with oral medication.  That day I began taking insulin via Lantus Solostar Pen at bedtime.  Fortunately, injecting the insulin has been mostly painless.  There have been some effects as my body adjusts to taking the insulin while stopping an oral medication I took for almost two years.  And I confess anxiety plays a part in my adjusting. 

Look for my next update from Toronto, Canada, Saturday, May 28, as I begin my Via Rail and Amtrak train trips in Eastern Canada and Northeastern USA.

My Next 2016 TRAVEL PLANS

 Via Rail and Amtrak Trip to Canada and Albany, NY, May 28 to June 15

 Traveling by Via Rail in Canada to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Returning to USA via Amtrak for visits to Albany, NY and New Orleans, LA.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. Also, click on the "blog title" at the very top of email to view this blog on the web.

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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