All aboard the Whistler Mountaineer!
Written by: Julie Ovenell-CarterPlease tell me I am not alone in this: I really do look forward to spending time with my mom–just not too much time.
In our particular mother-daughter dynamic, quality time definitely trumps quantity time. A Mother’s Day brunch, for example, is much too brief, but a week-long Alaska cruise–well, that just might be asking for trouble.
What to do? How to bond with mom–or for that matter your teenage son or your aging gran–without having to book extra vacation time (or extra sessions with your therapist)?
Easy: take a short trip to anywhere–by train.
There’s something about that slow steady rhythm. About not having to remove your shoes, watch, belt and earrings before you board. About leg room and decent food and an ever-changing landscape outside the window. Spend a day on a train and you’ll feel like you’ve been away for a long weekend.
Depending on where you live in Canada, there are a couple of short, scenic day-trips worthy of the woman who raised you:
Win a return trip for two on the Whistler Mountaineer!
Leave a comment here about who you’d like to spend some quality time with on board the Whistler Mountaineer. I’ll do a random draw for a return trip for two between Vancouver and Whistler at noon on Friday, May 8–just in time for Mother’s Day (but you can take the trip anytime that works for you).
And if you’re on Twitter and you tweet this contest (use @theseboots in your post), you’ll get a second entry!
Update May 7: Congrats to draw winner Fiona Beaty of Bowen Island, BC who is looking forward to taking her nine-year-old godson on the train!
Bibliotheeka
on May 1st, 2009I’d to go with my husband, just before I become a mum myself!
Cam Hayduk
on May 1st, 2009I think I’d let my wife and son take the train to Whistler for Mom’s Day. She’s been working such crazy hours lately she hasn’t been feeling like much of a mom, so a trip like this would make her year.
Lorraine Ashdown
on May 1st, 2009I would take my one and only, love of my life daughter, Ali. She has been my travelling companion for the last 14 years and she would love this fun, stylized journey. I could tell her all kinds of stories about when my Dad used to take the six of us in our family by train from Winnipeg to Banff, every year for seven years. Those were the days!!
Richard
on May 1st, 2009Well, I would take Mom, of course. At 88, time is very precious and since she is the daughter of a 50 Year CPR railroader and family legend has her uncle as second in command to William Van Horne, trains are in our blood.
Su Rickett
on May 1st, 2009I’d take my son, who is graduating from WVSS this year and then off to college. It might be one of the few times left for us to enjoy some uninterrupted time together before he enters the ‘real world’.
Kathryn
on May 1st, 2009If my Mom lived here I would probably take her, but instead I would take my lovely husband. We both love trains.
It would remind me of childhood summers spent travelling by train with my little brother between Valemount and Edmonton. In those days my Mom would put us in the custody of a friendly train conducter … he was Mr. CPR she was Mrs. Valemount … who would watch over us till my Grampa pick us up in Edmonton. Can you imagine putting your 7 and 8 year old kids on a train these days and telling the unnamed conductor to just make sure they got off in Edmonton?!?
Margret
on May 1st, 2009I’d take my 11 year old daughter who is very excited about the upcoming 2010 Olympics . She’s asked already to go to Whistler and the Whistler Mountaineer’s onboard experience would be unmatched with such beautiful views and such a unique form of transportation. It be a great geographical and historical learning experience for us to share and personally I’ just love to spend the time with her.
Evelyn Hannon
on May 1st, 2009There is no question in my mind about whom I would take on this train ride. My eldest grandson Josh would be my travel partner. His 9th birthday is coming up and since I always take him someplace extra special to celebrate, this western adventure would be ideal. Josh and I often travel by train but the rides are much closer to home and the scenery not as gorgeous as the Whistler Mountaineer promises to be. Keeping my fingers crossed. If I win this trip for us, his ’sweet’ heart will be mine forever!
Toni Leverett
on May 1st, 2009I’d love to win this trip and then have my mom (who is 79) go with my dad (who is 83) because they are the reason that I can celebrate Mothers Day.
They made ME ! My dad used to be a railway mail clerk out of Prince Rupert many, many years ago and it would be a thrill for him to be on a train again.
Paul Rickett
on May 1st, 2009I’d send my wife and son on it. Mum’s going to be an empty nester soon – good bonding trip. And I’ve twittered it too.
Suzan
on May 1st, 2009I would take my mom. Like Julie, a great day trip and everyone can go home at the end of the day!
Jan Parker
on May 1st, 2009I’d take my husband Ken – we don’t get off the island much, I think it would be nice to visit a place so close, yet so far away.
Sue Sinclair, Raspberry Kids
on May 1st, 2009If my mother were alive I would take her because as a family we travelled from Winnipeg to Vancouver on the train and it was a very memorable trip. Since she has passed, I would love to take my awesome hubby because with 2 small children and 3 businesses between us, we do not get a lot of quality couple time.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Sue
Fiona
on May 1st, 2009Well, I can’t go with just one of my three children. That wouldn’t work. And I couldn’t give the tickets to two of the three; that wouldn’t fly, either … and Bob is emphatic that he rode enough trains to last a lifetime when we lived in England.
…. So I would choose to take the trip myself, with my young godson (he’s nine) who has recently moved back to Vancouver. He would LOVE it, and I would love being with him while he was loving it.
Anthony Floyd
on May 1st, 2009It’d have to be my wife and my son. My son loves trains, and it would be a wonderful adventure for the two of them!
Madeleine Shaw
on May 1st, 2009Miss the Beggar’s Purse, but still follow your writing. My husband and I have been trying to take our 4 year old daughter skiing this past year, but sadly will not be able to do it. A train ride would be just the ticket, as it were, as a replacement. Thanks for offering this opportunity!
Madeleine Shaw
on May 1st, 2009Just Retweeted for emphasis – good luck, everyone!
julie
on May 1st, 2009If I could sit on a train with you going north and south
If we could still enjoy encapsuled time
Without freaking out
About space
If I could leave you at home long enough to go north or south
And enjoy some space in the quiet track’s repeated rhythm
While going back
Into your space
I would take you with me
could you be here?
I would take you with me
julie
on May 1st, 2009oh – for my father
Heather Coulthart
on May 1st, 2009Son Ryan was 7 in 1990 when his Dad , he and I rode the rails from Vancouver to Toronto in a “bedroom” We had been assured that there would be plenty of room for the 3 of us. We soon found out that the best way to travel was sleeping head to foot so to speak. We ended up doing alot of napping , but the excursion was fantastic. We found Waldo everywhere_it was that era- and we talked with many a retired railroader up in the Observation Dome. What a trip. I’ll never forget the Fraser canyon in the moonlight, Jasper station and the bear, the sweet taste of the wild strawberries in HornePayne Ontaio, the golden fields of canola on the prairies and the long descent from the upper Canadian shield into Toronto. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a train trip across this great country of ours!
I would love to travel by train with Ryan to Whistler because Howe Sound is my most favourite place on the planet.
Ramone Grant
on May 1st, 2009Since I suffer from split personality I would go it alone since it would be cheating if I took another human. I have a little girl in me(Cynthia) that has never been on a train before and I am sure she would enjoy it immensely. As well, Jerry the retired grain farmer has never seen the mountains up real close, he would be awestruck.
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Whoah, Ramone–or whoever you are–you are one crazy blog-stalker, but I like you. Stick around. Oh and say hi to Jerry and Cynthia for me…
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Heather, I travelled by train with both my kids (on separate trips) through the Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer and it was memorable for all of us. I agree: every Canadian should add a cross-Canada train trip to their bucket list. And it’s not as expensive as you might think these days…especially if you’re a student or senior…
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Julie, make it a song, ok?
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Madeleine, thanks for the kind words re: The Beggar’s Purse–I’ll pass them along to Brad, whose baby it was. (He went back to teaching several years ago, which, may I say, has been a very good thing for our marriage…) Good luck!
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Or you could take me?
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009And Paul, if she doesn’t win, you should send her anyway. It really is a great bonding trip for moms and teenaged boys: I did it with my son when he was 13 on the Rocky Mountaineer. Very special memories for both of us…you can read the resulting Canadian Geographic story here
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Good luck Evelyn!
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Ah, those were the days, weren’t they? “Here kids, here’s 50 cents and a sandwich, be good…see you next week…”
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Lorraine, take her on the Rocky Mountaineer before she graduates. You’ll never regret it…
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009I went through a phase where I thought I was the world’s worst mom, but mercifully it passed. It will for Kat too…but meanwhile, fingers crossed for her to win…
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 1st, 2009Congratulations Christina! When’s the grand entrance?
Dee
on May 2nd, 2009I would take my son Jack with me for the ride on the Whistler Mountaineer. We have always wanted to do it but finances have never been able to justify such an extravagance. It would certainly create an opportunity for some special mum-son bonding, especially before he heads to his Dad’s in England for the summer.
Michele Peterson
on May 2nd, 2009I’d take my new stepson from Guatemala. He’s leaving his home country for the very first time so a trip through the Rockies would be amazing.
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on May 2nd, 2009Oh, Michele, you’re right a trip through the Rockies IS amazing–but this prize is for the Whistler Mountaineer, which is a little less grand–but still wonderful.
And Dee, it’s not crazy expensive, especially if you’re from BC. Find out more about their special discount for BC residents here: http://www.whistlermountaineer.com/bc_special/
Deirdre
on May 2nd, 2009I would take my mom. I just got back from Australia after 2 yrs, and this would certainly be a nice Mother’s Day reunion.
marg mcconnell
on May 2nd, 2009I would love to take my daughters
Alan Boysen
on May 2nd, 2009My wife, mother of our boys, to continue the never ending romance! Boys stay behind…
elliomeg
on May 2nd, 2009I’d take my husband, who deserves a treat for being such a great guy – our family depends on his being everything to just about everyone.
Peg Campbell
on May 2nd, 2009I would take my daughter for both Mothers Day and her 17th birthday since they are close together. My fave thing to do on her birthday is to spend the day with her, just the two of us, doing something special. Ridiculous that there isn’t much time to do that these days!
Lyn Watson
on May 2nd, 2009If my mother, Eve were still with us I would take her, she used to love the sound of the train from her apartment above the general store. We often said we would take the trip, but there never seemed to be the time, a lesson for us all…So I would take my dear husband, and celebrate our first wedding anniversary. (Mum will be there with us anyway, she could never bear to be left out of anything!)
Boops
on May 2nd, 2009I’d take my best little buddy because she enjoys the moment as much as anyone I know. The sights, the smells, the travelling rythyms and the long country rambles.
Lo, no pug dogs allowed!
Oh well, I’ll take my other best friend.
marjan schedler
on May 2nd, 2009A very special trip in this marvelous train would be with my lovely mother. She will visit us the first half of June, to be there for Roos’s Masterwork presentaion (at Island Pacific School). My mom will make this journey all the way from Holland. I know that she would love to see the amazing nature between Vancouver and Whistler while she is relaxing and sitting with her daughter.
Shelley McCarron
on May 2nd, 2009my husband. relive our honeymoon 10 years , three kids, later!
Anne Ayre
on May 2nd, 2009I would chose my 2 daughters who never forget their mom on Mothers’ Day but since it is only a trip for 2, I’d have a hard time choosing which one to take. So, my dear husband is my choice as a companion on this special trip as we have never in the 35 years we known each taken a train trip together.
bibliotheeka
on May 2nd, 2009thanks Julie
6 more weeks to go before the train leaves the station! LOL
Larissa Ciupka
on May 3rd, 2009I would take my soon-to-be 10 year-old daughter, Katya. She’s never been west of Edmonton. We live in Hamilton, below the escarpment, which we Hamiltonians call “the Mountain”. I think it would be amazing for her to experience “real” mountains!
A few years ago, Katya and I took the train to Ottawa for the Canada Day weekend. It was great fun — we worked on a trip scrapbook, read Ella Enchanted, and planned our weekend must-do’s (eating gelato at the Byward Market, going on a ghost walk, visiting the National Gallery, meeting a Mountie…).
Bridget
on May 4th, 2009I would love to take my mom as she is my best friend and if it were not for her I would never have moved to Bowen.
Paul Stratford
on May 4th, 2009I would take my beautiful wife Kellie Burnett … and in fact, I think I will as this is a great idea. Thanks. Paul
Stuart Colcleugh
on May 4th, 2009Hmmm… I suppose it doesn’t have to be your own mom does it? Not that I wouldn’t want to treat mom to such a getaway, but I can think of another mom who has never been to Whistler and would be absolutely bowled over by the scenery along the way.