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It’s 10 p.m. on holiday Monday, and I’m still busily packing for my big train trip to Jasper, Alberta, so this will have to be a quick note. I leave tomorrow morning at 9 for ten days, along with my friend and colleague Carol Cowan, who is our back page columnist for the magazine and also does PR work to promote the Via Rail Garden Route, which is what this trip is all about.

I love the train—it’s my favourite way to travel. Our journey will also take us to stops in Winnipeg and Edmonton. We’ll be disembarking for a few days in all three places to visit botanical gardens, points of interest as well as some Communities in Bloom award winners.

So what do I take with me when I’m traipsing around gardens for a day rain or shine? A small green knapsack I bought some years ago at a National Trust shop in England, in which I stash a hat with a wide brim, a plastic bag with small containers of bug repellent and suntan lotion, my water bottle, a mini-umbrella, a package of tissues, a black nylon windbreaker, a little cotton scarf to tie around my neck if it’s a sweaty day, a small notebook, ballpoint pens and pencils and of course, my trusty camera. With this stuff, I’m good to go. The other key thing is footwear: in summer, it’s generally sturdy, washable Teva-type sandals that have rubber soles with excellent traction. Not glamorous, but comfy—vital when you’re on your feet from morning to night.

Hasta la vista, amigos, I’ll keep you posted!

Tags: botanical gardens, Communities in Bloom, garden tours, Via Rail Garden Route