The first train trip I ever took was when I was 13 and my family travelled from Oregon to Virginia. This was when the train system was just switching over to diesels, although we never boarded one of those. In North Dakota, we travelled to our aunt's farm on the 'Galloping Goose', a coal-burning noisy little thing.

Part of our course was through Canada- we came down to the US at North Dakota. Until then we kids were charmed by all the exotic names we encountered: Yoho Valley. Kicking Horse Canyon. Moosejaw. Medicine Hat. Nothing like the prosaic names we were used to.

I also remember that a kind gentleman gave us kids the Sunday funnies after he was through with his paper. The first colored funnies I ever saw. An exciting day.