I would recommend to all Canadians to take the time to see our country from coast to coast. (Comstock)

I have spent more than 25-years serving in the Canadian military, at home and abroad, and I have been fortunate to travel extensively as part of my employment. I will, however, remember with fondness the first time I traveled a great distance to experience the sights, sounds and cultures of other places.

That initial journey took place in 1972, when as a boy of 11 years. I set out with my family from Nova Scotia to visit relatives in Calgary, Alberta. We took the train from Sydney Mines, a small town in Cape Breton, and journeyed through the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, and the Prairies.

We saw small fishing villages, farming towns and great cities that were beyond my wildest imagination. The grand stations of Montreal and Toronto amazed us with the many shops and crowds of people to be found there. While the train was rolling, we sat in the observation, playing games, marveling at the sights and waving at people who watched us pass by.

We ate our meals in a dining car where we were treated like people of extensive wealth and upbringing. I’ll never forget one particular employee who entertained us at each meal by pouring our milk and juices by extending his arm great distances above the glass and never spilling a drop!

I often think back to how fortunate I was to be given that opportunity and to appreciate just how vast and varied this country really is. That trip helped create a family bond that has never weakened, provided 2 young people with a deeper appreciation of their homeland than any book could ever portray, and developed a nomadic spirit in me.

The trip took numerous days in each direction, but we were very comfortable and content in our sleeper accommodations. In fact, I recall looking forward to the evenings when a staff member would come along and transform our seats into bunks and we would continue to talk and giggle in the privacy of our own little section of that long, winding train. We would then drift off to sleep with the gentle motion of our bedroom on rails.

In the mornings we would rise, wash-up for the day's activities and make our way to breakfast where the smiling faces of the crew and other travelers beckoned. We'd then stroll along through the cars to seek out friends and drop by the canteen and other amenities. In the evenings, we played games such as bingo and cards with the other adventurers. I also recall being handed puzzles, colouring books and other trinkets by the staff as they made their way through the cars each day.

In closing, I would recommend to all Canadians to take the time to see our country from coast to coast. You might also consider the benefits of spending a few days on the train with your children, away from the distraction of computers and televisions and get to share in a great adventure you will always remember. I can say for certain that my experiences with train travel have resulted in lifetime friendships, lasting memories, and first-hand-knowledge of what it means to be Canadian.