So much to see, so much to do aboard Canada's Via Rail

TORONTO - It was a bucket list trip, but not in the way you might think.

The Via Rail train journey across Canada was not about my do-before-dying list, but about the Earth's, about seeing the natural wonders before they're swallowed up, burned up or chewed up by climate change or humans.

Now that that grim part is out of the way, here's the fun bit: about 3,000 miles, five days and four nights in May, from Toronto to Vancouver, aboard the Canadian.

I traveled with Lisa, a good friend from high school. How good? We ironed each other's hair back when that was Joni Mitchell-chic, and nothing says "trust" like letting someone get inches from your face with a searing-hot iron.

Anyone who grows up in the jet age must feel some yearning for the age of rail; mine was from stories of Sherlock Holmes shuttling across England in pursuit of malefactors and from an Irving Wallace