Train Trip to the End of the Line

We boarded the Agawa Canyon train before 8:00 AM and had made the decision to travel in the dome car for our trip to the canyon. It was a dull day and then it began raining. Our conductor assured us that by the time we got to the stop the sun would be shining. We all hoped he was right!
As we left the station the scenery very quickly changed from the city traffic bustle, city streets lined with homes and businesses to a line of trees. It was almost immediately that people began to quiet down on the train as it lulled them back to nature and the views outside the window as the train clacked along the tracks.
For those who love rocks, trees and the serenity of nature, even with rain on the windows, it was a meditative journey.
The trip takes around four hours and arrives at the canyon in time for lunch. We were all given bagged lunches and it brought back the memories of kids on an outing with picnic baskets in hand.
Those on the Agawa tour had a few hours to enjoy the views and get up close with the sound of nature all around. The hiking trails are so beautiful and the colour of leaves changing as fall approached had camera bugs constantly clicking visual memories to take back home.

After our lovely time in the Canyon everyone boarded the train to head back to the Sault except for six of us who were left standing at the station watching the train leave. At that moment we all looked at each other and it felt a little eerie being there in this quiet, beautiful place all alone with no way to leave.
A few minutes later we were happy to see someone appear from the washroom. He told us he was the resident park ranger who stays there through the season - all alone in one little cabin.
He was a very interesting guy and we teased him, asking what he does for excitement on a Saturday night. He said he was the Ranger, the bathroom janitor, the gardener, the one who talked to the bears and the Saturday night partier.
Just imagine being alone in the bush with no way out until the train came again. It was so extremely quiet and serene but I suspect he spent some lonely nights there during those 6 month stays.

The train ride north of the canyon was one of the most interesting trips I have ever been on. The whole train only had the six of us and we were given free reign to travel anywhere on the train including outside on the little area at the end of train. We had such fun taking incredible pictures and comparing them. We stood between cars leaning out as far as we safely could.
Occasionally, the train would slow down and stop in the middle of nowhere at a mile marker and someone would come out of the bush and get on the train with their camping equipment and hunting rifles.
At other times the train would slow down and stop and someone who had boarded got off the train in the middle of nowhere. An elderly couple got off the train with their bags and we wondered where they were going. It was near a lake and around the curve came a little boat. The couple got on the boat and headed across the lake.
We later found out there was a resort they had booked to visit for the night.

As we rolled along the track towards Hearst the train came to yet another stop. An elderly woman boarded. She had no luggage and seemed to come out of no where. She was very friendly and sat across from us. The train began to move forward once again and she told us her story.
She has lived in bush for many years and has a lodge that sees hunters and explorers who return to visit each year.
We asked about how she gets supplies, does she have a vehicle, are there any roads, what about telephones....
She kindly explained to us that she did have a truck that was brought up to the bush in 1972 on the train. She keeps it parked in the bush and uses it only to haul supplies back to the lodge along a dirt path. Her groceries are delivered on the train from Sault Ste. Marie on Fridays whenever the train arrives at mile 258. She uses a radio-type phone to call in her order and to contact family members. She told us one thing she had to do was set up a system to call family otherwise they thought she was a telemarketer due to the delay. So she calls then hangs up and calls again.
She can jump on the train for free to go visit friends along the line as the locals do not have to pay to ride.
She loves it and has no desire to leave the north country. She is 77 years old, happy, content and very serene in her bush. Truly she has found a peaceful contentment in nature and has many opportunities to enjoy the words of the woods whispered in her ears.

Our train arrived in Hearst just as the sun was setting. It was well after 8 and we had not had any dinner. Our first reaction was 'Oh my, Where will we ever get something to eat here?'
To our surprise as we walked across the track to our hotel, we were amazed, firstly by the size of it and then by the hustle and bustle inside. Everyone was happy, friendly and enjoying themselves. We checked in and went down to the restaurant to see what was on the menu.
The staff were incredibly friendly and to food was great.
They told us more about the area and how this place was know far and wide in the north. There is only one main road into Heart but the majority of their visitors came by skidoo in the winter months. They had special garages for the visitors to park their machines and plug ins for the cars during cold winter nights.
Next morning after a little exploring and a glorious breakfast we boarded the train to head back. While in Hearst, we also heard there was a large group of officials from government in the area for meetings and they as well would have come in on the same rail as we had or would have come on the one main road into town.
The area was indeed rustic and wild with just the right amount of down home friendliness.
Truly the residents here have discovered the joy of nature and friendship in their proud heritage of the north.

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The Isle of Squid