Okay we're about half way through Ontario, we left Niagra Falls behind and headed to Toronto, we left Toronto at 10:00 PM yesterday heading to Winnipeg. Today turned out to be quite eventful as you will see, we we're passing through the Canadain Shield plenty of lakes, streams and rock, eventually we pulled into a small town called Hornepayne where we dropped off some passengers and picked some up, we we're also allowed out of the train to stretch our legs, it was sunny and pleasant when we got out but by the time we got back on the train the weather had changed, the wind came up, the sky darkened and rain began to fall, there was also thunder and lighting to the northwest of us, the direction we we're headed. Six fellows had boarded the train with four canoes and gear, four of them sat across from us and introduced themselves, they we're friends who had been going on an annual canoe trip for over 30 years. While we were chatting an the train began to slow down and there was an annoncement that there were trees down across the rails ahead, next thing we know we here scrapping on the side of our car so we look out the window and there are tree branches right up against the train, and then BOOM the first window in our car explodes and there is glass everywhere, while everyone is diving and ducking the next window goes, every window in our car is blown out and half the windows in the car behind us met the same fate. After the train finally stopped we got up and shook the glass off and fortunately there were only a few minor cuts reported, Tina had a couple on her shin and foot and I had one on my neck. The train staff moved us out of the two damaged cars and we got a free sleeper for the night plus all our meals were free. I bought a round of beer for everyone (as initially VIA was not going to kick in) and much conversation insued. One of the canoe trip fellows leaned over to me and said do you know who that fellow is over there pointing to one of his friends who introduced himself as Red, I said no then he said that Red had played in the NHL for seventeen years, so I looked back and said its not Red Barenson is it and he said yes. Wow, I bought Red Barenson a beer !!!!!

Okay it's off to Winnipeg (8 hours late)

G&T