: Darn it, Paul!!!

: That's just too tempting--why'd you have to post that?!?!

Just to get you out of your state of mind, and state of residence, Shawn

: If it was $500, I'd never even consider it. Drop off one of those zeros, and
: now you've got my mind churning. Let's see...I can put the kayak on the
: train and go...anywhere?!?!

Well, anywhere in Canada. I undrestand that you can cross almost the entire country by water. the total amount of portages is supposed to be well under 100 miles. ( I think I heard or read it was 63 or 73 miles), and the longest one was under 5 miles. That's not bad for crossing a continent! Anyone with more accurate data on this, please let me know.

ViaRail is the Canadian passenger rail system and they have a web page at www.viarail.ca

They have a section on adventure travel which has a few neat features. One is that they will stop anywhere along the line -- whether there is a station there or not -- if you give them 24 hours advance notice. Take the train to the top of the hills, unload the boat, float down the mountain streams, and get on another train at the bottom of the hills. check www.viarail.ca/adventures

By the way, I gave you the wrong price on transporting canoes and kayaks. It is only $35, not $50 and if that price is quoted in Canadian dollars then you are talking more like US $25. If you are going on a short trip they may adjust the price of carrying the oversized baggage down, so that it is not higher than your personal ticket price. If your travels involve changing trains, you'll pay that excess baggage fee on each train you ride. Oversized items: bicycles, canoes, etc.

the following is from their website, hope it helps:

Paul G. Jacobson

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You can carry most sporting equipment and other oversized outdoor items on trains where there is a checked baggage service. As you can see, the charge is very reasonable:

Canoes, kayaks and sailboards less than 5.4 m (18 ft.): $35 per train used

Bicycles and child-carrier: $15 regardless of the number of connections (tandem: $30).

To protect your bicycle, you can use a bicycle box provided free by VIA. (A box is mandatory on journeys involving a connection.) To use a box you must turn the handlebar and remove the pedals. VIA does not provide tools for this purpose. VIA accepts no liability for damage to bicycles that are not stored in a box.

Where necessary, VIA will adjust the price for carrying an oversized item to ensure that it does not exceed the fare you have paid for your own travel (except in the case of children's fares).

If you are travelling with oversized baggage, there's a good chance you will want to know about VIA Adventures, our customized service for outdoor fans.