NORTH TO CHURCHILL BY ROAD & RAIL! (My 1,000 km trip across Manitoba on VIA Rail's Hudson Bay line)

[@DrifterDave]

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[@Lanternsinthesky-studios]

As American, there’s nothing like Canada 🇨🇦 and Canadiens. From Detroit and Chicago as a kid and lived in such places including Seattle, Alaska, and North Dakota as an adult with my spouse, Abby, who hails originally from the Philippines. We’ve traveled in the provinces of BC, Yukon, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia

[@DrifterDave]

I'm glad you love my country and have been able to see so much of it! Thanks for watching 😎

[@joanmckinnon9165]

Good for you. You are one of very few Americans that I have met who has travelled so extensively in Canada. In fact, you have probably seen more of Canada than many Canadians.

[@DrifterDave]

That's probably because I am Canadian! 😂🙏 Sorry for the confusion! :)

[@666Otomo]

I lived in Wabowden, MB just south of Pisew Falls off Highway 6 for a couple of years back in the late 1980's. Beautiful wilderness. I remember seeing Pisew Falls in the winter when it was frozen solid!

[@DrifterDave]

That would be incredible! Beautiful part of the country 👍

[@pamelaruiz6772]

I went on this trip in the 70s with my cousin and my parents. This brings back memories.

[@DrifterDave]

Awesome! Has it changed much since your visit? 🤔

[@thewhiteshellmermaid9328]

There is something about seeing your own stomping grounds on KZbin. I love recognizing the place names being mentioned and the landscape passing by. It always makes me smile. I absolutely adore that train (been on it twice for school trips) and those old silver coaches have a place in my heart. It's always neat to go to sleep in the Canadian shield and wake on the tundra. To anyone planning a trip to Churchill, take the train (not that there's a lot of choice unless you want to fly, which I think is more expensive) It's worth it.

[@DrifterDave]

100% agree! There is something about the remoteness and solitude of the train journey that is absolutely unmatchable. It's an incredible experience.

[@LearnwithJanice]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇸

[@DrifterDave]

Hello from Nunavut, Canada!

[@BC250]

I would love to visit Thompson and Churchill someday. I would go at a slower pace as it's likely a once in lifetime place for me.

[@DrifterDave]

That is completely fair! I didn’t have a ton of time, or else I would have slowed down a bit! The problem is that the train was only running twice a week, and I was only offered a free airline ticket back on that single Saturday, so the only way to make it work was to rush! I do hope that you get to experience Manitoba’s North someday soon! 🙏

[@abuabuadam6027]

Amazing videography

[@DrifterDave]

Thanks a ton!

[@ez2djayouridtravel]

We are new to Winnipeg and wanted to explore Manitoba, thanks for your video. Manitoba is so beautiful!

[@DrifterDave]

It really is! I hope you get to explore more of the province 👍

[@johnburke1317]

Very nice video

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you! I appreciate the support.

[@BlacqueJacqueShellacque_]

Cool trip. It's on my list and glad to see you left from Thompson. That was my plan to reduce the time on the train and be able to explore more towns by car. I'm American, so probably not next year, but hopefully in 2022.

[@DrifterDave]

I hope the border opens and you get to go! It’s an amazing journey! 😎

[@rem145]

Hoping sometime next year this is back to normal. You all better be prepared the first summer is going to probably be crowded everywhere from US tourists

[@DrifterDave]

We will welcome them with open arms! 😂

[@suddenlysolo2170]

Great video. I would have opted to take the train from Winnipeg though, rather than driving that far north, but that's just a personal preference.

[@DrifterDave]

That’s fair! It is way more expensive from Winnipeg and an extra day and a half on board, so I opted to use my free rental car and do some road tripping in central Manitoba (I’d never been). Definitely enjoyed the Pisew Falls, so it was worth the drive, but if I had more cash I might have considered the full experience from Winnipeg.

[@stevebalmer1672]

We took the trip by Tran from Winnipeg in October 2016. Slow but sure. We were on a tour so we did the tundra buggies to see polar bears. We did. Did a local tour to the bear jail, the old rocket grounds and Miss piggy. Great trip. Ate at Gypsies. Great food.

[@DrifterDave]

I was very sad to learn that Gypsy's burnt down last year, with no plans to rebuild. Very unfortunate loss the the community. I'm glad you had a great trip - Churchill is a place unto itself.

[@stevebalmer1672]

I heard Gypsies a fire, but I thought they were rebuilding. Big loss.

[@Noahf-kt8so]

That’s my home 🥰 Churchill Manitoba

[@DrifterDave]

Lucky! I can’t wait to come back. Churchill is incredible.

[@Decgyrrl]

Nice video. What timebdoes the sunset in Manitoba? I saw it like well after 9 pm, when u were approaching Thompson. In july here, in America ( live in NY, NY,) it's just abt dark! This is really cool. That would blow my mind😮

[@DrifterDave]

Churchill & northern manitoba aren't above the Arctic Circle, so the sun does set in the summer, but the days are very long. I'd say the sunset in July was around 11 PM and the sunrise around 4 AM, if I recall.

[@TanksKreativeKlouds]

Which company rent a car you took it from Winnipeg? I am inspired by your trip!

[@DrifterDave]

National Car Rental. Definitely take the trip!

[@danieldavenport7162]

Really well done video. Would love to do this trip. What’s the guitar tunes? Love the song.

[@DrifterDave]

You definitely should! It's the Canadian wilderness at its finest. The guitar tune is "It's You Again" by Windshield (Instrumental Version) via Epidemic Sound. Download a free trial here, if you'd like 🙏 www.epidemicsound.com/referral/26j8v5/

[@MrGranovski]

I used to cook on that VIA run.

[@DrifterDave]

Very cool! There was no meal service on this trip, so I had to bring takeout from Boston Pizza (due to COVID). But, I tried the food back on my 2005 trip to Churchill & it was well worth it! 😎

[@MrGranovski]

@@DrifterDave Huh? I worked that line back in the 70's and what VIA served was awesome.

[@DrifterDave]

I hope to try the food again someday! Right now, they aren't serving any meals at all due to the coronavirus pandemic. Even the sleeping compartments weren't available. It was a different experience to travel by rail these days, for sure.

[@veeriabroadcast]

wonder why you didn't take the train from winnipeg? I really really really want to go to Churchill.

[@DrifterDave]

Two reasons: The train seats are VERY uncomfortable (like a public city bus) and they didn’t offer sleeping berths due to COVID, and I wanted to stop and sightsee along the route (eg. Pisew Falls) and get a better sense of Manitoba. But, I’ll definitely take the trip from Winnipeg eventually once they offer sleepers again.

[@mauricioneri9980]

Can you take the train in Winnipeg?

[@DrifterDave]

Yes, it leaves every 2-3 days right now. The journey takes roughly 44-48 hours from Winnipeg. You’d probably want to get a sleeper if they ever become available again (about $200-300 extra) otherwise that’s a long ride in a very uncomfortable seat!

[@normjoss7319]

Where in Thompson did you leave your vehicle while you did the train portion of your trip? Is there a locked compound at the Via Rail station?

[@DrifterDave]

I did a one-way car rental with National from Winnipeg Airport to Downtown Thompson. The cost was around $150 CAD for 24 hours with unlimited mileage - not exactly cheap, but I wanted to fly back from Churchill directly to Winnipeg, so it made the most sense, as my actual car was parked at the Winnipeg Airport.

[@jigna4628]

Where did you park ur car in thompson

[@DrifterDave]

I had a one way car rental, so I dropped it off at the Thompson Airport. I’m sure a local hotel would be happy to let you park for free if you stay the night before your train journey - check with the Best Western, they have pretty decent service 👍

[@bruzlt]

Cool!! Hopefully me and my husband will be able to do this trip in October. It’s a good idea to drive up to Thompson, I think it saves some time, right? Did you find it hard to find anything to eat along the way? Is there any restaurant or place to buy food? I did search on Google Maps but couldn’t find anything 😂

[@DrifterDave]

I hope you get to experience it! Are you Canadian? If so, you should have no problem visiting. If not Canadian, I hope the border is open by then! Yes, definitely drive to Thompson and then take the train (you will save 36 hours of time this way in each direction). The road from Winnipeg to Thompson has plenty of services up until Ashern or so (small town vibes) but past there, you'll only find a small restaurant at the Esso station in Grand Rapids, and then a whole lot of nothing for the remaining 3.5 hours to Thompson. Definitely stock up on food before you leave! It is literally one of the emptiest highways in Canada.🙏

[@bruzlt]

@@DrifterDave Thanks for replying! Will definitely take note for the future 🙌🏻 Yes, I live in Ontario. Our province is currently in lockdown but hopefully things will get better by October/November. It seems like a lifetime trip 😌

[@DrifterDave]

It is incredible! Worth every penny 👍 Both the summer and fall wildlife tours ran this year, so I can only imagine it'll be much better by the fall. Here's hoping 🙏

[@Jonyiii]

Do you remember how much the rental car costs?

[@DrifterDave]

I didn’t pay for the rental car but I believe it was around $175 CAD for 24 hours. Pricey!

[@Jonyiii]

@@DrifterDave Very pricey haha, thanks!

[@DrifterDave]

@@Jonyiii I’m glad I didn’t have to pay for it 😂😂

[@Charlizzie]

I guess the deep northern part of Canada is the most safest way to live and breathe maskless. I would even have to drive in that place smoothly than in urban areas. Viewer from the Philippines.

[@DrifterDave]

Yes, it (and Greenland, Antarctica) are the safest places on Earth right now. However, due to governmental restrictions, travel in Canada's far north is now prohibited.

[@Brendon_John_Harrison]

THE POLAR EXPRESS

[@DrifterDave]

Exactly!

[@ibuy4unow]

I definitely can’t wear that face diaper for 16 hours! Completely unreasonable

[@DrifterDave]

Such rules seem to be in vogue these days - but yes, it was definitely unpleasant! I don't mind wearing them on an 8-hour flight, but a 16-hour train ride is a whole different experience altogether.

[@thewhiteshellmermaid9328]

I can barely keep it on for one before I feel oxygen deprived.

[@DrifterDave]

Thank goodness those days are behind us!

[@jimbeliveau5014]

That gas station burnt down

[@DrifterDave]

Crazy! Thanks for the local knowledge. It stressed me out, because I *almost* flew by the Esso in Grand Rapids, seeing another gas station ahead in Ponton. If I would have neglected to fill up, there's no way I would have made it to Thompson.

[@yvonneost12]

16 hours on a train and " NO FOOD SERVICE " what is wrong with the business people there ? can they not see a opening for making a few bucks there or something..LOL

[@DrifterDave]

I believe it was due to COVID! Usually, there is meal service. But, I was surprised that they didn't offer at least snacks and beverages.

[@nicolasuribestanko]

Too much panning, Dave. You've given me a headache.

[@DrifterDave]

LOL. This was one of my very first attempts at vlogging, before I had any gear that offered any stabilization or smoothness. Unfortunately, it is what it is. I was using a horrible camera back in those days. Quality improves at around Vlog #70 👍