Summer Trip to France and Spain 1919

Lucas and Elizabeth Bouchard

May 29, 1919 3:30 pm E

It is hard to contain our excitement as we are now aboard the TransCanada train on our way to Montreal. We arrived in Edmonton via the local train late in the afternoon and spent the night there. We had to be up very early to board our transcontinental train and we all suddenly felt the reality of this big adventure ahead. We have already found the map, that I made with Jack, helpful as Lucas is marking off each millimeter on the map as we traverse it.

Jack is exhausted from all the excitement, so he curled up for a nap next to Laura who is seated across the aisle from us. Most of the time, all four of us sit together, but Lucas has also purchased the tickets across the aisle. This is a sleeper car and at night the porters make each set of four seats into a bed. So, we will have two beds one on each side of the aisle. We have decided that Lucas will sleep with Jack, and me with Laura, as Lucas and I wouldn't possibly both fit in one together. I feel for Lucas who won't be able to fully stretch out but says he will be just fine curled up next to little Jack.

We have taken a tour of this brand-new train "TransCanada Limited which is a sleeping car-only train as far as seating. There is a very lovely dining room and an observation/solarium/lounge car as well. One of the porters was so kind as to satisfy our little boys' curiosity and show us where our trunks have been stowed. We are living out of some smaller valises per plan.

Lucas has promised Laura that we would only speak French at dinner as he helps us all brush-up. Even Jack seems to be interested in learning some words. Lucas has been slowly feeding him with some that he will be able to show off to us tonight.

We have entered Saskatchewan and should reach Regina by morning.

May 30, 1919 2:30 pm L

What a delightful evening we had last night. The conversation was a bit impeded by some very rusty French, but we had a grand time and by the end of the evening, my pupils were all past their embarrassment and progressing nicely. Jack managed to ask for water, bread, and dessert, which I had taught him in advance, but now he has expanded his vocabulary some. I can't wait for him to be with my cousin's children as there is nothing like being immersed in a language to learn it.

We have made our way to Manitoba and should be in Winnipeg sometime late in the night; I just realized that we have still three full days to Montreal. By then I am sure that my legs will be happy to stretch out in my bed at home. But I can't complain too much; my buddy sleeps so sweetly beside me curled up in my warmth. He is thoroughly exhausted by the time we finally get him settled in our bunk. It is quite a production at night and then again in the morning for the porters to set up the sleeping bunks and then put everything back into seats again. Jack has made friends with the porters assigned to our car and they were so taken with him that I think we can count on them for some entertainment for the boy along our voyage. I have asked the conductor if he would set up a special visit to the engine room while we are aboard.

I have taken to the solarium car to do my writing as Laura and Elizabeth try to settle Jack for a nap. They sent me away saying I was too big of a distraction. I wasn't sure whether that was good or bad but here I am.

I am expecting Elizabeth to join me for tea once Jack settles. I miss her already as there is no private time together; we will have to adjust to that for much of our voyage this summer. I am glad we will have some nights in Montreal so we can spend a bit more alone time together. But despite that one downside (and maybe cramped legs), this trip promises to be everything I hoped for. And our little family of four is a delight to me. It reminds me of my travels with my parents during the holidays where there were long stretches that we had to keep ourselves amused.

May 31, 1919 1:00 pm E

We have now crossed into Ontario and are just over halfway to our destination. Jack is managing pretty well but we are running through all our entertainment ideas rather quickly. Laura has been wonderful; she reads to him and makes sure he gets his nap daily. Lucas has been very attentive. He takes him for walks through the train and occasionally they will gather some children in one of the cars and Lucas will perform his magic tricks for them.

We continue to speak in French at dinner and other times as well. There is a family from Quebec in our car and Laura Jack and I have spent some time with them which has forced us to practice.

Lucas and I have taken to having tea together in the solarium car each afternoon while Jack has his nap. It is the only time we are relatively alone, and we cherish that brief hour when we can chat. We have decided to write letters to share our recollections of some of the past events in our lives since we met. The idea isn't so much to pass the time but to have a way to connect with one another romantically during our travels when we are so often without privacy. For our first "recollection letter" we have picked my visit to Lucas' office after Christopher's outburst when Henry had a spell last year. It is an evening that neither of us has forgotten.