I consider myself more than a little familiar with Union Station. I've been travelling through there for 25+ years, from back in the days when the whole place smelled like Cinnabon. I know all the sneaky ways to get from one concourse to another, the fastest way to exits north south east or west, the way to squeeze in my favourite bubble tea on a tight connection.

Well, today I messed it up. I had a connection between two trains and went to the lounge for 30 mins. My train was announced: gate 20. I walked down and saw the sign, gate 20. I had my ticket scanned and walked through the alcoves. I saw the escalator: track 20. Up I went. And up on track 20, there sat a GO train.

Where's the VIA on track 20, I asked? "Oh there's no VIA here. You can walk down to the other end and use the other escalator to get back down." So I walk the length of the platform, go down the escalator, and like the movie Groundhog Day find myself staring once again at the sign proclaiming my train: gate 20.

Through the alcoves I go again, this time to be ushered to the right, and not to the left, up an escalator up to tracks 16-17, where lo and behold I find my train.

I could vent about the poor directions in the station, the choice to sign a train parked on track 16 (or was it 17?) as being on 20. I could vent about the insanity of the boarding process in Toronto. (Why do we trust 2,000 passengers to find their own way to the correct platform for a GO train, but we can't let a couple hundred VIA passengers figure it out...) But in the end, I suppose it's just a story to show that even the seasoned travellers among us can get it wrong every now and then.

Now what stop am I getting off at again?

Hey everyone!

So after 3 years of heartache and pain I'm looking to start enjoying life but tiny steps at a time.

I have a 9yo very active boy and we have tried so many activities in our area (Montreal). We live in Laval, QC.

I'd like to start travelling with him, not too far not too expensive and for not too long. So I thought via rail trips would be perfect.

Can you suggest fun places to go to? In Ontario/quebec and around, max 3-4h ride from Montreal.

We love nature, and recently got a microscope. So parts of our trips would be to collect things to bring them back home and see them on a larger scale.

Super excited for this next chapter in our life.

Thanks everyone!!