Thursday, November 05, 2020

AMTRAK to Seattle

Trees changing colors in Oregon

Life goes on despite the pandemic and an all-consuming election. Missing my sister, who lives in Snohomish, WA, and wanting to meet our new grand-niece, we decided to travel north to visit family. My one stipulation: no airplanes till a reliable vaccine is developed. So we once again booked an AMTRAK sleeper car to Seattle, like we did to New Mexico back in February (a million years ago!). This time, however, the trip was 33 hours one-way, requiring two full days on the train. Again, not the most comfortable sleeping accommodations, but truly a relaxing ride. Plus the scenery was spectacular, as you can see below.

Mirror selfie in our "bedroom" cabin

Waiting for the train to depart

Quick stop in Klamath Falls: looking toward the back
of the train

Tim heading back to our car. Pleasant weather going up,
but 29 degrees in Klamath Falls on the way home. We stayed
in our cabin.

Dawn the next morning. Note the train's shadow as we
zip along.

Lush Oregon

Thrilled to see so many yellow trees

Quick stop in Portland: cool neon signs
at the station

Grocery shopping in Snohomish: 16 kinds of apples!

With grand-niece Vera Rose


Spectacular station interior, beautifully 
renovated in 2013

Amazing 1906 masonry

Ceiling detail

Rebuilt Tacoma Narrows Bridge after the original bridge
famously collapsed

Are the farm workers in Salinas really this happy?
We didn't see any in the fields, so don't know.

Saw several rocketless launch pads while traveling through
Vandenberg Air Base, on the California central coast.
Always a thrill for me to see, even if no missiles in sight.

Big curve approaching San Luis Obispo. Can see the end
cars of our train.

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