Ash Fork, AZ --Spent some pleasant hours visiting my brother and his wife. Distance limits my trips to twice a year -- so lots to catch up on. Generally lazed around, no day trips to local sites this time. Late in the evening of Day 7 I returned to Williams Junction to continue on with my train trip on the SWC to Los Angeles. Did the overnite in lower level coach. Curled up and slept well with my fingers crossed. In the morning would be my only close connection and I was a little nervous about missing it.
Day 8 --
Arrived in Los Angeles a few minutes late. But plenty of time to pay a visit to Union Bagel to get a Breakfast of coffee and bagel w/cream cheese. Union Station is an old station that is very well kept up. Beautiful tile work. Not sure if this station has been restored or just kept up through the years. It has a vast amount of room -- most of it under utilized. The red cap came by and took me out to the track half an hour before the departure time of the Coast Starlight. Greeted by train attendant Cruz who, after we were on our way, checked to make sure I was settled in to my roomette. Cruz is one of Amtrak's best. Hr handled an unfortunate incident with a very drunk young mother who was quite abusive to both staff and passengers in a very professional manner. He defused what was becoming an ugly scene and in so doing earned the thanks of me and other passengers. This was my first trip on this train -- so I can not compare it with what it was in the past. Even though it was a cloudy day, the scenery was spectacular, especially as the train runs close by the Pacific Ocean from north of Santa Barbara. This was the last run of the CS with the old diner menu. Trains departing the following day were to start the Simplified Menu. Lunched on a Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Spent the afternoon in the Pacific Parlour Car. What a delight this car is ---- like sitting in your living room and taking in the sights. An afternoon Wine Tasting. For Dinner I decided to enjoy a Steak dinner. The dining car personnel on this trip were all more than pleasant, quick and efficient.Kudos to them all !!! Turned in early just before we arrived into Oakland as I wanted to be up early in the morning.
Day 9 --
The smell of coffee woke me around six o'clock, so I decided it was the perfect time to rise and shine. Did not want to miss the days scenery.Somewhere overnite while we slept we had lost over two hours. Had a quick breakfast of French Toast and then made my way to the Parlor Car. The scenery through Northern CA and later OR is just incredible. The Mt Shasta and Crater lake area offer dozens of photo opportunities. Lunched on an Angusburger and then returned to my room to gather my belongings together so I would not have to do so later before arriving in Portland, OR. Returned to the Parlor Car for the afternoon Wine Tasting. Since we are running very late now, I made a reservation for an early dinner seating. Feeling overstuffed I decided to just have a side salad, roll and a scoop of ice cream for Dinner. We arrived into Portland just shy of 5 hours late. Took a taxi to the Mark Spencer Inn. (Recommended by several on this board ---- and it lived up to the recommendations.)
Day 10 - 12
Found that I really needed more than three days to see all I wanted to in Portland. First day I visited the Classic Chinese Garden (a relaxing and beautiful place - I recommend the Tea House for afternoon tea.) After returning to the hotel, I walked the two blocks to Powell's Book store. (I could lose a day here.) Had dinner at The Fish Grotto which is across the corner from the Mark Spencer. Second day I braved the Public Transportation System and spent the day at the Oregon Zoo. ( I love zoos -- and this is a nice one.) Third day I took a Greyline City Tour that included the Rose Garden and a visit to the Pittock Mansion. (The roses just starting to bloom but still nice and the Mansion is the restored home of the man who founded The Oregonian newspaper.) Dinner tonight was at Jakes Famous Crawfish - an excellent resturant with very good food. There were several other places I would like to have seen here -- particularly The Japanese Gardens. Will have to return - perhaps in early June when the Roses are in full bloom next time.
---- Dee
Part 3 - The Cascades and Seattle - will post tomorrow.
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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