posted
And I had a fabulous trip, due in no small measure to some of the great advice I got here! Thank you all.
I took an Empire State train to NYC, where I spent two nights with friends. In the day I walked down the Hudson and took a NY Waterways boat to Jersey City but before I could see much (including the old train station in Liberty Park) it started to pour so I returned to Manhattan on a PATH train and then took a bus up to the national history museum, where I saw the Darwin exhibit and other neat stuff.
The next day I went to Penn Station to catch an early Regional train to Washington, DC. I was able to use the ACELA lounge because I was making a connection to a sleeper in DC. While in the lounge I learned that an ACELA train was having trouble and had to be scrapped; those people would be on my train. Assuming it would be busy, I got a redcap to help me on early. The train was busy, with SRO from Metropark to Philly, where many of the NJ commuters got off. We were about 10 minutes late into DC because of the crowds, so I still had lots of time to spend there, as I like. I lunched in Chinatown and then walked over to the Smithsonian American History Museum, saw the old train and very nice time exhibit, walked down the Mall through all the lovely gardens by the Smithsonian Castle and Arts & Industries Building (which is still closed for remodeling) and went by the Capitol; was also able to briefly visit the Buildings museum before returning to Union Station to catch the Capitol Ltd.
The Capitol Ltd had the new menu, but it wasn't bad, just shorter and presented in more streamlined fashion, with salad dressing in packets and coffee served in paper cups with lids. The food I chose was reasonably tasty: I had the lamb shanks and a Mississippi mudpie chocolate dessert. Some other items did not look as good!
The trip overall was very pleasant--I love the scenic Harpers Ferry stop and the buildings at Martinsburg station, but all the first day is really very nice. I slept fairly well and awoke next morning along Lake Erie in Ohio. We made it into Chicago 2 hours late, still plenty of time for me to lunch and do a walkabout. I was surprised to learn the Lateshore Ltd had also been early that day; in fact, it got in a little before we did! So I knew everyone would have no trouble making western connections.
Taking tips from postings here, I walked down Erie to Wacker to Washington to Marshall Fields and tried the Walnut Room--it was delicious and lovely and very reasonably priced. I then walked down through Millennium Park to the lake and up toward the Field Museum before returning to Union Station.
The Empire Builder left right on time and maintained its schedule pretty well throughout. It really is Amtrak's premier train as far as service; we in sleepers were each given a little champagne split and those packets called strawberry crunch that contain no strawberries (but still quite tasty); and the coffee pot was working! The food was still old menu and there was (shock of shocks) NY strip steak, which was delish. I also had cheesecake (never diet on holiday!) I saw a beautiful sunset over the Mississippi and after some reading went to bed. Next day we were still on time and made it through Glacier Park to Whitefish before dark--a beautiful run, as many of you know, and this time of year seems OK lightwise both ways. Before that I had fun attending the wine and cheese event in the afternoon--some good wine served, too. But I spent most of the day in the observation car, where the mix of people was really fascinating, and most were very friendly; I talked with everyone from German tourists to Amish travelers (and they tried talking German to each other) before going to sleep on the second night. I forget what I ate for dinner that night, but I had the Bob Evans scramble with French toast on the side for breakfast and the big salad (the one with those white asparagus) for lunch. The Empire Builder still had bleu cheese dressing available; the new lite menus don't seem to.
We reached Seattle on time (I had scrambled eggs for second breakfast, not so good even on old menu!) but there were no taxis (maybe other passengers took them all) so I walked to the Pioneer Square hotel--it was fine--no major hills on these streets, thank goodness. I then headed for the famous Salumi for lunch and walked up to Pike's Market and then to the space needle, then back downtown where I visited the central library, as recommended here. I walked down the spiral and loved the arrangement of the stacks--it's a neat building. But the art museum was closed for renovation, and the monorail has been broken for a year. So I have to say, of all the things on my trip, Seattle was the least impressive--I can see why the rock born here was called "grunge"!!! I am so glad pelple here recommended staying more time in Victoria and less in Seattle!
I caught the Victoria Clipper to Victoria the next day. It was pouring rain until we reached Victoria harbor, where the sun came out! So I decided to visit Butchart Gardens, making hay while the sun shone. . . .
I'll stop here because I am sleepy and have to get to bed. I have a busy weekend ahead and probably won't be back on line till next Monday, so I will finish my trip report then.
Hope all is well with everyone here.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
WELCOME back Sojourner. Your contributions here have been missed.
Can't wait to hear about the rest of your time in Victoria. My wife and I have agreed that our trip to Victoria in April 2004 was our best vacation ever. We stayed at the Inner Harbour Best Western which was within two blocks of the Parliment Building and the Victoria Clipper dock. Fabulous, fabulous trip.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's good to have you back with us,Sojourner. Enjoyed your report and am looking forward to the rest of it. We too loved Victoria. I fell in love with the museum. What a terrific place!!! In fact we really enjoyed the entire Island. I can understand why you are sleepy. Just reading about your "doings" exhausts me.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I enjoyed your report very much. My DH and I have the Empire Builder booked in November. Our only Amtrak experience was traveling from Dallas to San Antonio many years ago. Any hints you could give me would be appreciated. We will be flying into Midway. Can anyone tell me about transportation from there to the train station?
Posts: 10 | From: Texas | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
From Midway follow the signs to the CTA trains and take it downtown near the Sears Tower. Union station is only a couple of blocks from there. I m not sure of the exact stop, but I m sure someone can help you.
I love Victoria. What a charming city. I was there once as part of a nice trip from Portland to Vancouver on the Cascades..overnighted in Vancouver and took a bus over to Victoria which included a nice 90 minute ferry ride. I then took the Clipper back to Seattle and the train back to Portland. It made a nice round trip.
Posts: 176 | From: Bloomsburg Pa | Registered: Jul 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Great Midway to Union Station advice has been offered by others here. Beware though of the lengthy walk to the CTA station at Midway. It is VERY WELL MARKED but the walk takes you through a parking garage. If your luggage is heavy it would help to have some kind of wheels on it!
LadyTexas, if you're looking for all kinds of tips to help make your EB trip more enjoyable, I'd suggest you start a new topic and ask for whatever advice you're looking for! Welcome aboard!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you. I've received some great info and helful hints, but I'm sure I'll have more questions as time draws closer. I'll post some new topics at a later date, but in the meantime I'm enjoying reading all the posts. I'm just so happy that I found this forum.
Posts: 10 | From: Texas | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
