Train Trip - September 25, 2012

We're setting out on a train trip around the country.  Our first leg is on the Empire Builder from Portland to Chicago.  We decided to see if we could do the entire trip without riding in a car.  So we took the Cherriots bus to the Salem bus terminal downtown, then walked to the train station, which was about a half mile away.  The plan was to take the Cascades, the commuter train, to Portland, but because of track work we ended up taking a bus to Portland instead.

We arrived in Portland with several hours to spare.  Total miles this leg: 52.

We did some walking around the city.  Portland has lots of brightly colored street cars.

We had lunch and then went to Powell's bookstore.

After tea in the Metropolitan Lounge in the station, we boarded the Empire Builder and left right on time at 4:45.  Because we were only half of the eventual Empire Builder (the other half is coming from Seattle) we did not have a dining car.  We were served a very nice cold supper. David had his wine ready.

Some time during the night we connected to the other part of the train in Spokane, so by morning we were able to have breakfast in the dining car.