Across America by Amtrack

12-05-24 – 17-05-24

We were picked up from Pier 91 by friends Wes and Renee after a very quick disembark and a short wait. There are two ships docked here approximately 5000 passengers all disembarking and then many more that are here early to embark on their cruise so quite a few people, bus, taxis, shuttles, cases, bags, boxes and trolleys all milling about waiting for rides. It was well organised chaos for a while but many family reunions and happy greetings, us included as we met Wes and Renee after a 7 year break.

(P:-Luggage, we have a day pack and a roller bag each and we keep thinking we are over packed! Leaning back watching others coming and going we haven’t done too bad! We have spent 30 days on the High Seas and have another 60 to go wandering around before we return home. (Good thing we’re not in the same company all the time as people might get tired of my 3-4 day dress cycle). Judith is probably more conscious of the repetitive wear than I, I often reassure her she looks great (without even noticing what she is wearing) I am not sure that reassures her much! Back to Luggage, as we were waiting and people watching I think the Best (or worst) luggage count was 9 Super large hard suitcases and 4 overnight bags for 2 people), Jeez I don’t even own that many clothes!!! People going on for a 7 day cruise were often taking 4 – 6 large suitcases. If Judith needed that many clothes to travel she will be spending a long time on vacation in Penguin, Tasmania!)

We left the port and headed straight for their home in Camamo Island north of Seattle where we settled into a day of catching up and a lovely walk along the waterfront at their home. The next several days were spent enjoying the company, the area and some lovely meals together. Wes took us for a drive through an agricultural area north of Camamo and out to an Oyster farm where Philip purchased some oysters and mussels. Over the next couple of days Philip and Renee made crab chowder from crab they had harvested out in the bay in front of their home, and oysters prepared several ways. All the meals we shared were delicious.

While with them we stayed in the “Crab Shack” a very quaint little self contained unit, right in the beachfront in front of their house. Beautiful views out over the water greeted us each morning as we woke. How lucky are we to be able to stay in such a beautiful spot. Unfortunately the couple of days we had with them passed too quickly and we had to head back to Seattle to catch our Amtrack train to Minneapolis/St Paul.

(Great to spend time with friends, It felt the conversation sentences just continued from where we left off 7 years ago. Lots of stories (all 100% true – no BS), catch-up and reminiscing- great rural drives and awesome to see potato planting and other spring farming activities! Even more betterer to be driving around in Rural America and not down “down town city touring” – the older I get the less attraction cities have).

We all drove back to Seattle late morning where we found parking near the Station and then went for lunch close by before saying our goodbyes so they could head home out of the city before rush hour. We have had a wonderful couple of days catching up with great friends.

The train station is right near Lumen Field Stadium where The Rolling Stones are playing this evening. Capacity of the stadium is almost 70,000. We each went for a walk around the area while we waited for our train. Many concession stalls were set up ready for the crowds tonight. Food stalls, merchandise stands, K9 dogs and handlers were patrolling the area, and many people milling around.

(Curiosity had me googling the Rolling Stones Ages- High 70’s to Late 80’s. REALLY! Some people don’t know when to give up! To me it would be like paying huge money to go see well passed “used by” date performers with 70,000 aged care or geriatrics as fellow audience members! My opinion and I am sticking to it! Give the younger performers a go!)

The Empire Builder, our train goes all the way through to Chicago, we leave it at St Paul. Departing this afternoon (15th) at 4.15 and arriving at 8.30am (17th), where we pick up a hire car to drive out to Olivia, where we will be staying with friends Barbara and Brian.

The train trip was great. Travelling along the coastline north of Seattle before turning towards the East over/through the Cascade Mountain before nightfall. Next morning it’s out through East Glacier NP and then through Northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and then Minnesota. The scenery is forever changing, from range lands, to gas wells and oil wells, to old towns and country towns. We spend most of the daytime trip enjoying the observation car its large windows. The dining car and meals were great considering the limited kitchen facilities on board. The advertised 1st Class was a bit overrated but it was still a great trip.

(Not sure Judith was impressed with the Idea of travelling on another rock and roll transport mode after just retaining her land legs but here we are. I did ask at 3 am on the first night how sleep was going, the answer was really not pleasant, hence not repeatable here! It was a great relaxing trip and a different way to see some of the USA in a steady relaxing way.)