On the
morning of our departure from Portland, Stell hands me an envelope. Inside is a
postcard, a still from Some Like it Hot on one side, on the other the address
of a Superliner Roomette onboard our train to San Francisco! We had already
booked the train tickets, but she had upgraded us as a surprise. When we
arrived at Union Station, we were directed to the first class lounge, in
which I lost my cool at the complimentary beverage counter. As we boarded the
train we were shown to our room and unpacked our bags. The room had a panoramic
window, which made the views all the more amazing! Before shutting ourselves
away for the 18 hour trip, we headed to the dining car for lunch. We were
seated with a very cute Chinese grandma and her grandson, who was just slightly
too old to be holidaying with her, and remained silent throughout. I had
sandwiches and cake and Stell braved the meatloaf. We then retired to our
room for an afternoon of guide-book reading, and eaves dropping on fellow first
classers.
Mid afternoon we enjoyed a wine and cheese tasting in the parlour
car. We also explored the first class area, and found both the board games
cabinet and the onboard movie theatre!! The views of northern California were
lake and forest filled and we spotted Mt Scott during sunset. After we enjoyed
a very questionable evening meal and the Game of Life, we returned to our
roomette to find a bed in place of our chairs and a bed that folded down from
above that I had to strap myself into for the night. When we awoke the luscious
greenery had been replaced with dry grass and vast fields. We washed and
dressed as best we could, and were sad to say goodbye to our timewarped life
aboard the Amtrak Coast Starlight.
Next should follow Los Angeles... If I can remember it!
