Infinite America, Part 7: A fiery end to a fantastic journey

[jmowreader]

The Story So Far
Part 1: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018825480
Part 2: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018825709
Part 3: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018825986
Part 4: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018826315
Part 5: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018826928
Part 6: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018827194

Let's see...we've braved the fog-shrouded wastelands of America's northern tier...



scaled the heights of the Windy City...



risked life and limb in Mos Eisley Washington, DC...



absorbed our seditious heritage in Boston...



and been Bewitched in Salem!



Then we noshed on a truly excellent pastrami Reuben in New York...



before stopping to check our watches in Chicago...



and taking a very quick pass through Denver...



before leaving our hearts in San Francisco.



Now we're heading home...







The name of this train is slightly false advertising: the only "coast" you're going to see is in the Los Angeles area, which of course I didn't go to. On my trip you go through Oregon cropland during the daylight hours. In October it's not wonderful; in the summertime it should be superb.

Now I'm in Seattle. I've been here two other times for a full week both times, so I had quite a few pictures. I decided to visit Bainbridge Island by ferry - which I hadn't been to before. When I got to the ferry terminal, that ship had left but the Bremerton ferry was still there. Hmm...wait an hour for the Bainbridge ferry to make another run, or go back to Bremerton...Bremerton, please.



Returning from Bremerton, I walked up to Third Avenue and caught a bus to Fremont, where I visited the Troll...



and made sure Lenin would be warm this winter...



before firing off my very last frame.



So...what have we learned?

Traveling by train is great. Everyone should do it.
Spending two days in one town would be better than spending one day in each of two.
Larger backpacks! They're critical!

[Tobin S.]

1. These threads were fun.

I'm sure you've got a lot more pictures. You should post some more of them in the future.

[jmowreader]

3. I have about 1500 pictures

[vanlassie]

2. Thanks for the travelogue! Loved it.

[jmowreader]

6. You are most welcome.

[HeiressofBickworth]

4. Thanks for taking us along with you!

It's a trip I'd like to take sometime. I often take the Coast Starlight to Sacramento and many years ago took the Empire Builder to Chicago.

Maybe taking a shorter version of your trip would be possible -- Seattle to Los Angeles, LA to Chicago, and then Chicago back to Seattle.

Your posts have started me dreaming.......

[jmowreader]

5. If you're going to do that trip, go the other way

The trains to California from Chicago are, according to all the Rail Fan websites, better if you go westbound. PLUS...Seattle to LA puts you in a not-so-savory part of Los Angeles at 10 pm.

Therefore, Seattle to Chicago, Chicago to either San Francisco or LA, then California back to Seattle.

[HeiressofBickworth]

7. Thanks for the tip!

I'm so accustomed to taking the train from Seattle to Sacramento, I always think of it in that order. But yes, going the other direction probably is a better choice. I'll also check the Rail Fan websites for more information. Thanks for the info.