Day 5 - Train to Portland, OR

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We took the Amtrak Coast Starlight train from Seattle to Portland, OR today. This train goes from Vancouver, B.C. to California which includes bi-level coaches and sleeping cars if you are making the journey to CA. Travel speeds are slow compared to the Northeast Corridor. The scenery along the coast was beautiful and we crossed over the Columbia River along the way. Both Union Stations were quite pretty and very clean as compared to what we are used to on the East Coast. We've not been to Portland before and we were pleasantly surprised at the vibrance of the town. We took one of those hop on hop off trolleys for a 2 hour tour of the town, the expansive parks, and the waterfront area where there was a Brewfest event. On the way back to Seattle we took the Amtrak Cascade - a beautiful new train set that is more reminiscent of a European train with new technology and much better seating arrangements. Full day and all were exhausted by the time we arrived in Seattle.

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Photos

Union Station Seattle
King Station right next to the Stadiums

Union Station Seattle
Interior of the station.

Pioneer Courthouse
In the center of Portland, OR with a square across the street. We got to see a protest in progress just before we left for the train station.

Statue of Sacagawea
One of the tributes to the Lewis and Clark Expedition in Washington Park.

Washington Park
This is a restored train that was used in the logging industry to haul timber.

Nickle Plate Engine
Just sitting in a yard area along the river.

Cedars
There were a few very old cedars near Washington Park.

Downtown Portland
Funny sign we passed at a restaurant. "May the Forest be With You" and on the other side it says "Boozy Snowcones Long Live Summer."

Downtown Elk
This statue was constructed so that horses could drink from the lower fountain areas and people could drink from the upper areas. Source is the river and our guide said she wouldn' recommend that today.

Union Station Portland
Reminds us of the station in Pueblo, CO. Great architecture.

Union Station Portland
Interior view of the station.

Cascades Technology
This is the screen at the end of each car showing the route taken by the train.