Home Away

We had business in Fremont a few weekends ago. We booked a room at the Marriott Residence Inn, our choice place to  stay. We like them because you get what is equivalent to an apartment, a home away from home. We had two rooms, two giant televisions, lounging couch, kitchen, work desk, free Wi-Fi and dining table. On the grounds there is a fitness center, pool-hot tub and a barbecue. Best of all,  breakfast was included! I do love my breakfast.

Marriott Residence Inn Fremont, Ca.

I am a student of the science of maximizing an included breakfast. Being a avid cruise ship buffet veteran has honed my skills.  Let me give you a few hints.

 Check out the food and the competition. 
Walk the buffet and see what is available. Stroll  the seating area looking for a table and to see what others are eating. This can be a bit of a competitive experience, know the other players. If it is busy, secure your table and have your partner go for coffee, juice, required napkins and condiments. When  he/she returns individually go to the buffet and make selections. Do not overload the plate. Instead make return visits so you can add to your breakfast as foods are replenished.

Drop the toast.
I am a big toast fan and know that buffet toasters take forever. If you start toasting up front it will be hot and ready when you select your hot entree. The same method works for waffles. I have never  had someone steal my finished toast but I have caught someone trying to snatch my just finished waffle. Keep an eye on your waffle!

Take up space.
I learned this skill on the S.F. Muni! Stand tall and keep you arms out. This keeps marauding invaders from cutting lines. Be warned that being courteous may be a sign of weakness to some.

Leave room for dessert 
I always get my coffee in a go-cup so I can take some back to the room. Fresh fruit makes a nice dessert that can be enjoyed later as well.

A word of caution to photo bloggers: As you style and photograph your food others are watching. You may be creating food envy in those around you. They will offer to let you photograph their plates. To some it is a conquest to see how much food they can secure. Don't play that game.

Breakfast Marriott Residence Inn Fremont, Ca.

Breakfast Included Marriott Residence Inn Fremont, Ca.

This location was particularly nice because it was adjacent to a Raley's Market. We secured sandwich fixings, drinks, snacks and wine for meals later in the day. Like eating at home this substantially reduced our dining costs.
The only meal we had out was at Popeye's Chicken. I had heard rave reviews and had employees that would drive fifty miles round trip for dinners. It was located a block from the hotel so we checked it out. I had chicken strips, mashed taters and a biscuit. Loved it!

Popeye's Fried Chicken

Train To Portland

We just got back from our daughter's wedding/vacation trip, and it is time to recap our journey. Avril and I  boarded the Amtrak Coast Starlight in Emeryville,  en route to Portland. This is a familiar train to us, having ridden it many times. This journey was different because we headed north instead of south to Los Angeles. The train leaves Emeryville at 10 p.m. and arrives in Portland at 3:30 p.m. the following day. We booked reserved coach seats and planned on sleeping all night. I must admit that sleeping was problematic, while the seats are super comfortable, the light and noise of passengers boarding slowed the flow. The snack bar on board sells a "passenger comfort kit" that includes ear plugs, eye shade, blow up pillow and blanket for $8. I purchased a miniature bottle of Jack Daniels which had a sleeping effect on me. At dawn the next morning we had crossed over the mountains into Oregon were there was some great scenery. I snapped shots  on my cell phone.

Amtrak Coast Starlight Oregon (IPhone 4) 

We arrived in Portland spot on time and cabbed it to the Marriott Residence Inn Downtown/River Place.  More like an apartment than a hotel room, they included free breakfast, internet and on this night a free picnic style dinner of Bratwurst. Just at that moment Avril's dressy shoes decided to separate sole from top. We boarded the cool Portland Street Car, where a dollar a day gets you around downtown. We ended up at Macy's and found a cute pair of  Aerosoles shoes that gave Avril some height but also comfort.

Avril's Aerosoles Shoes

Back at the hotel we decided to miss the free dinner and headed towards the river. We spotted a cute restaurant( Newport Seafood Grill - Riverplace) that floated on the Willamette River. It was early and the restaurant was pretty empty so we scored a great table with a view. On the dock next to the restaurant groups of people practiced on colorful Dragon Boats.

Dragon Boats Willamette River Portland Or.

Dinner arrived and was delicious!

Newport Seafood Grill Riverplace Portland Or. 

Just outside the window, in what was planned as planter, wild geese had nested.

Talk about dinner with a show! Happily exhausted we headed back to the hotel. Next we rent a car and drive to Astoria.

Creative Overload

The Carnival Splendor Cruise

We searched the internet for a great buy, saved for a long time and finally we cruised! We are back and I am trying to sort out the overload of fun we packed into ten days. This is the first of several posts I will devote to our fun trip.
We took the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Emeryville to Los Angeles. It is an inexpensive, fun and scenic way to travel. We travel often by train and have honed some of the logistics involved in traveling. It is a twelve hour train ride so we pack food, books and videos for entertainment on board. Food is available for purchase on the train but often we grab a Subway Sandwich and have the toppings packed in a separate plastic bag so it stays fresh. We bring an insulated bag that folds flat and cool it with ice cubes in a zip top bag. We bring re-sealable drinks from home and snack items like apples, nuts, and dry jack cheese. Amtrak does not allow coach passengers to bring adult beverages, so at cocktail time we buy wine and enjoy the view.

Clouds near Paso Robles seen from Coast Starlight

When we arrive in Los Angeles I have a local car service ( Go Sedan) pick us up and take us to Long Beach about forty minutes away. I know it sounds fancy but after a couple of scary cab rides, I found this service. The price is about ten dollars more than a cab ride but the cars are clean, safe and the drivers are great. We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn on Queensway in Long Beach. On this trip we added an extra day before the cruise just in case there was a delay or problem. Long Beach is a great place to spend a day!

Marriott Residence Inn Queensway Long Beach, Ca.

Long Beach Harbor

Our Cruise begins!