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| photo capture April 3, 2017 Amtrak Coast Starlight Dining Car |
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| Photo effect Prisma Filter |
Showing posts with label Amtrak Coast Starlight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amtrak Coast Starlight. Show all posts
Monday, April 10, 2017
Playing With Food
Food photo fun!
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Wrap It Up
I don't know why but when I end a series of blog posts from a trip, the last one is always tough. I guess I hope that the vacation feeling will never go away. We are planning new adventures and need to bring this one to a close. We end it all with a shopping and downtown sightseeing tour. Last time we visited Victoria we were on the return leg of our first Alaska cruise. We stumbled upon She-She shoes in Trounce Alley but it was closed then. We thought it fitting that we stop by on this visit. The shoes they have here are works of art. We did not buy shoes but Avril is the new owner of some really stylish polka-dot tights.
We wander about town and could not help but take lots of photos of the marina. The upcoming weekend was a Canadian holiday and boats were filling the marina with color.
We returned to Trounce Alley and lunched at The Tapa Bar. We ordered hearts of palm salad, mixed olives, margarita pizza, Cuban chicken sandwich and some Kettle Valley Pinot Gris. What a lot of food! We smartly carried a doggy-bag back to the hotel. The meal provided a huge lunch and an encore dinner.
We slept great that night and boarded the Victoria Clipper back to Seattle the next day. On the way out of the harbor we spotted a Princess Cruise ship in port and strained our heads to see it off the port side. Just then Avril tugged at my sleeve and whispered "that's Ryan Gosling next row over!" I looked over and sure enough it was. I fired off a stealth photo of him. It is a lousy telephoto side shot because I did not want to invade his privacy. I have shown the photo to a number of people and some say it is not him. I have a keen sense of facial recognition, honed in earlier life experience. He is a Canadian and we are in Canada so it adds to the evidence. If it is not him then he has a doppelganger that is making all the women on the boat giggly-squirmy.
In Seattle we have a reservation at the Silver Cloud Stadium Hotel and cab it there. The front desk upgrades us to a suite! The room is bigger than big and overlooks the Mariners Safeco Field. We make dinner out of happy hour at Jimmy's on First located in the hotel.
The next day we take the free hotel shuttle to the King St. Amtrak Station. After some quick drama, a car attendant who wrongly informs us that our sleeper car is broken and removed from the train, we find our room and kick back. We decided to upgrade to a roomette on our return. The roomette price is higher but includes meals. The seats turn into bunks and privacy curtains block the light so sleeping is much easier. I haven't slept in bunks since the military so it is an experience. I gave Avril the upper bunk and she may never forgive me, but we had fun anyway. She is more the nimble athlete than I.
We skip breakfast the next morning and depart in Emeryville. Home again!
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| She She Shoes Victoria B.C. |
We wander about town and could not help but take lots of photos of the marina. The upcoming weekend was a Canadian holiday and boats were filling the marina with color.
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| Marina Victoria B.C. |
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| The Tapa Bar Victoria B.C. |
We slept great that night and boarded the Victoria Clipper back to Seattle the next day. On the way out of the harbor we spotted a Princess Cruise ship in port and strained our heads to see it off the port side. Just then Avril tugged at my sleeve and whispered "that's Ryan Gosling next row over!" I looked over and sure enough it was. I fired off a stealth photo of him. It is a lousy telephoto side shot because I did not want to invade his privacy. I have shown the photo to a number of people and some say it is not him. I have a keen sense of facial recognition, honed in earlier life experience. He is a Canadian and we are in Canada so it adds to the evidence. If it is not him then he has a doppelganger that is making all the women on the boat giggly-squirmy.
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| Ryan Gosling sighting?? |
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| Silver Cloud Hotel - Stadium Jimmy's on First |
The next day we take the free hotel shuttle to the King St. Amtrak Station. After some quick drama, a car attendant who wrongly informs us that our sleeper car is broken and removed from the train, we find our room and kick back. We decided to upgrade to a roomette on our return. The roomette price is higher but includes meals. The seats turn into bunks and privacy curtains block the light so sleeping is much easier. I haven't slept in bunks since the military so it is an experience. I gave Avril the upper bunk and she may never forgive me, but we had fun anyway. She is more the nimble athlete than I.
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| Lunch Amtrak Coast Starlight Parlor Car |
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| Dinner Amtrak Coast Starlight Parlor Car |
We skip breakfast the next morning and depart in Emeryville. Home again!
Thursday, May 22, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Dinner arrived and was delicious!
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Dragon Boats Willamette River Portland Or. |
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| Newport Seafood Grill Riverplace Portland Or. |
Talk about dinner with a show! Happily exhausted we headed back to the hotel. Next we rent a car and drive to Astoria.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
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.
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!
Our Cruise begins!
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.
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| 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!
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| Marriott Residence Inn Queensway Long Beach, Ca. |
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| Long Beach Harbor |
Our Cruise begins!
Monday, October 04, 2010
Trained Obsevations
I love trains and hate planes. When the opportunity to go to LA with April came about it was an obvious choice for me, the Amtrak Coast Starlight. The train originates in Seattle and we boarded in Emeryville exactly on time. It is about a twelve hour journey but the coach seats are comfy and easy to sleep in. We watched movies on April's computer when the view outside was boring. The train runs through Salinas Valley Farms where just outside workers toiled slumped over in the hot sun. I wondered to myself about the politics of food. If we close our borders, as some suggest, who will do this work? Enough politics for me. If I never have to watch another TV ad for a politician it would make me happy.
There is food service on board. A dining room that serves sit down meals and a snack bar that has microwave foods, snacks and drinks. We never tried the sit down place but the menus look good and fellow passengers seemed to enjoy. We brought some food and drinks with us but did indulge in microwave burger and half bottle of white wine, both were really good.
homemade cheese snack
After San Luis Obispo the train heads towards the Pacific. An invitation on public address lured me to the parlor car for a wine and cheese tasting. For $5 you get a small sampling of cheese and four central coast wines. A great view and wine, you know what I like!
After Santa Barbara the train runs along the beachfront. We witnessed a sunset wedding on the beach where a group dolphins magically surfaced in the background. Photography is difficult on a moving train but I did manage to get a shot of seabirds when the trained stopped briefly.
I was a little worried about our late arrival at LA's Union Station fearing a dangerous empty place. As it turns out the station is a dramatic old building that was busy, clean and well secured even at ten p.m.
Union Station Los Angeles shot in early morning
We cabbed to our hotel where I just had to photograph a piece of temporary art. There folded on the end of the toilet paper roll was a paper rose. We must be in LA.
The round trip for two was just a touch over two hundred dollars with AAA discount. On our return trip we observed that a private car had been added to our train. A little research located the website for California Zephyr Railcar Charters. It seems they attach these restored old cars to Amtrak trains for luxury travel. They have an upcoming cross country tour. I wonder if they need any help? I got skills!
Silver Solarium
There is food service on board. A dining room that serves sit down meals and a snack bar that has microwave foods, snacks and drinks. We never tried the sit down place but the menus look good and fellow passengers seemed to enjoy. We brought some food and drinks with us but did indulge in microwave burger and half bottle of white wine, both were really good.
homemade cheese snack
After San Luis Obispo the train heads towards the Pacific. An invitation on public address lured me to the parlor car for a wine and cheese tasting. For $5 you get a small sampling of cheese and four central coast wines. A great view and wine, you know what I like!
After Santa Barbara the train runs along the beachfront. We witnessed a sunset wedding on the beach where a group dolphins magically surfaced in the background. Photography is difficult on a moving train but I did manage to get a shot of seabirds when the trained stopped briefly.
I was a little worried about our late arrival at LA's Union Station fearing a dangerous empty place. As it turns out the station is a dramatic old building that was busy, clean and well secured even at ten p.m.
Union Station Los Angeles shot in early morning
We cabbed to our hotel where I just had to photograph a piece of temporary art. There folded on the end of the toilet paper roll was a paper rose. We must be in LA.
The round trip for two was just a touch over two hundred dollars with AAA discount. On our return trip we observed that a private car had been added to our train. A little research located the website for California Zephyr Railcar Charters. It seems they attach these restored old cars to Amtrak trains for luxury travel. They have an upcoming cross country tour. I wonder if they need any help? I got skills!
Silver Solarium
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