Coast Starlight train

A short but fine adventure by Sarah Read more

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October 28, 2019
Coast Starlight train Sarah McCabe
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 9:25 AM
⛅ 36 °F
Altitude: 79 ft
United States Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 47.59835, -122.3299647°35’54” N 122°19’48” W
All aboard!
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 36 °F
Checked out of hotel and rolled my luggage one mile to station Arrived at train station just as train was boarding so didn't take photo of the station. Got settled and got my train shoes on!
You have train shoes ! What are train shoes? Lynn
10/28/19Reply
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Coast Starlight train Sarah McCabe
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 9:45 AM
⛅ 37 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
United States Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 47.59773, -122.3298147°35’52” N 122°19’47” W
Choo-Choo!! We are off
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 37 °F
On time departure.
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 10:25 AM
☀️ 37 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
United States Tacoma Eastern Gulch 47.24206, -122.4219547°14’31” N 122°25’19” W
First stop: Tacoma
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 37 °F
Looks like about a dozen passengers boarding including one in room nextdoor. I learned that you can have the attendant bring you lunch instead of going to the dining car. Taking note, but I'm still going to go in for lunch.Read more
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 10:49 AM
⛅ 39 °F
Altitude: 184 ft
United States Fort Nisqually 47.2923, -122.5278947°17’32” N 122°31’40” W
First tunnel
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 39 °F
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11:19 AM
⛅ 39 °F
Altitude: 207 ft
United States Pattison Lake 46.99117, -122.7948146°59’28” N 122°47’41” W
Olympia
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 39 °F
Ouch!!! Stood up and banged my head. Note to self: don't do that again
Welcome to my world
10/28/19Reply
Good note, important note
10/28/19Reply
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11:45 AM
☀️ 43 °F
Altitude: 157 ft
United States China Creek 46.72661, -122.9484446°43’36” N 122°56’54” W
Centralia
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F
I feel like I'm in the middle of something
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 12:04 PM
☀️ 43 °F
Altitude: 558 ft
United States Napavine 46.56667, -122.9166746°34’0” N 122°55’0” W
Lunch
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F
Not a moment too soon I'm starving.
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 12:41 PM
☀️ 46 °F
Altitude: 30 ft
United States Coweeman River 46.10333, -122.8866746°6’12” N 122°53’12” W
Observation car
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F
Time for a scenic break
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 1:15 PM
☀️ 50 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
United States Vancouver Lower Turning Basin 45.63003, -122.6863545°37’48” N 122°41’11” W
Next stop: Vancouver
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
When my seatmate at lunch said he was going to Vancouver, I was kind of afraid to break it him that he was on the wrong train. Who knew there was a Vancouver, WA???
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 1:23 PM
☀️ 50 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
United States North Portland Harbor 45.61378, -122.7028745°36’50” N 122°42’10” W
Crossing in to Oregon
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
It may be time for a nap soon. The rhythm of the rails is soporific.
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 1:47 PM
☀️ 50 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
United States Couch Lake (historical)45.53, -122.6766745°31’48” N 122°40’36” W
Portland
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
We are allowed to get off and walk around for a bit. I got some snacks from the gift shop and free tea from the first class lounge. I feel fancy
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 3:29 PM
☀️ 55 °F
Altitude: 148 ft
United States Aldrich City Park 44.93135, -123.0278944°55’53” N 123°1’40” W
Salem
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
This is a short stop so no getting off unless I want to get left behind.

My biggest decision I am facing now is what time to get my dinner reservation. I'm liking this!
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 4:07 PM
☀️ 55 °F
Altitude: 289 ft
United States Albany 44.62949, -123.103644°37’46” N 123°6’13” W
Albany, OR
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
I've been looking at the map and seeing all sorts of names I don't normally associate with Washington or Oregon. The oddest? Des Moines????
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 4:52 PM
⛅ 54 °F
Altitude: 344 ft
United States Commons Airport 44.28833, -123.15544°17’18” N 123°9’18” W
Congestion stop
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Pulled over to let another train go by.

I think it's close enough to 5 for cocktail hour!
I agree, Lynn, ( Raul does too )
10/28/19Reply
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:13 PM
⛅ 52 °F
Altitude: 430 ft
United States Skinner Butte City Park 44.05548, -123.0926344°3’20” N 123°5’33” W
Eugene, OR
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
We are allowed off, so I am stretching my legs. There are share-bikes here. Worst case, I could bike to catch-up, I guess.
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:46 PM
⛅ 48 °F
Altitude: 692 ft
United States Trent 43.93506, -122.8527643°56’6” N 122°51’10” W
Things I've learned so far
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 48 °F
Should have tried to reserve room on west side of train I'm on the east and scenery had been better on the other side the room across the hall was vacant, until Eugene.

Should have brought a charger that has a cord to plug in to the wall. The brick I have won't plug in my room. I am making do by using the power packs to charge my devices and the socket at the end of the hall to charge those, but still, it was an error

Should have brought a paper book. All I have is ebooks. See above for power issues

Should have brought wine in a resealable container. Canned wine travels well, but I have to drink the whole thing in one sitting. Wait? Is that an error?Read more
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 6:13 PM
🌙 48 °F
Altitude: 1,037 ft
United States North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River 43.76088, -122.5253243°45’39” N 122°31’31” W
Out of contact
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 48 °F
We are in the middle of Oregon with no cell or wifi. I assume this message will upliad in the morning. I'm sitting in the scenic car now cause it has power I can access. Dinner in 15 minutes.
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 7:09 PM
🌙 34 °F
Altitude: 4,859 ft
United States Shelter Cove Resort Marina 43.57889, -122.0407143°34’44” N 122°2’27” W
Dinner
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 34 °F
Just finished dinner. Got the surf and turf. It was yummy but maybe a bit too much food
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 7:51 PM
🌙 32 °F
Altitude: 4,800 ft
United States Crescent Lake 43.49167, -121.94543°29’30” N 121°56’42” W
Train shoes
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 32 °F
I had a question about my train shoes (thanks,Lynn!)

I had read that you have to wear shoes always on the train, but I wanted to be relaxed so I brought along these foldable flats whose sole is not much more than a thick piece of fabric. I have worn the out on streets, but not often. They feel lkind if ike slippers, but look enough like real shoes. The perfect train shoes!Read more
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 8:19 PM
🌙 32 °F
Altitude: 4,741 ft
United States Chemult 43.215, -121.7843°12’54” N 121°46’48” W
Chamalt(?)
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 32 °F
I don't know what this place is really called. And it's dark, so I can't read it.

But I now have a bed. With an extra blanket
That looks comfortable Lynn
10/30/19Reply
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Day 1
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 9:40 PM
🌙 37 °F
Altitude: 4,058 ft
United States Hanks Marsh 42.31296, -121.8180642°18’47” N 121°49’5” W
Bedtime
October 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 37 °F
Nothing I have to read or watch is that appealing, so I'm going to try slesping
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 7:35 AM
☀️ 46 °F
Altitude: 49 ft
United States Martinez Waterfront Park 38.02025, -122.1341738°1’13” N 122°8’3” W
Wakey wskey!
October 29, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F
Pulling in to Martinez. Got about 9 restless hours of sleep. Not great sleep, but long!
Well, I thought the bed looked comfortable. ( but what do I know we camp a lot! ) I must admit you do not look like happy Sarah. Lynn
10/30/19Reply
We were going through the mountains so a lot of rocking and turning and the heat was wonky so it would get too hot and then too cold. The bed was fine. It just moved too much. - Sarah
10/30/19Reply
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 8:32 AM
☀️ 52 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
United States Campbell Village 37.81333, -122.3033337°48’48” N 122°18’12” W
Breakfast is done
October 29, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F
I look a little more human too.

They have showers on board but that was more than I was willing to dare. Wet and soapy doesn't mix well with rocking train.

I saw a woman putting on mascara and thought she was going to poke her eye out!Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 9:16 AM
⛅ 52 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
United States Crandall Creek 37.57167, -122.0637°34’18” N 122°3’36” W
Time to get ready
October 29, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
It's 30 minutes to San Jose, so I guess it's time to collect my belongings and say goodbye to the train shoes.
Do all train shoes look alike? Lynn
10/30/19Reply
I only brought one pair. I have another pair that red and black, but I'm going to get another one pair in velvet, for that touch of class! - Sarah
10/30/19Reply
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Day 2
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 4:34 PM UTC
⛅ 55 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
United States Albrae 37.49, -121.98537°29’24” N 121°59’6” W
Ready to leave
October 29, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
We are held up due to congestion so I think we may be a little late in to San Jose
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