Sailing, Sailing over the Ocean Blue - Victoria, BC

Day 41 - Victoria Clipper - Seattle, Washington to Victoria, British Columbia

Rob continued to be determined to never retrace steps so we were in a quandary on how to complete the last leg of our trip.  We brainstormed different route options and decided that a leg on the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria was the answer!

We booked passage for 2 and reserved space for our bikes.   We had a few hours to spend in Seattle before our sailing time....so of course, we decided to cycle.  Seattle has a fantastic bike path along the ocean front and we jumped at the chance to explore the City by bike.  We even managed to find a section of beach where we could dip our tires in the Pacific....our celebration of sorts!

Tire dipping celebration - Pacific Ocean - Seattle

Cruise ship terminal - Seattle, Washington

View of the Space Needle from the Seattle bike path

The Clipper is the way to travel between Seattle and Victoria...it is fast, the on board service is superb and the views are terrific!  

Victoria Clipper boarding area

Victoria clipper leaving downtown Seattle for Victoria

Our plan was to disembark and cycle to visit with the A Team.  (our amazing family).  We patiently waited for our bikes, cleared customs and exited the building ......and then we got the SURPRISE of a lifetime.  Standing at the exit doors were our kids, Ian and Emma, Rob's folks, sister Nancy and brother-in law Paul.  I was so excited and thrilled that I was literally shaking.  Rumour has it that I let out a scream of joy, but I am convinced that I was calm, cool and collected!

It was Father's Day and I can't imagine a better gift for Rob!  We hugged and laughed and hugged some more.  The A team put on the most amazing dinner as we celebrated Father's Day x 3, Emma's birthday, Marco's birthday, our trip and last but not least we celebrated our nephew Luc being certified as a Commercial pilot.  In fact, in order to pull off the surprise of the century, Luc flew Emma and Ian from Boundary Bay to Victoria.  Unfortunately, Adam and Marco weren't able to be with us due to work and school commitments, but we are sure they were there in spirit and we thought of them often.

Welcome Back Party with Tourism Cafe team - Victoria, BC

Giggle of the day:

The giggles were plentiful that night and as we sat back and watched the gang chatting and laughing we reflected on our trip.  Being surrounded by family and laughter was the perfect end to our tour and a poignant reminder that .....there's no place like home!

......even if it is laundry day!

Are we there yet? - Seattle, Washington

Day 39 and day 40 - Coast Starlight Line - Los Angeles, California to Seattle, Washington

Union Station - Los Angeles

The Amtrak Coast Starlight ride from Los Angeles to Seattle is absolutely breathtaking.  As we travelled out of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles we anxiously awaited our first glimpse of the ocean...and it was worth the wait!  There is something about the ocean that seems to call out to us and we quickly moved to the observation car to secure the best seat possible.  We rounded a turn as we approached Santa Barbara and there it was ... the glorious Pacific - white sand beaches, waves rolling in, surfers, beach volleyball, sandcastles and beachcombers!   Rob even saw a dolphin playing in the surf.  It literally brought a tear to my eye, as I felt we were home.  Our conversation quickly turned to kayaking as we longingly watched the miles of ocean roll by.

View of the Pacific Ocean from the Coast Starlight

We spent time with Jiapeng an international student from China, studying at Emporia State in Kansas.  Jiapeng was a delight to travel with as she brought such passion and enthusiasm!  She had a bright smile and a quick laugh....valuable traits for those on LONG train rides!

Jiapeng and Jane in front of a private car attached to our train

The ride was incredibly scenic...from ocean to the majestic forests of northern   California and Oregon..Mount Shasta.  A couple of volunteer interpreters joined us in Klamath Falls, Oregon and shared fascinating stories of the local history and natural surroundings.

Although we had been behind schedule for much of the trip (to the disgust of the type A personalities on board) our conductor absolutely cranked up the engines for last leg from Portland to Seattle.  We arrived back at King Street station ahead of schedule and feeling like we had come full circle.  We anxiously awaited for our bikes to be unloaded and made our way to the Best Western hotel in Pioneer square.  This hotel is also a National Historic site, so it felt like the perfect and fitting place to bunk down for the night.

We watch nervously as our bikes are unloaded from the train

We found some delicious Chinese food and hit the sack!  We have another 2 days of travel before we get home and with luck we will make it in time to celebrate Emma's 19th birthday!

Best Western Pioneer Square - Seattle

Giggle of the day:

We were seated directly in front of a first grader travelling across country with his Grammy.  They were on their way to Seattle to pick up her grand daughter and then were planning to train across country to New York City.  (very, brave Grammy)  The little man kept us in stitches with stories of what he was planning to be when he grew up - the President, a basketball player, a train conductor and a teacher - a MUSIC teacher.  We were serenaded on an hourly basis to the sound of him singing..."stand proud...stand strong!"  Let's just say he has our vote for President!

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Amtrak Coast Starlight Train

Big Wheels Keep on Turning

Day 2 - May 8 - Seattle, Washington - Amtrak, Empire Builder

The train ride through Montana was awesome .   Glacier National Park is spectacular.....majestic mountains, glaciers, big horn sheep, deer, waterfalls....

Major miles on the train today - travelled through Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota.  Meeting lots of folks on the train...everyone has a story!  Most seem to be on their way to visit family or friends.  It strikes us that the original vision of the railway as a means to unite a country still holds true.  The vastness of the prairies continues to amaze... we try to imagine how the early settlers found the courage to keep going, and how it must have felt after weeks of crossing prairie to be faced with the challenge of finding a pass through Rockies.  It is truly inspiring!

Giggle for the day:

Decided to try out showering on a moving train.  Kind of like standing on a skateboard while getting hosed down -but very refreshing.

Jane has signed us up for a Wine and Cheese tasting seminar on the  train this afternoon as we head into the Prairies.    WHO KNEW ......

...as you can see from this  picture...little towns along the way take care of the Amtrak folk!

The Adventure Begins

Day One - May 7 - South Surrey, B.C. to Seattle, Washington

Our adventure begins bright and early as we leave sunny South Surrey at 4am to catch Amtrak Cascades to Seattle.  Emma has clinched her nomination for daughter of the year by dragging herself out of bed to drive us to the train station for a 5:30am customs clearance.

Beautiful ride to Seattle....everyone needs to try to find some time to ride the rails along the coast.

Enjoyed an afternoon slummin in Seattle - heard some reggae beats which  reminded us of our fav band - Giraffe Aftermath - currently on tour in Southern Cal and available on Itunes ...lunch at Pike Place Market, Safeco, Century Link Field...home of the 12th man.....next time tailgate party!

Huge shout out to Lorne at the Seattle Amtrak ticketing station.  Lorne personally carried our bike boxes.....our most prized possessions at this point in time #amtrak and explained the ins and outs of travelling by train.  All with a huge smile and enthusiasm..."that's why I'm here." We must confess it is a little stressful taking your bikes apart, putting them in a box and trusting they will arrive in Fargo when we do......we have taken a page from Adam...dont'worry - be happy- the bikes will arrive.

The King Street Station in Seattle has recently undergone a major reno..it is spectacular - reminds me of train stations of old.  

Giggle of the day:

Jane tries to buy a bottle of wine in Seattle  ....gets carded ...can't produce ID...so Rob has to rescue her yet again!  Jane was crushed to learn that the store cards EVERYONE!!!..and she wasn't carded because of her youthful passion for life and wine!

Booked a sleeper car for the journey to Fargo,  just boarded the train only to discover  sleeper cars come stocked with champagne  [no cards]  ....  WHO KNEW?

Lounging at Safeco...waiting for the Empire Builder

Amtrak Station - Vancouver, B.C. - Departure Day

The Marriage Tester - 41 Hours on a train!

We have been planning to take Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle for years, so when the opportunity to ride the rails all the way to Fargo came up we jumped at the chance.  We excitedly shared our plans with our kids...their reaction - to quote Emma.

"If you can survive 41 hours together on the train...the ride to New Orleans will be a piece of cake!"

After 27 years of wedded bliss....YES...every day is Valentine's day.....

...we will keep you posted.

Here is the map of the Amtrak route - the Empire Builder from Seattle to Fargo.



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