Well tomorrow morning - Sunday Jan 20, 2013 I start this epic journey by getting up early, calling a taxi and getting to the Amtrak/Via rail station here in Vancouver where I will board at 6:30 AM the Amtrak Cascades train to Seattle - on previous trips to Seattle I have used either Amtrak bus or Quick Shuttle so this will be a more relaxing way to get to Seattle - As I outlined in an early post one of the reasons that I chose the train over the bus was that in the case of bad weather - ie snow - I felt the train would get me to Seattle more dependably - that almost didn`t happen - it has been very wet the last two months and a number of small mudslides on the route between Seattle and Everett have resulted in trains not being able to use that portion of the route and buses were used in there place - fortunately the weather has turned dry and cold and foggy and the service has been restored.
Since I made the decision to take the train and have a layover in Seattle I got an email from the widow of a long time friend who lives in the Seattle area advising me of one of her brother-in-laws sudden passing - as a result I will meet up with her at the station and we will head for the waterfront and a feast of fish and chips at Ivar`s. Those of us who grew up in the Pacific Northwest and often visited Seattle would routinely head for a feast there.
It looks like it will be cold going across the northern tier states - Chicago is forecasting a deep freeze the day that I will be there so unless I need something that can`t be brought at the Union Station shops I won`t likely be venturing outside at all.
Washington DC`s temps will be around freezing and I will be there two days after Obama is sworn in for a second term so much of the infrastructure will still be up. If it isn`t too cold and with a longer lay over might walk down the National Mall to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.
It is hard to believe but a week from today I will be underway on the Grand Princess.
As for luggage - I have one large suitcase that is close to the 50 lb limit of the train and ship, a smaller suitcase which has most of my cold weather clothes needed for the first leg of the trip and a tote bag which has my electronic toys - in addition I have my Pac safe bag for my passport and other valuables.
As for foreign currency - I decided to play this by ear - as I will be visiting multiple ports in Brazil, Argentina, Chile I will wait and see how it goes in the first port of call.
I did not pack a sport or dinner jacket - if i have to eat in the buffet on formal nights that will be fine with me.
Well that it for now - might do one more update otherwise the next one will likely be from Chicago`s Union Station.
Cheers
D
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