Well
after 4 days on the train I finally arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday
evening Jan 25, 2013 – also known as Robbie Burns day for those of Scottish
heritage – the train was three hours late – I must confess of all the Amtrak
trips I have taken across the country over the past half dozen years this one
was probably the most unenjoyable one.
There
were four stages to this train trip and here in as short of form as I can write
are some of my thoughts, concerns etc.
Leg
1 – Vancouver to Seattle on board the Amtrak Cascades – this is the first time
for me on taking it to Seattle and it is not hard to see why this trip is so
popular and regularly sells out in the summertime – it was the only one of my
trips to arrive early – check in at Vancouver was a breeze – you clear the
first stage of US Immigration at the station – your ID and luggage is scanned –
I had a regular coach seat – business class
is available but at this time of year I didn’t feel I needed it – we left right
on time and arrive at the border where the Border agents and their dogs rechecked
our ID and in my case because of the length of time I was to be gone wanted to
know how much US $$$ I was traveling with – they didn’t question my answer.
After
about a 10 minute stop at the border we are on our way – with free wi-fi on the
train I spend some time getting caught up with the happenings around the world
as we wound our way along the shore of Bellingham Bay and later Puget Sound. I
arrived in Seattle early so took the opportunity to walk around the station
area to await my lunch time meeting with the spouse of my late friend Don
Cameron – Unbeknownst to me Hazel also arrived early and was searching for me –
well I returned to the station to use the washrooms and that is when I spotted
her and we were off for a walk through Pioneer Square and along the waterfront
to Ivar’s restaurant – I have always enjoyed their fish and chips – we both had
the three piece of fish and chips and pop – it was my treat – we spent close to
two hours discussing our lives and what her brother’s in laws are up to.
We
then walked back to the bus stop at International Station which is next door to
Amtrak’s King street station.
It
was after I left Hazel that an incident happened that could have caused me to
have to cancel the trip – I was walking along one of the streets and the next
thing I know I am starting to fall to the concrete sidewalk – I use my arms to
try and break the fall – I missed a grate in the sidewalk and that is what
caused me to fall – after picking myself up off the ground I checked myself for
any obvious injuries – there was no blood but I did scrape both knee caps and
my left wrist was hurting – while sore for a couple of days the stiffness has
subsided and I am now 100% okay.
Just
a note – the long process of upgrading the Amtrak King St station is expected
to be finished by last spring/early summer – for what is opened it looks like
it will be a nice reno job.
Part
2 – Seattle to Chicago – to be posted shortly.
Cheers
Dennis
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