Amtrak train 14 - The Coastal Starlight

I'm not very good with words. That makes it almost impossible for me to describe the train that took us from San Francisco to Seattle.

I've always wanted to do an overnight train. The idea of travelling through the night, stopping at little stations while I sleep is fascinating. This was one of my dreams come true.

Departing Oakland at 10.45pm, we set off through the night and arrived in Seattle at 8pm the next day. The train was late picking us up and early arriving at our destination.

For an extra $200 we got a roomette.  I can't over emphasise the "ette" bit of that word. There wasn't room to swing a hamster let alone a cat. But it was worth the cost.  I will never complain about the size of the cabins on the Aberdeen to Lerwick ferry again.

Sleep was light overnight. Trying to rest while the train rattles around and blows it's horn isn't easy. Plus I found it hard not to sit watching the world whizz by through the night.

Breakfast was included in our ticket price.  Nothing special, but it filled a gap.

Lunch was included in our ticket price. Again nothing special, but it filled a gap.

Dinner was included in our ticket price. That was actually a decent meal.

The perfect 21 hours. All we did was eat, sleep (at least try to), drink wine and admire the view.

This photo was taken somewhere along the way. I forget where. Some stations we stopped at for 2 minutes, some 20. When it's 20 you could get off for a 'cigarette brake'. Not being a smoker, I used the cigarette break to get off and take some photos.

The most amazing way to end the most amazing 6 weeks.