OMG! Going on the train to PORTLAND for our Honeymoon! First time on train And in OREGON!

[FirstLight]

My partner and I are finally making it official and taking a trip to boot!

We're going from the Bay up thru NorCal to Portland, overnight. We are both disabled, so we're doing a roomette, accessible for the extra room. Neither one of us have ever done a train, so we're not sure if we'll like it or not (if we do, then my Bday is another trip lol).

We've got 2 nights in Downtown Portland at the Benson Historic Hotel, and a rental car...so the city is our oyster!

I got a couple thngs already "planned" dinner at the Hotel on our arrival, flowers in the room, Gay rainbow EVERYWHERE! lol
Then first full day we are gonna make our way to the coast and check out real estate ideas (towns, etc) on the drive. We're planning a move in the next 2 years we think...maybe...hopefully.
The second day we're supposed to leave at 2. so we have breakfast at the soul food place around the corner and then a fun joint palm reading/psychic at 10am. Otherwise we're open...

I'm hoping to check out the Lee's Bookstore? The big one.

I'd love suggestions and ideas about any towns between the coast and Portland to live, also BIG TIME any heads up about crime etc....
Thank you all so much!

Li & River 6-17-24

[DUgosh]

1. Congratulations!

[mercuryblues]

2. Congrats!

My suggestion is to take notes on this trip. When you get home the places you are interested in, look up online.

[flying rabbit]

3. I like the area around Newport (touristy though)

Powell's books is the bookstore you want to see in Portland. Have fun!

[LoveTheDU]

4. Have a great time

The Benson is a fabulous hotel!

[Walleye]

5. Years and years ago I took a train trip with my boyfriend from Seattle to New York, we had a roommette

The occasion was that I hit a $2500 exacta in Seattle. On the way home from fishing in Alaska. We went first class on the train. I enjoyed it immensely, it’s so relaxing, back then they had the white tablecloths with china and silverware in the dining car. Don’t know if they still do that, we even had a little shower. Seattle to New York that was three days. I loved it. I think you’ll enjoy it, good luck

[Deuxcents]

6. Congrats and safe travels 🥂

[marble falls]

7. Congratulations. AmTrac is the way to go. Wait till you see how comfortable the seating is! We slept ...

... quite well in the coach, did not regret not getting a roomette, though we plan on it in a future trip. This will be a great memory for y'all!

The supper car and menu was good, priced within reason and we'd invite another person or couple to sit with us, though I understand that the menus have been simplified since our last trip a few years ago.

[CrispyQ]

8. Congrats on your nuptials & have fun on the trip!!

I love trains! We travelled on them when I was a little girl back in the 50s & 60s. There are so many wonderful train excursions around the world! I hope you & your partner enjoy your trip!

[central scrutinizer]

9. The Coast Starlighter is not very accessible

I don’t know what the roomettes are like. Most of the regular seats are on the top level, up narrow, steep stairs. The vista dome car is the best, especially as you pass Mt. Shasta. I hope you can get up there.

[sdfernando]

10. Sounds fun!

I took a trip from Emeryville to Chicago for New Years..3 days. We had a room with our own shower. Roomette can be a bit small for longer trips. It can be a challenge getting to sleep and the bunk was like sleeping on a board. Might think about taking a very fluffy blanket to help ease that.

Congrats and have a blast in Portland!

[FirstLight]

12. Yes, I think the rumbling will be my issue, But...

who knows till you get there. we're bringing as much fluffy as we can blankets and pillows are mandatory lol

[chowder66]

21. I took the train home after the Northridge earthquake. Had an economy sleeper room.

First night I couldn't sleep at all because it was too much like the earthquake. 2nd night I slept fine.

Congratulations and enjoy your trip. I absolutely love taking the train.

[nilram]

29. I thought the bedding was comfortable in a roomette

Or at least unmemorable/not a problem. There are attendants for each car who are there to help – they may have extra pillows and blankets, for instance.

And the Benson is very classy, they absolutely will have any extra bedding you want. You might find the extra fluffy to be weighing you down.

[nilram]

44. Take earplugs, if you can use them, and clothes pins

The latter in case the drape doesn’t close well. They just stay in my travel kit. Even nice hotels can have drapes that don’t fully close.

[sdfernando]

45. Tip on the hotel drapes

I will use one of the closet hangers that has clips if the drapes leave a light gap.

[FirstLight]

47. Earplugs...heard!

Lol... that was too easy!

[elleng]

11. Sounds great!

Train travel is/can be super.

(I know nothing about the area.)

[Demovictory9]

13. Sounds like fun..next trip..train the other direction to san diego

Thru Los angeles

[FirstLight]

16. we already said that was next! LoL

For C-Mas we wanna go down the coast, somehow get over to Vegas (NOT doing an Amtrak Bus, and at this point I'll fly cuz I'm too lozy and old to drive 4+h)
My hunny wants to go to the Sphere so we're going between C-mas and New Year...then on to Sedona for my Bday/New Year, and then we're figuring ut about driving home or what to do from there...

But first, Honeymoon! (one trip at a time.....)

[AllaN01Bear]

14. ive ridden trains sinc 1969 in mexico and amtrak since its formation in 1970

rule 1 expect delays
rule 2 pack your patience . you will need it if there is a problem with rule one . enjoy your ride .
ive rode the coast starlight/daylight. a number of times . amtrak pancakes are to kill for.
my last train trip was in 2000. other than bart. havent rode one since then

[catchnrelease]

30. Seconding this comment!

First I have to say I loved riding on the train--also the Coast Starlight, from LA to Seattle and back.

But omg, the delays were unbelievable! I was supposed to arrive and have friends pick me up in Seattle at 6 in the evening. We didn't arrive until almost midnight!! I had to keep calling my friend to say I would be later and later. Things like waiting in Oakland until they added a new car to the train and I don't recall what else.

Then on the way back it was similar--going through the CA central valley it was really hot and they said the train couldn't go over 10mph because the rails were overheated. I don't know if that was bs, but it was one excuse we got. Then one of the freight trains that have the right of way lost a wheel and we sat for hours while they got repaired because they were on the line ahead of us!

There was a group of people on our train that were supposed to be connecting to another in SoCal to go on to New Orleans and we were so far behind schedule that they would have never made the connection. So they took all of those people off of the train in Santa Barbara, put them on a bus to head to Ontario to try to meet the other train!!! That got even more crazy when my train continued on and stopped at Oxnard, where a family was waiting at the station to pick up their grandpa. He was nowhere to be found!!! So we sat and waited and waited while they searched for him. In the end they guessed that he had gotten onto the bus at Santa Barbara and was now on his way to New Orleans, lol!!! (If that was the case I'm sure they called ahead and caught him in Ontario) I was 6hrs late getting back to LA.

It was all entertaining for sure but if you get stressed by being late, be prepared and be patient! As someone that had to commute on the SoCal freeways 5 days a week back then, the train was heaven, the dome car wonderful when going through Oregon, food decent, and I would ride it again.

[AllaN01Bear]

37. i remember rides with slow orders as you described along with soft roadbend due to heavy rains

.and ALL trains had to do 25 mph and be prepaired to stop short of train on a moments notice .i always took a scanner so i knew what was going on.

[catchnrelease]

43. Good idea!

Oh the scanner was a good idea. When I went everyone was just left wondering what was happening. I guess we hunted down the conductors and asked for info. That trip was in the early 90s I think. Still a fun adventure.

[FirstLight]

48. Scanner?

Plz elaborate! Are there train apps ...?.... I'm going to look!

[AllaN01Bear]

54. poice radio scanner physical radio reciver.

thus.
hear the dispach centeres . train drivers and so fourth.

[sdfernando]

46. We had to stop and back up at one point

to allow a freight train to pass and there were a few other delays….but we made up time through Iowa and Nebraska. Actually arrived in Chicago almost 3 hours early.

I was a bit disappointed there no Rembrandt letters onboard.

[EverHopeful]

15. Congratulations!

Trip sounds heavenly! Love traveling by train but only once sprang for the roomette. Loved it. Been too long since I've been to Portland to have any suggestions but wishing you all the best!

[Wonder Why]

17. Don't forget, meals are included when you get sleeper room. Diner and

Lounge car are on upper level but handicapped room is not. Stairs are narrow and circular. But if you can negotiate them, it's more fun to eat in diner and view the world from Lounge car. If not able or don't want to negotiate stairway, they are required to bring your meals to room. In fact, by Amtrak regulation, they must offer it without you asking but they don't always. Have fun, relax and remember that it seems like Amtrak thinks same day arrival is the same as on time. 😀

We've been all over the country on Amtrak and the western trains are by far the best scenery and service.

[littlemissmartypants]

18. So happy for you! Sounds fantastic! ❤️

[CanonRay]

19. Congratulations and welcome to Oregon

[SarahD]

20. Powell's Books

If you like books, plan to spend the day there
It occupies an entire city block. Have fun.

[FirstLight]

38. Yes! 💯

I'm a completely shameless bibliophile, so it's already on the list...

[tinrobot]

22. We love Portland, hope you do as well.

Downtown can be hit/miss, but check out the wonderful shops/restaurants on 23rd. A hike in Forest Park is also well worth it.

We love NE Portland, Mississippi and Williams are great streets. We love breakfast at Tin Shed on Alberta.

Also check out the many antique/vintage stores on Hawthorne as well as the many food carts around the city.

But, I do have to say Portland is a progressive bubble in the state. Some of the coastal towns aren't nearly as liberal.

[nilram]

31. Mississippi Ave is also great for shops and character

[HandmaidsTaleUntold]

32. Gravy Great Breakfast Right There

[EarnestPutz]

23. Mrs. Putz and I did Portland on the train for our 40th anniversary and stayed at the Benson. Great time.

Another good place for dinner is the Portland Grill nearby. We did a River cruise and used public transportation a lot.

[barbtries]

24. Mazeltov!

Have a fabulous trip!

[2naSalit]

25. Congratulations!

It sounds like a fantastic trip! And congrats on taking vows.

I wish you both happiness, wellness and love forever!

[FirstLight]

39. Thanks! 👍

3rd time's the charm 😉😘 (especially since this time it's not a man ..lol)

[2naSalit]

42. ...

[KS Toronado]

26. Grand Hotel, plus they have your rental car out front waiting for your arrival.

[a kennedy]

27. Yes, congrats......have a wonderful time.

[captain queeg]

28. I took an overnight trip from Portland to Montana

I don’t remember the city, maybe Kalispel? It was an awesome way to travel. Probably didn’t cost anymore than it would if we’d flown and rented a car. We got the delux room, spans the width of a car. I think it even had its own bathroom but can’t remember for sure. Me and my wife and toddler child.

[dai13sy]

33. I'm so excited for you.

I love sightseeing in Portland. I live in Oregon so I have had many fun times. And staying at The Benson and the yummy, excellent food and the wait people are awesome. I'm going to say those lovely people read minds. Have you ever heard of Powell's Bookstore. It's considered to be the world's largest bookstore. Just amazing. I thought I'd died and gone to paradise when I walked in the door. We spent 3 hours in there. Have fun and I hope Portland is to your liking

[FirstLight]

41. Powell's is on the list...

As is Grits and Gravy, the soul food for breakfast sounds good!

Looking forward to just getting "lost"a bit and also thinking about neighborhoods to consider...

[Mme. Defarge]

34. Self-deleted

[mchill]

35. I think you mean Powell's Book Store

[Permanut]

36. We have a place on the Oregon coast..

Last edited Sat May 18, 2024, 08:06 PM - Edit history (1)

In Lincoln City. Get there by highway 18 through McMinnville; you will pass the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grande Ronde. Or not pass it, depending on if you want to leave some money behind. Also great food and clean accessible restrooms.

Lincoln City has some great restaurants, including Kylo's ind Mo's. And another casino, Chinook Winds. Bring more money.

Eight miles south of Lincoln City is Depoe Bay, a tiny town on highway 101 featuring on of our favorite restaurants, Tidal Raves. Great food and wonderful views of the ocean.

[MurrayDelph]

51. If you get to Astoria

Try Drina Daisy, the Bosnian restaurant. Plus every Sunday from Mother's Day until after Labor Day there is a Sunday Market, where local artist and businesses sell their wares.

[Permanut]

52. Love Astoria - boy, bring your hiking shoes!

[Shellback Squid]

40. Roomette is the way to go, includes 3 squares and they are very decent, who has the top bunk?

I like to take the train from Denver to Emeryville, being rocked to sleep is great!

[FirstLight]

49. We're not sure about the sleep situation yet 😆

...but if neither one of us can haul ourselves up, we're just sharing the bottom 😁💗

[Shellback Squid]

50. you'll be snug, btw, these trains are usually old, no USB ports on the California Zephyr so take a 110 adapter

and long stretches with no internet, which is kinda nice

[badhair77]

53. I have no travel advice but I'm very happy for you and your partner.

I wish you the best life together and a safe and fabulous trip.

[FirstLight]

55. Thank you 😊

I'll post pics when we get home