For a number of years I have been encouraging some friends (Tom and Karen) to experience Amtrak. They live in northern Wisconsin but have family in Seattle. So, this year they decided to fly out and take the EB back. I asked them to give their thoughts and here is what I received. I have their permission to "publish" this on the forum.
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Friday Arriving at the Seattle station early, which is our usual routine, with our son and his daughter accompanying us, we wiled away the hours keeping her entertained. The Empire Builder was 1 1/2 hours behind schedule. Our scheduled departure had been 4:40 p.m.
The scenery was beautiful as we headed north along Puget Sound and into lush forests despite the grey, misty day. Climbing into the mountains with foggy mist was a cozy feeling as we sat in our sleeper compartment sipping champagne and eating chocolate!
Dinner was served in the dining car. Tom ordered the bison meatloaf with a barbecue/chipotle sauce, and I ordered the salmon with an asparagus sauce and rice pilaf; the salmon was a bit dry. Tom's sides were mixed veggies and mashed potatoes. Our dessert choices were crème brulee cheesecake, key lime crumb cake, a chocolate choice, ice cream, or sorbet.
We sat across from a lady who had been in Seattle for a conference and was returning to her home in Wenatchee, and a man who was headed to the east coast.
Once we returned to our sleeper, Room C in car 0831, Chris, our attendant made the beds. I took the top bunk, which had a very firm mattress and almost immediately fell into a wonderful sleep with the motion of the train. Tom, even though not considered tall, said the bottom bunk wasn't quite long enough, and he had a fitful sleep.
Saturday Tom awakened early and was sitting on his bed watching the scenery. After I awoke, he took a shower in our teeny bathroom. MrFSS had suggested we shower in a larger shower on the lower level of our car, but we foolishly didn't heed his advice! I took a "sponge bath" using the teeny sink.
Our breakfast choice was eggs, sausage, raisin toast, and breakfast potatoes. The coffee was really tasty, and we had a choice of juices. How nice that the price of meals is included in the price of our sleeper-car tickets.
While we were eating, we stopped in Whitefish, MT, an area I would love to return to. Gorgeous lake, lush greenery, mountains, and a rainbow for a bonus.
After breakfast we went to the SSL, enjoying the domed roof and the commentary of the three volunteers in the Rails to Trails program as they pointed out highlights of what we were passing. Glacier National Park was a thrill, as it was the first time for me in that area of the country.
We had an interesting conversation with a young man who was returning from Texas to the oil fields of North Dakota where he was employed.
Returning to our sleeper car, we bided our time reading and looking out the windows as we traveled through the very long stretch, leaving the Rockies behind us.
Lunch: the EB Combo--salad, steak/ale/potato chowder, and a roll. Of course, we were again tempted with the dessert choices. Eating like this and then sitting most of the day will certainly result in "more of us!"
Not remembering clearly all the people who shared the table with us, this couple I will remember. Carol and Tom from southern Oregon were traveling to the east coast to visit children, and they were also retired; we had much in common.
For dinner we chose the steak option. Mine was tasty and somewhat tender. Tom's arrived cold and had to be reheated as did one of our table companion's chicken. Tom's steak also had a vein of gristle, so he wasn't too pleased with his meal.
Barbara, a secretary in an accounting firm in a small town in Montana, and close to retirement age but loving her job, and a young college student from Montana majoring in radiology were delightful table companions.
Another night on the bunks! Neither of us slept soundly this night. Seemed every squeak, rattle, and noises of unknown origin were louder, but the train whistle was a soothing sound.
Sunday After the usual breakfast, we enjoyed the scenery through MN and into WI. What a contrast from MT and ND, but we marveled at our country's diverse topography.
A quick lunch and then we arrived at our destination of Portage, WI. We were 1/2 hour later than scheduled, and I in particular wasn't ready to leave the train but hopefully there will be more train travel in my future.
====================================================
Friday Arriving at the Seattle station early, which is our usual routine, with our son and his daughter accompanying us, we wiled away the hours keeping her entertained. The Empire Builder was 1 1/2 hours behind schedule. Our scheduled departure had been 4:40 p.m.
The scenery was beautiful as we headed north along Puget Sound and into lush forests despite the grey, misty day. Climbing into the mountains with foggy mist was a cozy feeling as we sat in our sleeper compartment sipping champagne and eating chocolate!
Dinner was served in the dining car. Tom ordered the bison meatloaf with a barbecue/chipotle sauce, and I ordered the salmon with an asparagus sauce and rice pilaf; the salmon was a bit dry. Tom's sides were mixed veggies and mashed potatoes. Our dessert choices were crème brulee cheesecake, key lime crumb cake, a chocolate choice, ice cream, or sorbet.
We sat across from a lady who had been in Seattle for a conference and was returning to her home in Wenatchee, and a man who was headed to the east coast.
Once we returned to our sleeper, Room C in car 0831, Chris, our attendant made the beds. I took the top bunk, which had a very firm mattress and almost immediately fell into a wonderful sleep with the motion of the train. Tom, even though not considered tall, said the bottom bunk wasn't quite long enough, and he had a fitful sleep.
Saturday Tom awakened early and was sitting on his bed watching the scenery. After I awoke, he took a shower in our teeny bathroom. MrFSS had suggested we shower in a larger shower on the lower level of our car, but we foolishly didn't heed his advice! I took a "sponge bath" using the teeny sink.
Our breakfast choice was eggs, sausage, raisin toast, and breakfast potatoes. The coffee was really tasty, and we had a choice of juices. How nice that the price of meals is included in the price of our sleeper-car tickets.
While we were eating, we stopped in Whitefish, MT, an area I would love to return to. Gorgeous lake, lush greenery, mountains, and a rainbow for a bonus.
After breakfast we went to the SSL, enjoying the domed roof and the commentary of the three volunteers in the Rails to Trails program as they pointed out highlights of what we were passing. Glacier National Park was a thrill, as it was the first time for me in that area of the country.
We had an interesting conversation with a young man who was returning from Texas to the oil fields of North Dakota where he was employed.
Returning to our sleeper car, we bided our time reading and looking out the windows as we traveled through the very long stretch, leaving the Rockies behind us.
Lunch: the EB Combo--salad, steak/ale/potato chowder, and a roll. Of course, we were again tempted with the dessert choices. Eating like this and then sitting most of the day will certainly result in "more of us!"
Not remembering clearly all the people who shared the table with us, this couple I will remember. Carol and Tom from southern Oregon were traveling to the east coast to visit children, and they were also retired; we had much in common.
For dinner we chose the steak option. Mine was tasty and somewhat tender. Tom's arrived cold and had to be reheated as did one of our table companion's chicken. Tom's steak also had a vein of gristle, so he wasn't too pleased with his meal.
Barbara, a secretary in an accounting firm in a small town in Montana, and close to retirement age but loving her job, and a young college student from Montana majoring in radiology were delightful table companions.
Another night on the bunks! Neither of us slept soundly this night. Seemed every squeak, rattle, and noises of unknown origin were louder, but the train whistle was a soothing sound.
Sunday After the usual breakfast, we enjoyed the scenery through MN and into WI. What a contrast from MT and ND, but we marveled at our country's diverse topography.
A quick lunch and then we arrived at our destination of Portage, WI. We were 1/2 hour later than scheduled, and I in particular wasn't ready to leave the train but hopefully there will be more train travel in my future.
