Thursday, May 29, 2008

dinner at the westin


walking down the sea wall on the way to dinner and it is still hot out. everything is crowded so we give the westin a visit. we dine on the patio by the stream with the harbour view surrounding us. the food is fantastic, the wine is great everyone is having a simply marvelous time. this is perfect!

kellen and georgia meet up finally


with 77 degree weather (and rain in santa barbara) lounging poolside at the pan is the only choice for this afternoon. while lorne visits his cronies, cathy, bruce and georgia come down for some swimming and sunshine...

the pan pacific


can you say chardonnay and seafood platter? what a view. the harbour, the cruise ships below. lorne's corner suite! i love the pan!
the patio with lorne, kellen and laura have lunch! this is how is should be.

right outside vancouver


crossing the muddy frasier river on the trestle bridges

across the border



white rock, british columbia.
the tide is way out and there are bald eagles everywhere. kellen cannot believe her eyes.

seattle 8pm friday night

we forgot to take pictures due to the shock of arriving early which never happens. we stayed at the historical best western and went across the street for a lovely martini, pizza and caesar salad dinner. watched the odd couple movie and set the alarm for 7.45. then back on the train and off to canada!

first class is more our style


the sleeper car looked HUGE online.
that is false advertising.
but we are pretty comfortable...

which door for the toilet?


there is no end of bathrooms in sight-

Finally we move up!


meeting up with lorne in san jose!

which car? which seat?


there are many more like us.

time for the sleeper car?


okay. it's nearly dark and we are not close to san jose.
good god. how long is this train ride going to take?

like a snake


how big is our train? hmmmm. let's see.

horses and trampolines


heading north over the san luis grade and beyond on the train is quite a different view than by car. coastside beaches then farm-like areas where everyone has a horse, a trampoline and most often, an RV in the driveway. not at all like santa barbara.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

lounging in the lounge car



snacks! wine! milk! trashy tween mags. trashy celeb zines.

Next Stop San Jose




leisurely heading north to san jose where we will join lorne george, laura's dad and kellen's "papa" somewhere around 9pm thursday evening. we are in coach, top of the car seated behind 2 festive ucsb students who are sneaking a beer and analyzing women. the landscape is beautiful and we are having a great time.

O Canada



the journey begins. santa barbara train station
may 22, 2008
kellen and laura are packed up and ready to board the amtrak to vancouver, british columbia