Los Angeles to Seattle - 27 February to 7 March 1999 (sleeper)
Los Angeles to Seattle - 27 February to 7 March 1999
Prologue and Itinerary
I had long wanted to take the train from Los Angeles to Seattle.
I knew from driving California Highway 1 many times that the train went
where mere cars couldn't. On one camping trip, we had walked in a
ways from the highway and pitched a tent at the beach right near a trestle
where the trains would pass us by. How wonderful to be on that train, I
remember thinking. So when I discovered travelogues
which described how much fun it is on the train, I decided to turn wishful
thought into reality. The Coast Starlight was the natural choice
because I was familiar with much of the route it takes, along scenery which
never becomes tiresome, and the area around Seattle is one of my
favorite destinations. My planned itinerary is:
2/27/99 - depart Los Angeles Union Station (LAX) 9:30AM aboard the
Coast Starlight (sleeper)
2/28/99 - arrive Seattle Kingston Street Station (SEA) 7:55PM and check
into Pioneer Square Hotel
3/03/99 - secure rental car and depart Seattle for Olympic Peninsula (sans
reservations but probably heading to Port Angeles or Port Townsend) with
at least one ferry ride for self and car
3/07/99 - return to Seattle and fly home to Los Angeles via TBD airline
9/3/98 - My level of anticipation reached such a height, that I've already
taken or booked
"practice" trips prior to The Grand Coast Starlight Odyssey. If things
keep up as they are going, this trip may end up being my second or third
aboard the Starlight! The historic rail town of Dunsmuir is beckoning me
to look it over during the Christmas to New Year's break. And maybe a jaunt
up to San Luis Obispo? So many destinations!
So little time!