Taking the train to West Coast
Q. Thank you for writing such an interesting column about travel. I read it every issue.
My husband and I are retired and in our middle 60s. We are going to a family wedding in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 4. We flew a lot while working. We are looking for a train trip that would show us some of the wonderful country between Kankakee and Portland and return by train or maybe bus. Time is not a problem.
Would you give us some general advice on whether to do train/bus travel? Any hints on when/whom to call would be appreciated. Neither of us has been out West yet so we are really excited about the wedding invitation and location.
I will be watching and reading. Thank you in advance,
A. So you want to travel by train? Wonderful idea!
Amtrak's Empire Builder would take you from Chicago to Portland in about 46 hours, during which you will spend two nights on the train and two days viewing the beauty of North Dakota, Montana and the Rocky Mountains, Idaho and Washington state. The trip would take you through magnificent scenery that you wouldn't ever see from the highway.
You can travel by coach pretty inexpensively, but I don't recommend it. On such a wonderful trip you don't want to be tired and grouchy, so arrange for one of several sleeper accommodations, which also include all meals, wake-up service with a newspaper, coffee and orange juice while you dress for breakfast. There's even a bedtime sweet on your pillow. There are showers on the lower level.
Suitcases customarily are stored on the lower level, so pack a small bag or two to take to whatever accommodations you decide on. Your choices are: reserved seats, least expensive; or an upgrade, a roomette or a compartment.
Although there is only one train from Chicago directly to Portland, there are other ways to get there. For example, the California Zephyr follows the central route from Chicago to Emeryville (just outside San Francisco), via Aspen and Glenwood Canyon. Or you could take the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles through New Mexico and Arizona. From either of those California cities you can connect to Portland via the Coast Starlight, an overnight trip.
For complete information, contact Amtrak at www.amtrak.com or call (800) 872-7245. You also can work through a travel agent.
Traveling by bus would be quite another matter, but an interesting adventure to be sure. On such a long trip you might want to get off the bus and spend an extra day or two at one or more of the route's interesting stops.
Check with Greyhound at www.greyhound.com or call (800) 231-2222.
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MadelynMerwin in care of
Travel,Daily Herald, P.O.Box
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