Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep balanced you need to keep moving.

-Albert Einstein

Boarded the “Empire Builder” train in Portland, Oregon an hour and half late, after a delightful overnight visit with our friends Sheila and Steve. We talked and went on a delightful walk through the Oregon foliage and along the Columbia River.

Supposed 4:45 pm departure but train only arrived then and needed cleaning and fixing up, and it was 6:15 when we finally departed. But, with a “roomette” we have access to business, first class lounge and Steve and Sheila joined us and we continued our visit.

We chose Portland over Seattle for first part thinking we would have a couple hours daylight to view the Columbia gorge, a beautiful section of river. Alas, our late departure and consequential darkness moved us into our room to explore. I knew the room was tiny but this is tiny. I thought beds on boats were small, there because one does not want room to get thrown around. This room is about 1 meter by 2 meters, 3ft6 inches by 6 feet 6 inches. In that space are two comfortable chairs which can recline, a closet, a trash can, two bunks, a large picture window (only in front of lower bunk) 1 electrical outlet, a table,arm rests, cup holders, 2 bedside lights (both for lower bunk only) , 2 coat hangers, arm rests, and curtains for windows on both sides (outside view and train aisle). Not all the aforementioned items are usable at same time. There is a shared toilet down the hall, and an attendant to place the bunks into sleeping position, although we decided we could do that ourselves. Because the dinner car was not available until Spokane in the middle of the night our attendant brought us meals in our room. Not bad shrimp salad and chicken salad.

By 8:40 I was done and figured just go to bed. An hour and half later I sort of fell asleep. A comedy with much laughter as two people occupying the same space was difficult. I managed to get the upper bunk lowered into position and climbed in, realizing one can’t come even close to sitting up, so all clothes changing was done supine. More laughter and realization needed something out of my pack stored under the seat which was now reclined into a bed for Jeanne. Start over, climbing down, undo bed ,retrieve pack , retrieve whatever important item it was, replace bed, climb back up and start over.

Glad to have the webbing around my bed as a couple times thrown about. The bunk is just over shoulder width and actually rather comfortable once one situates, with rocking and generally gentle motion.

A somewhat fitful night but not unreasonable. Up at 6 am barely first light, but in the Kootenai River drainage and absolutely gorgeous just cruising alongside the river noting leaf colors seeming to just explode with color.

My niece lives a couple blocks from the railroad tracks and was going to come wave, but alas we are 3 1/2 hours late now and she had to go to work.

Talking with various people seems nearly all are on the train to experience the train. Fun to just talk and discover the stories of how and why they end up on this train. Several getting off and on taking a day to explore places, some using it as transportation, as not much else available.

Lunch and through the mountains now, out onto the plains and flatlands. New adventures