The day started off with some cloud but the sun came through and it was another warm day. I completed my final packing and made my farewells to Mandy and Serenity, they seemed a bit sad! Jim and Cheryl took me to the Amtrak station in Tacoma and my large bag was checked through to East Glacier.
The train was a wee bit late and then it was time to say farewell to Cheryl and Jim and thank them, for such a wonderful time. It is great to visit people but also sad to say, hopefully, "Au Revoir"! The train made good time to Seattle and we arrived about 11.45 am. I checked one of my bags in so just had my back pack to contend with.
I went out of the station and made my way to the nearest Starbucks. I nursed a coffee for a couple of hours and then purchased another one to drink as I walked back to the station. I still had time to kill so I went for a walk 'round the block' with the station in the middle of it!! I had to take a couple of photos of course!
Finally, the train pulled in and we were soon boarding. We managed to leave on time so we will see what time we arrive in East Glacier, lol!
I had the steak tonight, it was not too bad. I just wish Amtrak would have a couple of different menus that they rotate, if you do quite a bit of travelling on the train, the menu does get a bit boring, Lol!
We travelled through forest and mountains on the way to Leavenworth, it was very pretty. There were a couple of tunnels and one of them was eight miles long, it is the Cascadian and is the longest in the USA. The valley that Leavenworth is part of is a huge fruit growing area, in particular pears and also apples and cherries, we passed thousands of trees laden with fruit. This area gets very little rain so a lot of irrigation is used.
We followed a tributary of the the Columbia River winding through valleys and passing some beautiful scenery as well as some small towns. The tributary joined the Columbia before our next stop, Wenatchee, I popped out to take a photo and felt this strange stuff on my head, it was rain, LOL!! My watch needed to go forward one hour before I went to bed as East Glacier is on MT.
Monday
I had a sleepless night so decided that I might as well get dressed and be in the 6.30 breakfast group. I cannot remember the last time that I was up at dawn, pre sunrise, LOL!!
As the day lightened there was evidence of the fires as it was extremely hazy and at times the mountains could not be seen at all.
The smoke haze is still with us and I guess it will be all the way to East Glacier.

As an aside, have you ever sat at a table beside someone who eats with their elbows out so much that they are taking two thirds of the space?

I had that experience at breakfast, it was the Trails and Rails Ranger, one of those who provide a narrative in the lounge car. He totally ignored me and spoke to the two people across from us, not a pleasant experience!! He seems to be more of a talker than a listener, LOL!!
The next stop was West Glacier, it is 56 miles west of East Glacier, so it took over an hour and a half to reach my destination. The train followed alongside the river for many miles before climbing and leaving the river below us. The country is very beautiful around here.
We arrived at East Glacier about ten to fifteen minutes late which is nothing in the scheme of things. I was met by the motel handy guy, a young Lithuanian, LOL! The motel is very budget, there is not even any way to heat up water for a cup of tea or coffee, I was very disappointed as that is fairly basic supply with most places. When I booked, this was the only place available!! It really is no more than a room, LOL!
Of course there is no fridge but I have been able to put all my stuff in the office fridge, phew! The first room I was given was at the back so no Internet but there was another room vacant and a lot closer to the router. The best place is to go by the office, sit there and use the WiFi, this is where worked on the blog.
It is not the Motel's fault, the DSL speed is slow to begin with, welcome to really rural America, LOL!! The owner lives in Florida but drives up here for the summer, all the motels are closed for the winter, LOL!
There is a store opposite that serves up a pretty decent Latte so all is not lost. There is a rrestaurant as well. About half a mile down the road is a Trading Post and at least I could get my sparkling water there. They also serve up quite a tasty ice cream, LOL!
The haze that followed us all the way is here as well but it is only because the wind has changed direction, this is the first day with the haze. A local told me that they think the fires might well burn right through until winter. Just think of the number of trees that will be burned on that time!
The motel rents out Bear Spray, I did not believe what I was seeing until someone explained that they are a canister in a holster!! There is a lot of wildlife around here, Moose and Deer in addition to Bears.
The trip I booked for Thursday is still a go, they are taking a different route but it may be even better. Part of the road is closed to give fire fighters complete access to the fire. tomorrow, I am going on a two hour horse trek, I just hope I can still walk afterwards, LOL!! I have ridden before but it is a few years ago now. They go through some pretty awesome scenery I have been told so it should be worth it.
The weather was very warm all day and, as the cloud moved away got even warmer. It dd cool down in the evening and I sat outside until 9 pm, I needed an early night, LOL!
The next stop was West Glacier, it is 56 miles west of East Glacier, so it took over an hour and a half to reach my destination. The train followed alongside the river for many miles before climbing and leaving the river below us. The country is very beautiful around here.
We arrived at East Glacier about ten to fifteen minutes late which is nothing in the scheme of things. I was met by the motel handy guy, a young Lithuanian, LOL! The motel is very budget, there is not even any way to heat up water for a cup of tea or coffee, I was very disappointed as that is fairly basic supply with most places. When I booked, this was the only place available!! It really is no more than a room, LOL!
Of course there is no fridge but I have been able to put all my stuff in the office fridge, phew! The first room I was given was at the back so no Internet but there was another room vacant and a lot closer to the router. The best place is to go by the office, sit there and use the WiFi, this is where worked on the blog.
It is not the Motel's fault, the DSL speed is slow to begin with, welcome to really rural America, LOL!! The owner lives in Florida but drives up here for the summer, all the motels are closed for the winter, LOL!
There is a store opposite that serves up a pretty decent Latte so all is not lost. There is a rrestaurant as well. About half a mile down the road is a Trading Post and at least I could get my sparkling water there. They also serve up quite a tasty ice cream, LOL!
The haze that followed us all the way is here as well but it is only because the wind has changed direction, this is the first day with the haze. A local told me that they think the fires might well burn right through until winter. Just think of the number of trees that will be burned on that time!
The motel rents out Bear Spray, I did not believe what I was seeing until someone explained that they are a canister in a holster!! There is a lot of wildlife around here, Moose and Deer in addition to Bears.
The trip I booked for Thursday is still a go, they are taking a different route but it may be even better. Part of the road is closed to give fire fighters complete access to the fire. tomorrow, I am going on a two hour horse trek, I just hope I can still walk afterwards, LOL!! I have ridden before but it is a few years ago now. They go through some pretty awesome scenery I have been told so it should be worth it.
The weather was very warm all day and, as the cloud moved away got even warmer. It dd cool down in the evening and I sat outside until 9 pm, I needed an early night, LOL!
GORGEOUS pictures. LOVE the sunrise ones!! (Something I NEVER see LOL) thanks for sharing all the pictures!!!
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