A long train ride!

Everything went to plan,yellow cab arrived on time and I had time to spare at Amtrak. Never did meet Hande my apartment owner. Rather defeated the object of my renting, the point being I would have some company. Was a bit nervous being there in the evening. But...was a lovely flat with a balcony overlooking Elliot Bay.

So...made the guy at the ticket desk laugh when I asked him how I would get my bags when I got to Portland. It was weighed and whisked away. You pick it up at the baggage it's like the airport. Well there was me thinking I would have to run and grab it out of the last carriage before the train zoomed on its way to LA!  Actually it didn't zoom anywhere, it as quite slow and we were 1 1/2 hours late starting (no pressure so the loos wouldn't flush) so I was on the train for 6 hours.  I was on the top deck and the seats are very comfortable with excess leg room even for me. Although it was very,very comfortable I felt quite claustrophobic. However, after I had got my caffeine fix I went to the observatory and sat there for the whole journey.

There were two men who were volunteers on the Starlight. They belonged to parks/amtrak trail corp or something like that. I did write it all down on the way but somehow deleted it all.  Between them they talked for 4 1/2 hours and explained everything that we were passing, they were a bit like Laurel and Hardy.. But what dedication. When we got to Portland they got off and went straight back to Seattle!

It was a very pretty journey and I sat with Kirsten a 75 year old from Florida (we found we had quilting in common and she had been staying on the same street as me and knew of a fabulous quilting shop! )and a young Chinese girl from New York.  

I had been talking to a lady who was going to travel to LA (28 hours) and she was loaded down with water, 2 one gallon containers and loads of bottles!  She said she drank at least a gallon every day and was expecting to get thirsty.  I did see her again on the train...waiting for the toilet! lol 

Got a cab from the station and he didn't quite know where he was going and drove all over. When I complained he said he hadn't understood what I said. So he knocked a dollar off!

Went to Hertz to book a rental car this morning and they said they probably wouldn't have any. Came back to the hotel and lovely David on the desk sorted it all out for me. Told me to go out and have a good day and he would sort it. Sure enough got one for me but not round the corner, but downtown and Hertz will pay $10 towards the cab. Only trouble is I now have to drive from downtown.

I decided that because I only had one whole day in Portland I wouldn't rush around on the hop on hop off  -it was too hot 80+ so I would go to the Japanese and rose garden at Washington park. This was over the other side of the city but the train took me right there. I was expecting it to be just a garden but it's a huge park with houses and normal roads through it. A free bus to the gardens but she forgot to let us off ( 3 of us) so we had to walk up yet another hill (I may have shapely legs after this trip!) so many paths and trees I had to ask some people where the gardens were and got invited to share their picnic with them. I declined but they had their's on the steps of the amphitheatre.

the rose garden was huge and beautiful.

The rose garden 

He gets everywhere!

I love roses but the Japanese garden was amazing, so well thought out.5.5 acres and divided into 5 gardens. Influenced by Shinto,Buddist and Taoist philosophies.

The poetry stone.    Here miles from Japan I stand as if warmed by the spring sunshine of home.

This is a sea of raked sand the two islands depict a sake cup and gourd shaped bottle signifying pleasure and a wish for visitor' s happiness.

Part of the Strolling pond Garden  which has the moon bridge and tortoise and crane stones common signs for longevity.

Lots of koi of course but he was a favourite.

The zig - zag bridge (yatsuhashi) where the koi are.

All the way down on the train the two volunteers took great pleasure in talking about Mount Ranier (a volcano) and how evacuation plans are set up because it's time for it to blow! We just couldn't get a good view of it  but as I sat on a seat in the shade in the gardens I looked up and there it was! I had no idea it would be visible. It's 54 miles south of a Seattle so a long way from Portland.

This little fellow ran right in front of me and he was so small I couldn't believe I had seen him.

A wall dedicated to the holocaust and...a sculpture leading down the path...quite moving.

I spent 3 hours here and then hopped on a bus and train to get to Pioneer Sq, centre downtown where the Oregon ballet were giving a display so grabbed a Starbucks and sat watching them.

Suddenly remembered being told there was a free concert in the park near the hotel so hopped on a bus and then remembered my Voodoo maple and bacon doughnut, so quickly consulted map and jumped off in the area and then had to ask where it was.  Walked past lots of down and outs which freaked me a bit but found it and queued for 30 mins in the sun!

Portland is famous for these doughnuts, the shop is open for 24 hours a day.

And this is it.. Maple and bacon I haven't tried it yet!

So a short time in Portland but I feel I have really had a taste of it. Like it very much. A very clean city of many bridges across the Willamette river.