Portland and Seattle, March 2026
 Page 1: Tuesday, 3/10/2026: Before the trip, we ate at the Centraal Grand Cafe & Tappery in Milwaukee, which featured a train theme. |
 Page 2: Monique, Kevin & Amy at the Centraal |
 Page 3: Map of the route taken by the Empire Builder. We boarded in Milwaukee and deboarded in Portland. The next day we reboarded Amtrak from Portland to Seattle (orange arrow). (image from the internet) |
 Page 4: The Empire Builder (image from the internet) |
 Page 5: At the Intermodal Station in Milwaukee, above the ticket agent is this mural of an Amtrak train. We left Milwaukee at 4:45 pm. |
 Page 6: Amy sitting in our sleeper room. The top folds down into a bunk bed & the bottom slides out into a wider frame for a bed. |
 Page 7: Our bedroom after the bunk and lower unit have been prepared for sleep. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 8: Amy on top and Kevin on the bottom. This is our sleeping arrangement. The mirror is situated in our tiny sink. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 9: Amy ready for breakfast (photo by Amy) |
 Page 10: Wednesday, 3/11/2026: Amy in the observation car. Notice the wrap-around windows. We woke up early to see the sunrise. |
 Page 11: Amy with the sunrise behind her, directly to the east as we traveled west. |
 Page 12: Amy & Kevin (photo by Amy) |
 Page 13: The sunrise: we were not disappointed. |
 Page 14: The sun peaking above the horizon |
 Page 15: Amy at Minot, ND. She got out to take an Uber ride into town with a friend. I stayed on the train. The stopover was about 90 minutes. |
 Page 16: Love You written in the snow |
 Page 17: Looking toward the front of the train. The dining car and observation car are taller. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 18: Looking toward the rear. Our car is the last one. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 19: The train terminal in Minot, SD. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 20: Looking to the right (photo by Amy) |
 Page 21: On the wall is the modern train on top and the steam engine on the bottom. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 22: Kevin & Ahmed. I met Ahmed on the train. He is a mathematician in his undergraduate program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a foreign student from Dubai. He was fascinating with whom to talk. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 23: There were some hills in South Dakota |
 Page 24: Mountains: the window from the train gives a yellow tint. |
 Page 25: Impressive mountain range (photo by Amy) |
 Page 26: The back of the train during mid day. |
 Page 27: Now we hit the plains |
 Page 28: There are some small rivers |
 Page 29: “Look Amy, nothing!” |
 Page 30: Our fist glimpse of the Rocky Mountains |
 Page 31: Amy in the observation car |
 Page 32: More rolling hills |
 Page 33: Suddenly the temperature drops & there is snow on the ground with black cows in the distance. |
 Page 34: The now deepens |
 Page 35: We have conifers |
 Page 36: Thursday, 3/12/2026: We rode through the Rocky Mountains in pitch darkness. When we woke up, the sky was overcast & we noticed the Columbia River. |
 Page 37: Lewis & Clark rode this river in the spring of 1807 |
 Page 38: I noticed that the railroad tracks here were made of wood. |
 Page 39: Further down the line I notice that the railroad ties are made of concrete. |
 Page 40: More mountains. |
 Page 41: Wind turbines in the distance |
 Page 42: In the 1800s a turbine or generator was called a dynamo |
 Page 43: There is green grass growing on the hillside |
 Page 44: Mountains |
 Page 45: The sun rising over the east (photo by Amy) |
 Page 46: Finally, the sun breaks through the morning sky in the east |
 Page 47: Artistic view of the island in the middle of the lake (photo by Amy) |
 Page 48: One of the many dams on the Columbia River |
 Page 49: We noticed these yellow train cars designed specifically to carry planks of wood |
 Page 50: We headed into some rain, which would not stop for about 12 hours |
 Page 51: We cross the river & spotted a laker-sized vessel filling up |
 Page 52: A tall bridge over the Columbia River near Portland, OR |
 Page 53: Finally, we arrive in Portland at 11:17 am, after 46 hours on the train. |
 Page 54: Amy: Union Station in Portland is wonderful |
 Page 55: Union Station from outside |
 Page 56: We stopped in a small diner on a corner in Broadway called John’s Cafe. This is Jim (her son) & Christine in their younger years. |
 Page 57: John’s Cafe back in the day! To read their story, click here. |
 Page 58: The lobby of the Kimpton Vintage Hotel (photo by Amy) |
 Page 59: This is the view looking down from the hallway to the lobby. |
 Page 60: This is looking up from the lobby |
 Page 61: Kevin in the lobby (photo by Amy) |
 Page 62: We stayed at the Kimpton Vintage Hotel, which was a luxury hotel. We had a corner room on the 6th floor. |
 Page 63: This is our room from the opposite corner looking inward |
 Page 64: Portland: a canvas hanging in our room |
 Page 65: Map of Oregon |
 Page 66: This is looking down SW Broadway St |
 Page 67: Looking perpendicular down SW Washington St |
 Page 68: The entrance to Ruth’s Chris Steak House. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 69: My cousin, Lauren, suggested that we have dinner at the Ruth’s Chris Steak House. |
 Page 70: After dinner, we went into Nordstrom Department Store. This is the escalator. |
 Page 71: This is a view of one of the squares in the downtown area. |
 Page 72: A building all decorated (photo by Amy) |
 Page 73: The street reflected the light in the rain |
 Page 74: One of the trees decorated for the winter |
 Page 75: Amy admiring the lights |
 Page 76: There is a light rail system |
 Page 77: Amy on our way to breakfast (photo by Amy) |
 Page 78: Looking out from our hotel room down SW Washington St during the night. |
 Page 79: Friday, 3/13/2026: A mural in a parking lot. |
 Page 80: Moss on the trees |
 Page 81: Amy: we arrive on foot again at Union Station. |
 Page 82: Union Station in the early 20th century |
 Page 83: Union Station in the past |
 Page 84: Union Station today. Amy is boarding the train to Seattle, WA. Our train departs at 10:40 am. |
 Page 85: We cross the Columbia river |
 Page 86: One of the many water falls. Our train stopped in Kelso, WA & never made it to Seattle. There was a mud slide that forced us off the train. We took an Uber into Seattle. |
 Page 87: Train terminal in Kelso. People are frantically trying to arrange alternate travel plans. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 88: The announcement from Amtrak that a mudslide prevented us from arriving in Seattle. They gave us only 2 minutes to deboard the train. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 89: Map that depicts the location of Kelso. |
 Page 90: While waiting in Kelso, Amy spotted this little girl waiting pensively. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 91: Amy & Marie at their house in Issaquah, WA. We had about three inches of snow. |
 Page 92: Kokopelli in the window |
 Page 93: Saturday, 3/14/2026: The 140 foot tall trees in Marie’s back yard. |
 Page 94: Joe in the back yard |
 Page 95: Marie & Amy clearing the car of snow |
 Page 96: Amy at the regatta. This is the size of the 8-crew canoes. |
 Page 97: Amy, Casey & Marie just before the race. |
 Page 98: Amy & Margo (photo by Amy) |
 Page 99: Margo, Sidney, Samantha, Amy & Marie, trying to keep warm in the sleet. |
 Page 100: This is Green Lake in Seattle. |
 Page 101: The regatta is underway. I stood under a large tree, trying to stay out of the rain. |
 Page 102: The view to the right |
 Page 103: One lonely sole on the deck after all the boats leave the dock to venture to the other side of Green Lake. |
 Page 104: This is after the finish line. Somewhere in one of those boats is Casey. They finished second. |
 Page 105: We head back to Issaquah. This is a view of Lake Union. |
 Page 106: A view of downtown Seattle, with the Space Needle visible on the right. |
 Page 107: One of the tall buildings. |
 Page 108: Marie & Amy at Jakob Two Trees. |
 Page 109: Marie & Amy in detail |
 Page 110: Jakob among the tall trees. |
 Page 111: Vines growing on the trees |
 Page 112: Marie & Amy up close |
 Page 113: Kevin & Marie (photo by Amy) |
 Page 114: Amy & Marie (photo by Amy) |
 Page 115: Marie setting the dinner table (photo by Amy) |
 Page 116: Joe, we estimate that this table cloth was made when Monique was a baby, perhaps in 1994. |
 Page 117: Marie |
 Page 118: Kevin |
 Page 119: Amy |
 Page 120: Andre |
 Page 121: Monique: given Monique’s age we infer that someone made this for her! |
 Page 122: Sidney & Samantha (photo by Amy) |
 Page 123: Bleu, Sandy, Marie, Amy, Michelle, Casey & Margo |
 Page 124: Asher, Arlo, Sidney, Samantha, Joe & Joel |
 Page 125: Michelle, Casey, Margo, Kevin, Jeffrey, Asher, Arlo, Sidney, Samantha, Joe, Joel, Bleu, Sandy & Marie |
 Page 126: Amy enjoying her birthday cake |
 Page 127: Sandy, Samantha, Joel, Sidney, Amy & Asher |
 Page 128: Sidney, Samantha & Casey (photo by Amy) |
 Page 129: Sunday, 3/15/2026: This painting is hanging on the wall near the back entrance. Sara is a redhead, along with Amy & only a couple others in the family. |
 Page 130: Marie & Joe many years ago (photo by Amy) |
 Page 131: Nearby is this photo of the family: Joe, Sandy, Marie, Sara, Jerel & Joel. |
 Page 132: Joe & Kevin. About two years ago, Marie had the cabinet installed which is behind me. (photo by Amy) |
 Page 133: Kevin enjoying his coffee in the morning (photo by Amy) |
 Page 134: Joe is outside getting ready the white pickup truck. |
 Page 135: Amy in front with the white truck |
 Page 136: This is hanging on the front door. In two days it will be St Patrick’s Day. |
 Page 137: Our route from Issaquah to Sacheen Lake. (image created on Mapquest) |
 Page 138: As we drive west we spot the fresh powder in the mountains. |
 Page 139: We are heading to Snoqualmie Pass |
 Page 140: The mountains are getting taller |
 Page 141: And taller |
 Page 142: We are getting closer to the ski slopes |
 Page 143: This is a face of rock outcrop |
 Page 144: All the trees are powdered. When I was a child, I did not think that these trees existed! |
 Page 145: In the foreground you can see how the plow carved a path for the thruway. |
 Page 146: Again, deep snow in the foreground, a reservoir & mountains in the distance. |
 Page 147: Mind-altering Mountains |
 Page 148: After a while, on the other side of the mountain pass, there is dessert & few trees. |
 Page 149: We stopped for lunch at Paradise Bar & Grill, right on the water (photo by Amy) |
 Page 150: Kevin & Joe (photo by Amy) |
 Page 151: Joe pulled the truck up a lookout so that we can overlook the Columbia River. |
 Page 152: Over us was this sculpture of horse called the Wild Horse Monument |
 Page 153: In the distance you could see snow. |
 Page 154: Marie |
 Page 155: Sacheen Lake, a relief map hanging on the wall. Our location is indicated by the red arrow. |
 Page 156: Amy: we arrive finally at Sacheen, WA. |
 Page 157: The sign on the Frauenheim cottage |
 Page 158: Marie & Amy are knocking ice sickles off the roof |
 Page 159: Amy on the deck, full of snow |
 Page 160: Joe inside opening up the cottage |
 Page 161: Our guest bedroom: it is a lot nicer than the one on the train! |
 Page 162: On our bed is a welcome sign |
 Page 163: This is the view looking down from the deck |
 Page 164: The view from the dock |
 Page 165: Marie (photo by Amy) |
 Page 166: Marie (photo by Amy) |
 Page 167: Joe (photo by Amy) |
 Page 168: Monday, 3/16/2026: The view from the window of the main room |
 Page 169: Amy on the first level where she discovers a swing |
 Page 170: Joe preparing coffee in the main room |
 Page 171: Marie in the kitchen-main room (photo by Amy) |
 Page 172: Marie displays her new book (photo by Amy) |
 Page 173: The view to the left |
 Page 174: The view from the far left |
 Page 175: The view looking back at the cottage |
 Page 176: A wide view to encompass the neighbors |
 Page 177: The view from the left |
 Page 178: The view from the middle |
 Page 179: The view from the right |
 Page 180: The view of the mountain in the distance |
 Page 181: Tuesday, 3/17,2026: We wake up to this view of the mountain. |
 Page 182: The mountain in detail |
 Page 183: We started working on this puzzle of various mushroom. We told Joe & Marie they will have to finish it. |
 Page 184: As we drive to the airport, I can see downtown Spokane, WA. |
 Page 185: Our plane lifts off at 1:30 pm, about an hour behind schedule. As we break through the clouds I can see snow down below in the mountains. |
 Page 186: Soon we level off & all I see are clouds & the horizon. |
 Page 187: We arrive in Chicago around 6:45 pm. Our connecting flight was delayed about 2 hours with a gate change. We depart around 9:30 pm and arrive in Milwaukee an hour later. |
 Page 188: Links on the internet. |