You know now that driving distances has been limited to me for at least a year, I have to find a way to get away from time to time. When my Grand Niece was getting married in September of 2011 I had to make arrangements to get to Oregon for the ceremony. What else, call and see how I could get to Redmond, Oregon on the Train. The arrangements were simple. Call AmTrac and talk to an agent about the best price and time as well as station to leave from.
Paso Robles has a Train Station, so I picked that. They only leave once a day, and that would be in the afternoon. No problem. I then had to find out what would be my best price. Realizing that I would be on the Train over night, I opted for a Roomette. This would give me a nice bed for the night and of course included all my meals, plus I was close to the rest rooms and showers. In case I wanted to take one that is. Which I did not.
They do furnish the towels and so that is great - if you were interested.
When I left would make a difference in what price I had to pay. I did not care when I left, so I worked it out with the Agent as to what day I would book, gave them my Credit Card, and was set. Now to get ready!
I found getting to the Station on the day picked, I had a number of options. My Visiting Teacher was happy to drop me off, so that was taken care of. I had some things to take up with me, so I was quick to fashion my suitcases into a piggy back pair that one set of wheels would move along very successfully. It took me a couple trips to places to get bolts long enough with washers and nuts to fasten them to the 'pegs' or feet on the cases. Now placing them so that the wheel ends were opposite, I could use the straps at the top of each suitcase to wrap around the bolts and secure them together so that they would not slip arround. Of course to see they really were secure, I went to WalMart and bought a luggage strap that was long enough to go around the two cases, and then they were really secure. Neither of them had all that much in them, but I had
left a few things when I was at my Brothers place earlier in the year, so I needed room to bring that back. Worked both ways, and I felt pretty proud of myself to be able to work this out. A chip off the old block - my Dad could have done better, I am sure, but with what I had learned from him, I was able to manage pretty darn good, even if I do say so myself!
Because we left at about 3:30 in the afternoon, I could enjoy the scenery going that I would not see returning because we left Chamult, Oregon at night on the return trip. While I arrived at around 9 am on my way up. Really makes it nice. Oregon is pretty much a change of scenery quickly after you leave California because of all the Trees. Of course you have all the open country as well. With the changes it is exciting to have them tell you over the inter-com what will be coming up along the side of the Train and giving you time to look for it, whether on your side or the side across the isle. I think the one thing I remember best was the Root Beer Falls, I can't remember whether they came up before or after Klamath Falls, Oregon. They said the color of the water was due to Chemicals in the water. They did look like Root Beer. Once or twice, of course they had some fun things they announced. Didn't take me long to figure out they had a great sence of humor. The Steward from the Dining Car came through making reservations for the various meals. I didn't have to bother when he came by, as my Room Steward came to take my order when I was ready and brought my meals to me. It was nice. There is one set of menus going and one set coming back. That way you have a great choice, just in case you have to repeat because of the time you are on the Train. They have a Parlor Car which has a different Menu and you are welcome to eat there if you are in a Sleeper Car, but I was not able to walk to get to it, due to the movement of the Train. Then of course they had a Snack Bar that was open most of the day and evening hours. They were constantly announcing the 'goodies' that were available. There is no smoking on any Train, so they would remind the passangers when they were coming to a smoking stop so those interested could get off and grab a "couple of puffs". There were some of these stops that they could only exit from one specific car, so there was a scrample at times to get to where they could make their way to be able to accomodate their habit.
The first time I went on the Train, the Stop, and that is all it is in Chamult was pretty bad. It had snowed, there was a wooden deck with a ramp that went to the parking lot where the Bus picked me up for the 2 hour drive into Redmond. Back then, we had to be picked up in Bend, but now they have the Bus that goes all the way into the Redmond Airport. Well getting off that first time was pretty hazardous, but now they have reworked the Stop and there is a nice Cemented Area with Benches and a Roof. As we have to get on at around 8 o'clock a night, it is nice to have it so well lite
and a great ramp as well as stairs to get down to the Parking Area or up to the Train. Usually there is time for a Snack Stop before we board the Train, but on this return trip, we were held up by a road working crew that ate up time, so we barely had time to get up from the Parking Lot to catch our Train. I was surprised the same Bus Driver that took me up to Redmond was the same one who picked me up for my return trip. I guess he appreciated the fact I was the only one to tip him on the first trip and to repeat it on the way back that he took my luggage all the way to the top for me, I guess because we were late, and he remembered I didn't move all that fast. Certainly was a blessing for me. The Conductor who got off
the Train when they stopped jumped off called my name and told me to get on he would take care of my luggage. The Room Steward was there to give me a hand getting on, so I made it in good time, and didn't hold things up. The stop in Chamult is pretty short, so they don't let anyone get off. They usually have to move the train for admitting the Sleeper Car passengers and then stop again for those who are in the Chair Cars.
When I got on, my bed was made up and I was able to get myself ready for bed, and comfortable for the return trip. It was fun because when I left to go up a couple from England got on a few stops after I had and we had a nice visit. When I returned the Roomette across from me was another couple from England who were ending their trip by visiting their Son in San Francisco. They were pleasant and we had a nice chat before we all said Good-night and turned out our lights. They got off shortly after breakfast the next morning. I of course didn't leave the Train until after I had lunch. I wouldn't advise you order the Vegi-burger. It was lovely except when they made it, they included too much hot spice, I could only eat half of it. I had a glass of milk, so I managed, but it is a shame that so much of the food anymore is seasoned with so much hot spices that it makes it miserable for me. If I know, I avoid it, but who would have guessed a Vegi-burger would be spiced HOT?
Well after a lovely 18 day visit with Ronald and his family, I rolled back into Paso Robles and found things here at home not changed very much. The rain they were expecting in Redmond, Oregon on Monday finally made its way down to Paso by Thursday and Friday. It was a nice rain and I did believe it was the begining of Fall, but that lastest but a short time when we were told a heat spell was coming this next week, so we have to leave the bathing suits out and the snow caps and umbrellas will still have to stay in the closet. Purhaps there will not be any frost on the pumpkins for Halloween this year? With or without it we are breezing into the Holiday Season pretty quickly. Will have to decide what I will be doing this year - all by myself. Haven't ever done this before. May prove a great experience. What ever - I just wanted to share this fun time and tell you that traveling on the Train is great, and I will certainly look forward to doing it again when the opportunity arises.
Written this 8th day of October 2011
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
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