The Rain on Trains is Mainly Better Than Plane Shame
Vancouver is too close to actually be plane shamed. Indeed we usually jump in the car and drive. But this time we decided to try the train, appropriate for some last-minute polishing of a manuscript about a slightly longer train trip.
It’s only 123 miles to our sister city to the north - closer than Portland, our other PNW triplet. Google maps says it’s a 3 hour drive. Amtrak says it’s 4.5 hours by train. So, why take the train? Here’s why. No need to hassle with traffic. No need to wait at the border. The delight of setting your mind free while watching the world go by. And yes, sleeping a bit better because of the whole carbon footprint thing.
Entrance to Amtrak’s King Street Station in Seattle. Love the compass!
Here we go! Click to enlarge.
Food truck
It started early in the morning with an Uber ride down to King Street Station, a beautiful old building on the edge of Pioneer Square with an iconic clock tower. Despite the beautiful and large station interior, the only place to get an espresso was actually outside at the food truck. Welcome to the 21st Century.
Most of the route was right along the water, with vistas out to the islands of the Puget Sound. Be sure to sit on the left side, for the trip up from Seattle!
The dining car is an excellent place to enjoy the view out both sides of the train car while enjoying snacks from the attached Bistro car. Don’t expect anything more than what the airlines offer. Better yet, BYOF (F for food and for friend). Still it’s a great place to sit. Customs check happened on board the train, which was delightful and easy. Before we knew it, we had crossed into Canada and could see Vancouver in the distance.
Vancouver beckons from White Center.
A Home for the Holiday
Sylvia Hotel, ivy and all.
The Sylvia is a classic. Set right on English Bay and cloaked in ivy, it’s just footsteps from the seawall walk (or bike! or jog!) around Stanley Park, and right at the intersection of two shopping and dining streets. As this was a writing holiday, we spent most of the time indoors. But we did get outside a few times to stretch the legs, and of course to refuel. Plus we walked a few minutes over to the Vancouver Aquatic Center and caught a tiny little rub-a-dub dingy ferry over to Granville Island market.
A Walk Around Stanley Park
It rained most of the time but who cares when you’re on vacation?
Food Porn
I hate the use of that word because there is still something beautiful, if not arguably mundane, about memorializing a well prepared dish. I think of it as an homage to the chef. There. Not food porn.
Guests, like fish…
“…start to smell after three days.” That also applies to visiting a new place. Three days is plenty of time to either fall in love with a place, or announce you’ll never come back. We’re coming back.
