I walked into Portland’s Union Station last week with a pocketful of adventure. Folded in my left hand: a train ticket to Seattle; tucked in my duffel bag: a plane ticket to Chicago. It was 8am on a weekday, and the generous glisten of travel sweat was quickly separating me from the casual commuters. I frantically wiped away the evidence and hopped on the northbound track of the Amtrak Cascades. The train was napping after a busy morning in southern Oregon, and my fellow Portland passengers were tip-toeing into their respective seats like the fearful parents of a colicky child. But with speeds up to 79mph, the train better resembled a wiry adolescent as it barreled its way into Washington State.
It had been over a decade since my last train ride between Stumptown and the Emerald City. In that time, Amtrak has clearly recognized that the journey is equally important as the destination. The views of the Pacific Northwest remain as breathtaking as ever, and Amtrak has done its darndest to provide a worthy frame for the scenery. Their website boasts a naturally toned interior (“distinctive evergreen and cappuccino hues on a cream background”) which is designed to compliment the greens and blues that gallop alongside the panoramic windows. And, truth be told, it was all I could do not to slide my palm against the window of what felt like a giant touch-screen wonder. Amtrak’s European-style sleekness makes traveling feel better than the iPad you’ll never own (but, if you do own one, feel free to connect via the free wireless).
Plus, thanks to a recent technological upgrade, the twelve car locomotive uses gravity to tilt through curves in order to maintain speed – a special feature that shortens travel between Portland and Seattle by twenty-five minutes. The 3.5 hour ride boasts “a low-emission production” with “an aerodynamic body style for low drag.” Better yet, you don’t need to sit in first class to benefit from specially designed cabs that insulate passengers from the less-than-romantic clanks, clunks, and undetermined vibrations that could otherwise distract from the more desirable vintage feel that makes a train ride so attractive. With approximately 250 seats and space for mobility-impaired passengers (Mariners and Seahawks fans not included), the Amtrak Cascades is a cheap and safe alternative to plane rides or Craigslist ride-shares. Tack on another two hours and make the trip international with a final destination of Vancouver BC.
Last week’s trip took me from Portland to Tukwila, WA – the closest stop to the Sea-Tac Airport – for $29. Put on your adventure pants and book your ticket today.
Photo Courtesy of A.J. via Wikipedia.