Highlights from a longtime bucket list west coast trip.
I saw the article just like everyone else did: a romantic train ride over an epic distance on AMTRAK train lines running from Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California: basically covering the entire west coast of the United States. Ticket prices were a steal since they included a roomette and three meals a day.
So last year I finally committed to making it happen. It was sometime in July that I realized May would be ideal for spring wildflowers in Seattle and warm oceans in L.A. Somewhere in the planning, I realized that Vancover lay just north of Seattle, and there was simply no way I could visit Vancouver without seeing Vancouver Island and Victoria, too.
In all, the trip turned out to be a phenomenal ten day adventure. Lauren got to go with me for the Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle parts, and boyfriend Ardie found us in Seattle and then took the train south with me. The opportunity to travel with these friends enriched the experience so much! I’m so happy they got to come with me.
Here are just a few of my favorite photo highlights.
Stanley Park in Vancouver. Lauren and I rented bikes and rode all the way around the island. What stunning scenery!The clouds lifted off the mountains after our bike ride through Stanley Park, revealing snow-capped mountains.Forever young <3Queen Elizabeth park in May in a jaw-dropper.The love locks sculpture called Love in the Rain in Queen Elizabeth park.The Lynn Canyon suspension bridge – on another beautiful day!Lush and primeval forest at Lynn Canyon Park.Inside the Roedde house in Vancouver.The Roedde house kitchen stove – so cool!An evening in Gastown. Someday, if I get to return to Vancouver, this will be where I want to spend so much more time.The famous gastown steam clock! I was there at 7 pm to see it mark the hour with a steam eruption.At Kitsilano beach.Riding BC Ferries to Victoria.High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria on the harbor. We got a window seat, and the heavy window was open. Cool air streamed in from the water, from the beautiful day outside. It was so much fun!Hatley Castle, a short drive outside Victoria.Sunset on the Victoria Harbour.The Seattle gum wall!Gasworks Park in Seattle: a large grassy park full of reclaimed industrial sculptures.A view of Seattle.The Fremont Troll lives under a large highway bridge in Seattle. It’s quite the tourist attraction!Mount Si. This hike has been a must-do since I saw pictures posted by a Facebook friend several years ago. The weather was blessed that day.King Station in Seattle. Ready for departure on the long train ride south to L.A.!The scenery was so widely varied through the train windows! From rainy Washington to lush Oregon forests to fertile California and this view outside San Luis Obispo.The sunset on our second night on the train.#bookstoregoals – The Last Bookstore in L.A. What an amazing place!Last but not least, the Santa Monica Pier with its outdoor gym, cold beach, mountain views, and theme park.
I’m back at work now, feeling so fortunate to have been able to take this trip. I’d never been to the West Coast – I believe Houston was the furthest west I’d been in my life. It was all new, and all so beautiful. Definitely worth waiting for. Definitely worth revisiting. In the meantime, picture reminders will have to do.
