May 15th, 2023
(Days 6&7)
I arrived in Portland at around 7:00, where I immediately headed to the hostel I was staying at. I did pass through the main station building on the way off the platform, and Portland's Union Station did not disappoint! It gave off the same vibes as Dearborn Station In Chicago while still being used as a functional train station. It had the older brick style with a clock tower that had been retrofitted with more modern elements, such as neon signs and tv screens. The coolest part was the ticket counter, which I interacted with more on my way out of Portland. It was still an antique-style counter with a large vintage timetable behind it. In addition, the Cascades train I was on was like no train I'd ever ridden on. It was European style, with open gangways and a much different color scheme from Amtrak's typical branding.
I arrived in Portland at around 7:00, where I immediately headed to the hostel I was staying at. I did pass through the main station building on the way off the platform, and Portland's Union Station did not disappoint! It gave off the same vibes as Dearborn Station In Chicago while still being used as a functional train station. It had the older brick style with a clock tower that had been retrofitted with more modern elements, such as neon signs and tv screens. The coolest part was the ticket counter, which I interacted with more on my way out of Portland. It was still an antique-style counter with a large vintage timetable behind it. In addition, the Cascades train I was on was like no train I'd ever ridden on. It was European style, with open gangways and a much different color scheme from Amtrak's typical branding.
Walking to the hostel would have been much quicker, but I decided to take the longer route by taking the streetcar. I did not realize how simple to use and extensive this system is. Also, I loved that when you tapped a contactless credit card, they would stop charging you after you spent $5, equaling two trips. Once I checked into the hostel, I dropped my bag in a locker, showered, and started walking to dinner with a friend from St. Croix. No one else was in the room yet, but two beds were already taken.
Walking to the hostel would have been much quicker, but I decided to take the longer route by taking the streetcar. I did not realize how simple to use and extensive this system is. Also, I loved that when you tapped a contactless credit card, they would stop charging you after you spent $5, equaling two trips. Once I checked into the hostel, I dropped my bag in a locker, showered, and started walking to dinner with a friend from St. Croix. No one else was in the room yet, but two beds were already taken.
Portland Union Station
Cascades Train
Out of all the stops so far, I wish I had a longer time in Portland. I forgot how beautiful this city was, with the brick streets, streetcars, and small-town feel. My walk to the restaurant was far, but I enjoyed the scenery as I made my way. I met my friend at Dough Zone near the riverfront and saw his apartment afterward.
Out of all the stops so far, I wish I had a longer time in Portland. I forgot how beautiful this city was, with the brick streets, streetcars, and small-town feel. My walk to the restaurant was far, but I enjoyed the scenery as I made my way. I met my friend at Dough Zone near the riverfront and saw his apartment afterward.
Even though it was almost midnight, I decided to take the long walk back to the hostel. When I arrived, I met my two other roommates. One was from Canada and in Portland for a concert; the other was from Germany and was there for a wedding. We had a friendly conversation about our trips, and they were surprised when I told them I was only staying for a night. They had plans to go to the beach together the next day.
Even though it was almost midnight, I decided to take the long walk back to the hostel. When I arrived, I met my two other roommates. One was from Canada and in Portland for a concert; the other was from Germany and was there for a wedding. We had a friendly conversation about our trips, and they were surprised when I told them I was only staying for a night. They had plans to go to the beach together the next day.
Colorful Portland Houses
I had a very slow morning, which was very nice. The hostel provided complimentary breakfast, which I enjoyed in their courtyard while reading my book and waiting for laundry. When the laundry was done, I went for more walks around the city. Before checkout from the hostel, I took a second shower because the heat was too much! I did not want to arrive at the train station feeling gross. I checked out, grabbed a veggie burger from a nearby cafe, and returned to the station. The Coast Starlight arrived just in time, which was extremely packed. Luckily I was assigned a window seat on the west-facing side of the train, so I am guaranteed some pretty good views as we get closer to the California Coast.
I had a very slow morning, which was very nice. The hostel provided complimentary breakfast, which I enjoyed in their courtyard while reading my book and waiting for laundry. When the laundry was done, I went for more walks around the city. Before checkout from the hostel, I took a second shower because the heat was too much! I did not want to arrive at the train station feeling gross. I checked out, grabbed a veggie burger from a nearby cafe, and returned to the station. The Coast Starlight arrived just in time, which was extremely packed. Luckily I was assigned a window seat on the west-facing side of the train, so I am guaranteed some pretty good views as we get closer to the California Coast.
View of the Portland Skyline from the Coast Starlight
Hostel Courtyard
Speaking of views, the mountains and forests of Oregon were gorgeous as the sunset. There was much more packed snow than I saw in Seattle and Montana, and mist was flowing through the valleys. There were many water features along the route that cascaded into the valleys. It was stunning. Unfortunately, my sleep was not as beautiful. At 11:00 PM, an hour after quiet time was implemented, the two people in the row in front of me decided to meet each other for the first time and hold a rather loud and inconsiderate conversation until midnight. By the end, I knew every detail about their lives. I was getting so close to asking them to move to the lounge car. Surprisingly though, I got six hours of sleep that night, and I am writing this in the morning as we travel through California. The views are astonishing, and we are quickly approaching San Francisco. I am very excited to make it to the coast and take in the ocean scenery.
Speaking of views, the mountains and forests of Oregon were gorgeous as the sunset. There was much more packed snow than I saw in Seattle and Montana, and mist was flowing through the valleys. There were many water features along the route that cascaded into the valleys. It was stunning. Unfortunately, my sleep was not as beautiful. At 11:00 PM, an hour after quiet time was implemented, the two people in the row in front of me decided to meet each other for the first time and hold a rather loud and inconsiderate conversation until midnight. By the end, I knew every detail about their lives. I was getting so close to asking them to move to the lounge car. Surprisingly though, I got six hours of sleep that night, and I am writing this in the morning as we travel through California. The views are astonishing, and we are quickly approaching San Francisco. I am very excited to make it to the coast and take in the ocean scenery.