Vacation - part 1: train ride to Portand

Bug & I just got back after being gone for 16 days. She turned 13 while we were gone. Unbelievable. Of course, we took the train.

Hobbes, the one-eyed lion, was ready to go with his official Amtrak scarf wrapped securely around his shoulders. 

Looking over the Amtrak timetable with Dad.

Bug is READY!

Here it is, the Empire Builder.

Settled in and on our way.

We stepped out to stretch in Minot, ND.

A very friendly man from India took our picture next to our sleeper car.

Drawing, knitting...

Pokemon.

This is Jean. She worked in the dining car and was great.

Almost there.

In Spokane, part of the train (including the dining car) went on to Seattle. Our section had the observation/snack car. Sleeping car passengers got this for breakfast. It was good.

We got to see Mt. Hood.

Mocking the people who would take photos of their feet on the carpet at the Portland airport.  ;)

We took a wrong turn on our way to the bus stop, but saw this leaning tree.

We also spotted these great Hogwarts and Gryffindor stickers on a parked car.

I spy, in an eye, something which is Bug! We were on our way to catch the MAX to go meet some homeschooling friends that we only knew on the internet. We had a great time.

We rented a basement apartment in a house through airbnb. It was great!

Our favorite Chinese place in Portland was only 2 blocks away. 

Lemon chicken and green beans. We ate the leftovers the next night. So good. 

My fortune made me laugh a bit.