Seattle - Day 2 - In Which Our Hero Saw An Eagle

 

Day 2 - February 2

My whole reason for taking this trip in the winter, as opposed to any other time of year, was to see the Pacific Northwest in the winter. I got that, as soon as the sun started to come up.

I woke up shortly before sunrise and started watching a video on my phone. I had to keep pausing and switching to my camera, at dawn, because there was so much to take pictures of. Fields, frozen lakes, animals, and so much more. We passed through an area that looked like a small logging town (a town that makes a lot of money from lumber). It was like something out of a movie. I even saw a bald eagle fly by a partially frozen lake.

When we got to the forests, oh my God! Trees taller than 100 feet, covered in snow! That's what I mostly wanted to see on my train ride! I was truly amazed. I was sitting in my seat, slackjawed, watching the trees as I rode by. That, alone, was worth the long trip. It was worth the fairly uncomfortable bed (though not the worst bed I've ever slept on.)

I dozed off for about an hour but saw plenty more. It wasn't but another couple of hours before we got lower in elevation and the winter scenery was gone. It was back to dreary skies without snow or ice. It was still lovely, mind you. I even got out at a fresh air stop for a fee minutes and breathed in that nice Oregon air. There was a lovely mist, as well. Though I've only been through it on a train and never seen anything else of it, I can honestly say that the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's definitely on par with Utah.

I arrived at the train station, caught a Lyft, and went to the apartment I'm renting for my trip.

Lance J. M.