March 2

Departing Portland on Amtrak Coastal Starlight train. It is a typical gray day with overcast skies that are trying to produce some rain, but only a few drops make it to our heads. Trees are beginning to blossom, so spring is working its way into Portland lives.

I was totally stressed out for the last 24 hours, rushing to get grading done, practicum assignment firmed up, and OASL membership up dated, so my friend Dolores isn’t left with so much work. David patiently put up with my stress as I packed, weighed my bags, remove more essential stuff, repacked, and reweighed everything. Hopefully I’m all set and won’t need to send anything home when I weigh-in at the first meeting in San Diego.

Hard to say good-bye to David. It will be 60 plus days until I see him again.

Finally I’ve boarded the train. With some deep relaxing breaths I begin to feel more comfortable and hopefully soon I will begin to enjoy my journey south. Announcements let me know that there will be a smoke/exercise break in Eugene at 5 p.m. and Klamath Falls at 10 p.m. So nice to hear that they recognize the need to get up and move around. Sleeping car attendee even carried my bag to my roomette.

25 minutes late start due to river traffic , the route takes us over the Steele bridge, south along the Willamette, through Milwaukie, Oregon City, Canby and south.