The Empire Builder

An Amtrak train known as the Empire Builder starts in Seattle, progresses north towards the Canadian border then turns east before gently edging south finishing in Chicago.  The journey of some 2,000 miles takes two days and two nights, passing through six States and three time zones. 

We’ve travelled by train across America twice before and enjoy this relaxed form of transportation.  Views from the window can be spectacular, especially when crossing the mountain range that follows the western seaboard.  Slowly climbing upwards through the dense pine forests amongst snow covered mountain peaks in Washington State, the railroad tracks cling to cuttings blasted from rock, cross icy cold melt water streams tumbling over rocks, traverse iron trellis bridges and pass through pitch black tunnels. 

It’s difficult to tear one’s gaze from the window but breakfast is announced and the first decision of the new day is what to eat for breakfast in the dining car.  Over breakfast we cross the border into Idaho but apart from a small sign there’s little else to distinguish the change.

We pass through the tiny settlement (one hotel and a few houses) of Essex in Montana before descending to undulating countryside to make a late morning stop at Havre, where we briefly depart the warmth of the train for some fresh air. 

On we travel through the seemingly endless farmland of North Dakota and Minnesota.  The train rumbles on, the scenery changes little and we are lulled into a state of sleepy euphoria until it’s time for dinner.  The dining car serves up an excellent steak and despite our claimed good intentions we both succumb to strawberry shortcake desert.  Then it’s back to our cabin for another rest before turning in for the night.

Next morning, as we cross the border into Wisconsin, the landscape becomes greener and dairy cattle are spotted from the windows.  The train stops at Milwaukee which is a bonus for us as we can ‘detrain’ as we are informed by the conductor, rather than going the entire way to Chicago.  Anna and new grandson George are there to meet us and suddenly the journey is done and we are delighted to arrive. 

Later, Granddaughter Leilani is collected from Kindy and there’s quite a bit of excitement about presents brought from Australia.  We’re here for a month and plan to enjoy it.