Amtrak Coast Starlight:  We arrived at the Oakland Amtrak station about an hour ahead of our train's scheduled departure time of 9:39pm.  But for a handfull of other travelers, the station was empty, and our train was not there.  But finally it arrived, more or less on schedule, and our adventure began...

On the Coast Starlight:  We were presented with complimentary half bottles of champagne as we boarded that we enjoyed in the lounge car before going to bed.  The room was cozy, measuring 6'6" x 7'6", according to Amtrak's website, with two beds, an upper that folded down from the wall and a lower that converted from the sofa.  The porter made up the beds for sleeping for us, and folded them out of the way the next morning.  Sleeping on a moving a train, especially on the rough tracks that cross the delta on the way to Sacramento, is a challenge and we both needed naps the next day.  Above right, Denise takes a nap and the size of the room and the toilet/shower is evident.  Taking a shower on a moving train is a challenge too, and is best done while sitting on the john.

In the morning we arose to see Mt. Hood in the distance, and we watched it pass as we went through Portland and crossed the Columbia River.

The Ferry to Orcas Island:  After visiting with family in Seattle for a couple of days, we were off to Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands via the Washington State Ferry "Hyak" from Anacortes.  The weather was foggy, windy, dreary, and cold, but at least it didn't rain.  I took all but the first of these pictures from the front of the vessal.  I do so suffer for my art. 

For the record, the Hyak (our specific ferry) was 382 feet long, 73 feet wide, and traveled at 17 knots, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation website.  It could accommodate 144 vehicles and 2000 passengers.  There were quite a few vehicles on it that day, but the passenger deck was nearly empty.  I presume most of the traffic was of a commercial nature and there were very few tourists.

The Blue Heron Inn:  We stayed at the Blue Heron Inn.  It was a delightful little bed and breakfast located towards the top of West Sound, in the little village of West Sound, a short drive from the ferry terminal.  It was a very old house, a bit noisy at times, but very comfortable.  And frankly, we had the place to ourselves but for one night, so it was quieter than it might have been.  Our hosts were Bogden and Carol Kulminski, a very nice couple that took obvious delight in visiting with their guests over breakfast and during the day, and went to great lengths to make sure we were comfortable.

Rosario Resort & Spa, Former Estate of Robert Moran:  Rosario Resort & Spa is the former mansion of Robert Moran, Seattle shipbuilder and former mayor of Seattle, who donated a large part of his land to create Moran State Park.  We took a self-guided tour of the first two floors of mansion.  Built between 1906 and 1909, it is a beautiful example of the craftsman style of architecture.

Moran State Park:  Moran State Park is the largest state park in the San Juan Islands.  The original land for the park, about 2,700 acres, was donated in 1921 by Robert Moran.  Subsequent land donations and purchases increased the park to its current 5,252 acres.  The focal point of the park has got to be Mt. Constitution (see below).  There are 5 fresh water lakes and about 30 miles of hiking trails in the park.  Most of the trails, bridges and buildings were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

Mt. Constitution:  The summit of Mt. Constitution is both the highest point on Orcas Island at 2,409 ft., and the highest point in the San Juan Islands.  The view from the top was magnificent, and more so from the top of the tower constructed at the summit by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936.  To the east Mt. Baker and the cascade mountains were most prominent, and to the south we could barely make out Mt. Rainier in the haze.  To the west, could be seen the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island.  We drove to the top twice, and though surrounded by fog, we could make out many details of Orcas Island and the nearby islands.

Cascade Lake:  Towards the south-west corner of Moran State Park along Mount Constitution Road (leading to the top of Mt. Constitution) is the beautiful Cascade Lake.  We walked about half way around the lake on an easy trail when the impending sunset made us turn around.  Denise saw a bald eagle in the distance over the "lagoon" on the south-west side of the lake.  Unfortuntately, I didn't have time to react and get a photo.

Cascade Falls:  Also, in the south-west corner of Moran State Park along Mount Constitution Road is the trailhead to Cascade Falls, about a half mile walk.  We walked to the falls and back over a very poorly marked trail.  I confess we were briefly lost on the way back.

Obstruction Pass State Park:  We hiked the roughly half mile trail to the ocean from the trailhead at Obstruction Pass State Park, through a native forest of Pacific Madrone and Douglas Fur.  This was an easy trail but a bit diffucult to follow at times, and the ever-present fog didn't help.  We beat a hasty retreat from the ocean when we realized the sun would soon set on us and we weren't quite sure of our directions.  That said, it was a beautiful hike through an old growth forest of Pacific Madrone, Douglas Fur, and Lodge Pole Pine.

The town of East Sound:  The town of East Sound, the largest on Orcas Island, sits at the top of the sound of East Sound.  (I know; it is confusing.)  Here you will find a grocery store, a movie theater, several very nice restaurants, and the usual array of gift shops and art galleries.  As the pictures show, the Fall colors were glorious.

The Seattle Museum of Flight:  After returning to Seattle from Orcas Island, we visited the Seattle Museum of Flight.  It is located at the King County International Airport, also known locally as Boeing Field.  Because I forgot my camera and wide-angle lens (a must for shooting musuems of this sort), most of the photos above were shot with my cell phone camera, and, frankly, they look like they were taken with a cell phone camera.  We will definitely have to return some day.  For those thinking of visiting the museum, alot yourself a full day to see it.  We gave ourselves about three hours and were definitely rushed.

Seattle King Street Station and the Ride Home:  The King Street Station, located near Pioneer Square in Seattle, was recently completely renovated to look as it did when it first opened in 1906.  The renovation began in 2003 and was officially completed on April 24, 2013.  The building was stunning.  I took several interior shots of the King Street Station while we waited for our train to board.

On board at about 9:45am, Denise read in our sleeper room.  The next morning we breakfasted as the sun rose over the delta as we approached the Bay Area and home.  We arrived in Oakland at about 8:30 in the morning.  Thus ended another adventure.