After a nightmare overnight Amtrak journey we found an oasis of a hotel, met some really lovely people, plus karaoke'd in a dodgy gay bar!

The journey overnight on the Amtrak from San Francisco to Portland was both beautiful and nuts. The views and wildlife we saw was gorgeous. However the people on the train were, as Sandy described it, 'like the cast from One Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nest'! They were all a little crazy. Still it was an experience!
(We hadn't chosen a cabin to sleep in and we will next time!).

Once we got to Portland, we were tired and worn out and thats when the Hotel Lucia came to the rescue. It was the most beautiful hotel. It's not big but it was so special – the bed was like being eaten up by a giant blancmange! It was just so soft, so comfortable. They even gave you the opportunity to choose different pillows if you didn't like yours! I would go back to Portland just for this alone!

In the morning we went to the Saturday Market (Ok so it happens on a Sunday too). It's a great market that is full of craft work and beautiful arts. Really great place with live music and open spaces. Really great.
We visited the famous Powells Book Store - oh my word, that place is huge! 8 books purchased later we left!

The only thing that was a shame about Portland was that there were so many homeless people around.

To be continued...