Late May 2025, Los Angeles to Portland. Though I’ve taken lots of trains in Europe, this was my first long-distance train trip in the U.S., working out to roughly 29 hours. My companions were game as they come, charming 2-year-old Domino and her papa Mitch. The Pacific Ocean fills the window frame most of the trip north in California until the train veers inland somewhere along the Central Coast.
Weirdly, I took no photos of the ocean views, only landscapes. And they were not verdant green landscapes but filled with all the tawny colors emblematic of the Golden State. Horizontal bands of gold, rust and ochre were punctuated by dark green cloud-like forms of Coast Live Oak and jagged geologic scars. Scenes of wild landscapes, scenes of industry. Thrilling, shifting juxtapositions of land, water, clouds and sky. If you like looking and wondering and thinking of nothing but what rushes by the window, a train ride is the way to go. And there’s a dining car and a sleeping car (the sleeping berth is extra).
Wonderful photos but then I’ve come to expect that from your Mitch. I’ve also only traveled by train in Europe but I’ve long wanted to try the train up the Pacific coast. I tried to convince my husband to take it with me up to Seattle for the PNW Fling (and so he could visit his brother on Vashon) but he wasn’t sold.
Wonderful images. I so love train travel; I moved from Washington DC to Oregon by train 40 years ago. You have me wanting to repeat the Portland to SF trip now. What a delightful way to go!
@Kris, maybe try a short couple-h0ur trip before you commit to a long one, to get the feel of it. It’s not for every temperament! And I should have clarified the first four images are Mitch’s, the rest my camera phone.
@Jane, the train might just work out for you! So good to catch up with you at the WG sale.
Damn, these are great photos. I’ve only traveled by train in France, and the sights were romantic and lovely. Sleeping on the train, not so much. ;). Still, I’d do it again.
That irrigation photo says so much. Also loving that field of low plants in the fog – looks like a great place to botanize. Last, the hydroelectric plant. It’s such a beautifully architectural series of buildings. Such a shame it’s just slowly falling further into disrepair with all the graffiti. I’d love to see it used again, retrofitted for modern use but keeping the overall design sensibilities.
Absolutely stunning photos, “color studies” indeed.
…”looking and wondering and thinking of nothing but what rushes by the window” is such a good way of describing it: I’d love to take this trip one day.
What’s the duration of the trip?
@Tracy, I slept on a train to Spain in a “couchette” that felt like a coffin. This experience was not like that!
@Jerry, wouldn’t that hydroelectric plant would make a great park, planted up, like a Ninfa for the industrial age.
@Chavli, the trip ran a little long at 29 hours. It can go anywhere from 26 to 30 hours. Stops are made a few times to stretch for 20 minutes or so.