All Aboard! (Yet another Amtrak advertisement)

Since my first day with The Major Concern is next Wednesday, I decided to take a spur-of-the-moment trip down to Portland. I'm getting on the 2:20 train, and should be in the Rose City by 5:50.

The ticket (bought online) costs sixty bucks R/T, and takes me right into downtown. Once I'm there, I don't have to deal with parking the car or getting in from the airport. I'll be staying at the Ace Hotel, which is walking distance from the station and right in the middle of all the action.

I'm throwing a few things in my shoulder bag, not having to worry about whether my liquids are less than 4oz container, and whether they are in a Ziplock bag. At the station, I won't have to unpack my computer, take off my shoes, or any of the other ridiculous security procedures we have to go through at the airport these days.

On the train, I can read, or watch a movie, or listen to my iPod. I won't have to worry about the clusterfuck of I-5 through Tacoma, or any of the other random pyschopathic things that happen, at least when I drive on I-5.

And I can have a cocktail. Or two. Or maybe more. Not that I will, but it's nice to know I can. You try that while driving, and all sorts of prudes get on your case.

On the way back, since there are four trains a day in either direction, I can just pack up and come back whenever I feel like it. No silly change fees or anything like that.

It really is the only way to go.