We left Salt lake City at 11.30pm for San Francisco!!!!
We spent the last few hours in the Sheraton foyer then they took us to the station. We had to walk through the snow, pulling our bags! The train left on time & we went straight to bed.
The trip to Emeryville (on the other side of the bay to San Fran & where we left the train. Train climbed up and over the snow covered Sierra Mountains. On the other side we 'ran out' of snow and travelled through vineyards and orchards and a huge marshland area where the birdlife was prolific. We arrived on time at Emeryville. We were quite impressed with Amtrak and their service. Each carriage has an attendant who looks after your every need (in a sleeper he or she makes the coffee, tea, has cold drinks on hand; makes up the bunks & returns it all to seats the next morning!) The meals were great - good variety & selection of courses.
At Emeryville there was a bus waiting to take us (about 30) to San Francisco. They made 4 stops, the last one being Union Square and our hotel was around the corner - couldn't believe it! Hotel very central to cable cars, enormous newish Westfield Centre and hop on/hop/off bus! These buses have been great - you get 2 days plus a night tour in the various cities for approximately $20 - $50 - all with someone giving a commentary.
We walked across the Golden Gate Bridge (1.7 miles) and visited Sausilito (small town on 'the other side'). We went to the memorial service for Nelson Mandella at Glide Methodist Church in San Fran. First time we have had to line up outside to get into church! It was a real 'spiritual revivalist' type service with incredible jazz band players and 'chorus choir' of about 30. Warren rode the cable car after buying a new video camera (at home - he's thrilled he's been able to download all he'd taken on the old camera - smashed screen after he fell in the snow/ice - onto the hard drive!)
Onto our fright home at 10.45pm after a wonderful four months!
What a trip!
We both thoroughly enjoyed every minute; kept well; met some wonderful new friends and caught up with some 'old' very special friends. We are very grateful to those who had us to stay as we always feel so welcome and part of 'the family'.
A very big thank you!
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