Train trip from Glasgow MT to Portland Orgegon Day 11
We got up early and packed bags to head down to the Amtrak station for the 12.25pm Glasgow MT to Portland Oregon which will take us about 23 hours on the train as we alson have to cross another time line and our clocks will go back an hour making it 8 hours behind Glasgow Scotland time.The shuttle bus from the Cootonwood inn arrived just after 11am and we said our goodbyes as the Inn was really nice place to stay and the staff were great and the people we met there were fantastic.As we were early we decided to drop in to the Montana Bar for one last rink before the train had arrived and as we said our farewll to the owner and some locals he presented George and I will a baseball cap will the bar name and logo on it and also I have to send him a postcard when i get back home which I will do.
When stading at the station I noticed a guy who was wearing a jacket with the Scotland plag on it and I had to ask him what it was about. His name was Dick and he is a member of a Scottish bagpipers called the Real Scot and they tour and do gigs all over Montana so he though this was reallty cool to be talking to two guys from Scotland and we chatted asking all differnet questions which was really good and as the train arrived and it was all aboard for our next leg of the journey.
We were allocated seat on the upper level and as the train pulled out from Glasgow Montana it was a bit sad as I had a really good time there and had a blast with the locals so bye to Glasgow Montana for now.
The scenery from the window is great and it a lovley way to travel using Amtrak as you move through the country the landscape starts to change each time you are in a different state. Montana is a flat land but it is so vast and looking dfrom you window you see right out till there is nothing left to see on the horizon.Our mascot Sergi seems to get a lot of attention on the trip and at one point we were talking to a lady called kath and she gave him a handkercheif which was tided round him and pulled over his face to look like a robber which was very apt as at one of the station going through Montana it was where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made their last robbery in the USA before head do to Bolivia so ve re-name hime Sergi the Sundance Kid for this leg of the journey ha ha.We had a speaker on the journey who came into the observation car and gave a talk about the area and landscape which we going through which gave you an insight too this vast land. The train snakes its way through a national park called Glacier Park where the sights on the way were as the Americans say is AWESOME and hope the pictues you see will give you a taste of those great veiws. To be honest the 23 hour train journey was not that bad as you can move up and down the train to stretch you legs and the seats are really comfortable also each set has two power points which mean you are able to plug in your laptop or any other device you make need to keep you entertain on the long journey. I had a couple of films on my laptop so George watched one of them while I listened to my ipod which helps past the time away. Also they have a bar and a dinner car so there is something to eat and drink on the journey or you can bring your own sandwiches but no alcohol can be drunk except those purchased on the train.The train through the night was also not too bad as we were able to sprread ourselves over a double seat as there were not too many passengrs on the train and unlike the last journey we purchased a couple of fleece blankets to kep us warm as the trains air conditioning can be a bit chilly. In the daylight the sights were still fantastic as the train rooled into the sation at Portland Oregon where you had a couple of nights booked a the Paramount hotel in downtown district.In the station we booked up or next two stops which would be Klamath Falls in Oregon and San Francisco CA then it was a phone call to see how my brother was.
I had the phone call that I was dreading and the cancer had spread and the doctors could do nothing more and they have given him a time of 4 weeks only. This was a really big shock to me and i didnt know what to do but it was really good to have George with me and that help me to cope a bit more. we have decided to go to Klamath falls and take each day at a time before deciding what we will do so for now I will sign off and decide what to do regarding my brother -
Love you lots Bobby and all my friends are thinking of you .
Message from Bairdstravel
Very Sad news
Gordon`s bother Bobby passed away peacefully at his home in East Kibride. and Gordon had to return to Scotland.
Our thought s are with Jackie Bobby`s wife ,Gordon and all family members .
Bobby was a great friend of mine and will be sadly missed .