The Plot Thickens
As July & my scenic vacation approaches I continue to search for ways to make it both better and less expensive. To this end yesterday, I researched ways to get from Portland, Oregon, my home, to San Francisco, California. my first destination. From there I will board the Green Tortoise tour bus heading on my 9 day trek through the Canyons of the West.
I had planned on driving my Smart Car, that gets 40 mpg, to San Francisco, & then parking it in a long term parking facility.I recently discovered, to my dismay, that can get expensive, costing as much as $17 a day. That's an additional $170 added to the 1300 mile round trip cost for gas & meals.
With some research into air fares, bus fares and train fares on that same trip it became obvious that trains are the way to go. It's just $244 round trip with no parking and an 18 hour overnight ride aboard a moving restaurant/sleeper. They don't charge you extra for luggage and drop me close to my destination. I may not need to grab a taxi.
I made a reservation aboard an Amtrak train leaving Portland, OR on July 20, at 2:225PM, arriving in San Francisco, CA at 8AM. I have a reservation already waiting for me at the Green Tortoise Hostel in a private room for the night of the 21st. That gives me more than 24 hours to explore & photograph scenic San Francisco, CA. I love it when a plan comes together. Now there's no driving, no parking fees, no costly taxis and no junk food on a draining 637 mile drive down the coastline on a hot day in July. The plot thickens.