The Empire Builder

Journey to a Land of Water Wind and Fire

Part A: Getting There IIIa3

Glacier Park, Idaho, and The Columbia River Valley

By the time we had reached Cut Bank Montana, the weather had closed in on us. Thus, our trip along the southern border of Glacier National Park was somewhat subdued. While we could see some of the scenery, having been through there before in good weather, I could tell, we did not get the "full treatment" that this train routing can give.

We went to sleep that night and slept through the tiny portion of the state of Idaho that we crossed. Thus my only pictures from this portion look like this:

ZZZZZZZZ.

We awoke the next morning just after leaving Pasco WA, and just as we were entering the Columbia River Valley. The bad weather that we had had during the last part of yesterday's trip continued to be with us.

Nevertheless, since this area is normally so devoid of rainfall anyway, it was not a complete washout. We thus quickly sped down the river, dodging in and out and around the various trains also using our route, all the while marveling at the water and the rocks around us.


At last it began to be somewhat greener, and the weather began to clear up to an extent. We even began to see clear sky up ahead of us.

Passing through the Dalles we were treated to one last view of water both below, and falling from above, to say nothing of being beside us as well.

But then the weather began to clear as we entered the Columbia River Gorge. It was still cloudy, mind you, but we began to see some hope as we moved westward towad's William Clark's beloved "Ocian" (sic.). And thus it was that we entered into a green and growing land that was the goal of so many who moved west.

We knew we were getting close when we passed Portland's Airport to our South. And then Vancouver WA was upon us. Leaving there we crossed the Columbia River at last. And now, after almost 3,000 miles and 3 train rides we were almost there . . . Oregon.

But that will have to wait for the next posting.