Many years ago a friend of mine who is a "mega" traveller advised me to take the train from Seattle to Vancouver if I ever got the changes.  He said the scenery was absolutely unbelievable. Well, low and behold, I recently had the opportunity to do just that.  The 2012 Project Management Institute conference was in Vancouver this year and I decided when making my flight reservations that this would be the perfect opportunity to experience something new.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/20121026-210520.jpg"><img class="size-full" alt="Photo Taken From Train" src="http://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/20121026-210520.jpg" height="226" width="300" /></a> Photo Taken on Train from Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA[/caption]

I must admit that I was a little scared, because I had never ridden a passenger train before. In my normal fashion, when I am scared I plan and plan and plan.  Well, in my scared planning stage I began asking locals where the train station was so I would know how far I had to travel.  They began asking me questions like...is it the super fast train or the other train...well I said fast, thinking well it has to be fast right...ok ummmm wrong, they were referring to the rail or what we like to call the subway or monorail.  Sometimes, I really have to ask myself what my problem is lol.

Well one thing you should know prior to travelling is that they only have two trains that go between Vancouver and Seattle, one early crack of the freaking dawn train and one evening train.  If your main purpose for riding is to see the sites, you have to take the "crack of freaking dawn train", mine left at 6:40 am and they suggest you get there an hour early (enter big blinking eyes here...while it sinks in).  The process at the train station was harmless and smooth.  You get right on the train and get situated.  I was pleased that there was free wi-fi on the train, although it does cut in and out since we are travelling, but it was no a problem.

I can honestly say that this was one of the most relaxing trips I have had in a very long time.  I have always loved riding subways and rails in cities when I visited...being from Nashville, we don't have that luxury (unless you count the Nashville Star which doesn't even come to my side of town). It is so nice to not have to fight traffic and to just sit and ride and to work or read at your leisure during the trip. Thinking of my experience at airports...you rush to get there to get through security to sit and wait...to then load the plane...to then not use electronics...to then be able to use electronics in a cramped seat where you really don't want to get up because the aisle is cramped and you may have to dodge the beverage cart or other passengers due to the aisle being so small...and then you get off to get on another plane and then and then and then...on the train I got on, sat down and waited for the other passengers...there was no waiting before you boarded and for four hours I was able to work, read, eat, and relax...and enjoy the scenery.

I was a little saddened that there was no snow as I had seen in my friends photos, but the scenery (as you can see from the photo above) was gorgeous.  I would suggest if you leave from Vancouver to get a seat on the right side of the train (left side if you are leaving from Seattle).  That is the side that faces the water and all the goregous scenery, the other side is against the rocks/mountain side so you see some nice things but not as much as on the other.  I would also suggest a seat in the middle of the window so you have the whole scene and don't have to move curtains out of your way.  There wasn't a huge difference to me between business and coach, but if you are big on that pay the extra money.

So take it from me...explore and try new things.  Have yourself a new adventure...come on you know you want to!

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