Cindy and I took a quick jaunt south to Reno last weekend. We were invited to experience the Uncommon Journey experience that our clients have enjoyed for years! We rode their Vista-Dome rail car from Reno to Emeryville, and also got to tour one of their Pullman cars. The 360° views were spectacular! We saw mountains, and semi-desert landscapes in Nevada and as we crossed into California, and then a greater appearance of lakes and greener hills. As we approached the end of our route, suddenly the mountains and hills were gone and the land was so flat! And then we made it to the San Francisco Bay. It was so varied, and such a rich experience! Here’s a few of our trip pictures:

Gotta show off the PDX carpet!

Gotta show off the PDX carpet! It’s a local tradition.

We stayed at the GSR - Grand Sierra Resort.

We stayed at the GSR – Grand Sierra Resort.

We traveled to the train station view coach. It's a REALLY nice coach, by the way!

We traveled to the train station via coach. It’s a REALLY nice coach, by the way!

The coaches even had cup holders!

The coaches even had cup holders!

Amtrak Station in Reno

Amtrak Station in Reno

KOLO News interviewing our host, Christopher.

KOLO News interviewing our host, Christopher. Check out the link at the end to see their interview!

The Colorado Pine looked beautiful!

The Colorado Pine looked beautiful!

This is the Vista-dome car we sat in for most of our ride: the Iowa Pacific!

This is the Vista-dome car we sat in for most of our ride: the Iowa Pacific!

Our conductor, Mike, welcomed us aboard.

Our conductor, Mike, welcomed us aboard.

A view down the Vista-dome car. All set for lunch!

A view down the Vista-dome car. All set for lunch!

Cindy and Don, ready to ride!

Cindy and Don, admiring the Nevada view!

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My favorite picture: our fresh roses on our table, with the beautiful river flowing alongside the tracks.

Time for lunch!

Time for lunch!

A Club Sandwich - how could I choose anything else?

A Club Sandwich – on a train! How could I choose anything else?

The train curving around the mountain ahead of us.

The train curving around the mountain ahead of us.

The views from the train were breathtaking!

The views from the train were breathtaking!

Still some snow!

Still some snow!

And then, the mountains disappeared. Suddenly, California flattened around us.

And then, the mountains disappeared. Suddenly, California flattened around us.

And then our train stopped in Martinez. We were getting to the end of our journey.

Our train stopped in Martinez. We were getting to the end of our journey.

We reached water! The Bay was gorgeous and refreshing.

We reached water! The Bay was gorgeous and refreshing. What a calming way to end our journey.

KOLO Reno News was with us for part of our ride. Read KOLO Reno News article HERE and watch their video of our trip.

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