BCL
Engineer
The rest of my family is going somewhere this summer, and I'm thinking of making a solo trip from the Bay Area to Portland. Maybe just two nights there. And I have a bunch of points just sitting around collecting dust.
So the thought was maybe going to Chico first on Capitol Corridor and a bus, followed by CS to Portland. Sierra Nevada Brewing isn't that close to the station, but I figure I could walk it since there's a good amount of time until the CS leaves Chico at about 1:47 AM. Then I would sleep in. Maybe get a hot dog at Costco to eat later on the train. The plan would also be to take the CS straight back to Emeryville.
So one issue is that I'd like to bring a rolling cooler with me. It would be an Igloo Island Breeze 28 which is clearly within Amtrak's carry-on size. I'd use it to store stuff to eat and maybe some adult beverages acquired along the way (like at Sierra Nevada or in Portland). The other thing would be where to start the trip. I was thinking maybe Richmond, CA since it would just be Capitol Corridor, but I would also like to check in one piece of luggage (airline carry-on sized) so I won't have to lug it with me in Chico. Still - I guess I could just book on points from Emeryville and board in Richmond. But could I check in the luggage at Emeryville the day before showing a combination of tickets?
Portland seems to be easy enough. The car rental rates are a little higher than I'd hope around the time I had in mind, but it's not too bad (maybe $110 total for two days). I won't have lounge access though.
So the thought was maybe going to Chico first on Capitol Corridor and a bus, followed by CS to Portland. Sierra Nevada Brewing isn't that close to the station, but I figure I could walk it since there's a good amount of time until the CS leaves Chico at about 1:47 AM. Then I would sleep in. Maybe get a hot dog at Costco to eat later on the train. The plan would also be to take the CS straight back to Emeryville.
So one issue is that I'd like to bring a rolling cooler with me. It would be an Igloo Island Breeze 28 which is clearly within Amtrak's carry-on size. I'd use it to store stuff to eat and maybe some adult beverages acquired along the way (like at Sierra Nevada or in Portland). The other thing would be where to start the trip. I was thinking maybe Richmond, CA since it would just be Capitol Corridor, but I would also like to check in one piece of luggage (airline carry-on sized) so I won't have to lug it with me in Chico. Still - I guess I could just book on points from Emeryville and board in Richmond. But could I check in the luggage at Emeryville the day before showing a combination of tickets?
Portland seems to be easy enough. The car rental rates are a little higher than I'd hope around the time I had in mind, but it's not too bad (maybe $110 total for two days). I won't have lounge access though.