Portland, Oregon

Yes, we are almost near the end of this month-long adventure. We departed Napa Valley on Tuesday and drove into San Francisco, where we visited Grace Cathedral and rode a cable car. Of course we had to eat in the famous Chinatown. The culinary highlight of the day for Leslie and us was a pilgrimage to Chez Panisse in Berkley -- the restaurant that gave rise to the organic food craze years back. Of course, the food was exceptional. Yes, we know we are spoiled.

After a sleeper car for the night, Leslie and I awoke to look out at Mt. Shasta -- pretty cool. We found that Will and Lydia were pretty much at home on the train. Yesterday we arrived in Portland, Oregon where we are being hosted by the dean of Trinity Cathedral and his wife, Bill and Kimiko Lupfer, who we've met through the annual Dean's conference. After a jet boat trip up to Oregon City on the Wilmette River, we're settling into the afternoon.

Tomorrow we depart for Glacier National Park, the third the last part on our tour.