No modern mode of transportation quite yields the gravitas for the beginning of a long journey as does the iron horse. The antiquated fussing with door stools at the Portland Amtrak station makes us feel like we are doing something important. A short embrace with sweet Tess and our familiar world contracts to two small backpacks and each other.

"These bamboo shoots in river muck sauce are quite interesting but I prefer Chalupas".

Where we buy our fresh coffee beans.

Who said you can't see the night sky in the city ...

if we never break our stride, perhaps it will hang on a little longer.