travelswithkuma | Coasting North

The final leg of Kuma Bear's transcontinental train journey was the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Salem, Oregon on August 16, 2009. The train leaves much too early in the morning, and Los Angeles doesn't have a Metropolitan Lounge like in Chicago, but first class passengers can check in early at Traxx Lounge in the lobby of the station.

"First class treatment for a First Class Bear!"

Kuma examines the amenities aboard the Coast Starlight. There's even a separate dining menu for sleeping car passengers.

Soon enough, one of the conductors came and escorted the sleeping car passengers to the platform.

It's a little hard to see, but that's Kevin and Kuma peering out from the Superliner Bedroom sitting at Union Station.

Kuma Bear tries out the various seats in the Superliner Bedroom. "This one is too big, and I can't see out the window," he complains, as Lisa takes his picture.

Lisa piled up the pillows so Kuma Bear could see out the window as the Coast Starlight made its way northward.

Later, Kuma visited the Pacific Parlor Car, a special lounge car for sleeping car passengers exclusive to the Coast Starlight

"This is a very nice seat!"

From the railing of the Pacific Parlor Car, Kuma enjoys watching the scenery go by.

The trip north had some some rough patches, but it all turned out all right in the end and Kuma Bear returned safely to Oregon.