For those of you who may be winding down the summer with some out of town guests and are thinking of taking the Spirit of Washington dinner/lunch/brunch train, my recommendation is don't. They have had to switch to a temporary route until next summer and the new route leaves a lot to be desired. It now leaves from Tacoma, goes through several mobile home parks, run down neighborhoods where aspiring grafitti artists have been busy, and winds up at a mildly scenic lake out by Graham. Then you get to look at the same thing on the return trip. No where in their literature or web site do they mention this is a temporary route. We were using a gift certificate, and had we known that another route would be available next summer, we would have postponed our trip. The food was decent but not outstanding. Next summer it will be leaving and returning from the Ste. Michelle winery in Woodinville so should be a lot better experience.
Just thought I'd tell you of our experience in case you are considering the trip.
Jody Owen Honomichl
