MATHEW Foxcroft's journey of a lifetime across America by train continues . . .

WELL, I think you might have already guessed but, after travelling for nearly two months now, the prospect of a 52-hour train journey wasn't that appealing.

Therefore we took the plane out of El Passo into Denver and then into Seattle. On arriving in Seattle around dinner, we took a short bus ride into the centre. Our hostel was situated near the Pike Place Market at the hub of Seattle's tourist attractions.

One fact people should know about Seattle is that, out of the entire year, it rains on more than 200 days, so, if you're planning a trip to Seattle, remember to pack an umbrella.

Although Seattle is famous for the Pike Place Market (where, in the morning, you can see large fish being thrown around), the most impressive sight, I believe, is the New Experience Museum (EMP) -- probably one of the most interactive and interesting museums I've visited so far.

The museum was only opened in June 2000, and holds an 80,000-piece collection of rock and roll memorabilia, including a gallery dedicated to guitar legend Jimi Hendrix.

The third and top floor of the EMP has an interactive sound lab where you can try your hand at various instruments and even cut your own CD.

The rest of Seattle has various galleries, and this time we decided not to bother wasting $11 to travel up the famous Space Needle, instead deciding to walk up a nearby hill to take in the view.

Leaving Seattle, we spent a couple of days in Vancouver in British Columbia. The train journey was the most picturesque so far along the coast.

Unfortunately for me, the new Harry Potter film was showing on the train and, although the views were great, sadly, I couldn't help but watch the film.

Vancouver BC is a good place to shop and it also has a relatively good nightlife, but there wasn't much else to see in the city.

The one different point about Vancouver was the hostel, deciding to stay at Global Village Backpackers. It was a total change from some of the rather boring hostels in the USA. The hostel was multi-coloured and, although the rooms weren't that impressive, the hostel was packed to the rim with Australians, all the same age as us and all up for a good time. Vancouver may not have much to offer culture-wise, but the stay at the hostel was well worth the trip.

So, after only a couple of days here, we headed back to Seattle and straight into Portland, where there was a welcome night's rest.

We now take a 17-hour train journey and a one-hour bus journey into San Francisco.