So... Joe left for Bend, Oregon with Samuel yesterday. Joe's parents (well, most of his family!) live there and we wanted to visit before we lost our summer (and to celebrate both his mom and dad's birthdays!) I checked my miles and sure enough, I had enough for a puddle-jumper one-way flight (seriously - it's like 30 minutes in the air...) so Joe and Samuel left a day early (because SOME OF US don't have the summer off!) :-)
But the dilemma then became how I would get to the airport. When traveling on business, I have no issues with taxis, shuttles, whatever... And honestly, I didn't make up my mind on what to do until today. But I knew I didn't want to leave the car at the airport (what I pain on Sunday, when we drive back and have to go clear out of the way to pick it up...) AND, given I had used miles and worked to save us $$ on the whole thing (making it an easy and "free" trip - that was the point, after all, right?) So after I found out that it would be ~ $50 for a taxi (really?!) I made up my mind. I WAS TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
Now keep in mind that our Portland "train" light rail (named MAX) is not exactly travel-friendly... it has never (and probably will never) take you from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time... and rarely do point A and point B ever fit the bill for places you would ever travel. But today, it could work. We have a MAX station within a 15-minute walk of our house and it goes to the Portland Airport. OKAY SCORE... I have a way to the airport - and it will cost under $5.
However... I DID NOT factor in the 85 degree heat today. Even so, 85 degrees vs. $50? The walk still wins out. So I pack my backpack (oh crud... I have a 30lb backpack to carry?!)
The scales are tipping here...
But I move forward with the plan.
I walk... and it truly is UP A HILL. I am doing okay. There is a breeze. I am in shape and normally this would be nothing... but I am TRYING TO LOOK DECENT. (I am not on a run here people; not trying to get my heart-rate up.)
Sweat starts and I know once that happens, it's over. SIGH. WHATEVER.
I get to the MAX Station. 13 minute walk. I get my ticket. Walk to the platform. It says the next airport train will arrive in 2 minutes - wow, I am good! :-) Maybe this train thing isn't so bad. (Well, my hair looks awful, my bra is sweaty and my neck hurts from the backpack, but other than that... things are GREAT - I made it to MAX by myself!)
Train comes... some seats forward, some seats backward. Forward means sitting next to WEIRD GUY. I choose backward. STUPID. I get carsick. Eventually I end up moving to a forward seat and not 10 seconds later, the train stops and a family sits next to me. ARGH... Space people, space.... please!
But the dilemma then became how I would get to the airport. When traveling on business, I have no issues with taxis, shuttles, whatever... And honestly, I didn't make up my mind on what to do until today. But I knew I didn't want to leave the car at the airport (what I pain on Sunday, when we drive back and have to go clear out of the way to pick it up...) AND, given I had used miles and worked to save us $$ on the whole thing (making it an easy and "free" trip - that was the point, after all, right?) So after I found out that it would be ~ $50 for a taxi (really?!) I made up my mind. I WAS TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
Now keep in mind that our Portland "train" light rail (named MAX) is not exactly travel-friendly... it has never (and probably will never) take you from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time... and rarely do point A and point B ever fit the bill for places you would ever travel. But today, it could work. We have a MAX station within a 15-minute walk of our house and it goes to the Portland Airport. OKAY SCORE... I have a way to the airport - and it will cost under $5.
However... I DID NOT factor in the 85 degree heat today. Even so, 85 degrees vs. $50? The walk still wins out. So I pack my backpack (oh crud... I have a 30lb backpack to carry?!)
The scales are tipping here...
But I move forward with the plan.
I walk... and it truly is UP A HILL. I am doing okay. There is a breeze. I am in shape and normally this would be nothing... but I am TRYING TO LOOK DECENT. (I am not on a run here people; not trying to get my heart-rate up.)
Sweat starts and I know once that happens, it's over. SIGH. WHATEVER.
I get to the MAX Station. 13 minute walk. I get my ticket. Walk to the platform. It says the next airport train will arrive in 2 minutes - wow, I am good! :-) Maybe this train thing isn't so bad. (Well, my hair looks awful, my bra is sweaty and my neck hurts from the backpack, but other than that... things are GREAT - I made it to MAX by myself!)
Train comes... some seats forward, some seats backward. Forward means sitting next to WEIRD GUY. I choose backward. STUPID. I get carsick. Eventually I end up moving to a forward seat and not 10 seconds later, the train stops and a family sits next to me. ARGH... Space people, space.... please!
ENTER JILL'S NOTE: "Journal from a Train"
Public trains are an interesting experience. I sort of wish I would have used them more regularly in my life (going to NYC on vacation or using the Portland-version on occasion doesn't really count in my book.) I think you pick up avoidance skills you would not normally be exposed to... But the general concept of "people watching" fascinates me and watching some people's avoidance tactics, while some are completely social (novice) is intriguing to me.
And as I type we are being help up due to "police activity" at the Skidmore Fountain. GREAT as if I needed additional reasons why I never want to use this form of transportation to get to the airport. :-(
Public trains are an interesting experience. I sort of wish I would have used them more regularly in my life (going to NYC on vacation or using the Portland-version on occasion doesn't really count in my book.) I think you pick up avoidance skills you would not normally be exposed to... But the general concept of "people watching" fascinates me and watching some people's avoidance tactics, while some are completely social (novice) is intriguing to me.
And as I type we are being help up due to "police activity" at the Skidmore Fountain. GREAT as if I needed additional reasons why I never want to use this form of transportation to get to the airport. :-(
Anyway... The people on here are no different than those walking on the street, but you just are forced to stare at them longer.
OKAY BACK TO REAL-TIME:
As you notice, I was typing an email to myself.... that was MY AVOIDANCE tactic! I should have brought a book. It was an HOUR long ride. What was I thinking? I did notice that people seemed to think I was "safe" as 3 of them asked me questions. Like I have any idea what is going on here!
OKAY BACK TO REAL-TIME:
As you notice, I was typing an email to myself.... that was MY AVOIDANCE tactic! I should have brought a book. It was an HOUR long ride. What was I thinking? I did notice that people seemed to think I was "safe" as 3 of them asked me questions. Like I have any idea what is going on here!
"Yes, there is a stop at 60th"
"No, we are actually going North."
"No, they don't check fares often."
LIKE I HAVE A REMOTE CLUE?!
Anyway... my "MAX peers" are now all a blurred memory. A family that was not well-mannered, a man talking to himself (he had issues), a cute kid about 12 years old (I wondered what parent would be okay with their son traveling on MAX alone?), a woman with bug sunglasses, an older gentleman asking me too many questions, and an Asian man who was doing work. I guess I wouldn't do very well identifying people in a police line-up (and I actually made note of that while on the train.)
I took ONE PICTURE. Because I was too afraid of taking any more. That darn camera noise on BB's messes all cohort operations up... So I did the best I could to document my journey.
And now, here I sit and the Portland airport waiting for my short flight... enjoying my airport-style dinner.
I cannot wait to see Joe and Samuel... I hear we will be kayaking on the Deschutes tomorrow. Apparently Joe, his mom and Samuel did it today and Samuel loved it! He just sat quietly in his life-jacket and enjoyed the ride. I love that kid. I miss that kid...
NOTE: I was not the only one using my BB to avoid contact with MAX people!
"No, we are actually going North."
"No, they don't check fares often."
LIKE I HAVE A REMOTE CLUE?!
Anyway... my "MAX peers" are now all a blurred memory. A family that was not well-mannered, a man talking to himself (he had issues), a cute kid about 12 years old (I wondered what parent would be okay with their son traveling on MAX alone?), a woman with bug sunglasses, an older gentleman asking me too many questions, and an Asian man who was doing work. I guess I wouldn't do very well identifying people in a police line-up (and I actually made note of that while on the train.)
I took ONE PICTURE. Because I was too afraid of taking any more. That darn camera noise on BB's messes all cohort operations up... So I did the best I could to document my journey.
And now, here I sit and the Portland airport waiting for my short flight... enjoying my airport-style dinner.
I cannot wait to see Joe and Samuel... I hear we will be kayaking on the Deschutes tomorrow. Apparently Joe, his mom and Samuel did it today and Samuel loved it! He just sat quietly in his life-jacket and enjoyed the ride. I love that kid. I miss that kid...
NOTE: I was not the only one using my BB to avoid contact with MAX people!
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