This is beginning to become a bit more routine. I try to catch the 5:30 train and I walk into the office at 6:15, this requires a bit of coordination between Bood and I. I count on Bood to watch the weather forecast on my behalf so that I can be prepared for inclement weather. As I came into the kitchen, I noticed the “Doppler Radar” was all yellow dotted with red areas, I mentioned this to Bood, he said something that sounded like “oh, that – that’s a loop of weather that has been moving through the area over the past 4 hours…it’s really not us.
As Bood drove me to the train station today, I noticed that more than a few rain drops were falling on the windshield. As I got to the train station, the rain was really pouring down; too late to go back home and get an umbrella and jacket. Not a big deal - I just took a place in the corner of the station that provided great protection against the now hallowing wind and rain storm swirling around me. The ride into work was wonderful, I was able to read a little, chat a little and simply enjoy the commute
As I came into the station, once again Mother Nature had decided to show how creatively she could blend rain and wind into one hell-of-a storm. When faced with the challenge of getting from the train to my office (about a mile), it is amazing how adept I became at picking out the best route to providing shelter from the storm …………….I wish you shelter from the storm, a cozy fire to keep you warm, but, most of all, when snowflakes fall, I wish you love.
Ok...Now where was I? I was able to pick my way under trees, took a short-cut across a covered parking lot, under the underpass, over the bridge and through the wood. I arrived at my office safe and only semi-wet. For you that are mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles or have had the privilege of taking care of small children, this is the same 6th sense that kicks in when you are frantically looking for a bathroom when your youngster; who can announce at the most inopportune time, while dancing about:
I HAVE TO GO NOW”
ok...Now where am I?
Work was ...Work
Walk back to the train station...cool, dry and calm
Train ride...nice and quiet
Bood picked me up at the station, we stopped by a local restaurant for dinner and a beer; then toasted to another wonderful day in paradise (at least that's what I call it).
x0x0x0x0 hazel
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Riding the Train to Work
I have a friend of mine that lives in Naperville and rides the train to work every day to downtown Chicago. How COOL is that? Last time I was out there to visit, she showed me where she parked, the coffee shops, bakeries and small shops that had cropped up to entice all those commuters to stop in for a small purchase.
Needless to say - I had commuter-envy.
Well this past week, the small town that I live in (approximately 25 miles north of Salt Lake City) opened up the station and we now can all ride the "Front Runner". In the mornings; the Front Runners pulls into "my" station every 1/2 hours beginning at 5:30am and after a couple of stops we pulled into the SLC Station. I excitedly looked around to find out where my office was and to my dismay...it was about 2 miles away. Not to worry....it was early and the walk would do me good. Well about 45 minutes later, lugging a briefcase, a purse, coffee and sporting shoes that were definitely NOT made for walking...I was in my office.
Needless to say - I had commuter-envy.
Well this past week, the small town that I live in (approximately 25 miles north of Salt Lake City) opened up the station and we now can all ride the "Front Runner". In the mornings; the Front Runners pulls into "my" station every 1/2 hours beginning at 5:30am and after a couple of stops we pulled into the SLC Station. I excitedly looked around to find out where my office was and to my dismay...it was about 2 miles away. Not to worry....it was early and the walk would do me good. Well about 45 minutes later, lugging a briefcase, a purse, coffee and sporting shoes that were definitely NOT made for walking...I was in my office.
Oh Boy - was I excited; I was a commuter and I was going to do it all again at 5:00 pm. As I exited the office, I meet a co-worker who asked if I was riding the train home. "Yes" -I was and started off on my 2 mile trek. He yelled at me as I took off ...something about "where are you going"? - you can take the light rail and be at the station in 7 minutes.
YAHOO - for me; I changed directions and started walking over to the light rail car, thrilled that I had already shortened my travel time.
I rode the train all 5 days; I learned a little more about what to carry, what not to carry, what shoes to wear and that the east side of the train gave me a wonderful view of the sunrise and is certainly cooler on the way home.
All types of people ride the train. Lots of nurses going south to the hospitals in SLC, business men buried in their newspapers, retired folks that have started a second career and are excited to share their stories about what farm was where, who lived on what street and a few times asked the other riders if their grandparents lived on the corner of 6th and 9th...they were pretty sure they recognized them from many years ago (even asked about about their family). People bring their bikes, their babies, their strollers, lunch, music, books to read and all are eager to share their seat and the experience.
I think I will stick with riding the train. Not only am I saving gas, minimizing my carbon footprint; I love that Bood takes me to the station in the mornings and picks me up at night (often with our dogs in the truck) AND I have found a new community of people that I am sure I am going to become friends with.
YAHOO - for me; I changed directions and started walking over to the light rail car, thrilled that I had already shortened my travel time.
I rode the train all 5 days; I learned a little more about what to carry, what not to carry, what shoes to wear and that the east side of the train gave me a wonderful view of the sunrise and is certainly cooler on the way home.
All types of people ride the train. Lots of nurses going south to the hospitals in SLC, business men buried in their newspapers, retired folks that have started a second career and are excited to share their stories about what farm was where, who lived on what street and a few times asked the other riders if their grandparents lived on the corner of 6th and 9th...they were pretty sure they recognized them from many years ago (even asked about about their family). People bring their bikes, their babies, their strollers, lunch, music, books to read and all are eager to share their seat and the experience.
I think I will stick with riding the train. Not only am I saving gas, minimizing my carbon footprint; I love that Bood takes me to the station in the mornings and picks me up at night (often with our dogs in the truck) AND I have found a new community of people that I am sure I am going to become friends with.
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