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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