Although I took this photo of the Portland Streetcar back in October, I wanted you to see this particular stop, at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, so that you would know what the streetcar looks like and where Mama and I recently caught it.
On a good weather day, we could have walked the eight blocks. A couple of Mondays ago we knew it would be raining, maybe hard, but we still made the decision to go to her eye doctor appointment using only mass transit. People do it all the time in Portland--one of my bus buddies has not owned a car since 1976!
We boarded a 15 bus in front of the Goodwill Store on West Burnside, a block and a half south of us, but uphill all the way. The bus turned north on NW 23rd Avenue, and we rode downhill all the way to Lovejoy, where we got off and quick-stepped on a totally level sidewalk (thank goodness) to catch a waiting South Waterfront streetcar.
Naturally Flat Stanley accompanied us--he'd never been on a streetcar and was curious about how it compared to a TriMet bus. You can read all about the Portland Streetcar here. Flat Stanley himself was particularly pleased to read the section about bringing your bike onto the streetcar, just in case he ever decides to trade in his Vespa for a bicycle.
As you can tell, Mama got a kick out of Flat Stanley's sitting all by himself in the seat beside her. Since it was raining pretty hard, Mama had taken off her eyeglasses and put them into her pocket. She's holding tightly onto my somewhat water-resistant tote bag. I carry it in a downpour rather than my rolling bag because I can't figure out how to keep the rolling bag from getting drenched.
Did you notice those shiny spots on the floor? That's where rain dripped off people as they stood, waiting for their stop to come along. I'm surprised that the floor is that surface. It looks hazardous to me, but I don't particularly remember feeling unsafe.
We made it both directions without a hitch--riding the Portland Streetcar, braving the wind and rain--just like we'd lived up here all of our lives. We are Portlanders!
14 comments:
I love this post! First there is that nice colorful street car that I'd love to ride. Then there is Mama smiling and looking like she's having the time of her life. (I can tell she's a good sport!) Then there is that spoiled little rascal Flat Stanley having another great adventure. (I should be in his place!)
How cute your Mom is in that pic! :)
Lovely streetcar with beautiful sunshinning colors and a very lovely lady too!
I'm in total agreement with Dot.
I love the colors, it makes the car more inviting to ride.
Great series! I really miss decent public transportation here in the land of palm trees. On the other hand, I guess I can't complain about the weather--so it's a wash!
One step at a time you become a native in a place. I have only lived in four different places in my life and in three I felt like a "native".
Flat Stanley is so lucky to get to go on all the trips he gets to go on. I am jealous this little guy gets to go more places than I do. I do not know who has the biggest smile, Flat Stanley or Mama.
Great post.
I love street cars. Looks like Stanley and mom were having a good time...
c'est sympathique les gens qui se laissent prendre en photo avec Flat Stanley. j'aime bien ton tramway, on dirait un jouet ;o)
It's nice people who allow themselves to take a photo with Flat Stanley. I like your tram, it looks like a toy ;o)
Love those colorful streetcars. With the rainy season, Flat Stanley needs a raincoat. You, momma, and FS sure make a fun team together.
Mama and Stanley are a cute couple!
The streetcar looks so clean and bright and colorful.
The buses, MAX, and streetcar all have textured floors of some sort. Back when they first got the low floor buses the floors lacked texture. A few rainy day slips later and they couldn't get the texture on the bus floors fast enough.
I live out of state now and I miss TriMet, especially the Streetcar - I was on car #3 of run #1. Happy memories.
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