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August 14, 2007
2 Rohlf Women & the Great Bus Adventure!
This might be hard to believe, but I have never ridden the bus by myself. I remember once that my dad loaded all 5 of us kids on the bus in Ames to go to the mall to get my mom a Christmas present. Now, I'm not counting the school bus, but the kind that you have to show up at a certain time, figure out what route, what stops and how much it costs to ride. I didn't go to college so I didn't have the opportunity then either. To sum it all up, public transportation scares me to death. I don't know why. They all go in circles... so I would end up back at the beginning again. But I knew that if I tried it I would have to ask so many questins and then I would look like an idiot. However, today, I decided to take the plunge and take Belle on an outing downtown to the library. We packed up our backpack full of extra diapers, wipes, snacks, water, camera, bus $ and our library book to return. I was so worried about missing the bus that we had to wait 11 minutes near our house. Woops. I saw it coming and my heart was beating so fast. Mostly because I was hoping my child wouldn't freak out and I was trying to carry her along with the backpack and umbrella stroller. All the while boarding the bus, I was trying not to hit anyone with all my stuff and pay my way. Whew!! We made it. Belle was so cute and she did a great job. She didn't cry at all, but she was holding my arm so tight! (I had this funny thought about my parents when I was young. I trusted them so much, even if I was scared of something I knew they would take care of me. But then today, I think my heart was beating just as hard as Belle's. Yet I had to remain calm cool and collected and reassure my daughter that I was going to take care of her and protect her. I'm so glad God knows what he is doing with us!) Anyway, we made it downtown and I simply asked the bus driver where I should get on and what time and she explained it to me. We traveled down to Capanna and then to the library for a while. And we made it back to the bus stop with only 7 minutes to spare this time! I think we were actually on the bus on about 6 minutes each time. So I'm not sure it was worth the $.75 each way. However, it was a huge step for me and I think in the future we might pack a lunch and head downtown for several hours of play time on the jungle gym and at the library. But for now, we are home safe and sound and I have to go make dinner!
(She only lasted about 10 seconds with me not holding her because of the loud noises and the lurching!)
(Much happier in mom's arms! This was on the way home... so I wasn't near as nervous!)
Posted by Leah at August 14, 2007 04:58 PM
Comments
Congratulations on taking the plunge! I'm pretty comfortable with public transportation- you kind of have to be when you live in Boston and you don't have a car. But the T was a lot easier for me than a bus system- I will admit buses can be pretty intimidating. If you end up taking it very often it would probably be worth looking into a bus pass. I have dreams of Mike and I moving into IC and getting rid of one of our cars, and I'd just rely on the buses and my trusty bike, but we'll see if that ever happens.
Belle looks so cute in these pictures by the way!!!
Posted by: Alicia M at August 14, 2007 08:04 PM
Way to go Leah! You'll never guess what, but I was actually reading your blog while I was on the bus. Actually I was sitting right next to my wife on the couch at home and then the funniest thing happened. I read that sentence about being on the bus to her and she said, "Were you really?" That's Sarah. Gotta love her. We love you too and we're very proud of both you and Belle!!!
Posted by: Jonathan at August 14, 2007 09:18 PM
I think the library offers free bus rides if you have a library card. It might only be during the summer and on certain routes... not sure. Sounds like fun though. I should do that so that we can stay longer and not have to pay for parking!
Posted by: Wendy B at August 15, 2007 11:51 AM
Wendy Is right, the library offers to ride the bus for free, you can get a bus pass any day the transit system operates (M-Sat) fromm the circulation desk and it's only valid the day they are issued, so you might have to pay one way, but not the other :) and limit 2 passes per week. And it's valid on any route :) and it goes all year... happy riding! :)
Posted by: Leslie at August 15, 2007 02:57 PM
That is a great story!
Posted by: Ben at August 17, 2007 09:29 AM