Fun With Interstate MAX

Today, Stacy and I went down to experience the grand opening of Interstate MAX! Actually, first we started the day by meeting at her place, then hopping across the street to the Farmer's Market, where we purchased breakfast-type baked goods and consumed them while waiting for the streetcar.

We made our way to the Rose Quarter, where the dignitaries had begun making their speeches to the assembled crowds. After the speeches, the first train pulled out to a shower of fireworks and a hail of applause. We were then able to board the second train, the first one for us regular folk. I was surprised, there weren't the huge crows I was expecting at this point. I discovered later the trains started at the same time all up and down the line, so everybody didn't have to crowd at the Rose Quarter.

There were community events of all stripes at most stations all up and down the corridor. We decided to ride the train all the way up to the Expo Center, then make our way station by station back down. We stopped at all but maybe one or two stations. There was free food, a ton of schwag and entertainment, including mariachis and a Polish dance troupe that Stacy loved.

I think the effects of the light rail are already beginning to show on the neighborhoods, and clearly more things are going to be going on in the long term. Also it is now the best way to get to events at the Expo Center! It is a great addition to the system.

May 01, 2004 08:15 PM

Comments (3)

05/23: Trevor said:

So ... there's no Inturweb time delay in England, right? When you type "today" into your blog entry, you really mean "two weeks ago." Right?

ha! Gotcha! You got f'd in the a!

05/23: Bill said:

See the date on the post? It says May 1, fool!

Sometimes posts need a little time to age before they're ripe for going up for everyone to see.

05/24: Trevor said:

LOL, [snort], heh.

Oh, and I believe *April* 1 is the "fool" day you're looking for.