AMN

One of the train operators told me that this happens because freight trains are getting clearance in a way that messes up the Rapid despite the fact that RTA is supposed to get priority. I didn't totally understand what she meant -- I didn't understand how freight would affect that strip of track -- but I didn't press her for details either.

I walked up to Playhouse Square from Public Square today -- it appears the E9th to Playhouse Square portion of Euclid is almost done. On the South side of the street, the sidewalk is completely done. On the north side, the sidewalk from 9th to almost 12th is done. (There's an apron around east 12th on both sides. They don't look ready for cement yet.) The completed sidewalk is creeping from ideastream down to 12th. The lower portion of lower euclid looks like it still has a ways to go, but you can see the progress nearly every day.

It's not that bad: http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=Arts+%26+Entertainment&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=7746601AD81747B7A40A86A8733E64F4

Well, the PD did have a home prices rising story on the front page like two days ago: Cleveland area housing prices up first time in year http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/06/home_prices_continue_to_fall.html Actually, I was confused this morning between the differences between the two stories. Here was today's story on the business front: http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/business-7/1214555413201560.xml&coll=2

Tonight, I'm going out and taking the bus. We're starting out in Detroit Shoreway, which I'll take a bus to get to. I am hitching a ride downtown (though I could take PT there), where we'll spend a good portion of the night. Then we're going to a friend's house in ohio city, which I'll probably catch a ride to, though I could easily take PT there. I'll take the bus home to Tremont since the Abbey Avenue bridge and the area between it and west 11 can give me the creeps at 2 a.m. I won't have lost any personal time. I'll leave a bit earlier for dinner and read on the bus, but I would otherwise be sitting at home.....and probably, well, reading. ETA: I do drive to work when I need to run around for work or do something on my lunch break that's not walkable. Though it's not often MUCH time that I'd be spending on the bus/rapid compared to driving, it is SOME time, and that belongs to the employer. (Don't ask me why I make that distinction but on slow days check in on this message board throughout the day...)

I'm with you. I read, and with the time at home I normally would spend reading, I do other things. So I actually GAIN time in my day by using public transit.

Ryan McKenzie, of City Wheels fame, likes to say that relying on public transportation often means you end up relying on the public to transport you. :lol:

FYI: Your $63 bus pass can be bought pre-tax through your employer, reducing it's cost to about $40 a month. ;)

If you happen to see it and purchase it, and somehow fend off the relatives, I would be much appreciative. Is it wrong to crave beer at 11:13 a.m. on a week day?

The whole state is kind of remote. The largest town in the state is Burlington, and it only has 39,000. The capital, Montpelier, is the only one in the country without a McDonalds. (Though there is one in Barre, the next town over, but Vermonters are proud of that stat.) The Northeast Kingdom is more remote than other parts of the state. The Rutland/Middlebury area has more amenities. Rutland is ugly but near some pretty towns. If you want to see ski areas near Rutland, go to Killington and Sugar Bush. In the NEK, go to Jay Peak. Burke also has some killer ski trails. Vermont is really small, so you may be able to hike a little bit here, and a little bit there, depending on your desires. Rutland is two hours max from St. Johnsbury, the biggest town in the Northeast Kingdom. Another thing to think about in August will be swimming holes. There are some really good ones around the Killington area. These are typically just a little off the trails, and you'll see a little pool that develops by the way the river flows. Vermont has a bunch, some of which are popular, the best of which are relatively unknown. It's a nice break while hiking to cool off there. And as a bonus: For whatever reason, mosquitoes seem less populous in Vermont, which makes hiking even better there. Man...I need to schedule a Vermont vacation next year.

BTW: If you (or anyone) need more detailed information on trails, let me know. I lived there for 2.5 years. And anything I don't know, I have a friend I can give you the e-mail address of who is an avid outdoorsman -- fishing, hunting, hiking, birding, everything. He's a real Vermonter, not just an enthusiastic flatlander like myself.

Oooh...don't visit Stowe. It's the only Vermont town that couldn't be trying harder to be a small Vermont town. It's like Disney. Hike any portion of the Long Trail. My favorite parts of the long trail are in the Northeast Kingdom. Lamoille County is also amazing for hiking. And if you end up in the Northeast Kingdom, something quirky to see: the town of Derby Line. It's built right on the Canadian border in the Northeast Kingdom. Half their library is in the states -- half in canada. There's a line on the floor inside. And there's a street called Canusa Avenue. Half the street in the states, half in Canada. Lots of flags. Pretty cool to see. This may be incredibly tacky since I don't know you, but if you have any room in your traveling device for a six pack of Trout River beer, I'd gladly give you some cash plus a courier fee. It's the hardest-to-get beer outside of Green Mountain state lines.

I had trouble picking, too. I was born and lived in West Park until I was in elementary school, but then we moved to the burbs. (Under protest by me.) As soon as I could drive, I spent significant time in Cleveland. When I finally moved back here after college and the start of my career, I moved into the city. (And that's where I live now.) I also realized that even though I never let Cleveland leave my heart, I knew my former burb way better than I knew the city. I even went out there in desperation one Saturday right after I moved back to run my errands since I couldn't figure out where to go in the city for everything I needed. I voted city -> city even though some of my formative years were in the 'burbs.

So far: 0 for me. I agree, though. I'd like Z to have a chance.

No way. Not if no one was hit -- and maybe still not if they were hit but not killed or at least seriously injured.

If you need a little more inspiration to get down to the steel mills: Here are some photos: http://snipurl.com/2be4q And a story: http://snipurl.com/2pbkq

PD Sound Off on RTA: http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/opinion/121429629257390.xml&coll=2

As long as it's not grotesque -- i.e. airport travel -- then this is less of an issue for me. I'm saving two hours of driving that it would take to get from Cleveland to Columbus. I can spend that time effectively on the train whereas I can't in the car.

At that price point, I imagine it would be fairly popular. I know I would use it -- probably every single line since I have buddies in each city on that initial map. I'll reserve any excitement until the money is in the bank.

Any wild guesses on how much a ticket would be? Cleveland to Columbus? To Cincy? Obviously, this is way premature, as KJP noted in his masterful layout of the major steps in the bureaucratic process, but I can dream about it, right?

You don't have to sneak.... I prefer to sneak. I'm sketchy like that.

That is a great view. I'll have to sneak up there sometime. Great pics overall, UR

I peel mine then squeeze gently, breaking it into vertical thirds. Far better texture. I want to eat a Paw Paw.

Where were you in photo #2? University Circle? I really like that view of the skyline, though it's not as impressive with the naked eye if you're in UC. (too far away). Does anyone know of a comparable view closer in?

The trolley, for me, means sometimes meeting a friend in the Warehouse District for lunch instead of eating at my desk in Playhouse Square. Because of the limited options over there, going out to lunch is a little boring. I have occasionally taken an extended lunch and gone to the Jake as well when the Indians are playing a nooner. $8 ticket and $4 hotdog is not as filling, but a great lunchtime experience.