Yes, you can. But the Rapid's operator has discretion as to whether he/she will allow bicycles on the train. Those situations are limited to when there are large crowds on the trains and no room for bicycles.

Can you bring your bike on the rapid with you? just wondering.

 

To answer your question, yes.  Check the website for details.

yeah, sometimes you have to be a dick to get people to move. 

 

Aggressive behavior only perpetuates the stigma of pt being unpleasant.....If you want to sit down, a simple "may I sit here" usually does the trick.

 

Judging by the most recent articles posted,  a lot of people riding pt as of late are newbies and may not know the unspoken rules....esp in a city like Cleveland (or most US cities) where cars and personal space dominate.  In highly public transit cultured cities, people generally know to not take up seats with bags or block seats.... as well as to move to the back of a crowded bus, to not block exit doors, to stand to the right on escalators, to take off a backpack, to fold a stroller or grocery cart, to give up your seat for someone who really needs it....etc. 

 

If the current gas price trend continues, this is only one more indication of how people in the US need to re-learn how to be courteous to one another in a public forum.

 

 

yeah, sometimes you have to be a dick to get people to move. 

 

Aggressive behavior only perpetuates the stigma of pt being unpleasant.....If you want to sit down, a simple "may I sit here" usually does the trick.

 

Judging by the most recent articles posted,  a lot of people riding pt as of late are newbies and may not know the unspoken rules....esp in a city like Cleveland (or most US cities) where cars and personal space dominate.  In highly public transit cultured cities, people generally know to not take up seats with bags or block seats.... as well as to move to the back of a crowded bus, to not block exit doors, to stand to the right on escalators, to take off a backpack, to fold a stroller or grocery cart, to give up your seat for someone who really needs it....etc. 

 

If the current gas price trend continues, this is only one more indication of how people in the US need to re-learn how to be courteous to one another in a public forum.

 

 

 

I slightly disagree about other transit systems I ride regularly in, Cleveland, NYC, Philly, & Boston people and I find people are as far more inconsiderate, blocking the doors; sitting down and opening their legs extra wide, putting their bags on the seat, bringing strollers or bikes on during rush hour, etc.

 

I 100% agree folks need to be reconditioned when riding Public Transportation for everyday purposes.

Even European drivers are far more considerate than their American counterparts. In my family's many drives while over there, we were never cut off, never saw an obscene gesture, never saw an incident of road rage, etc. Instead, where roads narrowed to one lane past an old building or a bridge, the other guy wouldn't race you to it and instead would wave you on.

 

On the trains, trams, buses and boats, people would usually get up when they saw my aged mother with us and give their seat to her. Sometimes -- but not always was this the case. And of course you would occasionally see a druggie or bum, but not enough to be annoying. Then again their health care system is a tad more inclusive....

the "Rock"  :lol: has a point.

 

Would shifting bus service from "one seat" rides (X to downtown/public Square) to "two seat" (X to rapid Station - transfer to Redline to Downtown/Public Square) be a way to increase and evenly distribute passenger?

 

I mean a "hub and spoke" system might work.  Or maybe alternating.  Bus No. 1 goes downtown, Bus No. 2 & 3 go to the train station, Bus No. 4 goes downtown.

Great idea!  A bus from say Strongsville only travels to Brookpark and back instead of all the way downtown.

 

We tried that on a Berea route. There was mutiny. The people wanted a bus route, not a rail route.

Can you bring your bike on the rapid with you? just wondering.

 

Go to http://www.riderta.com/ro_bike.asp

Even European drivers are far more considerate than their American counterparts. In my family's many drives while over there, we were never cut off, never saw an obscene gesture, never saw an incident of road rage, etc. Instead, where roads narrowed to one lane past an old building or a bridge, the other guy wouldn't race you to it and instead would wave you on.

 

On the trains, trams, buses and boats, people would usually get up when they saw my aged mother with us and give their seat to her. Sometimes -- but not always was this the case. And of course you would occasionally see a druggie or bum, but not enough to be annoying. Then again their health care system is a tad more inclusive....

 

I did a study abroad in college - I lived in Holland.  Certainly I miss the public transportation system.  I was able to get to most every major city in Western Europe and was even able to make it as far East as Budapest almost without even having to check schedules b/c the availability was so frequent.  Still, I saw just as many bums and homeless people around the continent as I would in any other large city here in the states.  Even in the smaller city I lived in (Utrecht) the central station could be like running through a gauntlet of panhandlers depending on what time of day you were going through there.  When I was looking to buy a bike to use pretty much everyone I talked to suggested going and buying one from a bum at the train station - it would be cheaper b/c it was stolen (which I did - it was 10 guilders). 

 

I saw incidents of road rage, people carelessly riding their bikes in the middle of the street holding up traffic (even though there are designated bike lanes).

 

I also saw lots of acts of kindness and courtesy - certainly as a foreigner who didn't speak most of the native languages in Europe, I got a lot of help from many nice people finding my way around or figuring things out. 

 

But I certainly didn't see anything drastically out of proportion from what I see here in the US.  All in all, the Dutch were very friendly but their society was not without their bad apples either.  So it's not all rainbows and butterflies over there because they have better public transportation and universal health care.

We tried that on a Berea route. There was mutiny. The people wanted a bus route, not a rail route.

 

If you're referring to the Red Line extension study, then I'm afraid you're not remembering it accurately. You may recall the Berea Town Forum organized against all transit expansion options in Berea, fearing "those people" would come into their little slice of paradise. They used every bit of fear-mongering you could imagine plus many more which people of sound mind cannot imagine.

yeah, sometimes you have to be a dick to get people to move. 

 

Aggressive behavior only perpetuates the stigma of pt being unpleasant.....If you want to sit down, a simple "may I sit here" usually does the trick.

 

Judging by the most recent articles posted,  a lot of people riding pt as of late are newbies and may not know the unspoken rules....esp in a city like Cleveland (or most US cities) where cars and personal space dominate.  In highly public transit cultured cities, people generally know to not take up seats with bags or block seats.... as well as to move to the back of a crowded bus, to not block exit doors, to stand to the right on escalators, to take off a backpack, to fold a stroller or grocery cart, to give up your seat for someone who really needs it....etc. 

 

If the current gas price trend continues, this is only one more indication of how people in the US need to re-learn how to be courteous to one another in a public forum.

 

 

 

I slightly disagree about other transit systems I ride regularly in, Cleveland, NYC, Philly, & Boston people and I find people are as far more inconsiderate, blocking the doors; sitting down and opening their legs extra wide, putting their bags on the seat, bringing strollers or bikes on during rush hour, etc.

 

I 100% agree folks need to be reconditioned when riding Public Transportation for everyday purposes.

 

As a consequence of last fall's medical adventure, I spent a good part of the winter with leg brace and a cane. Quite often I'd board a bus and all the seats would be full, with teenaged girls sitting in the priority seats. They'd sit there and look at me with a slack-jawed stupid stare, like I was some kind of freak (yeah, but how would they know). I'd fulfill their expectations by whacking the seat stand with my cane and grownling, "I need to sit down." They'd yield a seat and avoid eye contact the rest of the ride. Only time I've ever enjoyed riding the bus.

 

Same thing worked on South Shore trains, where people would fill the seat beside them with bags and crap, even when there were people standing. Aside from an announcement over the PA to put all bags in the overhead racks, the conductors never enforce the rules. Enter mean ol' bastard with a cane. Worked every time.

 

I'm headed for Chicago for a couple of days. Now, where'd I put that cane? :whip:

Did you get the car number?  I know you don't feel that the RTA site is reliable, but this should definitely be sent to Jerry, 'cause that makes no sense!

 

This was one of the times that I didn't.  I was preoccupied by observing my daughter's second ever ride on the rapid!  I have been sharing things with Jerry in the past, though.

 

On the brighter side of the news, I had a driver stop at the W. 65th Street station a couple weeks ago who saw me hustling across the ped. bridge on my way to the station house.  She gave a friendly "toot too" to let me know she was waiting.  She smiled as I ran to get on the train and I gave a winded "thank you!"  This was the second time she's done this in the past few months and it shaves a good 15 minutes off my AM commute.  Thanks!

 

Tuesday, May 27th, 8:18 AM Windermere-bound Red Line #310

We tried that on a Berea route. There was mutiny. The people wanted a bus route, not a rail route.

 

If you're referring to the Red Line extension study, then I'm afraid you're not remembering it accurately. You may recall the Berea Town Forum organized against all transit expansion options in Berea, fearing "those people" would come into their little slice of paradise. They used every bit of fear-mongering you could imagine plus many more which people of sound mind cannot imagine.

 

I've heard similar fears about transit from Parma residents (not trying to bash Parma, I've just been appalled at some things I've heard come out of people's mouths down there (like I shouldn't go grocery shopping in Cleveland Heights because it's too "urban").

You go Rob.  I refuse to stand, if I can see the seat I'm going to plop my narrow ass down.

 

Prime example, this morning.  I was on the way to work.  I decide to avoid the express and just take the local from 96 St. to 59 St.  I get on and there are three seats taken in a four seat section.  A bag is partially blocking one seat, I politely ask the owner, reading his paper and listening to music, to move his bag.  No response.  I repeat louder and in Spanish.  Still, no response.  So I just drop my aluminum man bag on that one. 

 

Now....he wants to say something. Before he could open up his mouth, I say, "don't say sh!t, just move the cheap bag!", I then remove my glass (in Miranda Priestly fashion) and roll my eyes.  He doesn't say a word the entire time I'm on the train.

 

This older woman next to me says, "Honey, I don't blame you for telling him to move his bag - I would have kicked it on floor.  Who does he think he is?  If he wants to spread out, take a private car!"

 

 

I've never done that in Cleveland, but in Chicago I've definitely been aggressive with morons who purposelly ignore me on the L. 

You go Rob.  I refuse to stand, if I can see the seat I'm going to plop my narrow ass down.

 

Prime example, this morning.  I was on the way to work.  I decide to avoid the express and just take the local from 96 St. to 59 St.  I get on and there are three seats taken in a four seat section.  A bag is partially blocking one seat, I politely ask the owner, reading his paper and listening to music, to move his bag.  No response.  I repeat louder and in Spanish.  Still, no response.  So I just drop my aluminum man bag on that one. 

 

Now....he wants to say something. Before he could open up his mouth, I say, "don't say sh!t, just move the cheap bag!", I then remove my glass (in Miranda Priestly fashion) and roll my eyes.  He doesn't say a word the entire time I'm on the train.

 

This older woman next to me says, "Honey, I don't blame you for telling him to move his bag - I would have kicked it on floor.  Who does he think he is?  If he wants to spread out, take a private car!"

 

 

 

Where's part II when you get your ass kicked by the guy in the station?

Where's part II when you get your ass kicked by the guy in the station?

 

Honey, I'm too big to get my ass kicked!  Trust, I don't pick fights, but I'll be damned if I let somebody put their hands on me.  Trust in the name, if you hit me, I'm going to whip your ass! 

"don't say sh!t, just move the cheap bag!"

 

LOL

Did you get the car number? I know you don't feel that the RTA site is reliable, but this should definitely be sent to Jerry, 'cause that makes no sense!

 

This was one of the times that I didn't. I was preoccupied by observing my daughter's second ever ride on the rapid! I have been sharing things with Jerry in the past, though.

 

On the brighter side of the news, I had a driver stop at the W. 65th Street station a couple weeks ago who saw me hustling across the ped. bridge on my way to the station house. She gave a friendly "toot too" to let me know she was waiting. She smiled as I ran to get on the train and I gave a winded "thank you!" This was the second time she's done this in the past few months and it shaves a good 15 minutes off my AM commute. Thanks!

 

Tuesday, May 27th, 8:18 AM Windermere-bound Red Line #310

 

I will make sure the operator is recognized internally

In an earlier post, I wrote: "We tried that on a Berea route. There was mutiny. The people wanted a bus route, not a rail route."

 

No, this was not the proposed Red Line extension. We tried to shorten one of the bus routes out of Berea, and end it at the Brookpark Station. The riders said "no way".

In an earlier post, I wrote: "We tried that on a Berea route. There was mutiny. The people wanted a bus route, not a rail route."

 

No, this was not the proposed Red Line extension. We tried to shorten one of the bus routes out of Berea, and end it at the Brookpark Station. The riders said "no way".

 

Maybe if you explained that their choice was bus to rapid and ergo more seats vs. overcrowded, often late buses where you are forced to stand due to lack of room, they would (now) reconsider. Just making changes without explaining it is of course going to make people mad.

For your listening pleasure...

 

from 9:06-9:20 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, on WCPN 90.3 FM, RTA General Manager Joe Calabrese will speak about the ODOT Task Force public meeting.

In an earlier post, I wrote: "We tried that on a Berea route. There was mutiny. The people wanted a bus route, not a rail route."

 

No, this was not the proposed Red Line extension. We tried to shorten one of the bus routes out of Berea, and end it at the Brookpark Station. The riders said "no way".

 

Maybe if you explained that their choice was bus to rapid and ergo more seats vs. overcrowded, often late buses where you are forced to stand due to lack of room, they would (now) reconsider. Just making changes without explaining it is of course going to make people mad.

 

We proposed the change, and there was lots of talking, some of it "lively." They did not want a rail ride, period. I know that concept is hard for some of you to grasp. The change was never adopted, as I recall.

Of course it's hard to grasp. It goes against all the research and feedback I've ever seen/read/heard. Then again, much of that data is national in scope or comes from specific examples in other cities (and not so much the New Yorks, Chicagos, etc). The evidence is pretty clear that people in those cities like their trains/equipment more than we like ours here. Considering Cleveland has the lowest ridership rail system in the country, maybe there's a message there that RTA isn't hearing?

Did you get the car number?  I know you don't feel that the RTA site is reliable, but this should definitely be sent to Jerry, 'cause that makes no sense!

 

This was one of the times that I didn't.  I was preoccupied by observing my daughter's second ever ride on the rapid!  I have been sharing things with Jerry in the past, though.

 

On the brighter side of the news, I had a driver stop at the W. 65th Street station a couple weeks ago who saw me hustling across the ped. bridge on my way to the station house.  She gave a friendly "toot too" to let me know she was waiting.  She smiled as I ran to get on the train and I gave a winded "thank you!"  This was the second time she's done this in the past few months and it shaves a good 15 minutes off my AM commute.  Thanks!

 

Tuesday, May 27th, 8:18 AM Windermere-bound Red Line #310

 

I will make sure the operator is recognized internally

 

I disagree.  Unless the train was ahead of schedule, it should not have waited for him.  It's not fair to the riders already on the train trying to get to work on time.  Many stops you can sit there all day waiting for the next guy running across the bridge...

We proposed the change, and there was lots of talking, some of it "lively." They did not want a rail ride, period. I know that concept is hard for some of you to grasp. The change was never adopted, as I recall.

 

Jerry, to you have any sense how much of this was a reaction to the transfer that would be added to their journey and the limitation of having only one downtown train stop?  I think those are both perfectly reasonable grounds for fighting the proposed change.  But if it really was- "trains are bad-I won't ride them", that is very strange.  I suppose it's hard to tease out people's motivations to that extent.

I will make sure the operator is recognized internally

 

I disagree.  Unless the train was ahead of schedule, it should not have waited for him.  It's not fair to the riders already on the train trying to get to work on time.  Many stops you can sit there all day waiting for the next guy running across the bridge...

 

Boy, you're a real peach, ain't ya! :roll:

^^^^^My reaction to two above issues...

 

Yes, technically, she should not have waited for the biker, unless she was ahead of schedule, but she did, which shows she has a heart. I would thank her for caring, but urge caution from making this a regular happening (not fair to other riders).

 

The Berea incident happened five(?) years ago and I do not remember many details, other than the people strongly preferred bus seats to rail seats. There is not much more I can say on that matter, my CRS is kicking in.

I hope to see many of you at the ODOT hearing tonight.

 

I will be taking photos with a very old digital camera.

 

If your schedule permits, please stop and introduce yourself.

We proposed the change, and there was lots of talking, some of it "lively." They did not want a rail ride, period. I know that concept is hard for some of you to grasp. The change was never adopted, as I recall.

 

Jerry, to you have any sense how much of this was a reaction to the transfer that would be added to their journey and the limitation of having only one downtown train stop?  I think those are both perfectly reasonable grounds for fighting the proposed change.  But if it really was- "trains are bad-I won't ride them", that is very strange.  I suppose it's hard to tease out people's motivations to that extent.

 

Honestly, I'm the opposite. I drive one mile to the W. 117 stop rather than go to the bus outside my door because it's just easier. The buses are never on time and come infrequently. Additionally, my work schedule is weird and I feel more comfortable hanging out in Tower City later in the evening rather than a desolate stretch of downtown. In the winter, you can't be climate controlled stations.

 

I figure I've improved my carbon footprint by cutting my daily commute from 12 miles to 2 miles a day. Not perfect but pretty good!

 

P.S. Jerry, is there a place where I can get one of those cool rail maps you have in the trains? I decorate my apartment with transit maps......

Try printing this one.......

 

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/maps/System_Map_Rapid.pdf

 

P.S. Jerry, is there a place where I can get one of those cool rail maps you have in the trains? I decorate my apartment with transit maps......

 

I thought we had a talk about that?  Stick with the blue, ok!  :wink:

P.S. Jerry, is there a place where I can get one of those cool rail maps you have in the trains? I decorate my apartment with transit maps......

 

Yeah, me too, I'd love to frame one to go with my MTA map.

This e-mail is being sent out today and tomorrow by RTA.

 

WE STILL NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU

 

By Joe Calabrese

 

:clap: :clap: Greater Clevelanders, you are terrific.

 

More than 200 persons attended a statewide task force meeting on transportation issues Tuesday night, and more than 50 persons testified. The majority of those who testified spoke strongly and passionately on the need for increased funding for public transit.

 

My sincere thanks to each and every person who attended. It was, by far, the largest turnout in Ohio for this round of public meetings. I am sure your efforts will help bring about policy changes that will positively impact Ohioans for generations to come.

 

If you were not able to attend the meeting, ODOT still wants to hear from you. The final public meeting is next week in Akron, so by June 27, please log onto the Task Force Web site, and leave your comment.

www.dot.state.oh.us/21ctptf/

 

Background

 

Public transit in Ohio is in crisis. At a time when demand is growing and high gas prices are here to stay, transit systems across Ohio are being forced to cut service to balance their budgets. We now have a wonderful opportunity to impact funding for public transit in the state and we need your to take full advantage of it.

 

In recent years, state funding for transit has been cut 63 percent. Now, more than ever, we need that money restored, and we need to find a statewide dedicated funding source for transit. Working together, we can help bring about policy changes that will positively impact Ohioans for generations.

 

To find out more about the Task Force, visit these sites:

* Task Force Web site, www.dot.state.oh.us/21ctptf/

* Press release, www.riderta.com/nu_newsroom_releases.asp?listingid=1166

* Inside RTA newsletter, www.riderta.com/PDF/InsideRTA/Insider_6-08.pdf

* Riders Digest newsletter, www.riderta.com/pdf/RidersDigest/Jun%2008%20RD.pdf

* Joe Calabrese speaking on WCPN, www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/soi/12346

 

Joe Calabrese is CEO and General Manager of RTA. He is also President of the Ohio Public Transit Association, and a member of the Task Force.

John Campanelli at the Plain Dealer put together a very nice "RTA basics" article in today's PDQ section:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/living-0/121422210840960.xml&coll=2

^ I was just about to post it.  It's definitely a cute article - I especially like this part:

 

"Do not fight the urge to wave at the guy in the next lane in the Hummer whose trip downtown is costing him $12 in gas."

That is a cute article.  Perhaps it would've helped the 5 high school idiots from Brunstucky who when trying to return to the park and ride at W. 150th after an Indians game got on a Blue Line train going east......  Seriously not kidding - they were entirely clueless.

^They should really color code the different lines to help people remember which one they took.  Or maybe post system maps.

I know, right ;)?

John Campanelli at the Plain Dealer put together a very nice "RTA basics" article in today's PDQ section:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/living-0/121422210840960.xml&coll=2

 

I read that today, and I did feel it was somewhat helpful .. but honestly .. are there really THAT many crazy people taking mass transit? I felt like the article would scare the shit out of people rather than encourage them to use mass transit.

 

It is, however, nice to know that crazy isn't reserved for NYC. :)

The 6 can be a little unnerving

That is a cute article.  Perhaps it would've helped the 5 high school idiots from Brunstucky who when trying to return to the park and ride at W. 150th after an Indians game got on a Blue Line train going east......  Seriously not kidding - they were entirely clueless.

 

clueless, or had they perhaps had a vist with the Earl of Bud? in which case it's doubtful any amount of "instruction" would have helped them...

 

I sincerely feel that "ride public transit" should be on one of those "50 things everyone should know how to do" lists, somewhere between "fillet a fish" and "tie a bow tie" :-)

The 6 can be a little unnerving

 

The 6 has my all time favorite transit story.

 

Crowded 6 on the way to downtown, packed bus. There's one open seat. Hanging from said seat is a maintenance required form. Listed under other, "passenger urinated himself".

The 6 can be a little unnerving

:roll:

What? I agree with him - not every trip, but it's a doozy sometimes.

What's life without a little adventure?? :)

The old 326 was also like that. I wonder if that means the newly separated routes, the 3 and the 26, are only half as "fascinating."

 

Was standing on a crowded 326 heading east from Public Square to Asiatown one winter night. A man with a beard that hadn't been groomed since probably 1979 began kicking the back of the seat in front him. Good thing that's where a guy with a short fuse was sitting.. NOT. He turned around and began yelling at the bearded guy. My friend from Chicago and I, plus about a half-dozen others who were standing in the aisle, moved toward the rear door in case the fireworks went off. Fortunately the bearded guy didn't escalate it, but we were ready to pull the cord and flee if we had to.

 

Back in the 70s, my former assistant editor was on the Red Line when a big lady pulled a cannon of a handgun out of her purse. She apparently wanted to make an impression on a drunk who was bothering her to cool it. He did. He along with everyone else in the train fled at the next station.

 

In fairness, I have more road rage stories to share than I do transit wierdo stories. Like the time two guys drove past me throwing beer bottles at my car on I-90. They apparently didn't like the fact they were driving too slow and I passed them on the right....

That is a cute article. Perhaps it would've helped the 5 high school idiots from Brunstucky who when trying to return to the park and ride at W. 150th after an Indians game got on a Blue Line train going east...... Seriously not kidding - they were entirely clueless.

 

clueless, or had they perhaps had a vist with the Earl of Bud? in which case it's doubtful any amount of "instruction" would have helped them...

 

I sincerely feel that "ride public transit" should be on one of those "50 things everyone should know how to do" lists, somewhere between "fillet a fish" and "tie a bow tie" :-)

 

The kids asked like 4 people "Does this train go to W. 150th?"  I think they got a confused look from everyone in the car until one of the guys finally said no.  They kept asking like they didn't believe him, so I chimed in with "This is the blue line east to Shaker Heights."  One of the chicks was like "Shaker Heights?!?!?  Why would we want to go there?"  I then told her they needed to be on the red line westbound towards the airport.  Her response was "The airport?  What, so we can fly back to Brunswick?"  Then one of the other guys explained to her that they needed to get off at E. 55th, go up the stairs and over the bridge and back down to stand on the red line platform.  Well, they got off at E. 55th....  I'm assuming they made it home.  But seriously, how do you board the wrong color train going in the wrong direction at Tower City were there are a million signs listing the stops for each train?????  That was my amusement (as well as everyone else's on the train) for the night.

Oh, people are incredibly stupid. I once worked at Tower City with a gal who had grown up in greater Cleveland, moved away to do all kinds of Peace Corps. work and she'd go on and on about how easy it was to get from A to B in whatever decrepit third-world city she'd been in, but Cleveland was just awful. Seriously, every other sentence was "Ohhhh, when I was in ______, we'd just hop on the train to go anywhere."

 

A few weeks later she complained about Tower City Center's parking fees going up, and I asked if she lived anywhere close to the Rapid. Her response? "Well, I'm over by the West Side Market but that's nowhere close, is it?". :roll: Needless to say, she was pretty thrilled to realize she could hop on the train and spend about $5-$8 less per day than she would if she drove. But yeah - people amaze with their stupidity almost daily.

This is taking things off-topic, but I have to share it... My former editor's wife and her sister were driving from Cleveland to New York City for the weekend. They got on I-90 and headed west. It wasn't until they reached the outskirts of Chicago that they realized they had gone the wrong way. I asked my editor that, why didn't they turn around when they saw the signs for Toledo? He replied they don't know directions so they wouldn't have known which direction Toledo is from Cleveland. But they knew Chicago? Yes, they realized Chicago wasn't right. So what did they do? They spent the weekend in Chicago.

 

One more and I'll shut up... Our former photographer was having a house-warming party on the near west side. His sister was coming in from Bowling Green to join the party. She doesn't understand directions. Hers was to look for signs that read "Cleveland." She missed the Turnpike's first exit for Cleveland, at I-90, west of Elyria. She missed the second one, at I-480, or the third at Lorain Road/SR10. or the fourth at I-71. The fifth at I-77/SR21 went right on past, so did the sixth at SR8, and finally the seventh at I-480 at Streetsboro. She finally called from a pay phone at a gas station on SR46 near Youngstown and asked if she was getting close to Cleveland yet. After he stopped laughing, our photographer handed the phone to me so I could give her directions to his apartment from Youngstown. She finally made it, more than two hours late....