Today is the last time my Max train turns to the left as it comes off of the Steel Bridge into downtown Portland. Beginning Monday, we will be traveling on those other tracks, instead.
Day: August 28, 2009
Last days on first avenue.
Stopped at the Yahmill stop today my Yellow Line Max driver came on with this announcement, delivered in a bored, but gleeful tone: “Starting THIS SUNDAY the Yellow Line Max train will not stop at the Yamhill station. EVER. AGAIN. Instead, it will be on Fifth and Sixth Avenues.”
His delivery cracked me up, and I was not surprised to hear several conversations such as this: “The Max isn’t going downtown anymore? What?”
The challenge of the informed public taking advantage of the information available to them in several forms remains. Sigh.
Things I will miss when the Max switches streets:
Being first to get on the train. The stop you see below is the first stop for the North-bound Yellow line Max train. It’s also the stop nearest to the library and church. I know exactly where to stand to be the first on the train and the first to my favorite seat. Although I do let old or infirm people on first if they are around. My new stop will be the third on the North-bound line and my favorite seat will not be guaranteed. It’s also a further walk, not that that ever hurt me.
Here is my preferred seat. Right behind the driver, is a single seat. Sitting here I don’t have to worry about sharing with someone and I am away from the general hubbub of the train, usually. On cold days, the second seat back on either side nearest the windows usually is quite warm due to heater placement. So in the winter, sometimes my favorite seat is variable.
Buckram. You know you love it.
Even if you didn’t know what it was called.
Growing up, I read many books covered in buckram. Though they are becoming scarce on the library shelves (Multnomah County Library discards books like crazy) I love to see the colors and the patterns.
