The winter of 2011 has been, to say the least, awful. The number of plowable storms in such a short period of time is pretty astounding. I have never been one to even consider moving to a warmer climate in my senior years, but this year just truly makes me wonder.
It is not that I hate winter in New England. I just hate the hassles of travel. The commute to work can be pretty atrocious in normal conditions. Today’s travel ordeal resulted in a first for me – requiring all four subway lines to reach my destination. It was an adventure I could live happily without.
First, the Downeaster Amtrak train broke down just in front of North Station. After waiting at a dead stop for twenty extra minutes with the platform within reaching distance of my outstretched hand, I trudged to the Orange Line. At State our subway abruptly jerked to a halt - medical emergency at Downtown Crossing. So, off I went, to the Blue Line to go backwards to Government Center to intersect with the Green Line. Once on the Green Line, I traveled to Park Street to get to the Red Line. Red Line to North Quincy to meet the shuttle for work. Ten minutes shy of three hours since I left home, I was plugging in my laptop at my desk.
It felt as if I had just arrived when I was putting my coat on to go home. I reached the front door of my building just to watch the shuttle pull away. When I finally arrived at North Quincy station, luck repeated itself as I watched the inbound train close its doors just as I reached the platform. After fifteen minutes I was on my journey again to Downtown Crossing. As I rode the escalator to the Orange Line I could hear the P-A system - disabled train at Sullivan Square. Hundreds of people like sardines on the platform and I now had twenty-five minutes to get to North Station for the Downeaster.
Over the years I have become very skilled at picking the right spot to stand while waiting for the subway’s arrival. After about ten minutes, the announcement that the train was approaching created a visual that looked like hundreds of people on the starting line waiting for the shot to sprint. As the train pulled into the station it was clear that there was not a square inch remaining to put a small child in, let alone dozens of travel-weary adults carrying all manner of bags and suitcases. No matter what I was getting on that train!
As luck would have it (as much luck as I could muster today at least), my position was perfect, so perfect that a total of ONE person got on the train – me!! When I reached North Station I raced through the thousands of college students arriving for the Beanpot. With two minutes to spare, I jumped on the Downeaster and plopped down on an empty seat. Yes, I made it!!
Which is where I now compose this entry. As I open the laptop and start to type the train pulls away. Bravo!! Finally heading home! “Ladies and gentlemen, there is a signal problem in Wilmington and our train will be delayed.” Could I have expected any less? At some point I will arrive home this evening. And the best part is that I get to do this again very soon.
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