Abby and Win’s Blog

Posts Tagged ‘commute’

This week started off rough. Right before I leave for work on Monday, we find out that one of Abby’s follow up check up isn’t going to be covered by our insurance. So she called them up as I left for work. As I was driving through Ontario Mills on the 10 westbound I hear a large bang! It sounded like a gunshot or a tire getting blown. I look around and here’s what I see.

A brand new crack on my windshield. This has been the third one but the biggest. I put a quarter there to give you a perspective of the size. It’s about 3 inches in diameter and it’s in the bottom, middle area. It’s almost a perfect circle so whatever hit me is round. I’m not sure what it was but it was windy that day. The car in front of me was a sedan so I doubt it fell or came from it. It may have ricochet from it though.

I’m hoping it doesn’t “spider web” and make it worse. Since it’s not right in front of me, it doesn’t pose a safety issue so I may just wait a while to get it fixed, unless it gets worse. I guess it’s part of the adventures of long commutes. I can’t wait to live closer to work, whenever that is, or if it happens.

I’ve been taking the Metrolink to work for about a month now instead of driving. I’m tired of being stuck in traffic. So I decided to give it a try. Although it cost more in the beginning, I will be saving money in the long run. For instance, maintenance on the car will be less frequent. My car is near 90k miles and 3.5 years old (I keep it clean though). One way takes 2 hours and 20 minutes on a total of 4 trains compared to an hour and a half (light traffic) driving.

I’m a little more tired when taking the train since I have to wake up earlier but I can easily sleep if I need to on the train. I can also browse the internet on my laptop using my Verizon V70. There are about 2 dead spots but it hardly disconnects, it puts me on idle for about a minute and I’m back online – it’s a seamless procedure, I usually don’t notice it. I also can read a book or watch movies on my iPod touch.

So from the Rialto station I take the Metrolink train to Union Station in Los Angeles. The trip takes about 90 minutes. Then I get on the MTA Red Line or Purple Line for about 10 minutes to the 7th and Metro Station. This is where I catch the Blue Line to Long Beach. It takes about 40 minutes to the Imperial and Wilmington (Rosa Parks) Station. This is where I transfer to the Green Line where I get off Lakewood Blvd. Station which takes about 12 minutes. Then I walk from the station to work. It’s about 3/4 of a mile. I get my daily exercise then.

Overall it’s been good trips. I sometimes see “interesting” people. People grindin’ trying to make a living so they sell beads and candy. But don’t let that fool you, the LA Sheriff is watching all the time. They have random ticket checks and I’ve seen a few tickets being handed out and people arrested.

Even on weekends Abby and I take the train to LA to her pharmacy review. It’s a little less crowded then and cheaper. Also, with a paid Metrolink ticket, you can transfer to any Metro trains or buses.

You should save a day and try it out. There are many places you can go without driving. Plus you are helping the environment