Train. My father used to work for Southern Railroad and the one perk was that we could ride the rails for free. I love being on the train, reading, talking, looking out the window. I loved going to the dining car and having it be real food (linen tablecloths! freshly baked biscuits!) and watching the world go by as you eat. And I **especially** love sleeping on the train- my favorite is the old 1-person cubicles, where they pull the bed down at night and it fills the entire space, with the window taking up the long wall. I would open the curtain and lie in bed, watch the world rolling by, and be rocked to sleep by the movement of the train… Very cosy, and opens up lots of space for musing. And at journey’s end you are in the city you mean to be in, and you can walk right out into it. I’m really not *that* old, but I guess I grew up at the very end of an era. You can still get a lot of that in Europe and a few other places (Amtrak DC-NY used to be ok-ish, though it’s been years since I was on it). Even now, unless there is a huge difference in time or cost, I will take a train between cities- less hassle, more space.

I realize that cars are not the most PC of things to love these days…. but I am totally in love with my little black volvo. It has 240,000 miles on it….the air conditioning gave out years ago…. and the trim work has the mange…. the front headlight bit it during a snowstorm this past winter…. one windshield wiper died…. and it has a mysterious electrical glitch…..but it is my old reliable friend!

I love our car!!!! Shes old and in great shape..gets good gas mileage for an oldie..She needs some work done on her and will be going in to the dealer for whatever needs to be replaced. Next after this old friend, are the horses. I grew up in a time when we had teams of work horses on the ranch, and it looks like that might be an option for some farmers and ranchers today. They are stealing the gas or diesel they have for their farm equipment and leaving the farmer high and dry.. I know how to hitch and drive a horse to a buggy..not too practical here in the city however. Love to drive a horse..Maybe we should move back to the country!! Last, I love to travel by train..Don’t fly nor take a bus..but ah, the train is so lovely. One of my favorite train travel memories is watching the sun come up over the Mojave Desert. Such natural drama!!

I would give anything if we had a decent public transportation system here. When I visit my sister in N.VA, we almost always take the Metro, which is far more pleasant that trying to figure out what to do with a doggone car in D.C. I think it is a shame that all these years there wasn’t a more of an emphasis on public transportation. When I went to school, from the time I was a kid, I used a bus. Things have changed, though, since the gas price got so high. I walk to the grocery if I need a few items, and, as a Realtor, I am encouraging my clients to let their “fingers do the walking(or driving in this case) and look at perspective homes first on the computer. Saves a lot of gas.

BOOKS!!! They can be borrowed for free from the library, purchased inexpensively at yard sales or paperback exchanges, or the sky is the limit for special or rare editions. The contents can take you anywhere at anytime, literally the sky is the limit, or not. You don’t have to plug them in, they use no gas and if you want to reread them, it is as simple as opening a page. You can time travel to the past or zoom ahead to the future. You can visit exotic lands all from the comfort of your easy chair, hammock or porch swing. Now excuse me while I read the latest issue of National Geographic’s story on Stonehenge, I am going to the past in England.

I like using my bike!

About half the time when I lived in Tucson I rode the bus and I liked it. Instead of using the umbrella I used in the Northwet (Seattle area) for rain, I used it to keep the sun off of me. Now that I’m back in the Northwet, that same umbrella is used for the rain and I’m not happy. I also have to drive because distances are so much further apart here than in Tucson. However, because it’s cooler, my dog can ride with me and that just makes his day!!! What do I have to do to get an avatar???

Haha! Skiing! ;) But only if it’s downhill!!! ortherwise I prefer to drive!

I never had a license. A vision problem kept me from getting one in high school. Once that was fixed, I entered a prolonged period where I had either the time or the money, but never both at once. Then I lost interest. The public transport is still okay in my area (in spite of a county executive who thinks every one should drive), & lately my old, funky, working-class neighborhood has become THE place to live, so most of what I need is within a few blocks. I walk a lot; it’s become a pleasure again since knee-replacement surgery, or I take the bus. My retired Dad is usually willing to take me shopping in exchange for lunch & a chance to whine about my sister, his fellow Legionnaires, rising gas prices, etc. I car pool to work, but it’s less than two miles away, I can walk if I have to.

I am physically unable to walk, my husband drives our car as soon as we get that stimulus check he will build me my ramp and sidewalk then I will be driving my hover round. Then I will be able to read to the day care center kids and the kids when they go to school. Boy am I excited, that check better get here real soon.