"You Can Go Your Own Way!" "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." Let's Have a VERY Controversial Conversation About Transportation!

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

For anyone wondering about the title, yes, I got the first part from the song by Fleetwood Mac, and the second part is the name of an old movie. So...

Let's have a VERY controversial conversation about transportation!

For several years, I've lived very far away from family and friends, so I have to make flights to visit. Unfortunately, I have to rotate whom I go see every time (I'm not able to see everyone every year.)

I used to love flying, but it's become so much of a hassle these days (not to mention my motion sickness worsening over time,) that I've tried looking into alternative forms of transportation. Sadly, buses and trains would take to long, and since I have to travel by myself, I wouldn't feel safe on a bus or train for several days anyway (at least not here in the USA.)

It's gotten to the point that I would be willing to try almost any other method of transportation if feasible. I'd even be willing to try to transport myself via carrier pigeons if it were possible! (I wonder what the security scanning would be like, and how much extra I'd have to pay for a direct flight with no stops!)

And I have to admit, I miss good old-fashioned road trips. I'm looking forward to the day when I might be able to take one with other single friends.

How about all of you?

I would like to know what kinds of transportation you have enjoyed, and/or still enjoy (or no longer enjoy), throughout your lifetime.

* What were your favorite forms of transportation when you were growing up? Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, tractors, row boat, a little red wagon (pulled by your brother or sister, of course!)?

When I was a kid, my grandparents had a small pond with a paddle boat (something my Grandma had always wanted,) and I wistfully remember evenings paddling away with her in that boat (though the mosquitos were fierce!) Too bad I can't get to my friends via paddleboat!

* What are the types of transportation that you have personally owned (if you've owned any)? (Bicycle, motorcycle, car, truck, scooter, boat, etc.)

* When you travel, how do you prefer to go? Cars, planes, bus, trains, cruises, etc.? Did you used to like some things, but no longer do? Why?

* Which kinds of transportation would you recommend, and why?

* And for the parents -- how did you feel when your kids started driving?


I've been talking about going on a cruise with a friend. I'm kind of liking the idea that once I find the ship, everything I need is there, and I won't get lost! (Unless, of course, I go on an excursion.)

How about you?

People are VERY passionate about their vehicles, so I'm expecting a VERY controversial conversation -- one in which the sparkplugs will fly!

 

[Lynx]

They don't use spark plugs anymore. They use coil packs. Unless they moved on to something besides coil packs now...

I'm just supplying the controversy and argument you were requesting.

 

[RodB651]

I want to help with the controversy..

Anything other than walking or riding a horse or donkey is just NOT Biblical...

 

[Lynx]

I want to help with the controversy..

Anything other than walking or riding a horse or donkey is just NOT Biblical...

Well there is traveling by whirlwind and by whale...

 

[seoulsearch]

They don't use spark plugs anymore. They use coil packs. Unless they moved on to something besides coil packs now...

I'm just supplying the controversy and argument you were requesting.

I want to help with the controversy..

Anything other than walking or riding a horse or donkey is just NOT Biblical...

Well there is traveling by whirlwind and by whale...

Now THIS is exactly what we want to see in this threads!

Contention! Controversy! Condemnation! All wrapped up into witty replies -- you can't get any better than that.

Keep up the good work!


Er... I mean...

SECURITY!!

Who let these troublemakers into the thread?!! How did they ever get a pass?!

Le sigh.

I've been meaning to update and review the Security Team, but somehow, there's always a few that slip by.

 

[seoulsearch]

I want to help with the controversy..

Anything other than walking or riding a horse or donkey is just NOT Biblical...

And here I was going to listen to some online sermons and read my daily devotional...

Thank goodness you've helped me decide to do something that will be MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE as a Christian!

I'm going to go downstairs and yell at kids whizzing by on scooters -- shouting about how un-Biblical they're being -- as I'm shaking my cane.

 

[seoulsearch]

And here I was going to listen to some online sermons and read my daily devotional...

Thank goodness you've helped me decide to do something that will be MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE as a Christian!

I'm going to go downstairs and yell at kids whizzing by on scooters -- shouting about how un-Biblical they're being -- as I'm shaking my cane.

You know, it'll be the CHRISTIAN version of telling kids to get off my lawn!

 

[Godsgirl1983]

Have you tried Red Bull?
I hear it gives you wings, and if you have wings then you can fly
See! Problem solved!

 

[seoulsearch]

Have you tried Red Bull?
I hear it gives you wings, and if you have wings then you can fly
See! Problem solved!
View attachment 291822

Oh my goodness, this was a CLEVER one, GG!!!

(I mean, how did the Security Team ever let you through... Oh wait!! I was trying to convince you to be PART of our Security Team!)

Energy drinks are on a whole 'nother level!!!

I've only had sips of a few -- I didn't like the taste at all -- and they're so strong that even a few tastes will make me woozy!!!

I might have to write a thread about those...

 

[CarriePie]

When I was a kid, I enjoyed riding my bicycle all over the countryside.
As a teenager, I enjoyed rowing my grandmother and mother on the creek to their trotlines. I liked that my upper body got a workout and this freed them up to bait/check the lines. Being in a boat on the creek is one of my favorite things to do in the country.

My mother and I rented a paddle boat once on a river in Missouri and once on a lake in the Osage. We greatly enjoyed it. Well, except that time I had to tug us to the bank because our boat got clogged. I plan to rent a paddle boat again in hopefully the near future.

I never liked motorcycles at all. My dad tried to get me into them and I was not interested. I was so glad when he finally gave up lol.

These days, my preferred way to travel is by flying. My main dislike is the long wait at the gate. One of my main likes about it is the take off and the landing. I've been through numerous take off and lands and it just never seems to get old for me. The other main thing I enjoy is the views. I especially like when I have a Houston to Atlanta flight, usually half the flight is in view of the Gulf. Another flight that I've liked was flying into Midway Chicago. Flying over the Great Lakes was picturesque. And sometimes there are neat oddball things to spot from the air, like spotting LUECKE from the air on the way to Austin. "A Lone Star State landowner used three miles of trees to spell out his name, creating the biggest name on earth." I've heard that NASA uses it to evaluate satellite imagery.
It's also interesting to people watch at the airport. Also, other things that never seem to get old for me, like taking the plane train or the sky train. I probably won't be flying again until later in the year, but I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Godsgirl1983]

I might have to write a thread about those...

YES! After all, they have been in the news recently about just how contraversal they are...
I mean, people overconsuming and health risks and all.

 

[Lanolin]

When I crashed my car I didn't want to drive again (well I literally couldn't drive mine, it was totalled) so I walked and bussed and sometimes bicycled.

Of the three, walking was cheapest but you had to watch where you're going!
Bussing is good with a hop card but waiting for a bus wasn't so great in the rain and cold
Bicycling is the most dangerous thing you could do on New Zealand roads! Especially on rubbish bin day and there's no cycle lane.

Aside from driving someone else's car that I didn't want to risk. Those intersections and road rules and everything about it plus road rage and trying to find a park doesn't make the most exciting journey.

I used to pray everytime I got in the car, especially at the intersection at the end of my street, but I wasn't praying the day I crashed.

Thankfully I wasn't too hurt the car got the worst of it, but I had to pay a lot because I didn't have insurance! Arrgh
I learned a very expensive lesson.

Is that controversial enough for everybody????

 

[Lanolin]

I do recommend going on a cruise with a friend. You can be seasick together. After you both recover you'll have a great time.

 

[seoulsearch]

When I was a kid, I enjoyed riding my bicycle all over the countryside.
As a teenager, I enjoyed rowing my grandmother and mother on the creek to their trotlines. I liked that my upper body got a workout and this freed them up to bait/check the lines. Being in a boat on the creek is one of my favorite things to do in the country.

My mother and I rented a paddle boat once on a river in Missouri and once on a lake in the Osage. We greatly enjoyed it. Well, except that time I had to tug us to the bank because our boat got clogged. I plan to rent a paddle boat again in hopefully the near future.

I never liked motorcycles at all. My dad tried to get me into them and I was not interested. I was so glad when he finally gave up lol.

These days, my preferred way to travel is by flying. My main dislike is the long wait at the gate. One of my main likes about it is the take off and the landing. I've been through numerous take off and lands and it just never seems to get old for me. The other main thing I enjoy is the views. I especially like when I have a Houston to Atlanta flight, usually half the flight is in view of the Gulf. Another flight that I've liked was flying into Midway Chicago. Flying over the Great Lakes was picturesque. And sometimes there are neat oddball things to spot from the air, like spotting LUECKE from the air on the way to Austin. "A Lone Star State landowner used three miles of trees to spell out his name, creating the biggest name on earth." I've heard that NASA uses it to evaluate satellite imagery.
It's also interesting to people watch at the airport. Also, other things that never seem to get old for me, like taking the plane train or the sky train. I probably won't be flying again until later in the year, but I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you for taking the time to write this beautiful description of your experiences and travels, Carrie.

Reading your post was like reading an entry in a travel blog.

Do you also have favorite "landmarks" at certain airports that you enjoy seeing? For instance, there's this dinosaur at Chicago O'Hare airport --




I just read that her official name is apparently "Ernestine," but I've always called her Sue, after another very famous dinosaur skeleton at a Chicago museum I saw as a kid.

Whenever I turn the corner and see "Sue" (Ernestine,) I know I'm only a few hours away from "home."

One thing I hate is how challenging flight bookings can be. I always have a layover in Chicago and 3 hours would be a perfect amount of time, but no, it's always something like 2 hours -- or 5 hours. And I always have to go with the longer time, just in case my arriving flight is late (and it can take 1/2 an hour just to get off the plane,) because you never know how far away your next gate is going to be -- or how often they're going to change it.

But reading your calm, relaxed, and grateful approach to flying -- I need to absorb some of that!!

Thank you very much for sharing.

 

[Lanolin]

Ubering tip for single females. Don't make the mistake of sitting in the front seat and answering personal questions from your male driver.
Yes you are taking a ride but you are paying for it! Thankfully they are not too expensive, well depending on what time you go. With a fully charged smartphone, you'll never be stranded again.

 

[Lanolin]

Ambulances are good, but quite costly when you receive the bill after you haven't died.

 

[seoulsearch]

When I crashed my car I didn't want to drive again (well I literally couldn't drive mine, it was totalled) so I walked and bussed and sometimes bicycled.

Of the three, walking was cheapest but you had to watch where you're going!
Bussing is good with a hop card but waiting for a bus wasn't so great in the rain and cold
Bicycling is the most dangerous thing you could do on New Zealand roads! Especially on rubbish bin day and there's no cycle lane.

Aside from driving someone else's car that I didn't want to risk. Those intersections and road rules and everything about it plus road rage and trying to find a park doesn't make the most exciting journey.

I used to pray everytime I got in the car, especially at the intersection at the end of my street, but I wasn't praying the day I crashed.

Thankfully I wasn't too hurt the car got the worst of it, but I had to pay a lot because I didn't have insurance! Arrgh
I learned a very expensive lesson.

Is that controversial enough for everybody????

I am so sorry about your crash, and I can certainly understand why you didn't want to drive again. I've known several people who never wanted to drive again after a bad accident.

I've been in a few minor accidents but the vehicles took all the impact.

I understand praying every time one travels -- it's scary out there.

I'm just glad that you are ok!

 

[NightTwister]

Important fact about traveling right after me. In 1985, A Delta flight crashed at DFW. I was on that plane 3 days earlier. In 2002, I was on an Amtrak train from Denver to D.C. A week later the same train derailed in Illinois. I've also been on Malaysia Air a few times. It wouldn't be a bad idea to check with me to see if you're traveling right after me on the same flight/train/etc.

 

[seoulsearch]

Ubering tip for single females. Don't make the mistake of sitting in the front seat and answering personal questions from your male driver.
Yes you are taking a ride but you are paying for it! Thankfully they are not too expensive, well depending on what time you go. With a fully charged smartphone, you'll never be stranded again.

Uber and Lyft are getting crazy expensive here, unfortunately.

I don't know how to use them yet, as I've heard some horror stories and choose to take public transportation with several riders (not just me) if possible.

I can see some situations where I'm probably going to have to use it -- but yes, it's always important to put safety first.

 

[seoulsearch]

Important fact about traveling right after me. In 1985, A Delta flight crashed at DFW. I was on that plane 3 days earlier. In 2002, I was on an Amtrak train from Denver to D.C. A week later the same train derailed in Illinois. I've also been on Malaysia Air a few times. It wouldn't be a bad idea to check with me to see if you're traveling right after me on the same flight/train/etc.

Too bad we can't look up your name in the scanners when trying to make bookings...

"Has NightTwister been on this thing anytime recently?!"

In all seriousness, I'm just glad you're ok.

I had a friend who is an attorney and was supposed to attend a meeting in the Twin Towers on 9/11... I can't remember the reason, but he didn't make it there that day.

It's amazing how God can choose to protect people.