Saturday, January 29, 2022

Public Transit Rocks

Today marks almost four (4) months into my “use public transit only” goal. The purpose of this post is to share my experience and hopefully make you think a bit about your own habits. 


Why set the goal? I am confident we all have to be a bit uncomfortable before we can make an impact on climate change. I also like setting goals to keep my mind young and…I like to freak people out.


I would like to challenge all of you to consider “being a bit uncomfortable”. You don’t have to give up your car but how about:

  • asking a friend to carpool if going out together
  • walking instead of driving at least once a month 
  • taking public transit to your next event (built-in sober cab!)
  • consolidate shopping trips to reduce driving
  • changing your opinion of those that use public transit as heroes not those with less 

Lessons I have learned, or benefits I have gained during the journey:

  • to give up control
  • to slow down
  • to plan ahead
  • to be more flexible
  • to have more empathy for those that do not have a choice to use public transit 
  • increased exercise from more walking 
  • more money in my pocket from the savings of no car, insurance, gas, or maintenance
  • new friends I met along the journey

Public transit is a catch-22 of sorts. People do not want to take it until it is more convenient but it can’t become more convenient until ridership grows. How will you contribute to the solution? 


Stats after three months:

  • spent $160 on fares ($40/month)
  • walked 334 miles
  • moved around via trains, buses, light rails, scooters, and car-sharing services
  • took two (2) Lyft rides (due to being too intoxicated for riding a bus at night as a single women…which is another post)
  • used a car-sharing service twice (Turo)
  • conducted all regular “life stuff” including shopping, going to doctor appointments, visiting the dentist and friends, going on dates, going to the beach, and much more!
My goal is to go a full year using public transit. I have no idea what comes after that. But I have no idea where I’ll be living in one year either. 

Public transit rocks! 





I Got COVID

Over the last two (2) years every post I’ve written on this blog has mentioned COVID. I feel it is important to document…after dodging that damn thing for two years, I got COVID. 

After an extremely fun and mask free New Years Celebration with vaccinated friends, per CDC guidelines, I took a COVID test. It was positive. It was my 16th test and my first positive. I had no symptoms other than an ugly cold sore.

I admit I was in shock. I’m not sure why, because I’ve been taking risks. But I was still shocked. I found it an interesting emotional ride. It was an exhausting 24 hours sharing with my community and trying to figure out next steps and understand the differences between tests, etc. But outside of the emotions and tons of texts and calls I would say it was a piece of cake. 

I’m confident it was easy because I was vaccinated, boosted, and generally healthy for a 53 year old woman. I’m celebrating science and my ability to get a vaccine and booster! Suck that COVID!!!

Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Share your results with the State if doing home tests. Share with your contacts so they can test. Mask up. Be gentle on one another. 

I still hate COVID. 

Proof of the fun that was had below…












Sunday, January 2, 2022

New Years, the Beach & Alcatraz

This will be my final post documenting the week I had both girls in my new home in California. That is still weird to write as I pinch myself daily I’m here. It was fun and we did a ton. I’m exhausted. Either I’m getting old or my simple life is making me weak for adventure (or I have COVID…I’ll take my 100th test later this week). 

I dig these two. It hit me tonight this is the first time since I gave birth to them that I do not have a date when I will see them next. I guess this is empty nesting. I’m sure we will get something scheduled soon. 



We celebrated New Years Eve with friends of mine. I’m sure it will be a NYE my girls will not forget. Needless to say, fun was had by all. 







Although I’m a huge goal setter I have never really made NYE resolutions. But I love how January 1 forces me to reflect upon the previous year and I have to say…2021 was good to me. Yes, the pandemic still sucked ass but I learned a lot from COVID as well. I’m excited for 2022. 

The morning after NYE our plan was to drive along the coast stopping at a few beaches but it was cut short by…sleep. We had a little recovering to do from a late night. We did make it to Capitola though so Paradis could see the beach and watch the sunset. I cannot believe I live by this and cannot wait until summer! 











We were cracking up when all our phones lit up with a “Freeze Warning” alert. The temp was going to be 28°. Both girls were in flip flops and it was -30° back home!



Today was a sad one as we had to put Paradis back on a plane for Minnesota. We drove to San Francisco and first took a ferry to Alcatraz. 













Can you imagine being a prisoner and being this close to one of the most beautiful cities in our country? 





The girls were looking for collection jar goodies. We were fortunate enough to walk along the Agave Trail which is only open a couple months a year due to the area being used by birds for nesting the other months. Despite the horrible things that happened there, the island is really very beautiful.  







Annelies and I said our goodbyes to Paradis and drove back home. I took a much needed nap and dropped off the car I rented through Turo. I jumped on a bus back home and I have to say it was very soothing. I plan to write a post soon about my public transit experience, but I really do enjoy the simplicity. 



Overall the week was wonderful showing both my girls my new home. I miss them but I’m so glad we can see one another during our travels. 

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2022 brings you everything you desire. - Rae Ann