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November 22, 2007
Escape from New York
I know people who have never left Manhattan. I don't think of it as snobbery, I merely think that, at a certain income level, it takes a serious effort to get out of Manhattan.
So we're going to Rhode Island. Rhode Island is only 173 miles away from my house. Back in Texas, that was 3/5 of the distance between Lubbock and Dallas, a trip I took frequently. You would jump into your little convertible and just drive for five hours, listening to dreadful pop songs at 70 mph. Here, not so easy. We have three options here. Planes, automobiles, or trains. Option 1- Fly. Flights seem a bit silly, especially since NYC has no subway connections to airports, unlike London or Paris. By the time I take the one hour to get to the airport, one hour to get through security and gate stuff, then one hour for the flight and debarking, I could have driven.
Oops, not so fast!! This teacher doesn't own a car! Owning a car in Manhattan involves hellish registration, insurance, and the daily quest for a parking spot. Option 2: rentals are the only real option. Unfortunately, renting a car in the city is seriously expensive, so in my NYC state of mind, I have to go to NJ. After work on Tuesday, I left the school, walked down to the GW bridge, and WALKED to Fort Lee, New Jersey. I'm in decent shape, so a walk of 2 miles across a fjord/tidal river seems perfectly sensible. Yes, I could have taken a bus from the terminal at 181st, but by the time you buy a ticket, find the right bus schedule, and board the bus to go two miles, you really could have just walked two miles. You rent the car, then spend the next hour and $6 to return the two miles back into the city. Once you're in the city, you then have the quest for a parking spot, only to be reminded that you even if you find a parking spot, you'll have to get up the next morning and move it from 9-10:30am for street sweeping.
There is always the train option, even though I really haven't taken it here in the US. If you are traveling alone, it makes sense to take the train or the bus. Since we're going with our friends Jerry and Patricio, the costs are too prohibitive. The bus is also a much cheaper option, but to RI takes 3 hours longer to arrive, plus there is no real public transportation once we arrive.
It has taken me two years to complete my 50 state tour, all because it is just so difficult to get there. When I find that the easiest way to complete my goal is to walk 2 miles across a bridge in nasty weather over a giant river, things just seem a bit odd.
Posted by G at November 22, 2007 01:03 AM
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Comments
oh yea of little faith. Take the E train to Jamaica/ JFK and follow signs to the AirTrain terminal, which will take you directly to your terminal. Rockefeller Center to my gate at JetBlue has taken me as little at 1hr 15 minutes.
And I have to comment from Maine to a NYEr about this?
Rent a car to Newport, Baby....with four of you, it ain't so bad....and you have a getaway car
Posted by: seth at November 24, 2007 05:10 PM
And that's a big part of why I gave up on Manhattan and went back to Portland. There were quiet, boring Saturdays when I was just dying to take a little trip somewhere, but it's nearly impossible without spending a fortune. Here, I just hop in my car and go for a hike. I can be absolutely NOWHERE in just over an hour. I find that relaxing. : )
Posted by: Andy at November 25, 2007 11:33 AM
I'm a big advocate of train travel. I love to take Amtrak to New York, when I've got the extra cash, otherwise it's the big gray dog.
I've been avoiding driving for the past few years, largely because Boston drivers have reached a new level of craziness and getting behind the wheel you are taking your life in your hands around here.
I hope you guys have a good time in Providence. It's a nice little city.
Posted by: Tony at November 27, 2007 09:35 AM
The train station in Providence is fairly central. That is how I would recommend the getting there.
Posted by: Farmboyz at November 27, 2007 09:03 PM
it is difficult to travel in this bloody town! but congratulations on completing your 50 state tour! woohoo!
Posted by: chris at November 29, 2007 12:08 PM
Personally, I like the "3/5 of the distance". Spoken like a true math teacher.
Posted by: Blobby at December 3, 2007 12:45 PM