By the time I "got our stuff together" to leave for the transit center, I threw over my shoulder to my husband, "See? This is why people don't take the bus." What an intimidating proposition, making sure I had the necessities--the possible necessities--for four children, including one infant. Knowing, of course, that if I didn't have that one thing, this would be the time I would need it.
Take diapers, for instance. If we used disposable diapers, I would grab a handful, which would fit compactly into my backpack. Because we use cloth diapers (the whole saving-money concept along the lines of taking the bus to Anchorage) the same amount of diapers takes up quite a bit more space. Not only did I have the diapers to worry about, but I had the wraps, which are the waterproof component I secure around the diaper. Then there were the plastic bags in the event that the baby used the diaper(s), which means I needed to make space for the used diapers once they were in the plastic bag. And just how many should I bring? The day before, she pooped at least four times. So in my mind, I must account for the possibility that she will, at some point, need a diaper, but possibly a great many diapers, and poopy ones at that. More planning.
I packed water, I packed food. I packed four changes of clothing for the baby. Yes, four. Not that she's ever even needed that many clothing changes in one day, but my optimistic self assumed that she would take advantage of that opportunity on a day that I am farthest from our clothing options at home. I packed sweaters for all three older kids and one for myself. I packed a baby carrier in case the baby boycotted the stroller. By the time we were ready, I had three children on foot, one in the stroller, the stroller itself, a backpack on my back, and a second bag in the bottom of the stroller. We were ready. I felt like braying.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
People Mover Part 1
Alaska now holds the coveted honor of having the most expensive gas in America. Which is ironic, since we grow it right here at home.
Actually, this statistic isn't entirely accurate. Our average includes the cost of gas in remote places such as Bethel, which is populated by a little more than 6300 people and where the cost soars to $4.98/gallon (and reportedly as high as $5.98/gallon). We are still able to pay under $4.00/gallon, especially if we use our grocery discount or go to Costco.
Either way, we're feeling the burn. Last year late in the summer I discovered that People Mover, our local bus service throughout Eagle River (where we live) and Anchorage, provides free rides for kids on Thursdays. I took advantage of it when we had only one car and my eldest son had swimming lessons while Alex was working. Every Thursday, my four (at the time) children and I took a bus ride one mile up the highway so Noah could take his lesson. The roundabout way made the trip a full hour each way. The kids enjoyed it. The scenery was fantastic. It worked out fine. The buses are very clean and even have children's books in the back. Sometimes they were very crowded and sometimes they were completely empty. Always, the drivers were very nice and pleasantly sociable (laughing at how I'm referring to them as though they are a strange breed of human or something). I committed to taking further advantage of this the following summer when the days are so long and taking the bus ride into Anchorage for an outing would be an exciting way to get out of the house with kids without spending an arm and a leg for gas (which, in retrospect, seems laughingly cheap).
We decided to do our first excursion today and posted this in a few different places to invite our friends to join us. My suspicion is that more people like me would use the bus more often if it was demystified, because I received emails from people who really wanted to join us at some point but needed basic information, like "Do I need car seats for my kids?" and "How long would it take altogether?", etc. I think I was afraid of the bus until I started using it during college. It remains to be seen whether my children will ever get their own car keys before they are married (this will also be when the semi-permanent snow suits are removed).
More later. I have homework waiting for me, now that I have stumbled downstairs at 2 in the morning after falling asleep with the kids.
Actually, this statistic isn't entirely accurate. Our average includes the cost of gas in remote places such as Bethel, which is populated by a little more than 6300 people and where the cost soars to $4.98/gallon (and reportedly as high as $5.98/gallon). We are still able to pay under $4.00/gallon, especially if we use our grocery discount or go to Costco.
Either way, we're feeling the burn. Last year late in the summer I discovered that People Mover, our local bus service throughout Eagle River (where we live) and Anchorage, provides free rides for kids on Thursdays. I took advantage of it when we had only one car and my eldest son had swimming lessons while Alex was working. Every Thursday, my four (at the time) children and I took a bus ride one mile up the highway so Noah could take his lesson. The roundabout way made the trip a full hour each way. The kids enjoyed it. The scenery was fantastic. It worked out fine. The buses are very clean and even have children's books in the back. Sometimes they were very crowded and sometimes they were completely empty. Always, the drivers were very nice and pleasantly sociable (laughing at how I'm referring to them as though they are a strange breed of human or something). I committed to taking further advantage of this the following summer when the days are so long and taking the bus ride into Anchorage for an outing would be an exciting way to get out of the house with kids without spending an arm and a leg for gas (which, in retrospect, seems laughingly cheap).
We decided to do our first excursion today and posted this in a few different places to invite our friends to join us. My suspicion is that more people like me would use the bus more often if it was demystified, because I received emails from people who really wanted to join us at some point but needed basic information, like "Do I need car seats for my kids?" and "How long would it take altogether?", etc. I think I was afraid of the bus until I started using it during college. It remains to be seen whether my children will ever get their own car keys before they are married (this will also be when the semi-permanent snow suits are removed).
More later. I have homework waiting for me, now that I have stumbled downstairs at 2 in the morning after falling asleep with the kids.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)