The following great moments in wayfinding are offered in appreciation of all transportation nerds who need a break from holiday frenzy.
Wayfinding Moment #1: catch a ride from Northgate.
A couple weeks ago RantWoman invited herself to visit two friends WingNut and Curmudgeon who live in Lynnwood. We have not gotten together since well before the #pandemic and A Lot Has Happened. Most relevant: the 512 which RantWoman used to catch downtown now terminates at Northgate. Yes to redistributing service hours. Whine about an added transfer.
But wait: Wing Nut wants to come pick RantWoman up at Northgate. RantWoman spent a couple texts saying "But I can get to the Lynnwood transit Center." Then RantWoman realized sometimes there are good conversational reasons just to gratefully accept the ride offer.
Ah, but neither WingNut nor RantWoman looked at a map for driving instructions, like say from the I5 exit or once at the transit center how gracefully to connect with a pedestrian. RantWoman got off the train and down to street level. There were phone calls. RantWoman looked for evidence of pedestrian friendliness such as stop lights and clear crosswalks. Let's just say RantWoman will have to review her web resources. RantWoman also opted for the just stay put and act tall and be patient approach.
Finally WingNut spotted RantWoman and honked and yelled. There was some kind of green strip between RantWoman and the traffic lane where WingNut was. There was a long yellow strip at the edge of the station near RantWoman. RantWoman had no idea what to tell WingNut about where to drive. Off WingNut drove and a few minutes later she pulled up next to RantWoman and off we went.
Wayfinding Moment #2: find the North Entrance to the U District station.
RantWoman feels really stupid and also ANNOYED about this one. It was dark and stormy. RantWoman was headed home from RantMom's. The 62 to Roosevelt station rolled by before RantWoman crossed the street. The Transit app said the 372 was due shortly. It now ends at the U district station, and OF COURSE RantWoman should have looked at a map. But Google mapping on the fly on a cellphone in the rain, um....
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| Next time, AVOID THIS PLAZA |
RantWoman wants to go back in daylight before saying everything on her mind about pedestrian signals.
Yes, RantWoman hurt herself.
RantWoman made it home painfully, now that she remembers at the Capitol Hill station NOT to walk toward the curry smell if she wants the bus to her front door.
No RantWoman has not gone to a doctor.
RantWoman sought advice from blind nurse friend. Symptoms are slowly subsiding. Slowly. With help from Tylenol and a support cane RantWoman just happened to have.
Wayfinding Moment #3: fetch prescriptions from Pharmacy
Bartell's. No longer RiteAid. How did that happen?
Never mind. Bartell's is closer. RantWoman could have called a friend for a ride. RantWoman is stubborn and determined to be self-reliant. RantWoman was not really reckoning with sidewalks covered with soggy leaves or with a couple tree root upheavals the size of small mountains. RantWoman made it to Bartell's, and back across Rainier to a bus stop. RantWoman opted to ride one stop. There was still the walk to the building but fewer and much less severe sidewalk issues.
RantWoman reservies the right to add more #CaneTravel nuances. For now RantWoman is just glad to be mostly in one piece.
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