The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round...

During our first year in Minneapolis I commuted almost entirely by bus. We only had one car, and our offices were about 20 miles apart. I loved it, even those below 0 days when I had to wait for my transfer. Yes, it took me 50 minutes and 1 transfer, but I got to read a lot and chat with the same people every day. Although, Minneapolis has a pretty nice public transportation system, I'd say for the most part it serves workday commuters taking rush hour buses from the suburbs, and people who can't afford cars. There are also quite a few green people who use it, especially when it gets too cold to bike. (Weird fact...Minneapolis is now the top bike commuting city, even with the winter. Seattle is second). Unfortunately due to our move and a change in the bus schedule, I'd have to ride the light rail, 2 bus transfers and a .5 mile walk to get to my office. That's an hour and a half commute on a good day to go 15 miles. Once we knew Penelope was on the way, we bought a second car.

Personally I love taking public transportation. Many times it takes longer than driving, but you see so much more of a city. I learned about so many south Minneapolis neighborhoods during my one year commute and would often jump off the bus for a quick dinner or shopping before heading home....my life isn't quite that spontaneous anymore.

Today we introduced Penelope to the bus. We went to the International Children's Festival in downtown St Paul (another post on the festival later). On the website they offered free bus passes so we wouldn't have the hassle or cost of parking. Penelope loved the bus! I quietly sang The Wheels on the Bus every time something happened--door open and shut, wipers swish, horn beep beep due to almost being hit by a car (she liked the horn a lot!), change go clink clink, man without any teeth play peek a boo...oh, well, that's not in the song, but she had fun playing peek a boo.

I saw so many St Paul neighborhoods I haven't explored. We've driven by on the freeway, but I had no idea they were there. One was Cathedral Hill. It was like being in Brooklyn Heights. I fell in love. 1870 brownstones, adorable restaurants, little grocery store. And there are tons of restaurants that have been recommend in that area and I had no idea where they were. We will definitely be going back to explore that area.