We needed some groceries.

As you might expect, Kevin was rearing to go on the xtracycle. I hesitated, though, knowing it was commuter traffic time and the air quality would be horrible along the bike path on Federal Way. So I suggested ValleyRide. A route runs just two blocks from our place and practically to the door of the grocery store we use. I checked the map, the schedule, the clock. It seemed like it would work.

SuperT doesn't like to be rushed, though. So it was not without complaints that we made it to the bus stop, where I learned lesson number one.

5:16 pm
Lesson #1: Standing alongside a busy road waiting for a bus will likely involve inhaling large amounts of exhaust and road pollution. Buses normally use very heavily trafficked routes. Also note that, considering your sound sensitivities, SuperT and yourself may get grumpy from the sheer noise of all that traffic.

5:23 pm
Lesson #2: The transit bus you are hoping to catch may not look at all like a city bus. It may in fact resemble a commuter shuttle, with a 8x11 sheet of paper taped to it letting you know it's the bus you want, so watch carefully. When you board, the driver may not take your fare (no means for this on said commuter shuttle) and instead will direct you to "just have a seat," of which there are only 8. It is in fact a paratransit bus, with half the bus devoted to wheelchair transport. Luckily there were only two other riders. We sat at the back, where the rowdy people sit.

So to sum up: no fare taken, strange paper sign, strange seating, only two other riders. Hmmm... At least it seems to be going in the right direction.

5:40 pm
Arrive at destination. Driver confirms location of pickup as you disembark. Walk toward grocery store. Rush to get the goods -- don't want to miss that LAST return bus! Pay attention here...it's the LAST bus of the day.

6:10 pm
Waiting precisely where driver indicated, groceries in hand. SuperT drinking juice and getting a bit too much sun. Semis pull out of truckstop spewing fumes. Yuck. See Lesson #1.

6:20 pm
Lesson #3: Take LOTS of time disembarking bus to confirm with driver multiple times the EXACT pickup time and location. THIS POINT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND MUST NOT BE RUSHED. As we waited at our predetermined spot, we painfully watched as said LAST bus whizzed by roughly one block from where we stood. Kevin and I gaped at each other.

6:25 pm
Kevin picked up the box of groceries and I got ahold of SuperT. We started for home.

6:37 pm
SuperT says, "Dang, mom. Too bad we missed that bus."

6:42 pm
Kevin stopped to rest and spotted a goat in someone's backyard. "Baaaa" said I. Goat looks up at us. SuperT says, "Don't disturb it mom. It's eating."

6:47 pm
Lesson #4: (I already knew this one.) There are some really thoughtful and generous people in the world. A car pulled along side us and the woman inside asked us if we wanted a ride. I looked back at Kevin, who had rested the box of groceries against a railing for a rest. He looked like he would like a ride, but he kindly refused, as SuperT and I would not have safely fit in the car with him.

Lesson #5: (I already knew this one, too.) Kevin is an amazingly chivalrous person.

The rest is a blur. Kevin and I switched for a while and I tried every way of carrying the box of groceries. My short stature made this a challenge, so the box ended up on my head. Kevin took over again after a while and ended up adopting this method. Perhaps this is Lesson #6: While on foot, carry boxes of groceries on your head.

7:50 pm
Home at last.

Overriding Lesson: Do not rely on ValleyRide for transport. The Force is not with ValleyRide. The Force is with the xtracycle.

Go the Jay Way, and may The Force will be with you, too.