Flying day? Or the sound one makes when spitting out Willamette River water?

Did you try going to Flugtag? I did, and I made it. Sorta. The usually quiet Saturday bus to downtown was packed and running half an hour late. Testy passengers got off mid-Hawthorne Bridge to walk. Both sides of the riverbank were lined with spectators, and downtown was an anthill of activity. Here’s Team Weener from the Portland Mercury; I love how the condiments follow the dog!

By the time the bus made it into downtown proper, it occurred to me that all those people would be going home soon. My business was none too pressing, so I bailed early. I got on the same bus heading outbound, and the crowds were beginning to disperse as we crossed the bridge. Just in time!

Having been stuck on 4th of July and Blues Festival buses, I know the misery of these rides. One could question TriMet’s timing regarding MAX service disruption. Could the shutdown of the Steel Bridge have waited one more day? It makes me wonder how service disruption will effect The Bite of Portland next weekend.

Were you stuck on one of those sardine-packed bus rides from hell? Or did you get lucky? Will you insist on driving like a lot of folks did at Flugtag, or will you take public transportation to The Bite?

Go ahead. Dish!