The Car-Free Journey Concludes...

The Journey is almost complete. That's what I thought as I headed out of the hotel in Philly from the Long Road Home. First though, the Car-Free Journey had to make it's way to the Amtrak Train Station. And, this time, it had to do it without the Official Suitcase catching a cab with friends Anna Lowder and Harvi Sahota.

In other words, it's just me, the Official Suitcase, and the Official Laptop...

Since walking that far with everything really isn't an option (especially considering the gathering rain clouds), I figure let's try the subway. After all, the one in D.C. that I just used so much was timely, clean, and generally a good experience...

...then I met the Philly subway. Quite stark.

Though at times, places like this didn't look too bad...

Dark, dank corridors were much more the norm. A lesson learned: in D.C., the Metro strictly prohibits food, drink, radios, and contains no prison-like bars (or at least that I could recall). Philly's subway, on the other hand, has them all.

And the wear and tear that results in painfully obvious.

Fortunately, the journey was short from 13th to 30th on the Blue Line. Soon, we arrived back at the Amtrak station...

...just in time for the 3.55pm Crescent back to Atlanta.

All aboard, Track 6 with Crescent Service to New Orleans and parts in between...

...a brief break at the Baltimore station...

...and, after a long night's ride, the Official Suitcase finally relaxes back at the Atlanta train station (thinking to itself that it sure is glad that CNU 2010 is in Atlanta).

Then, off in the distance, we finally see it again--the Unofficial Personal Motor Vehicle for the Car-Free Journey to CNU XV in Philly. Strangely, in many ways, it was a pleasant sight to see for, as I learned, a car is a great luxury to have. Go without it for 5 days and you'll realize why.

That said, this Car-Free Journey gave me an even better perspective as to why we need to design and build walkable, mixed-used communities that can--one day when demand comes (and it will, I guarantee it as the BP regular unleaded price continues it's deliberate march upwards)--be linked to mass transit.

That day. That inevitable one, will be the day where this type journey is more than just an interesting adventure.

So, in closing, thanks to John Acken, Harvi Sahota, Anna Lowder, and a cast of other supporters who made this journey interesting and possible.

And, most of all, thanks to my wonderful wife Betsy for letting me take these often strange adventures. I really appreciate you!

The End.