Get Me Out Of Here!

Last night it started to snow and when I woke up, everything was white. Now usually I would be happy about this because I haven't seen snow in quite a long time, but when today was designated as a travel day, I was not excited.

Here's another shot of downtown from my hotel room. So here was my plan today: I was to wake up about 7 am. I would pack my stuff and walk about 4-5 blocks in the snow to get to the Greyhound bus depot. From there, I would get on the bus that would make stops in Cambridge, OH, Zanesville, OH, and then to my final destination, Columbus. I was planning to arrive there around 12:20 pm. I was then going to have the rental car place pick me up around 1 pm and then drive to Lancaster, OH and get there around 2 pm.

The day never worked out like how I planned. Here's my story...

I woke up and it was frigid. I wasn't looking forward to lugging my bags down the street a few blocks and then take the Greyhound. What was suppose to happen is that I was suppose to be able to rent a car in the surrounding area but that wasn't meant to be. All the car places said that they didn't do one-way trips. Sucks. So I actually thought about renting a limo to take me to Lancaster but I would have to pay $45/hour and I have to pay the driver for his trip there and his trip back. That's about 4 hours which means $200! My local agent friend here suggested I try Greyhound and that was a great idea. The trip would take me to Columbus and I could rent a car there and drive down to Lancaster. That takes about 1/2 hour drive. The bus trip would cost me only $38. Nice. So I walk down the street and I'm already beginning to get cold. I knew that the depot was open at 6 am so I was already looking forward to sitting there and read the newspaper in the warm office. Well to my surprise the office was...

CLOSED! What? I can't believe this. One sign says that it is open at 6 am! The other one says closed! C'mon! So I try all the doors to this place, believing that I would find the open door and get to enjoy the warmth of the building but I was denied. When I placed my order for my Greyhound ticket, it said to be there at least 1 hour ahead of your departing time. So that's what I did. I was there before 8 am. I had to wake outside under a small awning. Not fun. People would walk by and try the doors and I told them it was closed. One city bus driver tried a door and said something about the lady who opens up the depot has a sick relative that she takes care of and that she doesn't show up all the time. Great! So I just pace back and forth trying to keep warm. You would think it would be a little bit funny. It wasn't.

Well, after about 1 1/2 hours outside, this guy out of nowhere walks out of the building! I was like "Hold that door!" He goes "What?" and the door slams behind him! *)&#(*^@&@!#. Not funny. I asked him how he got in. He's intoxicated and smells foul and he was talking jibberish so I just ignore him. Well, someone let him in and another person who was waiting with me found the open door and let me in. Thank you!

This is me in the bus depot. It's warm but I'm pissed.

The bus was suppose to show up at 9 am. Not today. Because of the bad weather, the bus was late. One hour late. This is a shot of the street that I was waiting on.

The only really neat moment was when I started talking to this guy who was waiting for the local city bus. He told me that the Greyhound would show up because he takes it all the time. He told me that he once took a trip to all of the baseball stadiums in one year. I thought that was impressive. He told me that he knew of one guy that rode his bicycle to all of the baseball stadiums! I told him that I still thought his trip was impressive but I must admit that doesn't really compare with traveling on a bike. This guy told me that the best ballpark he visited was in Atlanta. The worst ballparks were Miami and Los Angeles. I asked him about San Francisco and he said he didn't like it. Oh well, he doesn't have good taste. He then gets on the bus and he is gone.

The bus finally arrives and the bus driver asks me for a ticket. I told him the depot is closed. He told me that I can't ride the bus without a ticket but he said that this has happened before and that I should buy a ticket at the next stop in Cambridge. I told him fine and boarded.

This is me on the bus. I am not sure how I felt. I think I was neither pissed nor happy. I was just there. The bus ride to Cambridge was pretty easy. It was a straight shot and it seemed like we were making good time. The snow was coming down heavy but we were cruising along. This is me in Cambridge.

Everyone went to McDonalds. I walked in and stood in line but thought about the things I know about McDonalds and left. I was hungry but not desperate.

Just the walk from McDonalds to the bus made my Nikes soaked. I hate wet feet, wet socks, and wet shoes.

So the ride after our stop in Cambridge was absolutely horrible. There was a big accident on the freeway and we had to take a detour into some city. The roads were jammed packed and there was a long line snaking through this small city. We were there for a good 1-2 hours just inching away. The people in the back were getting restless, the bus driver was getting nervous, and I bet if anyone got fiesty, there would have been a fight on the bus. I found out that two guys sitting to my right were fresh out of jail. Both of them were comparing this ride to jail. They had all these kind of analogies and I was just sick of it all. I tried to pretend I was sleeping but I was well aware of the craziness in that bus. The bus driver pulled over so everyone could get a smoke in and calm their nerves. One of the guys went up to the bus driver and he came back and said that his hands were shaking on the wheel! Great! Don't mess with the bus driver! The bus driver was getting spooked I guess and he got on the PA system and announced that if anyone wanted off the bus, there would be another bus behind us a few hours later. Crazy. Well, after a long wait, the ride to Columbus finally ended without any hitches other than we were about 2 1/2 hours late. I got my stuff and I then called the rental car place.

The rental car place told me that they didn't have a car reserved for me since I was late! Great! I'm stranded at the bus depot. I told them that was not acceptable and to find me a vehicle. I don't care what it is. He said that he could make arrangements for a truck and I told him yes. So the guy picked me up, I rented the truck and I was on my own finally!

One day I will have a truck of my own. This Silverado is a nice one. I am glad to drive this here in the snow.

So, I am in Columbus without any idea as to how to get to Lancaster, OH. I'm driving around to find a Starbucks so I can use my T-mobile hotspot. I CAN'T FIND A STARBUCKS! Yes, I know it is hard to believe but I drove for about 15 minutes around neighborhoods and I couldn't find one. Sucks! So I backtrack to the Greyhound bus depot because I know there was a freeway entrance there. I get on I-70 and go back the way I came. I finally see 33 to Lancaster and I'm good to go. The roads are not icy but very clean. The snow is not falling. It was a smooth ride into town. My hotel in Wheeling was not a good one but something I can deal with. I was just there to sleep and shower. It didn't have to be a nice one. Well, I did the total opposite here in Lancaster. I'm staying in a nice and warm Holiday Inn Express and going to find me some food to eat.

I don't recommend anyone to follow my ways in traveling. This is not for the faint-hearted. I survived and I'm ready for the enrollment in Lancaster tomorrow.

I've seen this restaurant called Bob Evans everywhere around here. Who the heck is Bob Evans? Well, tomorrow, I am going to meet the agent out here who will help me at Bob Evans! I'm actually looking forward to finally meeting Bob Evans and eating his food. My guess is that it will be like Denny's or IHOP.

It's 7:29 pm right now and I haven't eaten all day. I am about to venture out into the Lancaster night and see what I can find.