Past Trip – November 19thth – BurkeMuseum
Using transit to go to the Burke Museum in the University District is very easy once you know how, as November’s trip proved. And while the combination used to get to the U District (ST #554/Metro #73) is probably the Metro Online Trip Planner’s default method, don’t forget that Metro #271 will take you directly to/from the Issaquah Transit Center to the University District (and sometimes to/from the Fish Hatchery directly to the University District depending on the day of the week and the time of day) but at a much slower pace; it truly is a “milk run”. But, if speed is not a factor, the 271 is a great option. Also, ST #556 that was utilized from the University District back to the Issaquah Transit Center on November’s trip, is a straight-through route but it runs only Monday through Friday, peak morning and afternoon hours.
The main purpose of the Metro Day with Dave trips is to teach and experience the excellent transportation options that the Greater Seattle area has to offer but, along the way, we are exploring some great restaurant options also! Case in point, lunch on the 19th was at the Cedars of Lebanon restaurant on 43rd Ave, which has been a staple in the U District for a lot of years. Here is the group photo inside Cedars:
Next Trip – December 12th – MEHVA’s Santa’s Lights
This will definitely be a different Metro Day with Dave trip but one that will put you in the holiday spirit as we’re going on MEHVA’s annual Santa’s Lights tour!
What is MEHVA? Their website explains: “The Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association - MEHVA is a non-profit, tax exempt all volunteer group dedicated to the preservation of Seattle and King County's transit heritage through the restoration and operation of vintage transit vehicles as a working, living museum demonstrating the importance of public transportation in the region.”
MEHVA offers several tours throughout the year on historic “trackless” trolleys and “motor” buses; this particular tour will be via motor buses. Typically, the MEHVA tours take riders throughout the Greater Seattle area (they even have Fall Foliage tours through the “quiet back roads of East King County”) on 3-4 hour tours and these tours attract historic transportation enthusiasts, as well as people interested in doing something that is a little different. This 3-hour holiday tour shouldn’t disappoint.
The buses will depart 2nd Ave S. and S. Main St (across from the Seattle Fire Department headquarters) at 7:00pm. Tour fares are $5 for everyone, children age 5 and under are free. ORCA, Metro transfers, tickets or passes are not accepted. They request no food or beverages on the historic buses, please.
Because this is an evening tour and because it will conclude at about 10:00pm, we will be carpooling to the Mercer Island Park Ride where we can catch either a ST #550 or ST #554 into downtown Seattle. Once in Seattle, it will be a short 3 block walk to the tour meeting point. Once the tour is over, we can easily catch either a ST #550 or ST #554 back to the Mercer Island Park Ride.
Please meet at the usual bus stop in front of Issaquah City Hall/Police station no later than 5:30PM on December 12th. We will organize the carpool from that point. It is recommended that you have dinner prior to the tour, and because this is an evening tour in December, remember to dress for the weather.
One way fares to/from Mercer Island Park & Ride:
Adult / Youth / Senior/DisabledRoute / ORCA / Cash / ORCA / Cash / ORCA / Cash
550/554 / 2.50 / 2.50 / 1.25 / 1.25 / 0.75 / 0.75
Total / 2.50 / 2.50 / 1.25 / 1.25 / 0.75 / 0.75
2015 In Review
It certainly has been an interesting year for the Metro Day with Dave program. In an effort to try and change up the destinations each month, we’ve visited Safeco Field, Milepost 31, the Burke Museum, Salty’s in West Seattle for our annual Alki excursion, and even traveled as far as Vashon Island. We have appreciated the support we’ve received in 2015 and hope to see you all in 2016. And as always, if you have any questions about this trip or have suggestions for future trips, contact Dave .