Dr. Gridlock's Training Wheels

Fellow Commuters, This is Robert Thomson filling in again for Steve, while he's on vacation. I just got in from four hours on Metrorail. Not your typical commute, you say? I don't commute anymore. As soon as I start using any form of transportation, I'm on the case as the new Dr. Gridlock.

Monday, I circumnavigated the Capital Beltway on the outer loop, with a little detour out into Fairfax County, because I wanted to experience Braddock Road, Arlington Boulevard and Lee Highway. I love the new Wilson Bridge. Things were a bit sticky around Telegraph Road. I did that part at 5:30 p.m.

Today, I switched to transit: Red Line, Orange Line and Blue Line. Plan to do more this afternoon. Maybe the part of the Blue Line that I missed, down to Springfield, or out the Green Line to Greenbelt.

I know it's different from the way you do it. As I try to gain experience -- try to get ready for questions people will ask of Dr. Gridlock -- I can go anywhere at any hour. It was an odd feeling, this morning, standing on the platform at Metro Center knowing that I could get on any train, going in any direction. By the way, they were all packed.

Interesting to look out from the Orange Line window at all those solo drivers on inbound I-66 inside the Beltway during rush hour.

Thanks to everyone who responded to the Monday blog. Got lots of good advice. Please keep that coming. I do feel like I've got the training wheels on.

-- Robert Thomson