Texas Transplant
Well-Known Member
I had a trip to Birmingham this past weekend (to join my wife who drove over a week in advance). Since I was going to drive her back home yesterday, the trick was getting me there on Friday for the reunion dinner, without having to spend a fortune.
So . . .
I booked a one-way advance purchase Greyhound fare for $48.00. Schedule was depart Charlotte on Friday morning at 6:50AM, arrive in Birmingham around 2:30PM (with a 45 minute layover/bus change in Atlanta).
This was what happened:
2 Bus Stations
2 Airport Terminals
1 Light Rail line
1 Rental car
Basically, we didn't leave Charlotte till 7:40AM, and after the requried stops at Wendy's in Spartanburg; Greenville SC bus station; Truck stop at Royston GA, we arrived in Atlanta at 12:55PM. My Birmingham bus left at 12:45PM (not late, but on time). Next bus to B'ham leaves at 6:00PM - or I could ride to Mongomery AL and catch a bus back up to B'ham.
Walked over to the MARTA terminal and paid $1.50 for a trip to Atlanta Airport. Went into the airport where I rented a compact (Sunfire) to drive to B'ham. Car rental cost for 1 day was $30.00 - drop off charge was $60.00 - $104.00 total.
Drove from Atlanta to B'ham airport and turned it in. Got picked up and finally made the reunion around 6:00PM.
When I got there, one of the 'cousins' came up and said, 'wish that I would have known you were in Atlanta and needed a ride. I could have come by the bus station, picked you up and saved you the trouble'. Other 'cousin' knew this, but wouldn't give my wife the number so that we could call him.
In finishing up, I'd suggest that anyone that would really like to experience a slice of 'Americana', take a bus trip somewhere. It was a learning experience. Most people on the bus were very nice, and enjoyed a 'comradire' of sorts. The lady next to me got on in NYC, and was travelling to San Antonio to visit her grandson in the service. She was due to arrive in San Antionio Saturday morning around 10:00AM!
I'll now mark off 'take greyhound bus trip' from my top 1000 things I want to accomplish, before I pass on.
Tex
So . . .
I booked a one-way advance purchase Greyhound fare for $48.00. Schedule was depart Charlotte on Friday morning at 6:50AM, arrive in Birmingham around 2:30PM (with a 45 minute layover/bus change in Atlanta).
This was what happened:
2 Bus Stations
2 Airport Terminals
1 Light Rail line
1 Rental car
Basically, we didn't leave Charlotte till 7:40AM, and after the requried stops at Wendy's in Spartanburg; Greenville SC bus station; Truck stop at Royston GA, we arrived in Atlanta at 12:55PM. My Birmingham bus left at 12:45PM (not late, but on time). Next bus to B'ham leaves at 6:00PM - or I could ride to Mongomery AL and catch a bus back up to B'ham.
Walked over to the MARTA terminal and paid $1.50 for a trip to Atlanta Airport. Went into the airport where I rented a compact (Sunfire) to drive to B'ham. Car rental cost for 1 day was $30.00 - drop off charge was $60.00 - $104.00 total.
Drove from Atlanta to B'ham airport and turned it in. Got picked up and finally made the reunion around 6:00PM.
When I got there, one of the 'cousins' came up and said, 'wish that I would have known you were in Atlanta and needed a ride. I could have come by the bus station, picked you up and saved you the trouble'. Other 'cousin' knew this, but wouldn't give my wife the number so that we could call him.
In finishing up, I'd suggest that anyone that would really like to experience a slice of 'Americana', take a bus trip somewhere. It was a learning experience. Most people on the bus were very nice, and enjoyed a 'comradire' of sorts. The lady next to me got on in NYC, and was travelling to San Antonio to visit her grandson in the service. She was due to arrive in San Antionio Saturday morning around 10:00AM!
I'll now mark off 'take greyhound bus trip' from my top 1000 things I want to accomplish, before I pass on.
Tex
