From Albuquerque! "Get on the bus!" by Eric Billingsley

This story was published in the Albuquerque Journal on August 3, 2008. However, I am unable to find a link to that story within the Albuquerque Journal website's search engine. I did find two pages of Eric Billingsley's stories, but not the story I have copied below.


So-called "staycations" are all the buzz, given the current state of the economy. Instead of hopping on a plane or driving cross-country, the idea is to do something vacation-like at home. But if you have kids, even carting them around town can quickly add up at the gas pump.

I recently challenged myself, son Gabriel, 8, and daughter Lavender, 6, to forgo using our SUV for a day and ride public transportation instead.

Starting in the far Northeast Heights, we traveled to Central Avenue and down to the Albuquerque Biological Park. We later caught the Rio Line train to the Rio Grande Zoo, and returned home via city buses.

Using public transportation is a no-brainer for some. But for a person like me, who has become way too accustomed to driving, the experience was an eye-opener. The kids loved it. And I appreciated not only saving money on gas, but also how tired they were at the end of the day.

Rise and shine

At 7:45 a.m. the kids and I wake up, eat breakfast and get ready for our day on the bus. We have to be at the southwest corner of Academy and Wyoming at 8:45 a.m. to catch the 8:59 a.m. southbound to Central Avenue. Not for a minute did the kids balk at the idea of riding the bus or dillydally around to get there on time.

When the bus arrives, the driver greets us with a big grin and is especially welcoming to the kids. After paying $1.70 for the one-way journey, Lavender sits down contentedly. Gabriel, being the high-energy kid he is, proceeds to push, pull and test everything in his new environment.

Twenty minutes later, we arrive at Central, get off the bus and walk to the Rapid Ride station on the northwest side of the street to catch a westbound bus. Prior to the trip, I obtained all of the route information on the City of Albuquerque's Web site, cabq. gov. It took 30 minutes or so of research and a couple of calls to the city's 311 call center to pinpoint the best route and times for our trip.

At the bus stop, we meet a mom and her three children en route to Chuck E. Cheese's near Coors Boulevard. They ride the bus frequently and have only good things to say. Gabriel and Lavender climb, explore and run around. I have a quick talk with them about staying well away from the street, but they still manage to exert plenty of energy.

We also meet Maggie Ross, who is commuting home from an all-night shift. With crimson red hair and a punk rock look, she smiles, chats for a while and returns to reading a book. On the Rapid Ride, the kids also see a Boy Scout troop from Wisconsin en route to the train station Downtown.

A day at the Bio Park and zoo

We arrive at the Albuquerque Biological Park at 10 a.m., precisely one hour after leaving the Academy and Wyoming bus stop. The kids are more exited than ever, even though they've been to the aquarium and botanic garden many times.

To save money, and to keep with the public transportation theme, I purchase a Biological Park/ Rio Grande Zoo combo package for all of us - $5 for each kid and $12 for adults. The pass includes use of the Rio Line that runs along the bosque and connects the Biological Park and zoo.

Our first stop is the butterfly exhibit at the botanic garden - a must for young kids. We then stroll to the Rio Grande Heritage Farm, where Gabriel and Lavender are captivated by a three-horned Churro sheep named Rambo.

Afterward, the kids are anxious to see the aquarium. They bypass most of the exhibits and head straight to the large tank filled with sharks, sea turtles and even a diver cleaning the rocks.

It's about noon, so we eat lunch at the aquarium's cafe. Prices are reasonable, kids can color on the paper table coverings and they can watch the fish swim in the large tank.

We then catch the Rio Line to the zoo. The train, which runs every 30 minutes, is a great 20-minute reprieve from walking and chasing the kids. Scenery along the bosque is relaxing, and the kids get a kick out of the train conductor and traveling in a rail car.

At the zoo, we head for the children's play area. Gabriel and Lavender seize the opportunity to get wet in the jumping waters fountain. They play in the jungle gym, and then we check out the seals and sea lions, big cats, polar bears and a few other exhibits.

A book titled "America's Best Zoos: A Travel Guide for Fans and Families" recently named the Rio Grande Zoo one of the top 60 in the U.S. Authors noted the zoo's diverse animal collection, knowledgeable staff and excellent exhibits.

At this point it's about 2 p.m. I'm pretty worn out. and we have a 20-minute train ride ahead of us to get back to the Biological Park, and an hour bus ride to get home. So we catch the 2:15 Rio Line and begin our journey north.

The road home

Just before 3 p.m. we arrive at the Rapid Ride stop on Central Avenue. The kids still have lots of energy, and I have to remind them to hold hands while crossing the street and to stay away from Central.

The bus arrives a few minutes later, we pay our $1.70 and settle in. One thing is strikingly apparent: Afternoon riders seem a lot less chipper than the morning crowd. Things get a little stranger when we change buses at Wyoming and an intoxicated man, with a 12-pack of beer in hand, stumbles into the bus stop.

Reason for concern? A little. But other riders take note of the man's state of mind and compassionately and swiftly send him on his way. We keep our distance, but Gabriel and Lavender ask plenty of questions. My response is to describe to them the effects of alcohol and remind them to steer clear of people when they're intoxicated.

No need to judge, just be aware and safe, is my parenting approach. Even though the kids are 6 and 8, it seems like a valuable lesson.

We board the bus for the last leg of the journey. Lavender lies down on one of the back seats, and Gabriel is still going full-force. The part of the trip where the kids get tired doesn't kick in for another hour or so.

Halfway between Central and Academy, a group of youngsters from Gold Cup Gymnastics School boards the bus. Sure enough, my kids recognize a few of them and the camp counselors because they attended that camp last year. At 4 p.m., precisely one hour after leaving the Biological Park, we arrive at our final stop at Academy and Wyoming.

On our way home, only 10 or 15 minutes from the bus stop, I ask the kids if they enjoyed riding the bus. Still filled with energy, they say, "yes."

But the most striking thing is that the experience seems like just another day in the life to them. They aren't thinking about whether the bus is more convenient than the family SUV. They aren't obsessing about the intoxicated man we encountered. Riding public transportation was fun, and it made sense, especially for a staycation.