BlogHer - Getting to BlogHer conference sans car - Comments

Might try the AmTrak route next time!

greenlagirl — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:34:38 -0500

Yes, in general, trains are much more eco than planes -- so next time I'll def. try to take AmTrak! Should be an adventure :)

greenlagirl.com

The real train.

ejnorman — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:55:56 -0500

I thought that you meant AmTrak when you said "by train". I do that a a lot more than flying.

I don't know whether or how much more eco-friendly it is, and it will take 2 days from LA to Chicago, but

it's a lot more scenic; it's a lot more comfortable. And you sure don't have to subject yourself to all the hassles

I got here by train!

cherylcolan — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:09:59 -0500

Love this post. I'm glad fellow BlogHers are considering the environmental impact of their travel. Inspired by your post, I decided to videoblog my trip here at the BlogHer site - check it out.
--
I vlog: http://hummingcrow.com
I make: http://whatwefound.blogspot.com
I teach: http://node101phoenix.org

I just took the El to the W...

lauriewrites — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:04:05 -0500

It was pretty easy. I flew into Midway, took the Orange line to Roosevelt, then transferred to the red line to Grand (that part was really quick.) I had to walk several blocks to the hotel but it was only two dollars for the train and I needed the exercise anyway (probably about half to 3/4 of a mile? I'm terrible at estimating these things...)

Anyway, I'm here!

Laurie

The El

lnewman — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:08:23 -0500

I think the L is actually the El - short for "Elevated Train"!

The first time I heard somebody mention the El, I thought they were saying "the owl" because of their Chicago accent.

Getting to BlogHer conference sans car

greenlagirl — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:56:00 -0500

Two buses, a plane ride, and two trains later, I've gotten from Los Angeles to Chicago, ready for the BlogHer conference :)

From Santa Monica, Calif., I took the Big Blue bus (75 cents) to the Flyaway bus ($4) to get to LAX. The Flyaway, which is new to Westwood in Los Angeles, lets you avoid fighting the traffic on the 405, the stressful curbside action at the airport, and the hassles of parking. Leaving promptly every hour and half hour, it whisks you off to the airport, dropping you off at your terminal 35 minutes or so later.

The plane ride -- admittedly -- was not so eco, as it made me spew roughly 786 lbs of carbon into the air. I did, however, manage to make it through customs without losing anything to the liquids police. This may be because I've managed to forget to bring all face lotions, face wash, and even a toothbrush -- though I did miraculously remember to buy a mini-tube of Tom's of Maine toothpaste....

One eco-accomplishment: I reused the plastic cup the flight attendant poured my first glass of water in, simply by saving it and handing it to her the second time she came around with the cart. Maybe next time I'll even try using my own, non-disposable mug --

Once we landed I got on the blue line, transferred to the red, and walked a couple blocks to my friend Anne's place. Total subway cost: $2. Yay!

How did you get to BlogHer? Taken the L yet? Also, why's it called the L? There is no L in CTA....

Photo Credit: Siel, greenLAgirl.com.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.