Light Rail Adventures – Riding the Rails in Phoenix
Posted in Art, Southwest, Travel | By Shelley Gillespie | Tags: Art, Barbecue, Desert, Light rail, Phoenix, Southwest, Transportation, Travel
Despite the critics and naysayers, Phoenix, Arizona finally joined the modern world by developing and running a light rail, which debuted in late December, 2008. Although I’m lucky that I don’t need to commute daily with the light rail, trying the rail sounded like fun!
Phoenix light rail
Traveling light
With a 70-minute one-way ride from the eastern point of the Phoenix light rail in Mesa to the westernmost stop in Phoenix at the Christown Mall, the light rail provides some entertaining sights and illuminating views of the communities through which it passes. Some areas are commercial, some are glam spots in downtown Phoenix and some are downright shabby. But, seeing the architecture, art and people was an interesting experience.
Our first issue was figuring out the kiosk to purchase our tickets. Sun on the screen made it hard to see. While we worked our way through the menus, we missed two trains. The choices includes a full-day pass, a one ride pass, a three-day pass and so on. We opted for the full-day pass so we could get on and off.
So, we had to wait just a few minutes to catch our train. It turns out that there was a Diamondbacks game going on. Even though things are slower on Sundays, extra cars were running.
The train itself is clean with seats on two levels and places to stash bicycles upright. Some of the seats face backwards – depending on which leg of the route you’re taking – so we looked for seats facing forward.
Sights to see
Traveling from the Sycamore/Main Street station in Mesa heading west, a rider can see a microcosm of central Arizona in the 20 miles of the light rail route. At first, the views are unimpressive with car lots and old hotels. A mellifluous female voice announces the stops with a ticker on a sign showing the stops as well. Passing the unusual Tovar Castle, I noted that I’d really like to visit there some day. Passing the Pueblo Grande Museum, the light rail pauses at a Phoenix Sky Harbor stop that allows passengers to walk a short distance to a shuttle bus that travels directly to the airport. Hurrah! No tangling with the parking lots.
Unusual architectural art
As we enter Phoenix, restaurants like the Knock Kneed Lobster (never mentioned in reviews I’ve seen) and Los Dos Molinos (given good ratings) catch your eye.
Then downtown buildings with their varying architecture appear. There’s Chase Field where the Diamondbacks are playing this day, the Convention Center and a series of buildings that juxtapose modern with Art Deco. The light rail travels north past the satellite dishes and studios of NBC, then the imposing Burton Barr Library. Fifty minutes have passed by the time we see the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum. When we arrive at the Thomas Road stop, we hop off and head over for lunch.
Lunch at Honey Bear’s
We were in the mood for barbecue, which was lucky since there wasn’t much open on Sunday along the light rail route. Honey Bear’s at Thomas and Central looks like an old pancake house with hard red seating and tables covered by advertisements sealed with polyurethane into the surface.
The half-slab of ribs – enough for two- was the special and is surprisingly good. The meat was tender and the sauce was a little peppery with a not-too-sweet, rich, tangy flavor. Our sides dishes, potato salad and coleslaw, had advocates from each of us. I preferred the coleslaw that was a bit creamy with just the right hint of vinegar. The potato salad was eggy with relish and mustard-colored.
Back on the rail
We hopped on another train only three minutes after we reached the station and found choices for seats, which we hadn’t expected this near the end of the line. Someone’s “To Do” list was left on the seat in front of us. Not everything was checked off the list. I can’t help but think that maybe the person will never remember all of the batteries they needed or that Dan would never get the letter he was to receive. Our westbound trip had taken 67 minutes of travel.
Once we reached the Christown Mall at the end of the line, we jumped off only to get back on another car of the same train.
More information - http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail/
Along the Phoenix light rail
I really noticed the artwork on our return trip. Colorful murals were painted on building fronts. We saw the controversial “sculpture” that looks like two intermeshed giant nets. I noticed that each station had some form of art, be it a ceramic piece embedded in the station’s wall or a piece of art in the vicinity.
Her Secret is Patience by Janet Echleman
When we reached Chase Stadium, we stopped for a few minutes as a crowd joined us, most wearing Diamondbacks shirts and reliving the game. One lone fan wore an “LA” shirt.
Our trip east took a little longer, but everyone seemed exuberant when they reached their stops. Clearly, everyone was enjoying the light rail travel.
We did, too. It is not a surprise that 25% more people are riding the Phoenix light rail than was expected. Driving in traffic or watching the traffic go by. A real no-brainer.
Tags: Art, Barbecue, Desert, Light rail, Phoenix, Southwest, Transportation, Travel