Disclaimer: As y’all already know, I’m no photographer, so I apologize in advance for any visual offense I might cause. Any halfway decent photos in this post were probably taken by Bus Nerd. On to the trains:

On Friday afternoon, I took a preview ride from Westlake Station to Tukwila Station and back. It was a good overview of the entire line.

Stadium Station

SoDo art

View on the climb to Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill Station

View of Franklin from Mount Baker Station

Racing the 194

Gaining ground

End of the line

On Friday evening, Bus Nerd and I attended Tuxes and Trains, a black tie train celebration/fundraiser for Transportation Choices Coalition in Union Station’s Great Hall. We had a blast. Did I mention that Union Station is air conditioned?

My handsome date

A commemorative root beer from the event

On Saturday, Link’s official opening day, Nerd, Chicklet, and I rode the rails as a family.

Chick and Chicklet on the train

First Stop: Othello Station

Chicklet, digging the toddler-safe seats

Othello Street Fair

Transportation Choices had a booth at the fair, and they were giving away “day one” stickers and other fun swag. They also had cool “travel light” t-shirts for sale. I bought one and then left it at the booth, so I don’t have a photo.

Taco “truck” (ahem) at Othello Street Fair

Two satisfied customers

Next: Back north to Columbia City

A sticker lover’s dream

Link cookies (!) at Columbia City Bakery

As they (OK, I) say: Ridership has its privileges