It was a huge day for transit nerds in Seattle this Saturday! Well, not in Seattle specifically, but the wild border country between the airport and Tacoma. Yes, as an early Christmas present, the Federal Way Link Light Rail extension opened, and since I had the day off, I spent the afternoon riding it!
I began at the light rail station near my home, U District Station. Immediately upon entering, something was different. Instead of saying “Angle Lake” as the terminus for the southbound line, the transit signage said “Federal Way”.
Even knowing that the signs would change, it was kind of a shock to see. I’ve lived in Seattle for nearly a decade, and seeing anything other than “Angle Lake” was a little startling, in a pleasant way.
After passing through downtown Seattle, Rainier Valley, and the airport, I got to see the new section of track and the new stations for the first time!
Then, after a scenic trip past interstate highways, RV parks, and patches of bog surrounded by damp hemlock trees, I arrived at the terminus of my journey in the exotic southern climes of distant Federal Way!
Since I had come all this way, I spent a pleasant time shopping at Federal Way’s premier bookstore, a combination bookstore/cafe called Barnes and… something? Barnes and Mobile? Not sure what mobile phones have to do with books, but it had a pretty good selection!
After shopping and getting a li’l soupçon of writing done, it was 4:30, well past nightfall, and time to head home. Overall, an excellent excursion! If ever you are forced to be in Federal Way, the Link is an excellent way of getting there. And I’ll be able to take it all the way to Tacoma someday! Hopefully before I’m 50, but you never know in this town…
Goodnight, Federal Way and all of South King County! I probably won’t ever visit you again for years, but it was nice while I did!
~ Ian (listening to Strega by SubRosa)