QCT Greensboro Slavery to Civil Rights Tour 2023 Travel Article
By Jay Whipple
Trend Magazine Online™
5-Star Experience!
I had plans to ride this bullet train ever since it was announced in the news back in 2018. There was some controversy over how some of the local neighbors were treated during construction in the Overtown section of Downtown Miami which is now a historic community that was once a thriving area for Blacks/African-Americans.
Parts of that area was also raised beginning in the early 1960's to make room for the
construction of Interstates 95, and 395/836 (also known as the
Dolphin Freeway). These low-income areas (also known as inner cities) are
typically targeted for this type of construction because they represent the
path of least resistance for developers. The end result is usually a more
appealing and economically viable area but at the expense of the lower income
folks that have been displaced and most do not get their fair share of the new
development due to the sheer greed of the power structure.
Trend Magazine Online™
5-Star Experience!
I had plans to ride this bullet train ever since it was announced in the news back in 2018. There was some controversy over how some of the local neighbors were treated during construction in the Overtown section of Downtown Miami which is now a historic community that was once a thriving area for Blacks/African-Americans.
Parts of that area was also raised beginning in the early 1960's to make room for the
construction of Interstates 95, and 395/836 (also known as the
Dolphin Freeway). These low-income areas (also known as inner cities) are
typically targeted for this type of construction because they represent the
path of least resistance for developers. The end result is usually a more
appealing and economically viable area but at the expense of the lower income
folks that have been displaced and most do not get their fair share of the new
development due to the sheer greed of the power structure.
I
decided to ride this train to Ft. Lauderdale to partake in one of my
holiday traditions which is to visit the beach on Christmas day and post a vid on the Internet
to make my colleagues in the north jealous of our Florida winter weather. I
visited their new website and found it very difficult to book my seat on my own
but eventually got it done with assistance from their help desk. 
It was worth
the extra effort because they gave me a free round-trip ticket (worth $30) for
being a first-time rider. I had to pay $5 each way; however, to bring my
bicycle which I use to get around once at the beach and for much needed
exercise. I caught the Metrorail from near my home at the MLK
(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) Station, got off at the Overtown
station and walked a short distance to the Brightline station. 
Their
lobby area was very nice and clean and futuristic looking. I did; however,
experience a problem with getting their kiosk to recognize my digital ticket
but one of their friendly associates was there to swipe me through the gate and
security. Once I arrived at the train there was another very friendly and
helpful employee that took my bike and wheeled it on the train.
It
gets even better in that they have the bike racks in plain sight near the
entrance/exit doors so that I could see my prized possession throughout my
entire journey to Ft. Lauderdale which lasted right at 30 minutes as
advertised.
The aisle on my train was wide enough for two normal sized riders
to pass which makes a difference during travel in case someone needs to use the
restroom while another is returning at the same time. It can also come in handy
during boarding or departure when one party is securing their baggage in the
racks above the seats and the other is moving towards their seat(s). As such,
it appears that the engineers of this train were very acute in their design of
the aisles to account for each of these different scenarios.
I also like the
fact that they labeled the window and aisle numbers in a conspicuous location
just above the outer seat where most riders would naturally look. In addition,
the numbers were large enough to read with or without my glasses.
The
baggage area above the seats is also a nice convenient addition to this train
for those that are traveling to/from the airport, their hotel, or business or
leisure travelers like myself; and is similar to Amtrak. 
The seats, however, are much nicer than Amtrak's in that they are designed more so for an individual's comfort with a high back area, and they are made of a very comfortable material and are extremely attractive in appearance like a Captain's Chair. My seat came complete with a table with a built in, collapsible, port array for the charging of mobile devices via A/C or USB cords.
Some trains/buses have one or the other which is not nearly as convenient. And
the really kool thing about this new train is that the ports actually worked as
opposed to some of the older ground transportation vehicles that I have
traveled on in the past. I personally have learned through experience to travel
with my own portable charger in the unfortunate event that the vehicle's
charging ports are not operational.
Another
amenity that I enjoyed during my inaugural trip aboard the Brightline
bullet train is the extension that pulls out from under the table that can be
used for a number of purposes. For example, if you brought a full meal with a
drink there is enough room to spread your consumables out in front of you to
include your drink. I chose to bring only a small breakfast sandwich which did
not require use of the table extension.
Above each seat is an array of niceties
that provide extra comfort and convenience during the trip to include personal
lighting, temperature vents, and a speaker just like on airplanes, some motor
coaches, and Amtrak.
One unique feature aboard this train is a large
display above the entry/exit area that informs you as to the direction and
location of your journey. That signage is especially important for first time
travelers not familiar with the trains and for those of us who may not be
paying close attention to where we are going or ending up due to distractions
or just following the crowd. I cannot count the number of times that I have
ended up on the wrong Metrorail train since their inception in 1984
Most folks: me included, are
terrified about having to use the toilet on a public transportation vehicle or
in any public facility simply because of the plethora of humans who lack proper
etiquette when it comes to the phenomenon of relieving oneself of waste and the
aftermath. Those of us that are properly trained know to keep the area clean
before and after the duty while others leave a disgusting mess.
On that note, I
was pleased to find the toilet in near pristine condition which can be
attributed to the previous users or the train's staff.
After that very pleasant
experience I headed back to my Captain's Chair seat and was quite
surprised when a young lady pushing a beverage cart stopped and asked if I
wanted a refreshment.
The
idea of someone serving me refreshments on a somewhat regional train was very
inviting until I was given a price list! They wanted $8 for a glass of wine
or can of beer. Wow! I thought; I can get a whole six pack for that price. So,
I passed on that deal and decided to wait until I arrived in the Ft.
Lauderdale Beach area. Their pricing was similar to what the airlines and Amtrak
would charge -- the difference is the distance and timing of the trip.
A short
distance means that I can wait to save a few bucks ($dollars$). Smile! Speaking
of which, it was now time for me to deboard this wonderful bullet train with a
top speed of 125 miles per hour, and head to the beach! There is nothing
like holiday signage to get you in the mood for the Christmas season as
displayed on my exit from the station.
Another kool thing about this train
station is that it is just across the street from the main city bus depot for Ft.
Lauderdale. So, it was a matter of unloading and then loading my trusty
bike on my bus and on to da beach!
Some
of you folks may find this hard to believe but it typically does not snow in Ft.
Lauderdale all winter. So, each year this iconic snowman is place at the main
entrance to Las Olas (The Waves) Beach located at the corner of Las
Olas Boulevard and Ocean Drive/A1A to welcome the Snowbirds
to South Florida. Do not worry, he does not melt in the heat like Frosty
the Snowman as the creators thought of everything and made him with
materials other than snow. Genius!
The really kool thing about Ft.
Lauderdale Beach is that the white sand and ocean are just over a wall
adjacent to Ocean Drive. There is no walking across an expansive parking
lot to get to the fun. I engaged in my usual fun by taking a stroll along the Atlantic
Ocean/beach. I stay on the edge of the water because of the many shark
attacks along the Florida east coast. For me, one is too many!
Next, I
headed across the street to one of my now favorite Florida parks; Hugh
Taylor Birch State Park where I get to take in
the sites of folks enjoying the park, gopher tortoises that I have yet to see, and boaters frolicking
along the Coral Bay. I sometimes take a brief respite at the local 7-Eleven
before heading back to the train station for my trip home. Me and my trusty
bike. Happy Holidays!
The Brightline will be making its inaugural debut in the beautiful city of Orlando reportedly by June of 2023. I look forward to partaking in that journey and reporting back to you with my experience.
It was worth
the extra effort because they gave me a free round-trip ticket (worth $30) for
being a first-time rider. I had to pay $5 each way; however, to bring my
bicycle which I use to get around once at the beach and for much needed
exercise. I caught the Metrorail from near my home at the MLK
(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) Station, got off at the Overtown
station and walked a short distance to the Brightline station. Their
lobby area was very nice and clean and futuristic looking. I did; however,
experience a problem with getting their kiosk to recognize my digital ticket
but one of their friendly associates was there to swipe me through the gate and
security. Once I arrived at the train there was another very friendly and
helpful employee that took my bike and wheeled it on the train.It
gets even better in that they have the bike racks in plain sight near the
entrance/exit doors so that I could see my prized possession throughout my
entire journey to Ft. Lauderdale which lasted right at 30 minutes as
advertised.The aisle on my train was wide enough for two normal sized riders
to pass which makes a difference during travel in case someone needs to use the
restroom while another is returning at the same time. It can also come in handy
during boarding or departure when one party is securing their baggage in the
racks above the seats and the other is moving towards their seat(s). As such,
it appears that the engineers of this train were very acute in their design of
the aisles to account for each of these different scenarios.I also like the
fact that they labeled the window and aisle numbers in a conspicuous location
just above the outer seat where most riders would naturally look. In addition,
the numbers were large enough to read with or without my glasses. The
baggage area above the seats is also a nice convenient addition to this train
for those that are traveling to/from the airport, their hotel, or business or
leisure travelers like myself; and is similar to Amtrak. The seats, however, are much nicer than Amtrak's in that they are designed more so for an individual's comfort with a high back area, and they are made of a very comfortable material and are extremely attractive in appearance like a Captain's Chair. My seat came complete with a table with a built in, collapsible, port array for the charging of mobile devices via A/C or USB cords.
Some trains/buses have one or the other which is not nearly as convenient. And
the really kool thing about this new train is that the ports actually worked as
opposed to some of the older ground transportation vehicles that I have
traveled on in the past. I personally have learned through experience to travel
with my own portable charger in the unfortunate event that the vehicle's
charging ports are not operational.
Another
amenity that I enjoyed during my inaugural trip aboard the Brightline
bullet train is the extension that pulls out from under the table that can be
used for a number of purposes. For example, if you brought a full meal with a
drink there is enough room to spread your consumables out in front of you to
include your drink. I chose to bring only a small breakfast sandwich which did
not require use of the table extension. Above each seat is an array of niceties
that provide extra comfort and convenience during the trip to include personal
lighting, temperature vents, and a speaker just like on airplanes, some motor
coaches, and Amtrak.One unique feature aboard this train is a large
display above the entry/exit area that informs you as to the direction and
location of your journey. That signage is especially important for first time
travelers not familiar with the trains and for those of us who may not be
paying close attention to where we are going or ending up due to distractions
or just following the crowd. I cannot count the number of times that I have
ended up on the wrong Metrorail train since their inception in 1984Most folks: me included, are
terrified about having to use the toilet on a public transportation vehicle or
in any public facility simply because of the plethora of humans who lack proper
etiquette when it comes to the phenomenon of relieving oneself of waste and the
aftermath. Those of us that are properly trained know to keep the area clean
before and after the duty while others leave a disgusting mess. On that note, I
was pleased to find the toilet in near pristine condition which can be
attributed to the previous users or the train's staff. After that very pleasant
experience I headed back to my Captain's Chair seat and was quite
surprised when a young lady pushing a beverage cart stopped and asked if I
wanted a refreshment.The
idea of someone serving me refreshments on a somewhat regional train was very
inviting until I was given a price list! They wanted $8 for a glass of wine
or can of beer. Wow! I thought; I can get a whole six pack for that price. So,
I passed on that deal and decided to wait until I arrived in the Ft.
Lauderdale Beach area. Their pricing was similar to what the airlines and Amtrak
would charge -- the difference is the distance and timing of the trip. A short
distance means that I can wait to save a few bucks ($dollars$). Smile! Speaking
of which, it was now time for me to deboard this wonderful bullet train with a
top speed of 125 miles per hour, and head to the beach! There is nothing
like holiday signage to get you in the mood for the Christmas season as
displayed on my exit from the station. Another kool thing about this train
station is that it is just across the street from the main city bus depot for Ft.
Lauderdale. So, it was a matter of unloading and then loading my trusty
bike on my bus and on to da beach!Some
of you folks may find this hard to believe but it typically does not snow in Ft.
Lauderdale all winter. So, each year this iconic snowman is place at the main
entrance to Las Olas (The Waves) Beach located at the corner of Las
Olas Boulevard and Ocean Drive/A1A to welcome the Snowbirds
to South Florida. Do not worry, he does not melt in the heat like Frosty
the Snowman as the creators thought of everything and made him with
materials other than snow. Genius! The really kool thing about Ft.
Lauderdale Beach is that the white sand and ocean are just over a wall
adjacent to Ocean Drive. There is no walking across an expansive parking
lot to get to the fun. I engaged in my usual fun by taking a stroll along the Atlantic
Ocean/beach. I stay on the edge of the water because of the many shark
attacks along the Florida east coast. For me, one is too many! Next, I
headed across the street to one of my now favorite Florida parks; Hugh
Taylor Birch State Park where I get to take in
the sites of folks enjoying the park, gopher tortoises that I have yet to see, and boaters frolicking
along the Coral Bay. I sometimes take a brief respite at the local 7-Eleven
before heading back to the train station for my trip home. Me and my trusty
bike. Happy Holidays!The Brightline will be making its inaugural debut in the beautiful city of Orlando reportedly by June of 2023. I look forward to partaking in that journey and reporting back to you with my experience.
