Today we begin a feature on commuting. Each Wednesday we will talk about one person's day trip from home to work or wherever and report the nitty-gritty details of "Getting There."
By LORRIE LYKINS
Published October 13, 2004
The commuter: Barry Fergus Jones, 50
The starting line: Home, St. Petersburg, just north of the Tyrone area.
The finish line: 600 N West Shore Blvd., Tampa, where Jones is an information assurance consultant (technological security).
The ride: 2001 Toyota Highlander LE, 44,000 miles.
The route: East on 38th Avenue N from around 66th Street, jump on the interstate, get off at the Tampa International Airport exit (Cypress).
Gas mileage: 25-28 mpg on the highway.
Carpool? Occasionally.
Distance/length of commute: 20 miles, 25-30 minutes.
Latest you can leave and still be on time: Half an hour, unless it's peak time on I-275.
What time do you normally get home in the evening?
Around 6 to 6:30 (unless you get in early, and can leave by 4:30; after that, you might as well wait until 5:30-6 p.m. to leave).
What route do you take?
I-275 to Cypress exit, Cypress to Amscot on N West Shore.
Do you ever vary the route?
Yes, when forced to by construction or accidents, which is frequent.
How long have you been commuting?
A year.
Did you plan for a commute or did it just work out that way?
It came with the position.
How do you occupy the drive time?
Usually music CDs. I have over 600, of all genres, to choose from. Sometimes books on CD.
What do you like about the commute?
The broad vista of sky and bay from the Howard Frankland bridge, especially the sunrises and sunsets, and the way the bridge divides the water into two highly contrasting fetches.
What do you dislike?
The glacial - no, tectonic - pace of road construction. Last week alone, I saw a crew rebuild and regrade the berms to the new Fourth Street N interchange twice.
Any daily rituals related to your commute?
You mean besides prayer for divine protection? Think I'm kidding? Here, let me channel Andy Rooney: Ever notice how Florida drivers react to rain as if it were snow?
Weirdest thing you've seen while commuting?
Hmmm, in the Bizarro World of commuting, there are a lot of top contenders; I guess I'd have to say, a female exhibitionist driving nude on 275. In a convertible.
Know someone whose commute would be worth chronicling in this space? Maybe your own? Then e-mail Lorrie Lykins at commutertales@yahoo.com.
