The flight took about an hour and a half and we touched down in Columbus just short of 10 am. We collected my bag which I had decided to check at the last minute and headed through a maze of elevators and tunnels to the taxi/shuttle stand at Port Columbus Airport.
Taxi service to the Ronald McDonald house here at Nationwide Children's runs about $40 each way. Alittle steep for me considering it is only 12 miles away. So we spent the first 15 minutes sitting down using my Hotspot on my iPhone to service Macey's iPad so I could figure out a better way and not lose my eyesight on that tiny phone.
Finally I decided on a route of COTA (Columbus Ohio Transit Authority) buses for $1.75. But right as I decided this the bus for the airport (which had been sitting there for 15 minutes) pulled out to make its run. It was 20 minutes before the next one was scheduled. Which makes it 30 minutes since we departed our plane and Macey was pooped. She napped in her chair (which had been brought along for good measure). The next bus came and since I am unfamiliar with the area and we had to switch buses I asked the driver if she and I would be safe at the bus stop where we switched for the 10 minutes between buses. He said since it was during the day yes. 10 minutes wouldn't hurt.
The bus ride was adventurous and although a short route was definitely taking us through some of the less advantanges "apartments" in town. Finally we reached our transfer stop and proceeded across the street to the bus stop for our final leg. Ten minute went by and no bus. There was a very sweet lady there about my age who had a bicycle with her and struck up a conversation. Plus a gentleman about 50 or so who was very well versed on the COTA system. Once our bus missed it's time schedule he was on his cell phone with the COTA rep asking what gives. Their answer was that there was a gas leak and our bus had been rerouted but one was coming for us but would be late. Another 30 minutes passed and he called again and now was told it was under control and another bus had been dispatched to our location. Finally this bus arrives but of course with all the people who had been accumulating at the stops before us and it was slammed full. We had the two suitcases plus Macey's transport chair so they didn't look real happy when we got on. I got the chair up the isle and some sweet older man gave Macey his seat. Our bus driver defintely enjoyed his brake system and several explatives were heard from the back of the bus by passengers standing. Macey was very calm about it all (because it was very much a packed house with alot of unhappy people who had been waiting almost an hour at each of their stops only to be tossed around). She helped me follow the Google Map as we used it's Bus feature to get directions from our transfer bus to the Ronald McDonald House. I love this feature. When you get directions on Google Maps you have the choice of by car, bus or walking. By bus pulls the local transit schedule into your directions and lets you know when the next one is coming and you follow the blue dot as you advance up the road and come near your destination.
Once we approached the hospital (which is across the street from the RMH) we pulled the cord which sent an automatic signal to the driver that someone wanted off at the next computer announced stop. Otherwise he keeps driving. We jumped off and proceeeded across the torn up road (they are resurfacing) and into the front doors of the House that Love Built.
