I've been organizing everything for my trip lately, it may not be as easy as I was planning. My greatest obstacle is money, which really isn't that bad because I just have to wait to get my monthly check in a few days. If I had the money right now I could be on the road already. For me, waiting has always been difficult.
As far as a ride, that seems easier than I thought it would be. I've contacted several people on Craigslist's rideshare section, apparently finding someone going to or through Las Vegas from Portland should be no problem. Initially I was worried because at first glance there were no rides directly to Vegas, it would have sucked to have to organize connecting rides.
Regardless if I find a ride or not, once I get my check I can always buy a bus ticket. I'd rather not though, riding the bus sucks.
The "Dirty Dog", also known as The Greyhound Bus can present many experiences both good and bad. I've rode that bus from New York to El Paso, from El Paso to Portland... The longest bus trip I've taken was from Portland, Oregon to Tampa, Florida, the entire diagonal of the United States.
Even though we're not supposed to, I drink liquor on the bus. To disguise it I buy a handle of vodka and pour it into a gallon water jug, almost filling it. I actually drink vodka straight out of the bottle right in front of Greyhound employees and station guards. When I make friends on the bus, which can be pretty easy with a gallon of vodka, we'll pass the clear plastic jug around and get lit.
Besides the fun that can be had riding the bus, it can be the most uncomfortable experience. There can be some assholes on the bus sometimes, and the driver is always grumpy and bossy. I can't stand when the driver gets on the PA as we're leaving the station and starts going over the rules of the bus. I understand the rules must be discussed for the new travelers, but the bus driver has to always make some big long aggravating speech about the rules.
The rules of the bus are easy to learn and follow. They could easily be laid out in less than 3 minutes, stating each rule precisely and with pinpointing explanations why each rule exists.
But no, the bus driver doesn't do that. The driver will talk forever with over-explanations and personal reason behind each rule. I've been on a bus when the driver spoke about the rules for almost an hour. That was one of the most awful bus riding experiences I had to endure. This driver was a man, I would guess in is 50s. He was bossy and uptight with an annoying sounding voice, the combination of this power drunk's voice and attitude pissed me off. I can't stand authority figures that abuse their power.
Thankfully, the average bus driver's rules-rant only lasts about 15 minutes, which is bullshit when 3 minutes are enough.
The rules for Greyhound are:
1.No drinking alcohol (which I ignore)
2.No smoking anywhere on the bus, including the toilet.
3.No loud talking across the bus
4.No loud music or other mobile device sound.
5.Keep talk on the phone to a minimum and be quiet about it.
6.Pick up your trash after yourselves as a courtesy to others.
7.Don't talk to the driver while he's driving.
Simple. These rules, in my personal opinion, don't take fucking 15 minutes to go on and on about.
I hope I don't have to take the Dirty Dog when I leave for Las Vegas, but I absolutely will if I can't hook up with a rideshare when I'm paid.
In the meantime as I've been planning the trip, a lot has happened. Been to a couple of huge family parties celebrating the usual assortment of life milestones. One party I decided not to drink, others I got pretty drunk.
I just have to wait for my money to set this off, get on the road again.
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