2015-04-16 40 -73
| Thu 16 Apr 2015 in 40,-73: 40.9329228, -73.8361686 geohashing.info google osm bing/os kml crox |
Location
About a meter east of the Metro-North railroad tracks in Mt. Vernon.
Participants
Plans
I always REALLY wanted to get one of those hashes you can ride the train (or bus) straight through. So when this one was announced, I knew I was going for it. Even the doctor's recommendation to search my apartment for bedbugs (I'd been bitten by something suspicious during the night) was not going to deter me.
I think Elipongo also planned to go (by foot) if he could fit it into his ambulance-driving schedule nearby, but he could not.
Expedition
After returning from work and relaxing for too long, I briefly debated eating dinner but decided to head out right away so I could get some photos of the point (or neighborhood) before it got completely dark. M60 select bus through Harlem to the Metro-North station went much smoother than usual for some reason, and I made my target train with a good cushion (though not long enough to get fast food, bah.)
On boarding the train I really needed a righthand window seat to have the best chance of passing within GPS error. All the seat blocks on that side were at least partly occupied, but in a couple of rows said occupant was seated by the aisle rather than the window. I asked a middle-aged businessman if I could take the window next to him, and happily he moved his briefcase and assented.
As we rolled through the Bronx I eagerly set up the GPS on the little flat bit next to the window, tested my phone's video capabilities, and sat back to wait. Before I knew it we were at Fleetwood, the station before the hash! I set the film going and watched as the hundredths of a mile counted down and then turned to feet and then to 5.something feet!! Yes -- circle of error pierced!!! But after that it bounced straight up to 50 feet in a split second... so maybe the GPS wasn't quite reliable. I'd still say I got it, judging by the google satellite image. Again, I was in the easternmost seat on a train on the easternmost track in the picture. Video is here.
In any case, I immediately had to get out at the next stop so as to return home. This stop was Bronxville, which turned out to be quite wealthy and picturesque (though not as wealthy as 2014-12-25 41 -73.) It was also where I thought the hash was officially located, until discovering just now that Mt. Vernon has it by 100 feet or so. However, Bronxville did not have any quick food options near the station - I guess that kind of thing is for riff raff towns. I was getting quite hungry but resigned to wait the 15 minutes. Which turned into 30 due to some delay. I was still really glad I'd gotten the hash quickly - it was now getting proper dark.
In Harlem the bus came almost immediately, so I finally ended up eating leftover pasta at home, which was way better than Subway or Popeye's... just as well.
Photos
Video of the GPS speeding through the point!
On the way up
The train departs Bronxville station after its success
Downtown Bronxville
Redbud trees
Not in 47,-122 anymore
Achievements
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OtherJack earned the Public transport geohash achievement
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OtherJack earned the ULTIMATE public transport geohash achievement
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Feel free to claim/copy this one if you've done it too... I'm sure someone has achieved this besides User:Ekorren and myself.
Bed bug status
Washed bedding, none found since, and no more bites. I think it was a false alarm.
