Touring Ro---bins business

 Instead of going to see Kay today I went by bus up to see Robins operation at Arlington.  Across the street from the airport.  I have been wanting to see Mary, and the expanded operation there.  Robins company is in at least two buildings because of the need for space. But getting there is  not easy unless you drive a car.  I don't any longer and as driving the freeway in the morning and afternoon is a big hassle I could not expect Bob to come down and get me then bring me back in the afternoon. So for a number of days I considered taking the bus.  We have a multi-billion dollar regional bus and rail system that is supposed to reduce auto congestion around the Puget Sound. Which it does not of course.  In our younger days Kay and I used the streetcar system in Seattle so we are not strangers to public transportation. Because my eyes are so bad  made  trying to figure out problems if I were to get lost because I use the walker and have a limited distance I could go in case of problems.  So I wondered if it was a good idea.  After a long time of contemplation I finally decided to give it try.  I had not used the bus in Seattle for decades.  And very limited times in Tacoma.  It said there were transfer stations at various points so figured there would be rest room and maybe restaurants at the stations in case I needed them.  Boy was I wrong there.   But just to be prepared I took enough calories in the form of truffles, crackers, and potato chips.  You see I have to take insulin and calories to manage my diabetes.  I take my medications with me when I leave this place where I cant get the staff here to give them to me.  But to take the diabetic medication  I need food about that time.  My plan was to get to Everett in the morning where Bob lives and he would then take me up to Arlington where Robins business is.  The Sounder express bus is the bus part of Sounder Regional Rail System. I have the problem of going from here to the Tacoma Dome station by Tacoma bus, then to Seattle on the sounder express buss then to Everett on the Sounder bus. 
the Tacoma bus only goes once an hour.  OK there as when I get to the Taco dome station the buses there go to Seattle at that time of day every ten minutes. I didn't know that but thought it went every 30 minutes as that is what  I was told.  I got up early after a  restless night of sleep, Made the 6:15 bus from here and when I got to the Taco Dome I got off the bus and waited for the following bus which was a Sounder and right behind my bus.  Great surprise.  Traffic was light so we got to Seattle transfer point fairly fast.  At 4th and Cherry I had a shock and surprise.  I had thought I would find a building where I could get inside the rain that came upon us while driving to Seattle and all it was there was the street and even then not even a street shelter to get out of it.  I had expected find out the bus number going to Everett but instead of someone I was on my own.  Fortunately  I had brought the Bus schedule book which gave me the Bus numbers to look for.  Besides the bus I wanted would have the destination on it anyway. In a while after I worried what I was going to do handicapped by the walker and my bad back and knees not to mention my bad eyesight.  Without  any trouble  I got to Everett for Bob to pick me up about 8:30.  
During the day we toured the plant, had lunch with the engineers where They mostly talked shop.  Or something relating.  The rest of the trip will have to wait and besides you are no doubt bored stiff if you bothered to read this far.  I saw Mary, and got back at 6:45 on  account of the slow traffic.  I am too late to post the pictures or video in addition to embedding the formal dinner last night.