Today was the annual Dump the Pump event presented by CARTA. As I looked at our schedule, I knew I wouldn’t be able to participate. I do want to continue to try to utilize public transportation whenever we are able. I hope their event today was an huge success, and look forward to reading their report.

Last week, my children and I had a wonderful time riding the Dash around the Charleston Peninsula. I had studied the route map earlier in the morning and figured with three young ones in tow we’d be lucky to catch a ride. It wasn’t luck that helped us, it was the fact that it’s so easy to use!

We trekked through the South Carolina Aquarium and observed the penguins eating their breakfast. Afterwords, as we walked around the fountains, up drove the Dash. The driver was friendly and accommodating (of course, this is Charleston,) he answered my questions and assisted me with the stroller. We were the only passengers. The boys loved the ride to the Visitor’s Center, then we played at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

The bus stops around the Visitor’s Center are outfitted with benches and shaded by shelters, there are also fountains for entertainment. A posted map might be helpful, but we waited with enthusiasm. This stop was busy with tourism. We then boarded another Dash, another friendly driver greeted us with a cool ride to Waterfront Park, then one more Dash back to the aquarium.

That afternoon, my three year old drew a picture of us riding on the “trolley” through downtown. It truly was easy and fun. The fare was $1.50 for myself, which is definitely worth an air-conditioned ride from site to site while relaxing and chatting with my kids and visiting families (instead of focusing on narrow roads, cyclists with no lanes, sink holes, parking, college kids, let alone tourists!) Thanks CARTA, we will ride the Dash again and again.