[Volunteers] (forw) Re: SVLUG installfests at Google

[Rick Moen]

Quoting William R Ward (bill at svlug.org):

> Some feedback on the Google directions, since I live in this neck of
> the woods and frequently ride the buses and trains in question:

Neat stuff.  Much appreciated.

(Not a complaint in any way whatsoever, but rather an invitation and
reminder:)  People who can improve the pages should feel welcome to
check them out of RCS and fix them up!  Guidelines are posted on the 
Web Team pages.  But the feedback is welcome in any form.

>  * In the VTA Light Rail section:
>    - Shoreline goes over US101, not under.

Fixed.

>    - Also, Route 35 to Rengstorff & California, then Route 40 to
>      Google, would be a much better option than Caltrain to San
>      Antonio Station.

I see from the bus route maps how that would work.  But there's something
that will also come up again (below) for the CalTrain section regarding
Pacchetti & California, so I wanted to consult the expert:  The route
schedules for 35 and 40 don't list Rengstorff & California as a stop --
but they do list the corner of Showers & Latham as one.

So:  Do these buses stop at points between the listed ones?

>  * In the Caltrain section:
>    - To save walking at the expense of time, one can take Route 35
>      (http://www.vta.org/schedules/SC_35.html) from the San Antonio
>      Caltrain station to San Antonio Shopping Center and transfer to
>      the 40 at Showers & Latham (in front of Wal Mart).

Good.  Will fix.

>    - The best route on foot/bike from San Antonio station to San
>      Antonio shopping center is not via San Antonio Blvd, but rather
>      via Pacchetti Way through a condo complex, crossing California
>      St. to the stop at Pacchetti & California.

This is likewise good, but again I have to ask, (1) is there really a
bus stop at Pacchetti & California, and (2) _which_ route (35 or 40 --
or both) stops there?  Neither one's Web pages lists that stop, but both
list Showers & Latham.

>  * Maybe add a section for bike/ped/rollerblade/etc. people to use the
>    Stevens Creek Trail to get there.  It parallels CA-85, ducks under
>    US101, and then goes straight along the levee.  You can take La
>    Avenida to Shoreline to Charleston to get there.  I'm not sure how
>    it may be impacted by the 85/101 construction project though...

I'll check that out -- having just got on eBay a replacement for my
recently stolen bicycle.[1]  The map shows a trail access point at
La Avenida Street, indeed.

On bike, it'd actually be nice to approach Google from the other end of
Huff Ave., to avoid potentially heavy traffic on Shoreline and
Charleston, but I'm afraid the directions would be a little twisty:

At the end of La Avenida, cross N. Shoreline Blvd., turn right (north),
and ride along the edge of the cinema parking lot to turn left (west) on
Joaquin Road.  Go one block, and follow Joaquin Road as it jogs right
(north) one block.  Turn left (west) onto Plymouth St., and go one block
to turn right (north) onto Huff Ave.  Go one long block along Huff to
the second building on the right from Huff Ave.'s end at Charleston
Road.

That makes me dizzy, just re-reading it -- and I'm afraid our members
would end up at the golf course.  So, Shoreline and Charleston it shall
be.

[1] "There's a sucker born every minute, and eBay is the delivery room."