A week ago Friday--an unexpected bonus day off for Veteran's Day--I shouldered my pack with trail goods for the day and dashed out the door a little before 8:30 AM. I passed by my car, ducked into Baxter Woods and headed for Forest Avenue.

My semi-warped plan: To hike as many Portland area trails as I could using only the METRO bus system.

Why do that and leave my perfectly good car behind in the driveway?

Easy.

Even a road warrior like me gets tired of driving. And since I was staying local why not use the local bus to get around?

A novel concept, eh?

Not really.

You can reach nearly every trail and preserve in the Portland Trails system by public transportation, using either the METRO or South Portland bus.

The bus is inexpensive, efficient, easy to use, saves on gas, is good for the environment, and it's downright entertaining. And you let someone else do the driving and traffic-hassling.

With that in mind, off I went on my bus and trail journey.

What a day it was!

All told, over the course of 8 hours:
* I took 6 METRO bus rides, utilizing the #2, #7, #5, and #4 buses.
* Hiked 12 on-trail miles while visiting 7 different trails and preserves: Gilsland Farm in Falmouth; Stroudwater Trail, Fore River Sanctuary, Capisic Pond Trail, Eastern Prom Trail, Back Cove Trail and Baxter Woods in Portland.
* And I walked 3 on-street miles through the city.

By the time I got home in early evening I was pretty tuckered. But happily so, having visited many of the most quiet and scenic natural places in Greater Portland.

Here's a quick photo tour of my METRO-Portland Trails hiking adventure...

METRO signs indicates stopping points and route numbers.

Fellow travelers getting on board at the Downtown [Portland] Transportation Center or "Pulse."

On the trip to Maine Audubon in Falmouth.

The Presumpscot River estuary from North Meadow, Gilsland Farm.

Buffalo grass swaying in the stiff November wind.

Portland Trails sign at the Stroudwater Trailhead, Outer Congress St.

Along the banks of the placid Stroudwater River.

Tumbling Jewell Falls in the Fore River Sanctuary.

Cattails bordering Capisic Pond.

The golden needles of a tamarack, Capisic Pond.

Along the Eastern Prom Trail on the edge of the Old Port.

A colorful old boxcar.

Gulls at East End Beach.

A favorite spot for alternative artists.

Sunset over I-295 and Back Cove.

The last bus pulls away at the close of a long fun day...

Do you spend much time hiking the urban trails of the Portland Trails system? Ever use public transportation to get around?