CNN iReport

This past weekend, I had a close encounter of the iReport kind while I was far from my desk. I was checking out the grand opening of a new light rail line while visiting my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, for the holidays. After waiting nearly three hours, I finally boarded a train and got to experience my roots in a new light. Thousands of people packed the stops along the route. It seems someone had to have iReported the event, and sure enough, serial iReporter NakedBoyNews submitted a story about the opening. He was visiting town from Las Vegas, Nevada, and also shot photos of the offbeat-looking Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden. It's a shame we didn't run into each other on a train platform; this could have been a scene straight from a movie, with us running toward one another, arms outstretched… alas. But I thought it was interesting that we were both at the same event, and I was intrigued to see that another iReporter, drkayes, sent us a story about incorporating the light rail into New Year's Eve plans. Were you there? How's the transit in your area? Comment below and tell us what you think, or visit our assignment desk and see if there's a story idea that intrigues you.