I really LOVE Good footprints, Jennifer! Your posts are inspirational and a great reminder to put action behind our words. As for driving, I live in the foothills so being car-less isn’t an option right now. However, during the pandemic when everyone drove less, I absolutely loved NOT getting in the car and walked in my mountain neighborhood every day. Walking changed the way I saw the landscape around me and I’ve kept that habit going. I get to work from home most days, and when I do have to travel for work, I’ll take the bus to the airport whenever possible. I plan out my errands for the week and try to make as few trips to town as possible. And when I do travel to town, I find a bit of time to meet a friend or client for coffee, and walk to do many errands. This allows me time outdoors, and some exercise thrown into the day. Eventually, I’m hoping to sell my Subaru when I can and buy electric when I can afford it. I will continue to explore ways to leave the car behind several days each week. Thanks for your good footprints, wonderful messages, and inspiration. ❤️
You are an inspiration, Jennifer! As a resident of L.A., I often wonder if I could be car-less. A renter with street parking, I do what I can to reduce my car use. I try not to drive on Saturdays (and am 99% successful in that). I have a job now that is less than 4 miles away. (Not yet 3.5 years in and I'm only just now about to cross the 15k mark.) I drive a Fiat (ciao) and want my next car to be electric, but I'd have to figure out the charging situation (homeownership is a little ways off yet). I keep looking for that solution, though. This is the last car I will take to a filling station, that's for certain. We will be WFH in August, so I might sell my car (currently, its value is higher than what I owe on the loan...shocker) and will look to see what electric I can afford (they are pricey!). You rule! xo
For me--I can't imagine it in the long run but at least we have an electric vehicle for all things errands and within 25 mile radius. (We filled up our tank 3 times in 3 years). Covid helped! my husband takes the bus to work. He has every day since he started working at NOAA in Boulder. His kids rode the bus without thinking about it. He will make his Boulder appointments only on workdays. No exceptions. Super cool! Did I mention he is a climate scientist and has been living here since the late 80's? Lots of those folks take alternative transportation.
This is quite interesting, Jennifer. I applaud you for doing it. You mentioned maybe missing listening to NPR and I have to tell you, I drive A LOT. But when I am on a several hour trip I try to make it productive because I hate "wasted time." Music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc. I try to keep busy and push my growth forward while driving. Of course, these are all things I can do while using public transportation, too. So again.....I'm very impressed!
This made me feel good about not having a car! Although from where I am (Philippines) being car-free is often difficult—it takes sometimes 40-50 minutes for a bus to arrive in our village, public transportation in the capital city are always overpopulated, not to mention the heat! But lately I've seen improvements. And I do enjoy commute. I witness and observe a lot of things and now other than that I have something new to keep in mind that I am actually leaving good footprints!
I really LOVE Good footprints, Jennifer! Your posts are inspirational and a great reminder to put action behind our words. As for driving, I live in the foothills so being car-less isn’t an option right now. However, during the pandemic when everyone drove less, I absolutely loved NOT getting in the car and walked in my mountain neighborhood every day. Walking changed the way I saw the landscape around me and I’ve kept that habit going. I get to work from home most days, and when I do have to travel for work, I’ll take the bus to the airport whenever possible. I plan out my errands for the week and try to make as few trips to town as possible. And when I do travel to town, I find a bit of time to meet a friend or client for coffee, and walk to do many errands. This allows me time outdoors, and some exercise thrown into the day. Eventually, I’m hoping to sell my Subaru when I can and buy electric when I can afford it. I will continue to explore ways to leave the car behind several days each week. Thanks for your good footprints, wonderful messages, and inspiration. ❤️
You are an inspiration, Jennifer! As a resident of L.A., I often wonder if I could be car-less. A renter with street parking, I do what I can to reduce my car use. I try not to drive on Saturdays (and am 99% successful in that). I have a job now that is less than 4 miles away. (Not yet 3.5 years in and I'm only just now about to cross the 15k mark.) I drive a Fiat (ciao) and want my next car to be electric, but I'd have to figure out the charging situation (homeownership is a little ways off yet). I keep looking for that solution, though. This is the last car I will take to a filling station, that's for certain. We will be WFH in August, so I might sell my car (currently, its value is higher than what I owe on the loan...shocker) and will look to see what electric I can afford (they are pricey!). You rule! xo
oh yeah...and great writing!
For me--I can't imagine it in the long run but at least we have an electric vehicle for all things errands and within 25 mile radius. (We filled up our tank 3 times in 3 years). Covid helped! my husband takes the bus to work. He has every day since he started working at NOAA in Boulder. His kids rode the bus without thinking about it. He will make his Boulder appointments only on workdays. No exceptions. Super cool! Did I mention he is a climate scientist and has been living here since the late 80's? Lots of those folks take alternative transportation.
This is quite interesting, Jennifer. I applaud you for doing it. You mentioned maybe missing listening to NPR and I have to tell you, I drive A LOT. But when I am on a several hour trip I try to make it productive because I hate "wasted time." Music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc. I try to keep busy and push my growth forward while driving. Of course, these are all things I can do while using public transportation, too. So again.....I'm very impressed!
This made me feel good about not having a car! Although from where I am (Philippines) being car-free is often difficult—it takes sometimes 40-50 minutes for a bus to arrive in our village, public transportation in the capital city are always overpopulated, not to mention the heat! But lately I've seen improvements. And I do enjoy commute. I witness and observe a lot of things and now other than that I have something new to keep in mind that I am actually leaving good footprints!
YES!!!!