Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
~Steven Wright
I had to gas up yesterday.
It made me sad.
No, not because of that, though I did pay with a fifty, and couldn’t tip the tank of the Toyota.
Back in early June, Daisy and I made a bet (with ourselves).
Mia’s Immersion program is on the other side of town, as is Max’s pre-school, so our schedule requires us to burn a bit of fuel.
With only two weeks left of schlepping, we decided to see if we could go the summer without gassing up a single time.
Well we certainly tried, and we almost made it.
We left the house nearly every day, but Max can count the number of times we got in the car.
From a variety of reasons, here are five:
- Gas is ridiculous. Last May, our gas budget swallowed our entertainment budget. That’s like buying a ticket to wait outside.
- Mia’s program is amazing, and free, so it’s easy to consider transportation cost as cheap tuition. That logic loses wings in summer.
- Because we can. All eight of our legs are in perfect working order, and we live downtown in a quietly large city. We prefer to get all our laziness done on Sunday. There isn’t any reason we can’t walk to 90% of the places we need to go. Grocery store, library, movie theater, book store, ice-cream, Walmart (yeah, yeah, boo, hiss).
- Miles are like dollars; sometimes they should be felt. Just like using a credit card dulls the concept of money, getting inside a vehicle to travel further than three blocks, distorts the space between A and B. We rarely use credit cards, and often walk. We want our children to feel the distance, and understand it in terms beyond the number of traffic lights.
- You see things through a different lens. Life’s different, blurring by at thirty-five miles an hour. In a car you’re a tourist. On the street, a citizen. Seated, I could never see the steam ascending a coffee cup as it loses it’s thick to clear air, sailing from the lips of a quiet man who looks too old in his solitude. I would miss shadows wrinkling as the electric train idles in front of city hall and pedestrians in suits, both cheap and expensive, show displeasure at having to wait.
Our children also see these things. I know because we discuss them.
The walking is wonderful.
We hold hands, and look both ways.
We ask questions, and wait for answers.
We anticipate our arrival, and feel reward when it happens.
I’m glad we did it. It made me wonder why we need two cars. We travel in a tribe, and the rare use of both at the same time melts a necessity into a luxury.
Maybe eight dollars of gas wouldn’t be the end of the world. Maybe it’d be some kind of new beginning.
Writer Dad
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Barbara Swafford was kind enough to select Writer Dad as the New Blog of the Month. I feel really lucky. Check out the wonderful things she has to say. Also, Writer Dad has a guest post over on City Mama today. The theme is the Eighties. If you have a couple of minutes, it’d be awesome if you dropped in.
If you liked these words, you’ll probably love, “Catalina Island,” “Adios,” or “Sink or Swim.“
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Ryan: I’m hear whenever you need a lift. See you tomorrow.
Todd: Thanks Todd. Your blog made me smile.
Stacy: Yeah, this summer has made me re-calibrate how I feel about sticking my keys in the ignition.
Katy: The furthest we regularly walk is to our city’s main library. It’s twenty-two city blocks round trip. That’s about as far as we’ll go. On the weekend, walks are early, long, and leisurely. When we return home, we collapse in bed and take a nap. It’s awesome.
Allison: Your memories might sing in a different key if they were shot from behind a window. Thanks for the comment.
Ryan: I’m hear whenever you need a lift. See you tomorrow.
Todd: Thanks Todd. Your blog made me smile.
Stacy: Yeah, this summer has made me re-calibrate how I feel about sticking my keys in the ignition.
Katy: The furthest we regularly walk is to our city’s main library. It’s twenty-two city blocks round trip. That’s about as far as we’ll go. On the weekend, walks are early, long, and leisurely. When we return home, we collapse in bed and take a nap. It’s awesome.
Allison: Your memories might sing in a different key if they were shot from behind a window. Thanks for the comment.
Wise Writer Dad. I really like the last paragraph you wrote, “You seel things through a different lens…”
What are we all rushing towards anyway? Some pretend happiness in the future? Well, last time I checked I found we are all going to die so why have all these rushing moments?
I’m glad you can put it in practice. I still drive quite a bit but I agree with your sentiments. In fact, I should get off my ass and get on my bike!
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Freelance Business Burnout
Wise Writer Dad. I really like the last paragraph you wrote, “You seel things through a different lens…”
What are we all rushing towards anyway? Some pretend happiness in the future? Well, last time I checked I found we are all going to die so why have all these rushing moments?
I’m glad you can put it in practice. I still drive quite a bit but I agree with your sentiments. In fact, I should get off my ass and get on my bike!
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Freelance Business Burnout
Hi Writer Dad,
This is frickin’ weird: Just as you were perusing Baboon of Magnesia, I was checking out your blog for the first time, thinking, “I LIKE this guy!” Thanks to City Mama, we have found each other!
Actually – I will be a guest poster on City Mama some time in the next week or two. She & I go way back to, like, 2005 or 2006.
I have subscribed to your blog, too. It’s very good (and funny)!
Best,
Twizzle
twizzles last blog post..Friday Night
Hi Writer Dad,
This is frickin’ weird: Just as you were perusing Baboon of Magnesia, I was checking out your blog for the first time, thinking, “I LIKE this guy!” Thanks to City Mama, we have found each other!
Actually – I will be a guest poster on City Mama some time in the next week or two. She & I go way back to, like, 2005 or 2006.
I have subscribed to your blog, too. It’s very good (and funny)!
Best,
Twizzle
twizzles last blog post..Friday Night
That’s awesome – well, not that you had to fill up — but that you went almost all summer without having to!
I enjoy biking, and do this to get to work regularly. It feels good, it’s good for the environment, and it saves money at the gas pump. It’s a triple win – for you the win is even bigger – time spent talking and teaching your children. Way important.
When my wife and I go on walks in the nieghborhood, our youngest son loves to hang around and join us (the other two are too old and too cool I guess!). It’s just a fun time to be together – and that’s one of the beauties of walks. Heres to many more for you and your family!
Lances last blog post..Dreams For Our World
That’s awesome – well, not that you had to fill up — but that you went almost all summer without having to!
I enjoy biking, and do this to get to work regularly. It feels good, it’s good for the environment, and it saves money at the gas pump. It’s a triple win – for you the win is even bigger – time spent talking and teaching your children. Way important.
When my wife and I go on walks in the nieghborhood, our youngest son loves to hang around and join us (the other two are too old and too cool I guess!). It’s just a fun time to be together – and that’s one of the beauties of walks. Heres to many more for you and your family!
Lances last blog post..Dreams For Our World
Ellen: I only started these new habits because of circumstance, but I would like to change my circumstances so that I might maintain my new habits. Thanks, also, for your words earlier. They were very kind.
Twizzle: Yay, City Mama! It is nice to have met you.
Lance: All of a sudden, the car feels a lot smaller.
Ellen: I only started these new habits because of circumstance, but I would like to change my circumstances so that I might maintain my new habits. Thanks, also, for your words earlier. They were very kind.
Twizzle: Yay, City Mama! It is nice to have met you.
Lance: All of a sudden, the car feels a lot smaller.
I love walking too. It puts everything into a new perspective. And I always think of lots of stuff to write down when I get home! Your kids are fortunate that you have exposed them to this walking thing, WD.
Jennys last blog post..Chow Time
I love walking too. It puts everything into a new perspective. And I always think of lots of stuff to write down when I get home! Your kids are fortunate that you have exposed them to this walking thing, WD.
Jennys last blog post..Chow Time
Hey Writer Dad,
How big is your town, anyway? You mentioned that the school is across the town but you walk there? Just curious.
I prefer “extreme walking” (running) on a daily basis. If Heaven is headphones on my ears, a cool morning breeze and a jog through a quiet subdivision every single day for eternity…well that’d be just fine with me.
Thank you for adding so much magic and grace to a post that could have simply been about saving money on gasoline.
Hey Writer Dad,
How big is your town, anyway? You mentioned that the school is across the town but you walk there? Just curious.
I prefer “extreme walking” (running) on a daily basis. If Heaven is headphones on my ears, a cool morning breeze and a jog through a quiet subdivision every single day for eternity…well that’d be just fine with me.
Thank you for adding so much magic and grace to a post that could have simply been about saving money on gasoline.
I was browsing the killer titles at ProBlogger and came across yours. I really enjoy your style and voice. I have subscribed. Thanks.
millar prescotts last blog post..masturbation means never having to say you’re sorry
I was browsing the killer titles at ProBlogger and came across yours. I really enjoy your style and voice. I have subscribed. Thanks.
millar prescotts last blog post..masturbation means never having to say you’re sorry
Jenny: Yes, I rarely walk without juggling children and thought.
Andy: Thank you for saying that. I hadn’t thought of my post in that way, but I really like it.
Millar Prescott: I am very glad to have you.
Jenny: Yes, I rarely walk without juggling children and thought.
Andy: Thank you for saying that. I hadn’t thought of my post in that way, but I really like it.
Millar Prescott: I am very glad to have you.
I hated living in the ‘burbs because nothing was within walking distance. It was a 1 hour walk to Walmart (yes, I did do it once). Then I moved downtown and I walked everywhere. I did everything by foot and I loved it. Where I live now is a bit in the middle. I can walk to the grocery store and drug store, but anything else requires driving. The Lion and I have two cars, but one car leaves the driveway maybe once a month. At least it is paid for, so it doesn’t cost us anything to have it available for the rare occasions we do need two cars.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Cut and run
I hated living in the ‘burbs because nothing was within walking distance. It was a 1 hour walk to Walmart (yes, I did do it once). Then I moved downtown and I walked everywhere. I did everything by foot and I loved it. Where I live now is a bit in the middle. I can walk to the grocery store and drug store, but anything else requires driving. The Lion and I have two cars, but one car leaves the driveway maybe once a month. At least it is paid for, so it doesn’t cost us anything to have it available for the rare occasions we do need two cars.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Cut and run
I think it’s great that you teach your kids they don’t have to drive every place they go. I don’t drive. Never have. And as a kid, my mother didn’t drive either. So I learned young about walking and public transportation. Many folks about drop dead of shock when I tell them I don’t drive, but honestly, I have no desire to. Great post.
Amy Derbys last blog post..What’s Your Dream Gig?
I think it’s great that you teach your kids they don’t have to drive every place they go. I don’t drive. Never have. And as a kid, my mother didn’t drive either. So I learned young about walking and public transportation. Many folks about drop dead of shock when I tell them I don’t drive, but honestly, I have no desire to. Great post.
Amy Derbys last blog post..What’s Your Dream Gig?
WD,
I used to live downtown, but have since moved to the suburbs. The problem is that the closest grocery store is 8 miles. Not a horrible walk, but carrying items might be a bit prohibitive. There is a close convenience store, however, within easy walking distance (a mile or so). Of course, the difference in prices there might be about equal to the savings in gas.
I admire your attempt, and if I still lived close to downtown within easy walking of all of my needs, I would do the same. I think I will try minimizing my car use anyhow. I’ve already trimmed quite a few miles off of my normal summer binge of driving, so I might as well see if I can take it further. Perhaps it is time for a new bicycle. Then again, winter is not far off. Be well.
Ian
WD,
I used to live downtown, but have since moved to the suburbs. The problem is that the closest grocery store is 8 miles. Not a horrible walk, but carrying items might be a bit prohibitive. There is a close convenience store, however, within easy walking distance (a mile or so). Of course, the difference in prices there might be about equal to the savings in gas.
I admire your attempt, and if I still lived close to downtown within easy walking of all of my needs, I would do the same. I think I will try minimizing my car use anyhow. I’ve already trimmed quite a few miles off of my normal summer binge of driving, so I might as well see if I can take it further. Perhaps it is time for a new bicycle. Then again, winter is not far off. Be well.
Ian
“Miles are like dollars; sometimes they should be felt. ” True on so many levels. That’s going to stick with me for awhile. Thanks for the food for thought this weekend….
Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Three Things You’d Save in an Emergency
“Miles are like dollars; sometimes they should be felt. ” True on so many levels. That’s going to stick with me for awhile. Thanks for the food for thought this weekend….
Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Three Things You’d Save in an Emergency