Walking more, Grumbling less

I've detected some subtle changes in myself.  It has a bit to do with what I do, but more importantly in what I don't do.  For example, I don't think about how crazy it seems to walk places now.  (Unless it is far.  Then I still very much think about it and groan about it.  What can I say?  I'm lazy at heart.)

I think part of that shift has come from only having one car.  

Our car behind us: Jenna the Jetta was with us for the first 2 years of marriage

Ever since we have been married we had one car.  But in those first two years, it was basically my car.  It was the car I had when I was single and stayed with us once we married.  Nate's car before we were married was older and we decided to consolidate to just mine to save on expenses/insurance etc.  And actually as I remember it, Nate mostly decided and mentioned it to me, and while it surprised me at first, it did make good sense to me and I was on board.  But in all fairness, I don't think I would have ever come up with that idea on my own.   As it was I needed my car for work and had complete priority in usage and we lived on the campus where Nate was doing his schooling.  So he really didn't need the car for 90% of his activities.  He walked to class and to meetings on campus.  If he had meetings off campus, we still had the motorcycle, which was available to Nate a good portion of the year or he could often find a ride.  This arrangement worked quite well for us.

Our backup and favorite past time together: Myrtle the Motorcycle

After we sold the Jetta (and motorcycle for that matter) we were carless for a number of months before we realized we were staying in North America and needed to acquire another set of wheels since we had sold the last set!  In that time without a car we had access to borrowing Nate's parents car when they weren't using it, or walk.

Our newest addition: Alex the Accord

Now that we are back to having a car...the tables have reversed on our original arrangement.  Now Nate is working full time and needs the car to get to the shop, and we live close enough to the center of town that I walk to get to places I need to go.  Dentist appointment, hair appointment, coffee with a friend, shopping for a gift...it's all accessible by foot.  Fifteen minutes to just under and hour on foot to get somewhere doesn't faze me anymore.  

I think there are a two main reasons for that.

Cultural norms...  

Way more people walk to get around.  You see people walking with dogs, kids, and on their own.  People also have to pay to park most anywhere during the Monday through Friday work week in the center of town, whether on the street or in a parking lot.  It's not too expensive, but still, you have to pay.  That was strange to me coming here.  I also thought it puzzling there were no bank drive-thru's in town.  To do any banking you have to park and go into the bank...even for the ATM.  This seems to be the norm most places.  And at least here...there are limited drive thru's for food as well.  But never fear! McDonalds does.  But it's the new norm, and I don't think about it any more.

Time...

I think time has been the other big component in transitioning to walking more.  Since I am unable to freely work for the time being.  I have a lot more time in my day.  I don't have to constantly calculate how much time I think it will take to get somewhere (unless it is a scheduled appointment, but even then I don't have to worry about getting back at a certain time), how much time I might take at each stop, and then how much time it will take to get back.  Because I did home visiting for work for about 6 years, that became so ingrained in my processing.  All I did was schedule appointments and calculate drive times to try to fit everything into my day without loosing valuable time.  

I've enjoyed the perks of being on foot (most of the time).  Being able to really see store front windows and pop into shops to see what it's like.  Last summer you could also stumble upon a veggie vender selling some produce.  These are the things you can't really absorb through a car window.

We will see what the next chapter might bring, but I'll let you in on a little secret:  My hope is we can remain a one car family.