I was living "car-lite" for awhile but finally decided to go "car-free" about 2 weeks ago. It is great! I don't miss the burden of owning a car (maintenance, registration, payments, gas, insurance, washing it, cleaning the inside, traffic, stress, etc...) PLUS! I'll have an extra $500 in my checking account at the end of the month. I love commuting to work on my bicycle and riding anywhere else I need to go. If anybody is interested in doing the same, read "How to live well without owning a car" by Chris Balish. It's a fun book to read and gives solutions for any potential problems you may encounter when you don't have a car.

Zero carbon travel day: 42 miles of bicycle riding. We left the house (Meridian) around 9:30 am destined for John's house (Boise) to check out his PV array and solar domestic hot water system. The trip was going well, no obnoxious drivers yelling at us, no close calls, that's when Justin's rear tire developed a leak. Luckily REI was nearby and they gladly replaced the tube and put slime in both tubes, thereafter we hit the road again. We arrived at John's house a little late but it was worth seeing the grid-tied meter turn backwards due to the awesome weather! The EV Festiva was cool to see again as well as his Extracycle bike (I want one now). We then ventured north toward the Greenbelt entrance on Glenwood, FINALLY no cars and fresh air! After some great Greenbelt riding we exited at 9th street and journeyed to the Boise Co-op, the only place in Boise I have had trouble parking a bike because there were so many others there (which I don't mind, it's a good thing). A veggie sandwich from the deli was the entire purpose of this trip and it was delicious! the oatmeal power cookies are also very yummy. Back up 9th to the Greenbelt all the way to Glenwood, we decided to keep going to see how far the paved path went, it turned into gravel near the neighborhood at Duck Alley so we took a detour through the mcmansions back to Chinden Blvd. Eagle Rd was the usual all the way to Overland--fast drivers, diesels puking soot and somebody yelling something to the effect of "Get a car!" We stopped at Emerald City Smoothie, the latest franchise to plant itself south of I84, for a much needed berry smoothie. About 2 miles later we arrived home, tired and ready to rest. It was a fun adventure and we will be doing it again soon!