Changes

Ok - two posts in one day .....  but this one is completely different.  Change - ok - I am usually ok with change - in fact change makes life interesting.  I am ok with change - but not when it disturbs - or messes with my carefully planned travel routes.  I am not good with directions or finding my way, so when I have a plan or THINK that I know where the Campus Shuttle stops are or where the Metro Transit bus will take me ....  those things SHOULD NOT CHANGE!!!! 

Little did I know that both of those things would change ......

Last week after my first day of class I walked to where I KNEW the Campus Shuttle would take me to the St. Paul campus.  I had a meeting in Mpls before class, so I had gotten dropped off on campus, knowing that I could get to the St. Paul campus and walk home.  However, to my dismay, the shuttle stop - my shuttle stop - had been removed.  Who does that?  Why was it removed?  It was a busy stop and the shuttle still drove right by - but the stop no longer exists.  No worries (except for Monday when it was 90 degrees) I did figure out where the next closest stop is ....  well, I think I did.  There has got to be a closer stop - but I will have to research this.

Next ....  on Monday - when I decided that 90 degrees was over my limit for biking (and looking chic when getting to campus) I decided to ride the Metro Transit.  The bus picked me up right on time and the second bus did as well.  However, all of a sudden the second bus took a random turn.  Where were we going?!!!?  I got off at the next stop and walked 1/2 mile (which, I know, is not awful) to class.  Although - I did end up a bit more sweaty than I wanted.  What ..... where was this bus going?  Then after class I walked to the bus stop to go home ....  but ..... MY bus no longer stops there ....  what?  What was happening?  These changes were not exciting or welcomed!!!  No worries - I did make it home .....  but what is going on? 

Eeeek .....  after a few deep breaths I did make it through - and I will make it through all of these changes.  I am not sure why the stops were cut at the U of M - but my fear about the Metro Transit changes is that routes are being cut.  This is not ok ....  not just for me .... but for those individuals who absolutely depend on the bus system.  I have other options - walking, my bike, friends .... but there are those who do not have other options. 

Something for all of us to think about ...

Fall has arrived!

It is no secret that I am not a fan of hot weather.  So - when I woke up early this morning and was actually cold while in bed I was giddy!!!!  I knew that it would be a great day for hopping on my bike.  (Well - I am not actually going to hop on my bike - I am not that coordinated!!!)  It was actually hard to stay in bed until the sun came up ....  so by 7am this morning I had already put 20 miles on my bike.  How much fun!!!

It was also a great time to meditate.  I have made the commitment to quiet meditation for the next 30 days - but as I have said before (after learning it from my sister) that mediation can come in all forms - including being active.  The ride this morning allowed me to set aside everything going on in my life and just be present in the moment.  I was able to be truly grateful for my body - which is sometimes hard for me.  I was almost able to be in love with my body - and what it can do.  It also allowed me to continue to deepen my intentions to pursue a PhD, make it to yoga at least 3x per week and start my own personal training business by November.  Whew -  that was a lot by 7am in the morning.

And - the exciting part about today (besides going to class) is that I am FINALLY going to get a bike rack and panniers for my bike.  I know I have talked about that before .... but it is finally going to happen today.  Although - I am not sure that the pannier will happen today.  I want some that look completely chic - and I can take off and carry to school.  I found one online - so I may be just ordering it today.  More to come ...

Motivation to Bike?

It is interesting to me that it took the 30 Days of Biking challenge to actually get on my bike every day.  I mean, I don't own a car ....  shouldn't getting on my bike be second nature?  Well ....  no.  I have found plenty of other ways to get around - which is fine.  When I took on this challenge, it wasn't to bike everywhere ...  it was to live fashionably without a car.  Although - I did think that my bike would be my primary mode of transportation.  For many reasons, that turned out not to be true ....  but I am starting to fall in love all over again with my bikes.  It is almost the giddy feeling you get when discovering something new ....  a little scary, but oh so fun!!! :)

Today I biked to my yoga class.   Ok - I have biked to yoga before - so this should be nothing new.  Although, I had the nervous feeling that I would not be able to maintain the "yoga bliss" on the way home.  I should not have been apprehensive at all ......  the bike ride home was actually more pleasurable (and actually faster) than the bike ride there.  I was able to appreciate my surroundings, my body and the journey so much more on the way home.

Tomorrow is biking to Cross Fit .... again.  The first time I do have to say the ride home was AWFUL!  I know it will be the same way tomorrow ---- but I am going to try and recapture some of the "yoga bliss" and enjoy all of the things that my body can do --- and the interesting surroundings --- and more importantly the journey.    The only thing that it won't be it fashionable ....  some people can pull of sweaty fashion ....  but I am not one of them.  I will be a big, sweaty mess ....  but hopefully if you see me I will be a big, sweaty mess with a smile on my face!!! :)

30 Days of Biking

Has it really been almost a year since I have posted?  WOW!!!!!  Well -  I am still car free and just newly committed to posting on my blog.  I just signed up for the 30 Days of Biking challenge - thinking that without a car that should be easy.  Although - seems that I really had nowhere to go today (except the gym - which is all of 1.5 blocks away) .... and it is SO hot!!!!  I ended up biking around the block ....  I am hoping that counts! :)

Truth be told - I have had access to a car more often than not - due to various reason - this summer.  It made me think of how much easier life can be with a car .... and was seriously thinking that I need to get one again.  However, I did recently read a FB post from a friend who just spent $900 on car repairs - that did not actually work ....  and then from another who was dealing with car issues while on vacation.  That gave me a bit of pause - as I love not having to deal with all of those things .....  and getting back into biking will support my fitness goals.

Now - if only I survive the bike home after a CrossFit workout tomorrow at 8am!!! :)

Walking and Geese

I can't believe that is has really been over a month since I have last posted.  I need to get on a better schedule!!!  Well ....  I am still here and still living without a car.  As I last posted my modes of transportation have continued to vary from walking to biking, busing to the occasional taxis and the rides from friends and family.

I have settled into a bit of a rhythm - and have found that I really do love walking.  I have been walking from my house, through the fairgrounds (and, no --- I haven't gotten lost again) to the St. Paul campus to take the shuttle over to the Mpls campus for work.  It is a nice 35 minute walk --- and a great time to practice my meditation ... sometimes with music, sometimes without ....  And the only scary part was yesterday when I was walking a gaggle of geese was crossing the road just ahead of me.  Those of you who know me (and who are intelligent) understand the inherent danger in geese.  I wasn't quite sure what to do .... as I really didn't want to get pecked!!! So ...  I did wait a bit until they were all safely across and moving away from the road.  My heart was beating quickly .... but I did make it safely by the gaggle. 

The one interesting thing to note is that I have commented in the past that not having a car makes me feel closer to the community in which I live is still true ....  but it is interesting that when I ride the bus or the shuttle everyone seems to have their headphones on ....  which is eerily similar to being inside of a car --- completely closed off from those around you ....

I am getting very familiar with the bus system --- although, have still not yet put my bike on the front of the bus.  The fall weather has gotten me back out on my bike more often ....  what a great time of year to be car free!!!! :)

Oh - and good luck to all of the 10 milers and marathoners this weekend.  Can't wait to get out an cheer for everyone!!! :)

Ahhhh .... biking in MN!!! :)

I think that I have admitted before that I wouldn't talk about the weather .....  but it has also been reconfirmed for me that I love temperate weather.  Perhaps that is one of the reasons I actually did leave my heart in San Francisco.  The weather there is perfect ....  I can even deal with the fog - knowing that the the weather was never going to get hot or cold enough to keep me off of my bike.  So ... today with the weather starting out in the mid 50s and only getting to the mid 70s (and no humidity) is perfect.  I was so giddy today to get out on my bike!!!! :)  I did walk the dog first thing this morning -- and then mid morning met with my trainer .....  and now I really should be working ....  but trying to figure out what errands need to do!!!  I do have a book club meeting tonight - so I will have something I NEED to bike to and I plan to leave a bit early so that I can actually ride more than 4 miles ....  I keep telling myself if I can work for at least one hour (without getting on Facebook!!!) then I deserve a quick ride around the neighborhood.  I know that the hot weather is not behind us ----  it will be humid and in the 80s this weekend ....  but what a priceless day!!!   Ok ... enough of this ...  I need to work for a bit and then the freedom of the bike ....

Interesting twists and turns ...

So - when I started this car-free journey I had thoughts of lots of biking, cute outfits and awesome looking thighs!!! :) .....  But my summer took a bit of a different turn.  No - I have not bought a car .... and I am still committed to the car-free lifestyle --- but is has included many more bus rides with a few taxi rides here and there.  It makes me feel a bit lazy --- but I came to the realization that just because I gave up my car, didn't mean that I wanted to give up who I am. ....  And, part of who I am really hates heat and humidity.  I can't stand being all sweaty (unless I am working out) .....  and given the weather during August - I was breaking a sweat just standing waiting for the bus!!!

I am looking forward to September --- going back to school ---- and more cool, less humid days.  I look forward to getting back on my bike - and perhaps even biking in the dark.  I am committed to spending much more time on my bike this fall ---- oh, and finally getting my back rack and panniers .... and of course, FINALLY putting my bike on the front of a bus!!! :)

Riding in Cars

So ...  I have ridden in quite a few cars over the last 5 days.  And ... I am ok with that.  I made the choice not to have a car for many different reasons - but it was never to be a martyr.  It was my 20 year HS reunion this weekend and my very, very dear friend N came to stay with me.  She lives in Seattle -- car free!!! :)  However, she wanted to do plenty of exploring of her old neighborhood - plus get to the reunion looking smashing (which she always does) so she decided to rent a car.  I do love her dearly, but I do have to say riding in a car with her was an interesting experience.  It should be just like riding a bike .... once you know how you never forget.  Although --- after not driving for many years the awareness level perhaps is a bit different.  When you are on your bike or walking things go by much more slowly ---- so there is more time to look, ponder and take in all of what you are seeing.  Everything happens much more quickly in a car .....  so I did have to smile a bit .... and wonder how long it will take my "car skills" to start to diminish ....

Finding my center ...

There have been so many changes in my life this summer ... selling my house, moving, going back to grad school full-time, preparing for the M+Ms to leave MN ... oh .... and that little thing like giving up my car!!!!  All of these changes has made it really difficult for me to get into a regular schedule.  I am still getting use to a new neighborhood, different class times depending on the day, bus schedules and routes, not knowing which mode of transportation is going to be ideal based on the weather and how to plan for the unexpected without a car ......

Given all of this, I have to admit that I am missing my meditation time on my bike.  Now - you might think that meditating on a bike perhaps is not the best idea ....  given if I closed my eyes and started saying "Ommmm" and carrying a candle on the bike might be dangerous!  However, my sister once taught me that meditating can be active.  Walking for me is the best way to meditate (or so I thought) .....  I can take time to notice my surroundings, clear my mind and center myself.  I have learned, though, that biking allows me the same thing.  It allows me the chance to think, clear my mind, focus on my body and my surroundings ..... all things that center me.  I didn't realize how important that is for me until these past 10 days when I have not biked as much.  There are all kinds of reasons why ....  the extreme heat yesterday, not wanting to put a bike helmet on after getting a haircut last week (I didn't want to mess up a GREAT blowout!!!) and perhaps being a bit lazy and hopping on the bus.  I have also been berating myself for not taking up a formal meditation practice .....  one which I have started and quit countless times over the past few years.  ......  But wait ....  I HAD started a meditation practice ....  I was doing it every time I walked or biked somewhere.  And .... these past 10 days that is what has been missing from my life.    Duh ....  perhaps that is why I have been feeling "off" .....  I have deprived myself of my mediatation time ....

So ....  here is to getting back on the bike and finding my center ....

I am a busser!!!

Well --- lately my bikes have been a little lonely in the garage --- but I have been exploring more of the Twin Cities by bus.  I actually made it out to Bloomington (almost Eden Prairie) from St. Paul on the bus (well, 3 buses) and then made it back from there to the U of M for class.  SUPER easy!!! :)  And - I have to say that everyone at the bus stops have been more than helpful.  I had people making sure that I made it off at the right stop --- and ensuring that I was on the right bus all safe and sound.  What a great community of people!

The one thing that I had just a bit of issue with was getting off the bus in suburban Bloomington and trying to figure out which direction to walk to my final destination.  Remember that part about my lack of direction?  I did have to call someone to "guide me in" ....  which actually resulted in being picked up. .....  But I almost made it by myself ....  next time!!!

I also witnessed numerous people load their bikes on the front of the bus.  I am ALMOST feeling confident that I could do it.  I did watch closely - but I am still nervous about getting my bike off if it is the first one on and there is one sitting in front.  But ....  I do need to get over that fear.  I have certainly conquered many fears in the past few months ....  and sometimes I look back and think ---  really, I was nervous about that?  But .... it has been a spring and summer of growth and the journey just continues ....

And I am very much looking forward to commuting by bike tomorrow!!!

What Have I Learned Thus Far?

I have been a bit remiss in posting lately --- which does not mean that I have not been continually learning --- just that I have not actually taken the time to sit down and write.  I have been asked by Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) to write a follow up to the interview Amber did with me about my decision to give up my car.  She wanted to know how I was doing --- and what I had learned so far ....  Hmmmmm ....  what have a I learned so far?  Here is a list - in no particular order:

1. Riding in the rain is very possible - but be careful when going around corners at great rates of speed and make sure that you have the right gear --- or else it is very much like biking in the shower!!!  And, make sure that your bag is also waterproof --- or the "dry clothes" you bring along to change into will not be very dry!
2. I need to get panniers for my bike, as I really hate carrying things on my back.  It gets heavy - and makes me even more sweaty.
3. How to successfully lock up my bike anywhere --- and that there are some places with fantastic bike racks --- and some places that finding something to lock my bike to is a challenge.
4. The most direct bike route is not necessarily the best bike route.
5. Sometimes the sidewalk does end.
6. Taking the bus is a viable, lovely option when it is raining or WAY too hot outside to do anything but stand in the shade.
7. It is ok to get up and move to a new seat on the bus if you determine that the people sitting directly in front of you have not showered/bathed for more than 3 days .....  and it is ok to turn down the drink in the brown paper bag from said couple, even if it is after 12pm.
8. Accepting offers from friends to pick you up or drop you off somewhere is wonderful!  I never expect it, but it is nice to have such a great support system.
9. It is possible to bike in high heels and a skirt!  I bike in a skirt often --- and I do tend to wear flats or bike shoes when biking and take along the high heels ----  but I have biked in high heels and it works perfectly fine.
10. Even cute bike helmets look silly .... but they are IMPORTANT, so I do wear mine.
11. Arriving to a casual date on my bike is perfectly acceptable.
12. Arriving to a more "fancy" date by bus is perfectly acceptable (and if it hadn't been SUPER hot I could have arrived on my bike).
13. Having a date drop me off somewhere near my house after a first date is also perfectly acceptable!
14. Reminding myself that I am the one that chose to be car-free --- therefore, I cannot get cranky when a meeting goes a bit longer than expected just because I know that I have an hour bike ride home in the rain.
15. There are lots of people who live without cars --- and not always by choice --- and we need to continue to do a better job of making our communities accessible to everyone!
16. Not having a car is more and more do-able every day and feels very freeing .... well, sometimes it feels very freeing ....  sometimes it feel very hard ....  but the freeing feelings vastly outweigh the hard feelings.

What else do I need/want to learn/experience?

1. How to put my bike on the front of a bus.  I know it is suppose to be easy - and I did practice at the Living Green Expo -- but it seems really different there than when I am standing in front of a running bus with people inside waiting for me.  And, what if my bike is the first one on, and someone puts their bike in front of mine.  Will I be able to lift my bike up and over? ...
2. How to get places other than St. Paul and Minneapolis on the bus.  I know I can look at the schedule --- just haven't done it yet.
3. How to successfully separate my bike commute from my workout.  Bike commuting certainly made me stronger on the bike leg of a recent triathlon ....  but I have not been as consistent in getting out for long rides on Lucy (my road bike).  Sophia (my commuting bike) gets to spend much more time with me!
4. How to not think twice about an invitation --- even if it is in an inconvenient place.  I have not turned down invitations, yet ----  but I have seriously considered it.  I just need to immediately jump online and figure out the best way to get there.
5. I don't need to learn this --- but there is some bike gear that I would still like to get:  back rack, panniers, cute, small, stylish backpack (mostly for when I walk places .....) and better rain gear.
6. And ....  I am certain that there are other things that I have not experienced that I will in future.  (I am not even thinking about winter yet ....)

No sense of direction ....

Ok -  I have always known this about myself - that I have no sense of direction.  However - sometimes I choose not to believe this and think that I can can navigate somewhere based on my intuition.  Well ...  I really can't.  Yesterday when biking to class (the first time from my new house) I thought I could navigate through the fairgrounds and hop on the U of M transit way.  Easy enough ....  I mean, I am a Minnesotan and I have been to the MN State Fair countless number of times.  My first mistake was my failure to remember that when I am at the fair I never know exactly where I am.  So - blissfully ignorant, I set off.  I did make it to the fairgrounds (I only had to make two turns .... that part was easy.)  Once in the fairgrounds I headed sort of in the right direction.  I could see the St. Paul campus and tried to make my way over there.  I did succeed in making it on to campus --- up and down the hills of the campus --- but no transit way.  The second mistake that I made was not remembering that I am not always very observant.  (Note that when I was young I walked right past a new bike sitting in the kitchen while going to get my breakfast!!!)  So - after biking around for awhile, I decided to head over to Como Ave ---  I knew where that was to catch the transit way there.  As I headed down the hill ----  guess what I saw?  The Transit Way!!! :)  I had biked by it not once, but twice ......  But, whew ...  finally I was on my way.

The bummer was that I had started sweating - a lot - given my trips up and down the hills.  I wasn't that worried about being sweaty --- but I was concerned when my facial lotion started running in my eyes.  I spent a few minutes not being able to see--- eyes all squinty, tears running down my face and hoping that I wasn't getting all frothy!!! (I did think about once when my mom and I did a road race and her facial lotion made her face all white and frothy when she started to sweat.)  However, I did survive that part.  The transit way is actually a lovely ride - with a nice false flat running a bit downhill all of the way to campus ---  so I was able to make up a bit of time.  I did pondered the fact when I saw a gopher - the victim of what I supposed was an inter-campus bus - why we would kill one of our own!!! ;)

So - I hope that I am a bit more successful heading to class today.  I have a test ---- and I don't want to be late!!! :)

Journey around St. Paul

I had an interesting bus ride today!!! :)  I got a ride to class - so needed to take the bus to a meeting downtown St. Paul and then back to my new house.  I used the metro transit link to map the route --- but didn't actually look at the map - just knew where I could get on and off.  The ride from Mpls to St. Paul was uneventful - albeit LONG.  I took a complete tour of St. Paul through neighborhoods that were unfamiliar to me.  It reminded me that my love of St. Paul is limited to a specific area! ;)  It also brought up a few questions - like what is BENGO?  I have heard of BINGO - but not BENGO.  And - who knew that there was an Aerospace Elementary School in St. Paul?  Well .... I am sure many people did - but I didn't!!! :)

The ride home was a bit more "special"!!! :)  The first 1/3 of the ride was quiet --- and by that time I was one of two people (besides the bus driver) on the bus.  And then the fun started!!! :)  As I said - there was only one other person sitting in the bus when The Couple got on and of all the places they could have sat - they sat in the two seats right ahead of me.  They happened to be very loud, very affectionate and very drunk ....  and perhaps they hadn't bathed in awhile.  It was amusing for a few minutes - and I really should have gotten up to move, but I didn't want to hurt their feelings ....  not sure why I thought that .....  but if I had moved --- they probably wouldn't have turned around to offer me a drink of whatever they had in their brown paper bag!!! :)    So --- there was I sitting behind these two individuals who were so drunk they could barely speak (although they were able to find each other's lips) trying to hold my breath --- which would have helped when the woman farted .....  and of course they thought that was hilarious!!! :)  And despite the fact that they were so gracious to share their drink with me --- I did decide to get off a couple of stops early, because by that time the bus was filling up!

As I was walking home it did make me smile.  Why was I worried about hurting their feelings?  They probably won't even remember the bus ride.   ....  And, at least they didn't try to kiss me!!! :)  Many, many years ago a similar experience with a gentleman on a bus - who kissed my mom and offered us his chicken wings had scared me off the bus for a LONG time.  Now it was just an amusing part of the day .....  and next time I will just move to another seat.

New Neighborhood Exploration

It has been an interesting few days getting to know my new neighborhood on foot, bike and bus.  I am certainly quite familiar with the area - but it is so much more intimate walking through the the neighborhood seeing people out in their gardens, smelling the grills going and getting to know the best routes - or the not so much!  As I was walking yesterday to get a pedicure I came to where the sidewalk ends ....  and not the fun kind that Shel Silverstein described.  It was the kind where the sidewalk literally ends and I had to walk through the dirt before being able to cross the street.  (Good thing that was on the way to get the pedicure and not on the way home!!) 

I also found that it was almost as fast to catch a bus back to my "old neighborhood" to meet a new friend than it would have been to drive.  Yippee!!!!!  Well ---- it was easy to get there - not as easy to get back, but good thing I was able to get a ride home.  Bummer that what took me 20 minutes to go there would have taken me 70 minutes to get back.  I will have to do some more investigating ....  as I am not sure if that was because it was a weekend or what ....  But, good to know that I do have options!

Happy 4th of July!!!  Where will you bike/walk/bus this month?

Another Beautiful Day!!!

I just can't stop smiling these days!!! :)  What a great stretch of weather ....  perfect for not owning a car.  It was interesting yesterday when I was doing some errands on foot I reaffirmed how much I love my neighborhood ....  And how I often I use to jump in the car when I truly didn't need to!!!  It is so great to explore the neighborhood, get a little exercise, clear my mind and do errands.  It did make me a little sad - since today is the official day I move to another neighborhood in St. Paul --- but I am excited to explore that new neighborhood as well.

I know that there will be more challenging days in the future --- but I am completely enjoying the moment!!! :)

This is why I love MN!!!

What an absolutely beautiful day to ride in MN!!!!!  I - the totally sweaty person --- actually biked to class this morning with only the slight bit of sweat down my back!!! :)  And - I didn't even mind all of the bike "congestion" I encountered.  What an awesome day ---- and it was so much fun seeing all of the bikers out....  total road bikers with their spandex, a guy in suit, a woman in a skirt (and not me!!! - some other woman!!!), kids having fun, fellow students ---- what an awesome way to begin the day.  I was smiling the whole way to class - which did start promptly at 8am!!! 

I also had the chance to walk to a meeting downtown St. Paul --- and then up to meet a friend on Cathedral Hill for a totally appropriate patio happy hour.  Super great day for not owning a car!!! :)

Still new at this!

Ok - I know that I said in a earlier post that I wouldn't complain about the weather --- and there isn't bad weather, just bad clothing choices ....  but I do have to say that I am really tired of the rain/storms when I am trying to get somewhere ..... 

I did have a great bright spot in my day today when I attended a volunteer meeting with Transit for Livable Communities.  It was interesting to hear every one's stories --- and to know that I am not alone in navigating the world without a car.  I was, however, seemingly a novice within the group.  It made me feel on one hand that there are plenty of resources out there --- if I search them out ---- but it also made me hyper-aware that getting started using public transit, biking or walking is still a scary venture and there don't seem to be a lot of great resources on how to get started.  I completely understand that very few people are actually going to give up their cars - but it would be great if once a week or once a month more individuals would think about and then actually take an alternative form of transportation.  But --- I think that there needs to be more information from a newbie perspective.  Or, perhaps I am the only one who feels a bit lost in all of this.....

The question for the weekend is how to get to and from a 30th birthday party (not mine!!) tomorrow night.  I feel confident taking the bus there --- as it is near Lake and Lyndale and should be a straightforward bus ride.  I am just a bit nervous about the ride home ....  not sure I want to be on the bus after 10pm at night.  I wouldn't walk alone along that same path in the dark --- but is busing different?  I know that I can always take a taxi - but I don't want to have that expense every time I go out at night.  I will probably be able to get a ride home from someone .... but I don't like having to depend on others to go out of their way for me.  So ....  that is the dilemma.  Perhaps it is not such a dilemma --- but it feels like one now. 

Silver of Hope and Safety

Last night when I went to bed I was convinced that I was going to take the bus to class today.  It was suppose to be stormy --- and now that I am a bus "expert"  --- it was a no-brainer.  I thought my plans was reinforced in the middle of the night when I woke up to the thunder and lightening (what an awesome storm!).  However, when I got up this morning the sun was shining ---- and I almost went for a run.  I didn't, thinking I would go after class .... dumb, Rachel!!!!  You should ALWAYS work out in the morning --- the commute doesn't count as a workout when training for a triathlon.  (Ok --- enough self-lecture!!!) .....  So - the sun was shining and I went about some morning tasks and a bit of studying for my first test tomorrow.  I didn't seem to notice that the sky was getting dark and very ominous looking. 

Eeeeekkkkk .....  by the time I was ready to go it looked very much like rain, but I was too late for the bus, so I headed out.  I started out wondering how far I could get before I was completely drenched.  But - then I saw sliver of bright, blue sky directly overhead --- and I decided to follow it.  I just kept pedaling and watching that sliver (and it really was JUST a sliver) of blue sky surrounded by super, dark rain clouds.  So, I kept pedaling and watching, peddling and watching and more pedaling.  And - before I knew it I was there, locking up my bike and walking inside.  Whew ..... just as class started it started pouring outside.  Oh well, I wasn't too worried about biking home in the rain --- or perhaps it was my day to overcome my fear of putting my bike on the bus rack.  But ....  much to my surprise just as class was over, so was the rain and I followed that same sliver of blue sky the whole way home!!! :)

The other thing that I have been thinking about lately are the biking habits of students at the U of Minnesota.  I am sure that it is similar to other campuses --- but there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to where they bike:  sidewalks, the wrong way on a one way, against traffic .....  It all seems to dangerous.  Now, deep down inside (ok not that deep inside)  I tend to be a rule follower.  When I got my first road bike almost 10 years ago to start seriously (or semi-seriously) biking I had to re-learn biking rules.  And .... I am still following them .....  I just am surprised that more people don't get hit at the U ---- and I feel like I am the only one following the "rules". 

So -- here's hoping to larger slivers of blue sky and safety for all of my fellow students!

Moving and Stuff

I have to admit that I am glad that all of my friends and family are not car free ......  although I am sure there would have been another solution .....  but it was a HUGE help this weekend as I was moving.  So - it is not that I am anti-car .....  but riding in cars this weekend did remind me that I am really glad I am no longer responsible for one! :) ....  and a bit ansty to get out on my bike for a ride!!!

The other reality that I am feeling (both due to not having a car --- and packing all of this STUFF I don't need) is that I can certainly live with less ----- and probably be more happy.  I am moving out of a house that I have been in for about 6 and 1/2 years.  And I was amazed at how much stuff one can accumulate.  Stuff that I hadn't looked at for years ---- or had even forgotten that I owned ....  and really my house is not that big.  All of that stuff --- just like my car ----  certainly didn't make me happier ......  so as I continue down this journey I am vowing not to collect stuff .....  or at least give away or repurpose soemthing old when I buy something new --- except for shoes!!! ;)  Not quite willing to go there yet!!! ;)  .....  But I am finding that less stuff makes me feel lighter --- and not having a car will make it easier not to buy new stuff, if I can manage to stay off the internet!!! ;)

Well - and now off to my first car free commute of the weekend to meet my dad to celebrate Father's Day.  Woo hoo!!!!!

Memories -- Old and New

In the process of making new memories today while riding the bus --- some wonderful memories of living in San Francisco came back and made me smile ....

The weather was a bit iffy this morning, so I decided that it was time for me to take the bus.  I had looked last night about what bus/buses to take and was all ready.  However, when I got up this morning, I am glad I was up a bit early --- since the buses I was going to take were either running 15 minutes behind (too late to get to class) or there was a schedule change - or I had looked at it incorrectly.  Whatever the case --- I was up in plenty of time to walk to the bus stop.  (First lesson - make sure that I am early to the bus stop, because the bus was 2 minutes early .....  not at all like San Francisco!!!)  The best thing is that the guy at the bus stop gave me a warm good morning ..... when does that ever happen while driving a car?

I got on the bus --- paid my $2.50 (I really need to get a bus pass!!!) and sat down.  I didn't get too comfortable --- as I didn't want to miss where I needed to get off to get my connection.  Once I made my connection (for which I only had to wait about 2 minutes) I was able to sit back an enjoy the ride.  It immediately brought me back to commuting in San Francisco - the cool, damp weather also helped to bring me back. 

It was odd, because when I was in SF it didn't seem like I was doing such a big thing ......  just doing what everyone else was doing.  Everyone road the bus to work --- as experienced by me being the last stop from the Russian Hill area on an express bus to the Financial District.  Often that bus was too full to stop ---- and when it did stop I would be left standing (sometimes in the stairwell) holding on for dear life!!! :)  ..... that was always compounded by the fact that at 5'1" it was hard to reach the overhead railing .... and hanging on to something was imperative when going up and down the SF hills!!!!

Today was a totally different story.  I was sitting down --- only having to share the other seat for less than 5 minutes.  I also noticed that people brought their coffee on the bus --- something that was taboo (as I recall) in SF.  The one thing that was great - as it was in SF ---- that I had time time to truly notice the neighborhoods we were going through.  I can't read on the bus --- so all I have is time to watch and notice.  It was amazing the places I passed and thought, "Oh - that is where THAT is ....".  I remember in SF memorizing the neighborhoods and feeling so safe and knowledgeable about the city ---  much more than here ---- and I grew up in St. Paul.  Hmmmmm ...... perhaps it was all of the walking/biking/busing I did in SF.  .....  And now I am so excited to continue to explore/learn about the Twin Cities in the same way.

I also learned --- or it was reinforced --- that some bus routes are going to be more favorable than others.  On the way home from class today there were a few less professionally dressed individuals --- or perhaps they were just professionally dressed for some alternative profession!!! ;)  But - just as in other aspects of life --- there are places I would walk alone at night ---- and there are places I wouldn't walk alone even in the day. 

As I was on the bus going home ... I also remembered that in SF I would go shopping and take the bus home.  Why, oh why, did I think that was ok ---- but I couldn't imagine doing that here?  Why don't I think that taking the bus is as cool here?  Is it because in SF the buses ran down all of the trendy neighborhood streets?  Is it because it was riding the bus in SF was completely socially acceptable?  That at night on the bus you would see everything from hot 20-somethings ready for a night on the town  - to a couple on a first (or what looked to be a) date - to people in black-tie going to the opera?  .....  And during the day completely chic women with thousands (or at least a thousand) dollars on newly purchased shoes and clothing --- to families going to enjoy the sites --- to individuals coming home from the grocery store on the bus.  What would that be like if everyone in the twin cities started taking the bus?  How awesome would that be?  And why was I so nervous about it?  .....  Maybe all of the current bus riders are actually uber-trendy!!!

I have to say that it was actually quite liberating to ride the bus.  I now know that despite the weather --- I really can get most places easily --- and independently --- without a car.

Oh --- and don't think that I am giving up my bike .....  but it is AWESOME to know that there are options!! :)