Okay. While I haven't worked out the logistics of combining school books and work attire with biking to and from work or school, I realized with no small amount of shame this week that there is absolutely no reason I can't walk to and from my local grocery store, which clocks in at a mere 0.75 miles away and whose path consists entirely of either tree-sheltered sidewalks or Shooks Run Trail.
I made the maiden voyage Saturday in gorgeous weather and the entire trip including shopping time took me less than an hour. Totally reasonable. Some unexpected observations:
1. I believe I live in a relatively safe and friendly neighborhood. I wasn't expecting to make it less than two blocks and have a non-psycho looking gentleman stop to ask me if I needed a ride. Caring? Or Creepy?
2. While Shook's Run is nice, owing to paranoia induced by observation # 1, I am inclined to restrict my path to sidewalks with more traffic/potential witnesses when walking alone.
3. Being forced to carry my groceries back home is a built in cure for impulse buying.
Colin Beavan says something in the book about getting there being half the fun, the benefit of the down time vs. the bustle. I'm inclined to agree. The trip was peaceful, and a good way to get a bit of exercise while taking in the sights of the neighborhood in a different way. Now if I could only convince my smallish store to start carrying organic potatoes.....
