Project Empty: Running on Empty

I'm seriously considering giving up car ownership, so yesterday I decided to find out what that might really mean: I ran all my Saturday errands without my car. I left the house on foot at about 1:30, and came home three and half hours later, at 5:00.

In the interim, walking about three miles and riding four buses, I shopped for clothes, visited my mom, got groceries at Trader Joe's and picked up some housewares at Fred Meyer, all in Northeast Portland.

( Simplification, sustainability, and Stumptown. Go, Stumptown. )

I couldn't go no-car if I didn't live and work in the heart of Portland. Things I need are close by, and if they're not, our transit system is fantastic. There's full support for bicyclists and pedestrians. Portland's own New Seasons Market delivers groceries. And there are ZipCars everywhere, for those times when I just need a car.

The climate may call for a rainhat but almost never for actual gear. And it's pretty here. Lots of trees. Nice gardens. Friendly people in the streets. Decent air quality most of the time. Good place to be out and about in.

So...know anybody who needs a nice used car? 'Cause I think I can really do this.