Green Living

Take Your Trips Outside the Car

I’m starting to think there really is no place like home. In his wonderful book, The Circumference of Home, Kurt Hoelting takes one year off planes, trains and automobiles in order to act on behalf of the planet, curbing his travel emissions and roaming—by foot, bike and kayak—his native turf. He writes: “The more I explore my home ground, the more it comes alive, and I have to put to rest the illusion that I am limiting myself by doing so. Everything we need to be happy really is near at hand.”

With that in mind, we at YDT have been thinking about how to stick close to home in eco-style this summer. Or, if we do trek farther, how to ditch the car once we’re in that new place, to wander without four wheels.

Here’s some inspiration:

Embody summer at home

At Make Grow Gather, Kelly Wilkinson has a “Lazy Summer Project” and attendant to do list. She doesn’t want to miss eating a ripe peach or star gazing this time around. She’s also featuring one post a week from someone describing their perfect summer day. With two so far, there is no mention of far-flung travels or automotives—more like homemade lemonade, hammocks and a morning spent reading in an NYC park (via new urban habitat).

Take a hike, don’t take the car

Escape Hatch at Readymade has clever resources for getting to hiking trails from a few major cities, without driving! Car-free Hiking feels like the perfect solution for enjoying the great outdoors and not smogging them up on your way there. If you’re in L.A. or otherwise not on the list, check metro or google maps’ transit option. And TrailLink might help you find a new knoll to trek.

Try a new mode of fun transportation in you area

Do you live near stables? You could take up horseback riding. Same goes for a river and canoeing, a boardwalk and rollerblading, or any old sidewalk and skateboarding. On Catalina Island, there’s even an eco-tour using, guess what? A zip line! How’s that for creative, car-free touring?

Bike!

You can always get around your own town via bicycle, taking in the sights and putting your fuel costs permanently to bed. If you’re visiting another city, charter a bike there too! Lug the bags with a taxi or friend’s car, then hop on two wheels the rest of your trip by using a service like Rent a Bike or sussing out a bike-sharing option. Or you could always tote your own nifty folding bike in your luggage like David Byrne.

If you travel, travel slow

If you are heading out of town, be sure to check out Tracy’s article on Creative Travel Options with ways to house, apartment and couch swap instead of footing the bill for a hotel. Staying like a local is also the best way to discover the bona fide side of your destination and is a key tenet of slow travel. And you can still go carfree!

So, how are you going to get out sans car this summer? Do tell.

Photos courtesy:Catalina Island Tours