Machka 

We went to the model train show again this year ... and we're eyeing the "N" gauge trains now.



And to relate this to cycling. We parked in town then cycled out to the show, then cycled some more (rather briskly because I felt energetic) and back to the van.

Machka 

Sadly, we still haven't used the canoe. We did go sea kayaking while we were in Canada in June, but haven't ventured out in our canoe yet. After the Summer-That-Never-Was, we hoped for a beautiful autumn but instead were plunged right into winter.

However ... spring is 18 days away! Here's hoping we'll be able to use the canoe in spring.

cooker

I've never seen a canoe with that kayak-style top before.

Machka 

It was used by the local outdoor education group when we lived in Victoria, and there it was used on Lake Eildon, which got quite wavy at times, and also the Goulburn River, which when it was up, had a number of rapids. I don't know if it is specifically designed for those sorts of conditions or not.

It is open, it's just closed a little bit (not much) in the front and back, and has two support struts across the middle.

They call it a "Canadian Canoe" here ... which makes me smile a bit because it's not exactly what I've seen in Canada.

Machka 

We've been talking about doing a car-light weekend with the canoe ... we'll drive it to the water. Then park the van, load up the canoe and paddle somewhere where we will stay overnight and then paddle back.

So far it has just been talk, but maybe this summer ...

Walter S

Me and my wife had a splendid time on July 4th. We went to a place east of Atlanta (by car) called Dyre Pasture. We paddled up the river several miles and then veered off into an area that was several hundred acres of wetlands where the water was only about 18 inches deep. Our canoe did just fine but it was too shallow for the motor boats.

We found a nice place to camp back there and didn't see a soul for 24 hours. It's really amazing that with seven billion people on the planet that really pristine and very secluded places abound. I like it that not everybody wants to camp in the wilderness.

Machka 

Yes ... that's exactly the sort of thing we're thinking of.

Where we used to live, we would go out on the lake for an afternoon, and talk about where we might camp if we stayed overnight, but there, the banks of the lake were so steep it was tough finding a spot to put in for lunch nevermind pitching a tent.

But here, there might be some possibilities.

09box

I like to cook and tinker with things. The second one is how I learned how to fix a flat tire and swap a tube out.

fietsbob

Pints with my friends at one of the local watering holes

now that the jukeboxes are wall hung and internet connected, by Brompton fits underneath..

Machka 

Making progress ... we walked to the hobby shop near where we're staying today and had a good chat with the owner/manager there. We haven't purchased train stuff yet, but we have purchased a couple books ... one on the OO/HO gauge trains and one on the N gauge trains ... their layouts.

We asked about getting Canadian rolling stock, and it can be ordered in.

Machka 

One of our other hobbies ... yeah, OK, we've got lots! ... is going to performances. We like the symphony, theatre, and concerts.

Tonight we walked from where we are staying to the theatre for an excellent, brilliant performance of Mary Poppins. The cast was wonderful ... the music and dancing superb. We were both really impressed ... standing ovation!


Plus it gives us a chance to dress up in formal attire.

We made an evening of it by going out to dinner prior to the performance, and then strolling around town before arriving at the theatre.

All car-free.

I-Like-To-Bike

How did you get to "where we are staying"?

Walter S

You're always on the watch for the car hiding in a car free story, as though it's your golden opportunity to somehow discredit the teller. Her night was car free but you have to dig don't you? If you can find that car it must feel like a juicy win since this is a pattern with you. Seems like you would eventually get tired of it.

I-Like-To-Bike

Are you really that desperate for a "mostly car free story"?

Most, if not all, people could "tell a car free story" everyday unless they spend 24 hours a day in their motor vehicle. Some stories may be more interesting stories than others. I imagine nights on the town are more interesting stories than working in the garden stories, participating in a sporting, fishing, hunting or other hobby stories, working out in a gym story, or taking care of the family stories, though all may be considered "mostly car free" activities. I find it rather odd to specifically tout such a story as "All Car Free" because it wasn't experienced while in a motor vehicle. Don't you?

Are ALL hobby and sports stories "car free stories" other than car driving as a hobby and car racing stories? Very imaginative!

Machka 

Living car light is all about choosing to use a non-motorised option for a particular trip rather than a motorised option.

And talking about our sports and hobbies shows that we can live full well-rounded lives either without a motorised vehicle at all, or using one lightly.

I-Like-To-Bike

OK, if that is your story about why you post your various activities on this list as if LCF was a travel blog/Facebook page, stick to it, I'm sure some others will agree with your unique definition of "car light" and may be inspired by your well rounded life to do the same. After all you your pictures are scenic and not taken from behind automobile glass. They also ARE rooted in reality and real life activities which are far better stories than the fantasy and wishful thinking that passes for Living car free stories often spun on this list.

350htrr

I think my way of trying to live a car free/car light lifestyle may actually work for most people... I drive a Prius C when I need a car, I ride my bike when I can, and I use my big assed 4X4 diesel truck with my camper and boat on it to go fishing/camping when I want... May not seem like much different than most people but it really does make a huge difference combining the three using the right tool for the right job... JMO

EDIT; Around here I see sooo many people using/driving a big assed 4X4 jacked up truck for a "car" it's un-believable? 8 out of ten vehicles seem like that is what it works out to... JMO as I see it, around here anyways...

I-Like-To-Bike

Perhaps you can post lots of pretty pictures of your all car free fishing and camping activities and even some stories about those all car free hobbies.

350htrr

Well now... I see you have managed to totally miss my point... I said I was trying to be car light... Using the vehicle to fit the type of use is part of that IMO... Totally eliminating the vehicle is not really a starter for everybody, IMO even tho some people here seem to think so... (and it can be for some, but not for all in todays vehicle centric society). I was trying to point out that there is a middle ground...

I-Like-To-Bike

I didn't miss anything. Apparently for some LCF types, any activity that does not involve use of a motor vehicle while doing it is a car free activity; and no matter how much motor vehicle (or airplane!) use made the activity possible it can still be considered a car light, or even "all car free" activity.

So why not photobomb the list with pictures of your car light (or is it car free) camping, boating or fishing activity? It is probably more interesting for our comrades than my boring (not well rounded)ncar free activity today of watching college football on TV after riding my bicycle for 11 miles and swimming for 1/2 hour.

350htrr

Well, Just because I'm not your stile of car light doesn't mean I'm not car light... Every time I choose to drive my Prius 60MPG instead of my truck 15MPG I am car light, every time I choose to ride my bike and not drive my Prius I'm car light... One does not need to not drive a car to be car light... JMO I guess I may not be anyone's idea of car light but as far as I am concerned I certainly am car light, as compared to most people driving their 1 ton 4X4 (getting 15MPG) around like if they were cars that would get 40MPG +...

I-Like-To-Bike

You are correct, there are quite striking difference of opinions on what car light living is about, and even what living car free means. Apparently I can drive across the country to Las Vegas, walk down the Strip from my hotel to a show at another hotel and play craps at another. Then drive to Orlando Florida walk around the Amusement Parks then drive to NYC, stay at the Plaza and take the subway or ride a bike to Yankee Stadium for a ball game.

Then post stories/pictures on LCF of my "all car free" vacation activities in order to inspire others to lead a well rounded carfree/carlight lifestyle.

Machka 

OK, enough with the "whys" and definitions. If you want talk about that sort of stuff, start your own thread.

Here we talk about our sports and hobbies!

Walter S

Last week I crashed my bicycle on Monday. It's embarrassing what a novice-type move it was. I was going down one of the few roads where we have a streetcar in Atlanta. The road was wet and as I crossed over the rail (moving from the middle of the road to the side). The front end slipped out from under me and I quickly hit the road sliding at about 25 mph. My upper arm and shoulder are sore as hell.

So I've taken a renewed interest in walking. I've been walking about five or six miles per day this week. A good routine for me is to stay around the house till afternoon, making breakfast and lunch indoors. Then I pick a destination that ends somewhere that I can buy a quick sandwich, or a decent dinner depending on my mood and willingness to spend significant money. Then I might stop somewhere on the way home and pickup a little this or that to stock the fridge. Putting whatever I carry in a backpack takes the load off my arm - especially since my good arm might be busy holding the umbrella!

I like living in the city and walking. Ironically it seems like you would find quieter strolling opportunities in the country. But it all depends on where you are. In the country you might find about the only place to walk near your house is on a highway. In the city you can quickly get off the busy roads and walk in neighborhoods where you might see a car only every few minutes.

Machka 

Anyone else live car free or car light ... with a plethora of hobbies?