We took a giant leap today and became a one vehicle family. [gulps]
The Caravan is 15 years old and really feeling her age (not to mention being a gasoholic) so we decided the most eco-friendly solution would be to retire her permanently. We sold her to someone who will reuse what he can – auto organ donation – and recycle the rest. I did not get verklempt about it until the Toddler insisted on hugging her goodbye – we brought him home in that van. [sniffles]
I was car-less for many years and it worked for me but with a having family and living in an area seriously lacking in public transportation and taxis – no way in Hades could we do it now. Emergencies happen and I refuse to wait an hour or more for a taxi to take my children to the Emergency Room. The Rogue traded his truck in for a new Honda Odyssey (our Earth-bound space ship) last November and that really improved our gas consumption. We plan on driving it to the ground, like we did the Caravan. We had talked about going smaller but with 3 children and the possibility of more, a larger vehicle is a necessary evil.
It was not an easy decision but we will make it work with a lot of advanced planning. I cannot promise we will remain a one vehicle family forever – children become teenagers – but when the time comes, we will endeavor to make green choices.
* Potty training = semi-naked Toddler. Less laundry is greener, right?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
LOL! That’s a great picture for the archives… Toddler hugging the Caravan good bye. I love it!
Congrats on becoming a one car family. I, myself, am a one car girl. Can’t speak for the rest of my family (we have 4 cars in the one house as it is!) *looks around guiltily*
The cuteness it burns us!! I am sorry I missed that.