Three local families are enjoying a friendly competition to "Drive Less, Save More" - and keeping track of their experiences in this exclusive kgw.com "Going Green" blog. Check here daily for their latest entries.

Edwards Schofield Family

Monday, June 2, 2008

Today was kind of public transit endurance test for us. Nigel and I had to ride three buses for almost two hours to get Raven from our friend's house in Tualatin. He did pretty good on the way there, especially when he was allowed to climb around on the railings at the Tigard transit center. After playing with friends for a few hours though, he was in no mood to sit still and chill on the three buses we took home. Lugging the stroller around proved useless, as he was so done with sitting that he chose to walk as we made our connections.

I finally picked up our ZipCar card on the way through downtown today. Probably won't need it, but then again, our grocery list is getting a bit long. I just don't want to have to carry Nigel's monster car seat to the car. Speaking of which, I really wish there were some feasible way to have seat belts (at least for kids under 5 or so) on the bus. I have come up with many concepts that may or may not work. So if anyone at trimet wants to talk...;-)

The kids and I have not been in a car (not even someone else's) in a week! That is so weird to me. And, except for getting a lift to the Max from a coworker after work one day, Dave has not been in a car either.

This week has been a valuable, yet trying, lesson for us.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Lesson for today... NEVER EVER EVER try to get home from Beaverton during the Starlight parade!-) We all went to the "SummerFest" at Village Home today. It was fun. I totally failed to factor the chaos of passing through downtown on the way home though. Dave and Nigel took the typical Max to bus route home and even though they left at 5:30, they didn't get home until after 8 pm.

Poor Dave had to stand and hold 30+ pounds of 3 year-old for almost the whole trip. We parted ways after the SummerFest and Raven and I took the bus from Beaverton to visit friends in Tualatin. It was nice to be able to get some reading done on the lengthy bus ride.

Raven stayed in Tualatin for a sleepover and I took the bus back to Beaverton to catch the Max. It was smooth sailing until I got off at the Rose Quarter to catch the #10. Craziness from the Starlight parade made the bus around 30 minutes late!-(

I will take the bus out to Tualatin to pick her up on Monday, hopefully it won't take the three hours it took today. I won't get much reading done with an antsy 3 year-old along for the ride. But you know, after seeing signs for gas up to $4.19 a gallon today. I don't miss driving even a little right now!

Friday May 30, 2008

Today the kids and I got to do a little staying at home. We did take a short jaunt up to Alberta for some coffee. In the afternoon I walked with Nigel and his friend down to the park. Later, I Google-mapped it and learned it was a 1.2 mile round trip. Its amazing that neither preschooler complained about the trek! I don't think I would have considered walking that far as the only adult with a three and four year-old before I started this challenge.

Dave is getting used to this commute by bike and Max. With the transit incentive Intel offers maybe it will be come a routine.

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Dave was glad to get onto his bike again this morning, after yesterday's epic hike into work. His bike could use some fixing up after so many years in storage. Hopefully that will happen this weekend.

The kids and I took the bus downtown to catch the Max. The stops were really far apart across Burnside, so we missed Voodoo doughnuts;-( Instead we got off the bus in Beaverton and walked past the bakery and coffee shop and picked up some treats there.

After "school" we walked the 8 blocks back to the Max and took it all the way to Lloyd Center to do a little shopping. From there, it was super easy to take the #9 almost right to our door step! Tomorrow we only have plans to go to the park with Nigel's friend. We are lucky to have two playgrounds within walking distance.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Yesterday we rode our bikes and the bus to get Raven to Girl's Rock Institute. Dave Biked and bussed to work and back. Luckily, we all managed to miss the rain and it turned out to be a beautiful day for a ride!

Today we took the bus, then the Max, then the bus again to Beaverton. Nigel really enjoyed it, until we got to the tunnel. Some trail mix calmed his nerves, though he kept asking to "get out of this tunnel."

Dave took bus and Max to work, but sadly missed the shuttle. After work he took the Max to Village home and picked up the kids (he usually does this by car) they then walked to the Max in the rain.

I worked until 7 and did the bus-max-bus trip again. I really enjoyed being able to relax and read after a long day instead of driving. I promised the kids vegan VooDoo Doughnuts (it right on the bus route!) if we can get going a little earlier tomorrow morning. Although we had plenty of time to grab a cup of coffee while we waited downtown today!-)

Tomorrow we bus Max and either bus of walk it tomorrow back to Village Home. Hopefully this rain will let up. Either that, or I will have to add umbrellas to the list of paraphernalia we tote around town.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

After paying $3.85 per gallon for gas today, I am so very glad to be in this contest. Everyone has been so helpful!

When Raven was little, we rode the bus all the time. Alas, I am severely out of the transit mindset these days and am a little uneasy about keeping a three year-old occupied during the 1 hour and 20 minute bus/Max commute. It will be worth the (re)learning pangs if we can help the environment and save some money while learning a skill that my children will be able to utilize more and more as they get older.

--Emily Edwards Schofield