by Scott Dobek

Created on: May 24, 2008   Last Updated: May 28, 2008

The days of our Sunday drives are pretty much over. Today, a scenic tour of our countryside must take into consideration other things that may be accomplished along our route. A ride along "Skyline Drive" may also include stopping at the local farmer's market for the week's fresh veggies, a stroll in our grocery for the rest of our weekly supplies, a post office mail-out or box check, a lumber yard run and a visit to friends or relatives that we would rather put off to another day, but since we are out this way...

One constant on these excursions is the inevitable fuel-up at the cheapest gas store. Even if we have over a half a tank, we will want to fill up, as the price of gas might be quite a bit higher next time we are out this way. We also carry the 2 1/2 gallon plastic can so we can fuel our yard equipment, although I find myself more and more reaching for the mechanical pruning shears instead of the gas powered, screaming bush whacker. I find that using human powered tools can be meditative in use, self-satisfying, not as dangerous and a lot more neighbor friendly.

Forethought and multi-tasking are now prominent in our vocabulary and in the front of our brain pans. Every time we climb in our little pickup, we plan out our trip in our heads so that we might make better use of our time as well as our gas. I am lucky to work at a place that is only two miles away and can hoof it when needed, or ride my bike if I am feeling lucky about dodging speeding cars with drivers on their cell phones.

My wife had job she loved for over ten years. In the beginning her commute was about thirty minutes. She had a great insurance package and lots of other perks that we enjoyed. She liked her co-workers and earned a reasonable paycheck for her efforts. Due to increased traffic, population growth and lots of construction, her commute turned into an hour or more. When gas hit $2.50 per gallon, we did a cost analysis. It seemed that her gas was costing $230.00 to $250.00 per month. That broke down to about 18-20% of her income. These figures were based on her driving a four cylinder car. Well, looking ahead, we could see no relief on the gas prices. Their continued rise in price was pretty well assured, and looking back now, our figuring was justified. So she opted to take an early, 10 year, retirement package that her employer offered. Her monthly retirement check, along with my paycheck, allow us to have a comfortable, albeit fixed, lifestyle. Kind of like "circling the wagons",

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