Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
-- The Buddha
One of the main reasons for my desire to drive less, go fewer places, aside from Baby's tired engine, is the horrible traffic and even worse streets. The main drag into town is truly horrendous. Imagine the traffic on foothill boulevard. Now remove the freeway. Add dozens of tiny side streets, squish it down to not really two lanes in either direction, angled parking in places, mandatory U-turns, then top it off with no posted speed limits and no traffic law re-enforcement. As I type this I hear yet another ambulance go by. Hear maybe 20-30 a day. This is not conducive to going anywhere city wise. Sadly, with Baby off color, trips into the sticks are curtailed as well. So I have become a major stay at home type. Think I will go out back now and try to will the bamboo to grow.