Recently one of my daughters announced she and a friend were going to be vegetarians for one full week. Why? I'm not sure if they even know why. Still, it's an interesting thought to give up something for a period of time just to see what it's like to be without it. "You only grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone"-Percy Cerutty

I decided to go a whole day without using gasoline. Not only is it good for the environment but even better for my wallet! Living in the mountains can make this more of a challenge than you'd think. A whole day "off" at home, what's the big deal you ask? Nothing, except I have a fairly regular appointment with a friend to visit her in her home as she's not able to get out much. This time with my friend is so important to me that it pains me to have to call to reschedule. This visit happened to fall on my "give up gasoline" day. I decided to ride my bicycle. Please keep in mind that there aren't any sidewalks in our neighborhoods nor the luxury of bike lanes. We do however have large hills, gravel, sand and a plethora of "other" obstacles sharing the roadway.

The ride was refreshing. Unlike riding in a car my senses took in the smell of spring blossoms, pillow like clouds hovering over the Sierra Nevada mountains and water flowing down Lewis Creek in Oakhurst, CA. The visit with my friend was exceptional. I was relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed the stories exchanged as we come from very different generations. My visit went loner than usual. Was it because of the looming hills I'd encounter on my ride back home? No, it was the comfort I felt being in a place of no demands and expectations. We should all have a place like this.

My ride home was uneventful and slower due to the hill factor. It's interesting to view the articles along a roadway you'd miss if you were in a car. How does a person lose one shoe? How did a large juicy tomato end up on the side of the road? Tomatoes don't just jump out of grocery bags in a car because they're afraid of ending up in a sandwich do they? These are the odd thoughts going through my head.

I made it home safe and sound. Have you ever thought of giving something up for a day? It's kind of fun. If I don't answer the phone one day you may know why.