Sky Trombly

For the duration of the challenge, I will use only human-powered transportation.

Hello! I'm an environmentally-themed blogger who writes on a wide variety of topics from eco-tips to tree identification to nature spirituality and ethics. Please take a look at: www.yourgreenerpath.com.

My EcoChallenge Blog

October 11th, 2011: Days 5-9 on the NWEI’s October 2011 Eco-Challenge Posted on October 11, 2011 by Sky Trombly Some Thoughts On My Eco-Challenge I took on a rather straightforward challenge. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to dream up the kinds of problems I would have (transporting laundry, getting groceries, commuting to work) and it doesn’t take a genius to consider the good and bad consequences of the challenge (such as getting more exercise and feeling sore, respectively). I knew that the insights I would gain, hinged on the experiential level. So far, I feel justified in this belief. Yes, I knew I would get exercise, but I didn’t think that moving regularly would get me over the slump I’ve been in. I’m not usually much of a town walker (I prefer to hike). I’ve kind of convinced myself that walking on the side walk wasn’t worth it and have been gaining weight as a consequence. Trails aren’t as readily available as they were in my home town. I’m now appreciating my body’s increased mobility and energy. I climb up on curbs and dance to my music while waiting at the cross walk. Interestingly, whether or not I’ve lost weight, I’m feeling more comfortable in my own skin. I didn’t expect to shift my focus. That is, when at home on the couch, there is some inertia holding me there. While sitting on the soft cushions, if I think about walking, I concentrate on the loud and smelly traffic and the lack of diverting attractions. Now that I had to walk to get around (not just for entertainment), I focused on the beauty of the season, the early morning and afternoon sunlight, the music I was listening to, and my audio programs. I hoped my husband would get out with me, but I didn’t expect the conversations that we’ve had (which we might have missed while plugged in to our separate entertainments). I didn’t expect that my challenge would result in his getting more exercise. These are just a few surprises. I have 6 days left – I can’t wait to see what else I learn. Daily Breakdown: Friday, October 7th, Day 5 I had this day off from work. I walked into town with my husband in order to do some errands. We went to the post office, the IGA, the bank, and the local craft store (Misty Hollow). Then we walked home together. Normally, on Friday afternoons, we drive to our local archery range. Obviously, this does not fit into the scope of my challenge so I went without. Future plans: I’m not willing to give up archery, but there are ways in which I could make this more eco-friendly. We could give our friend a ride (carpool). Also, having my own car isn’t strictly necessary; we could have taken his. Saturday, October 8th, Day 6 I had this day off from work. I walked down to Misty Hollow, the local craft store, for Knitting Club. Afterward, while I walked home, I realized that the day was especially pleasant and my husband and I should get out and enjoy it. We decided to go for a hike in the early afternoon. Sunday, October 9th, Day 7 I felt under the weather this day and decided to stay in. As far as my challenge is concerned, it was neither positively nor negatively affected. While I chose to stay home this week because I was feeling unwell and because of the challenge, I normally go to the Unitarian Universalist Church the next town over. My husband isn’t into this experience, so I go alone. I can’t drive his car (right now), so this activity might necessitate the use of my car. I will look into catching a ride with other members of the church who are also traveling in that direction. Monday, October 10th, Day 8 I had work this day, so I walked the 45 minutes to Clarkson, stood around all day, and walked home. Later, we decided to go to craft night at our friends’ home across town. I took out my backpacking pack and stuffed it with our projects, including about 20 lbs of canvas for our tent project. I feel like I got some quality exercise this day. Tuesday, October 11th, Day 9 I had work again today, so I walked the 90 minute commute. I’ve taken to listening to audio learning programs and my music so I feel the walk is useful as well as visually appealing (I enjoy the sights of the season). We may be heading out again tonight to visit with friends, but currently those plans are up in the air.
October 6th, 2011: Days 3 & 4 of the NWEI’s October 2011 Eco-Challenge Thursday, 6 October 2011. Wednesday and Thursday has pretty much the same story as far as the challenge goes, so I’m combining my review of them. I walked across town to work each morning and walked back in the afternoon after work. It was cold both mornings as I started out and warmed up to the point where I carried my hat, scarf, and gloves back home with me. The weather was sunny both days, which allowed a full showing of autumn’s beauty. I got home after walking and standing all day and pretty much vegged out. Oh, and I made up for the calories lost by eating more. It takes me about 45 minutes to walk to work and 45 minutes to walk home. This is a large chunk of time and I haven’t wanted to go for my typical hike after work. On the up side, this morning I listened to some of my favorite songs while I walked and sometimes danced along the sidewalk. I felt like I was remembering how to move again. Gas prices are going up again so I have to say that I’m saving money on gas walking. Also, if I stick to this new behavior, I might be able to sell the car or I might be able to ditch the gym costs as well.
October 5th, 2011: Tuesday, 4 October 2011. Last night was beautiful. It was ever so slightly misty and surprisingly warm. I walked as the sun set and watched the Canadian geese settle down and blanket the Racquette River. Geese honked over head. I took the time to notice the leaves and the cracks and crevices of the bark-covered boughs as I walked under them to my destination. There wasn't the wind I associate with the season, but despite its absence, I felt freer in the fresh air - probably a response to my recent bout of cabin fever/nasty cold. I also expected the walk to be 45 minutes, but it ended after only about 24 minutes. This is important as I calculate the costs and benefits of adopting a much less car heavy lifestyle. Of course, if I consider my walks as actual exercise (which it is) I can cut out some of the time I workout each day. So, for those of you keeping tally on my cost/benefit analysis so far: Costs: - Time - Possible discomfort (cold, carrying my own crap) Benefits: - Exercise and weight loss - Experience of the seasonal changes Tonight, I expect to leave the house for the local SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) meeting. Walking there and back is not an especially taxing venture since I live near to the site.
October 5th, 2011: Monday, 3 October 2011. The Northwest Earth Institute’s October 2011 Eco-Challenge is on! My personal challenge is to go 15 full days with only human-powered transportation. You may have noticed that October 1st has come and went and I’m sure that you’ve been eagerly awaiting my first post. Sarcasm aside, I’ve been sick. Staying at home has made my commitment to human-powered transportation a non-issue. That is, I wasn’t going anywhere anyway. (I intend to go until the 17th to make up for my late start.) Today, I’m mostly better with only a slight, persistent cough. I’m planning to leave the house this evening to visit with friends for “craft night”. This means walking across town through the cold and dark and I’ll level with you – I’m not looking forward to the trip. My husband will be taking his car because he has to transport armor and two boxes of canvas rolls for our viking style tent making project — I know, we lead interesting lives. This may strike you as a little silly. He’s going anyway, why should’t I just ride with him? After all, it isn’t any more pollution. In this case, environmental-impact aside, I’m developing a new pattern. I’m working at re-thinking our status quo. Next week, he may walk with me, perhaps we’ll work on lighter-weight projects? I won’t be able to look at the full impact this challenge will have on me if I cheat. Speaking of impact, since I got my first car, I’ve put on a lot of weight. Correlation? Possible. I’d like to see if this pollution-free challenge has a positive impact on my waistline. Today, at 4:40 pm I weigh in at 151.4 pounds. This puts my BMI in the “overweight” category for my height and weight. Until tomorrow, Live Lightly.
October 5th, 2011: Event Announcement: Northwest Earth Institute’s Annual EcoChallenge Wednesday, 3 August 2011. I recently received an email inviting me to join the Northwest Earth Institute’s Annual EcoChallenge. I hadn’t heard of it before, so I looked it up: “The EcoChallenge is a Northwest Earth Institute event that demonstrates the collective impact of many people making sustainable changes in their everyday lives.” – From the challenge’s website: http://www.ecochallenge.org/ Specifically, the public is invited to sign up for a personal eco-challenge to be completed during 2 weeks in October, from October 1st to the 15th. They have categories from water conservation to trash reduction with lists of possible challenges in each. Additionally, if you feel so inclined, you may also create your own challenge. The idea is to shift your perception away from “business as usual” so that you might make changes in your life that last longer than the challenge. I was somewhat stumped in coming up with a challenge. As a long time self-proclaimed environmentalist, many of the proposed challenges I saw on the challenge’s site were things I’ve already wrestled with. Then it hit me. Up until August 2010 (for 25 years) I didn’t own a car. I used buses, walked, biked, or bummed rides and I was thin. Since getting a car in order to commute to college, I put on a lot of weight. Why? Well, a lot of my transportation problems now had a quick, easy, and exercise-free solution. Am I really benefitting from my car now that college is over? Can I get around using it so often? I’ll be putting it to the test in October when I will choose only human-powered transportation for 2 full weeks. I may decide that my family doesn’t need two cars after all. If you’d like to follow this adventure, I will be writing about it for the duration of the challenge. Please think about signing up for your own eco-challenge this October.

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From: Kerry Lyles: Thanks for signing up! We're excited to have you on board for the EcoChallenge!

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