I disdain driving, except for adventure.  I've often wondered where this sentiment came from - lord knows it is not mainstream.  In twenty years of commuting, I have never commuted by car. By design, preference, or luck, I have not had to, and simply vow never to have to.  Ten of those years in a small town in Montana (well, small by most standards except Montana standards) - I walked or biked. Even when it was 20 below - with studded bike tires, ski goggles, and Sorels on my feet.  Now I am in Seattle, a relatively small big city, and still I walk, bus, and bike to work - with rain gear and reflectors and flashing lights.  It doesnt occur to me to drive.  And maybe that is because my parents never did.  They rode subways, and walked to the subway.  Not because they were environmentalists - more likely because of their spartan, miserly disposition.  I'd rather be in Montana too, walking everywhere with a view of the Big Sky. But for now, I'll weave my way through the cars with my kids in tow, on my bike.  It'll be interesting to see what they choose to do about driving, walking, and principled existence, when they get their licenses in 15 years.  I wonder if they will consider me an environmentalist - or whether, by then, they'll think of their father as mainstream.