Mew Gallery

Week One:

Well, we've just about made it through the first week of the Walk Ride Share challenge! So far we've had pretty nice biking/walking weather, so it's been a pretty pleasant experience. Since we've taken the business pledge, that means not using our cars during our business day- but it's inspired me to find alternative means of transportation for the rest of my day as well, and i haven't had to use my car at all since the 1st for both business and personal related transportation. So far I've actually been biking and walking everywhere I've needed to go- which feels really nice. Hopefully the nice weather will keep up!

Week Two:

We're still going strong here at Mew Gallery with the Walk Ride Share challenge. A lot of walking and biking still going on. Many of you know that I usually bring my American Bulldog Eiffel to work with me, and he loves the exercise, as always (although that's more than I can say for him and any delivery man/woman who crosses his path!). For the next couple weeks we have an extra little furry friend here with us as well- Jezebel (hopefully she can persuade Eiffel that not ALL delivery men are evil :)

The end of last week we had some nasty weather- and it just figured that we had the worst of it just when it was most convenient (otherwise) for us to get two extremely large door panel/wood carving/paintings by Abiezer Galloza to the UPS store for crating/shipping to Florida. Conveniently, PhillyCarShare had a Focus Wagon available only a couple blocks away that we were able to reserve and safely get the panels up to South Street!

Thanks PCS!!

Week Three:

I can't say that I miss driving. I actually really hate it. Because I'm so whiny about it, Carolynne usually does most of the driving for the store. I did, however, have to use PhillyCarShare for a short trip to the Grey's Ferry Fed Ex the other day. My favorite little blue volvo wasn't available so I used a Honda FIT. I still can't believe how easy and convenient PhillyCarShare is. Aside from that, I haven't had to do any driving at all!

I have been walking everywhere. When I can't, the Septa card really comes in handy. I love that thing!

It's just so easy to bike, walk, and use public transportation in this city. My favorite thing to do is walk off the beaten path and explore cute little streets. I love meandering in and out of tiny streets lined with well-loved row homes and trinities. I think a month is not long enough for the challenge. I am pretty sure I could go for several months at a time.

Week Four:

Well, the big challenge is almost over. I have to say
that the experience has been really fun for me. I
find that my favorite part has been walking
everywhere. It really gives me a chance to clear my
head. If I'm having a bad day and have to go
somewhere, walking to the destination usually puts me
into a better mood. I know, for a fact, that driving
has the opposite effect.

If I do have to drive, there's a PhillyCarShare pod 2
blocks away from both my home and work. The 47 bus
stops at my corner, the broad street line is a 10
minute walk down the road. All in all, I've come to
the conclusion that there is absolutely no reason for
me to own a car in this city.

Week Five:

I can't believe the month is over! Being part of the Walk Ride Share challenge was a great experience, and it was really interesting to be (willingly) forced to adapt to not having a car! I am always super nervous when I'm driving another person's vehicle. I guess part of that comes from not being familiar or comfortable enough with the car's interior and part of it comes from just being afraid of being responsible for an expensive piece of machinery! So my first time using a PCS car, i was a little on edge. i must admit, that even though we have had a corporate account for quite a while now, before we began the Walk Ride Share challenge, I could count the number of times I'd used a PCS car on one hand. I'm very thankful for the opportunity the challenge gave us, for the convenience and for the sake of being challenged, in both business and personal car-utilizing tasks.

PCS is soooo super convenient, easy and comfortable. There are a handful of pods located right near my work and my house. Relying on PCS was fun, and it gave me the chance to take out a different model for a spin every now and again. (although I do enjoy biking and walking as much as possible!)

I really loved driving the Focus Wagon- even though it had so much space (for hauling over-sized artwork/music equipment/etc!) it was still a comfortable size to drive and the visibility was great.

My first time in the Prius was interesting. I knew ahead of time that it had a non-conventional ignition startup system, but I laughed at myself because I still couldn't figure it out for a few minutes. It really does seem like a great car- and I love the fact that it's a hybrid.

I absolutely HATED the mini the first time I was in it, but after a few miles I grew to LOVE it! I felt like I was zipping around in a bumper car. I did discover that if you purchase a 40lb bag of dog food you might want to put it on the floor, or in the back seat, otherwise the "fasten seatbelt" light and bell will continuously go off because of the sensors (unless you want to strap it into the front seat!)

Overall, I'm really happy with the experience I had participating in the Walk Ride Share challenge. I think we're really lucky to have PhillyCarShare in this city!