Riding Phrius with Baby

Everyone thought that our car free life style would end with the birth of Theo nearly three years ago. Grandparents thought it was irresponsible, unsafe, or something or other to not have a car as parents. Car seat lugging parents couldn't fathom it and predicted we would give in. Frankly, we were pretty sure our car free life might end with the birth of Theo. But when you are car free you adjust your travel patterns and you equip yourself differently. This starts with the most basic piece of baby equipment - the stroller.

In preparation for Theo's birth we knew we needed a stroller that could be walked comfortably up to a mile+ and that had storage space for a work bag, groceries, or produce from the Midtown Farmers Market. So many American strollers are designed around the car - folding compact to fit into a car, designed to carry a carseat, and equiped with little storage space. These designs make sense if you have a car, but little sense if you don't. Having seen many pedestrian-oriented prams in Europe, we sought out a European pram. Hillary trolled Craigslist and found a Swedish Emmaljunga for sale. These prams are pricey new and not easily available in the US. We bought the Craigslist one and many accessories from a Minnesota family that had lived in Sweden. An excellent find it was with large wheels, a suspension system, a bassinet and a toddler seat.

Theo loved the Emma. He would just nap away in its roomy bassinet, which also served as a crib when we traveled. At just ten days old we strolled him to the Farmer's Market and used it like a shopping cart, filling the large bottom rack to the brim. On the way home we foraged for berries in a community garden, surrounding Theo with cherries, berries, and flowers.

Now the Emma is serving us well for the addition of Henry to the family just last week (3/4/09). On Monday we seized a relatively warm Minnesota day and took Henry for his first walk in the neighborhood. The Emma comes with a cozy sleeping bag which Henry nestled into. With the addition of the scarf, hat, and mittens hand-knitted by Aunt Meg he was ready for the elements. For Theo we pulled out the "Froggie" side car that came with the Emma. He absolutely loved it. It was like a little skateboard for him. He giggled with delight, peering over his new baby brother as we took our first walk as a family of four.

Rental Phrius for Winter Fish

Riding Phrius includes many modes of transportation for us - bike, bus, walk, carpool, borrowed cars, and rental cars. Of all these, a rental car is essential for escaping the city. A 30 minute bus ride takes me from work to the MSP airport and its many rental car agencies. The perks of renting are numerous. We get a car nicer and cleaner than any we've ever owned. Theo is thrilled with a car adventure. We get some style points (or not?) when we land a PT Cruiser. What more could we ask for?

This President's Day Weekend we escaped with three other families (riding Prius, mini-vanish, and sedanish for those who are curious). We drove 130 miles to the Heartwood Retreat Center in western Wisconsin. As eight adults and eight kids under the age of eight we shared a modern duplex cabin right next to the x-country ski trails. While the skiing conditions were lousy, trail walking, sledding, skating, and ice fishing were great. Skating on the big Hoinville lake was wonderful. The return of sub-freezing temperatures following a week of thawing made for the incredible booming sounds of the ice tightening in the lake's basin. It can be unnerving as you skate about, but is a classic northern winter lake experience. As the lake boomed, the kids were ice fishing in the many holes we drilled during their naptime. Here's Theo with his first fish caught fishing through 2 feet of ice.

The Rental Phrius propelled us 273 miles for only $72 dollars (+$20 of gas) for three days of winter escape. A fine deal that left us free of most other costs of that car and enriched with a great family outdoor experience with friends.