This is the Way We Roll - Or Don't

My little family and I reside in the 'burbs where, as of recently, we don't have to travel far to get groceries, clothes, shoes, books, or a Caramel Frappaccino Light (thank God!). Most of what we need is right up the street or around the corner where speed limits don't exceed 45 miles per hour. Most of what we need, but there are some things I enjoy or want to expose my kids to that can only be found in the "city". Which is where the problem lies.

The Children's Museum, the zoo, the aquarium, the theater, the busyness of downtown is all at least 45 minutes from "the 'burbs". I didn't move to the metro Denver area to live an HOUR away from downtown and all that is Denver! But I digress. The problem with this is that I do not like driving, not at all. Not at all. I don't care if I'm rolling in a Mercedes Benz, a 1980 Toyota Corolla or a gas-guzzling Hummer H2, I do not like driving.

Back before I had kids I loved driving. Our 1994 Honda Accord made me feel like I was one with the car, I could scoot in and out of traffic, zoom past slower drivers and avoid distracted ones without a scratch. I loved driving, at least I loved driving that car. These days I don't care what it is, I don't like driving. People drive like maniacs, between sipping their 5pm lattes, picking up their kids from 10 different after-school activities, the ultimate chatting on the cell phone all while nearly running me off the road...I'm much safer in the 'burbs at home where I watch those same drivers refuse to slow down when passing my house where my kids ride their bikes.

Distractions are everywhere for drivers these days. I know, I'm guilty of it or at least was guilty when I did drive. Kids demanding your attention from the backseat, ringing cell phones, eating lunch on the run and trying to get where you need to be on time...it's all fair game, and it's all enough to scare the crud out of me when I'm behind the wheel with my precious cargo strapped in the back. Which is why I don't get out much. Accept for a playdate in our area or a visit to our shopping center I would rather stay home.

With our new light rail system, maybe I'll get to see some of the city I moved here to enjoy. I'm more than happy to get out, I'd just rather let someone else do the driving!