I realized after I posted about our bike accessory shopping trip that I haven't really posted here about how we use our bike and trailer getup to get around town. Since March I been using our bike and trailer to haul me and the boys around instead of our old Subaru. It's been a great experience. Berea is not a town with tons of bike trails and lanes and there's not much bike culture (or if there is it's really underground and too hip for me.) Sometimes I read other car-free blogs with envy, but our Mayor and most city-council members favor improving our bike infrastructure, so I think it's only a matter of time before there are dozens of moms (and dads) like me riding around! 

Julian and I took some photos of our errand run yesterday. Wanna come along for the ride? You're going to have to get out and walk up the hills...

So it was really hot yesterday. It's going to be hot all week this week though, so we packed extra water and braved the heat. It made me realize how fortunate we were in July with unseasonably cool and not-humid days. Our first stop was the ATM.

Then we went next door to Better Beef. Not only do they sell grass-fed beef, they stock local eggs and local raw-milk cheese. I love being able to stock up on these essentials without having to ride down big hills to either of our shopping "districts" in Berea- the WalMart complex or Save a Lot and Happy Meadow (our health food store) on the other side of town. 

Looks like I need to tighten Avery's helmet. Then we rode back through town to get to Hutchins Library on Berea College's campus. I had some severely overdue books to return. On the way we saw some friends who were out and about too. Julian took this photo, I think I'm saying "Stay in the trailer, I'll be right back!"

Then we rode though the rest of campus...

 
To the art store on the College Square. They sell yarn! One of my favorite things about riding my bike is the fact that I can park right outside the doors of shops- I'm one of those people who circle endlessly for a good parking spot! 

Errands done, we headed to Brushy Fork creek. Driving down Scaffold Cane road is a bit too exciting, the road is narrow and there is no shoulder. Luckily, it's for just a short span. Soon all we could see was green.

Monarch butterflies followed us down the trail. My camera batteries died at this point, I used my low-tech cell phone so you'll have to squint to see the bike parked under the hemlocks.

And the boys in the creek-

What a fun and productive afternoon! The kids love the creek. It was the best hour of our day. I want to go more often. After dinner I rode my bike to a Stitch and Bitch meeting and it's awesome how easy it is to ride after pulling those kids around. 

I love our little town and look forward to taking you on more of our trips around. Next time we'll go to the farmer's market.