Thinking about where to go

This is the first time in my driving career that I actually feel it is necessary to think about where I am going. The best car for gasoline that I had was a little '92 Geo Metro Convertible. It took at the most $20 to fill ($8 in the US) and I could drive a good two weeks or more. And that was when I was going to University so I was making two or three trips from the West End of Ottawa to Downtown. It was great. Oh yes, there were the two years I drove a motorcycle all summer. And well that was only what $6 to fill? I don't even remember how long I used to go without filling it up. But, I also drove around a lot more than I would have in a car. Now with my Nissan, which I love by the way, it took $67 of gas last week! I couldn't believe it. It was a big enough shock when I went from $20 to $40 to fill a car. But, $67, give me a big huge break!

I actually think twice about going out now. That is pretty sad. I save my car trips for the days when I have lots to do. Otherwise, I try to get out on foot. My husband and I even walked for groceries on the weekend. Not something I could do if it was a big weekly order. At least not without a wagon in tow. Only so much fits in the bottom of a stroller. The thing that concerns me is that winter is coming and that is when I feel like I have to get out more often.

I do realize that oil production is down in the US, but don't we get our oil from Alberta? I thought that Petro Canada did all the oil and gas production on Canadian soil. Hence, the "Canada" in their title. So why is it, that before it was even known that there may possibly be a shortage in the US, our gas hiked up? Here I go with questions again, why do we normally pay twice as much for gas as they do in the States? Why does the Canadian Government continue to say there is no price gouging or that there is nothing they can do? Ahh, if only we had the answers to all of these things, we would be back to paying $0 .45 per litre. In the meantime, I will continue to try to conserve. And perhaps we will be owners of hybrid or electric cars in the near future. We have already been considering a Smart car for my husband to drive to work. I shudder to mention the $98 it cost to fill up his van!!!

Yikes, think we will be walking today!