When I had my home audited a couple of years ago, one of the biggest pieces of advice I received from Balderston Associates, commercial and residential sustainability consulting firm (quite good), was to limit my air travel. WHAT!?! I love to travel! How could I possibly tame my wanderlust? But cut back I must. Up to this point in my life, a fortunate inhabitant of the planet, I’ve given very little thought to what I left behind when I trotted the globe – only what I would enjoy once I got there. Upon learning more about what’s at stake, and unfortunately experiencing it, I know I can do better. I have to. If I’m to cut my emissions to the recommended 3 carbon tons a year to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, I’d have to make some drastic changes. My biggest carbon expenditures, according to my energy audit from Balderston, lay in my travel habits.
A seed was planted. How could I travel and leave smaller, even teeny-tiny footprints on the planet, instead of my usual gaping steps (such as a trip to NYC, from SeaTac, that would melt 5 cubic meters of ice) as you travel around.
The good news? It can be done. A little wanderlust, drive and curiosity and you’re on your way!
Here’s what I learned on my trip to Wenatchee:
- You can get to Wenatchee without charge anxiety and enjoy the ride. plenty of charging opportunities and some nice views.
- How to buy Peanut Crunch, the “candy crack” of Leavenworth, zero waste.
- How to purchase a latte while charging, zero waste.
- How to enjoy a nice lounge and lovely restroom while charging.
Interested in learning more? Read on!
GREAT ROUTE: My favorite way to travel to Wenatchee is via Snoqualmie Pass, stopping at the Cle Elum charging spot. Nice bathrooms, decor, espresso and baked goods! Need I say more?
Spending a Winter Night in Wenatchee the Smart Way
It’s a little tricky, because Wenatchee is VERY cold, and if you’re driving an EV (electric vehicle) the cold draws your battery, similar to the way the cold would stop my walkman on the chairlift back in the 80s. Solution:
- Make sure you have a GOOD charge rolling into town (aka, make sure you charge as much as you can at your last charging spot… this was Cle Elum for me.
- Keep an eye on your battery power overnight. BONUS: Ask a friend if you can plug into an outdoor home outlet overnight. It gets VERY cold in Wenatchee overnight in the winter. I did not plug in at my dear friend’s place (too lazy to ask, had places to go). 1st thing in the morning, I checked my power and had only enough to get to Leavenworth for a charge. I could have searched for other charging areas (like a Connect station), but I’m getting a little spoiled and love the speedy Tesla chargers.
- If you are too low to get to a Tesla charging station: Look for a Connect EV charging station or hang out at your friend’s and plug into an outdoor home outlet (requires adapter and long extension cord).
Charging in Leavenworth
There IS a Tesla charging station in Leavenworth, that’s closer than Cle Elum, AND a fantastic place to visit while you’re charging! Win-win! Across the street from the Leavenworth charger is Dan’s Market. A wonderful family market that would enable one to get a latte, meet some kind folks, grocery shopping done AND buy some great baked goods all in one stop!! Love this place!
Leavenworth’s Most Addictive Treats at The Alps Candy Shop – Zero Waste
The Alps hours on Sunday? Amazing. They were open at 8:30 am, which is great for a person that likes to hit the road early and charge in Leavenworth. My brother told me the “Peanut Crunch” is known as the town’s “very addictive” candy, and he wasn’t kidding. Now mind you, everything that’s made in this store is wrapped in plastic, and on this trip, I chose to purchase said goodies wrapped in plastic since it’s February, and there’s still plenty of room in my 12-gallon Terracycle Kitchenwaste Collection Box (see this post). I did choose to purchase the bulk Peanut Crunch box because the box is cardboard, and inside the peanut crunch is wrapped in plastic bags, which won’t take up too much space in my 12-gallon Terracycle box. But I found out this little secret: they make their Peanut Crunch on Mondays. If you stop by go after noon, you can have the Peanut Crunch weighed, then transport it in your OWN container, sans plastic packaging (talk to Carolyn… very nice, works Mondays). Problem solved! Now you may be thinking, “That’s an awful lot of planning just to get plastic-free Peanut Crunch!” And yes, it is. But this planet, my kids, your kids, turtles and whales and every other living thing that shares this glorious blue sphere floating in the Milky-Way is worth it. I shall plan accordingly next time I visit!
Grateful for the Ride 