Well, I did it. I put the canoe for sale on Craigslist.

[Ultralight]

Yesterday I decided to finally do it. I am going to sell the canoe and take at least one year off of fishing.

Fishing has become a huge production and a real gas guzzler.

Last night I cycled to the theater to watch Minimalism: A Documentary about the Important Things.

Earlier in the day I had meditated. I took my dog on several walks around the neighborhood. I cycled through some residential areas finding new routes here or there to places I often go.

I cycled to the theater, which is by a bookstore. I was early, so I stopped in for some "free-reading."

Then I peddled over to the theater, met up with some other minimalists, and chatted.

We watched the movie, ended up chatting some more. Then I rode home on my bike at dusk. The temp cooled off. Traffic was almost non-existent. My mind was strangely at ease.

And I thought:

This simple, peaceful life ain't so bad. Riding my bike. Reading books. Walking my dog. Spending time with like-minded people. Turning people on to voluntary simplicity.

Disengaging from as much of this toxic culture as I can.

It ain't so bad.

Then I also thought: I will be okay without fishing for a while, perhaps a long while, so long as it means a simpler life with much less driving.

[bae]

You could just move somewhere where you could walk to fishing. The fishing gear I usually carry in my pack is a few ounces, and I cut a pole on-site if I need one.

[Ultralight]

You could just move somewhere where you could walk to fishing. The fishing gear I usually carry in my pack is a few ounces, and I cut a pole on-site if I need one.

It is on a long term plan to do so. :)

[ToomuchStuff]

Popeil pocket fisherman. Also http://images.lmgtfy.com/?q=bicycle+boat+trailer

[Williamsmith]

What do you do when you run out of things to minimalize? You still have the car, that will get you a big fix when you finally decide you can do without that. Now that you have seen the ultimate minimalist movie perhaps you can quit going to the movie theatre. Does a real minimalist need a bike? Do you realize how much of a bike is made of petroleum products? Like the tires. Wouldn't walking be more congruent with your beliefs? Give up buying your groceries...they are trucked in from long distances. How can someone be in toxic culture but still not part of it? Do you ever feel as though you are addicted to the experience of the incredible shrinking life? No sarcasm.....I ask honestly.

[Ultralight]

What do you do when you run out of things to minimalize?

At that point I think I would just have the things I need and the things I really like, which would probably not be much of anything. I don't think I am too far from this now, if the context of my current lifestyle is taken into consideration.


You still have the car, that will get you a big fix when you finally decide you can do without that.

The car is something I hang onto for a variety of reasons. But I do want to go car-free at some point, and I would make that point sooner rather than later if I was still paying for it. But I own it outright. It is a 2012 Nissan Versa with 50k miles. I could possibly get 200k miles out of it total. But Car2Go cars are all over my neighborhood. And I can walk and bike to most anything I need here. So going car-free is on the horizon, but it is not something I am in a huge rush for.


Now that you have seen the ultimate minimalist movie perhaps you can quit going to the movie theatre.

I don't go often because most of what it in theaters is trashy.


Does a real minimalist need a bike? Do you realize how much of a bike is made of petroleum products?

I would say that depends on the minimalist. Right now, I know I don't need it. I could take my car, or walk, or learn the public bus system. But the bike gives me a good combination of a work out and speed and convenience.


Wouldn't walking be more congruent with your beliefs?

I would say yes. So I do walk. I have walked to work, the vet for my pup, and I regularly walk to the grocery. There is also recreational walking daily with my dog to get him out and about. I think all able-bodied folks should walk more!


Give up buying your groceries...they are trucked in from long distances.

I consider the locavore thing sometimes. But it is a lot of trouble and requires a massive reworking of your life. I don't have the grit for that at the moment. I am working on some other positively impactful things at the moment. But local eating/grow your own is something I might aim for in the future.


How can someone be in toxic culture but still not part of it?

I think I am part of it. I don't like this, but for a variety of reasons, I am indeed part of it -- though I am aware and disengaged from a large amount of it.


Do you ever feel as though you are addicted to the experience of the incredible shrinking life? No sarcasm.....I ask honestly.

I would say no. haha

Here is why: I intend to get a few more spoons, and a couple pieces of cookware. I will also get a kitchen table and some chairs.

[shadowmoss]

I think I've posted the coroplast boat site for you before, but if you search for it there are several sites now. coroplast is corogated plastic, like they use for political signs. Perhaps you can pick up a couple of larger ones after the elections. You can fold it up when you aren't using it, and using some plastic wire ties it goes together quickly. Transportable on a bike, even. Between all of us we will keep you fishing and biking on the cheap. :)

Ok, cruising my own search I found a site too cool not to post. It is a collection of most of the coroplast boat/plan sites out there:
http://www.christinedemerchant.com/boat-styles-coroplast.html

[Float On]

Are there any concessionaires on the lake you fish that rent kayaks, canoes, or small john boats? Renting a couple times a year might be a worthy expense for that water/fish therapy.

[Ultralight]

Are there any concessionaires on the lake you fish that rent kayaks, canoes, or small john boats? Renting a couple times a year might be a worthy expense for that water/fish therapy.

No, nothing like that. But I can use my BIL's kayak any time I want.

[freshstart]

at first I felt so sad when I read the title of this thread, IDK why, you are a complete stranger. Fishing just seemed so integral to who you are. But at the end, you can borrow a kayak and I think that's a great thing. Walking, reading and riding could get boring after a while.

[Ultralight]

at first I felt so sad when I read the title of this thread, IDK why, you are a complete stranger. Fishing just seemed so integral to who you are. But at the end, you can borrow a kayak and I think that's a great thing. Walking, reading and riding could get boring after a while.

If I lived near a lake and had a place to store the canoe, I'd keep it.

If I just lived near a lake I would probably get an inflatable (and I still might do this next year).

But I can still fish from shore or in waders, but again... the drive time is just a dang nightmare.

[Ultralight]

Do you ever feel as though you are addicted to the experience of the incredible shrinking life? No sarcasm.....I ask honestly.

Hey Williamsmith!

I just bought me a 12 inch cast iron skillet and six spoons. No need to worry about me being addicted to an incredible shrinking life. haha

[jp1]

Hey Williamsmith!

I just bought me a 12 inch cast iron skillet and six spoons. No need to worry about me being addicted to an incredible shrinking life. haha

My goodness. i'm not keeping close track but I think you must be up to almost 200 things by now. And six new spoons coming in and only one canoe going out! You're moving in the wrong direction, man.

[Williamsmith]

My goodness. i'm not keeping close track but I think you must be up to almost 200 things by now. And six new spoons coming in and only one canoe going out! You're moving in the wrong direction, man.

Yes, it looks to me like you are simply buying things just so you can get rid of them for a minimalist fix. It is a vicious cycle.

[jp1]

Yes, it looks to me like you are simply buying things just so you can get rid of them for a minimalist fix. It is a vicious cycle.

Imagine if ULA had a girlfriend who was both a compulsive shopper and codependent? Hilarity would ensue!

[Ultralight]

Yes, it looks to me like you are simply buying things just so you can get rid of them for a minimalist fix. It is a vicious cycle.

Williamshrink:

Thank you for that diagnosis. lol

Did you not read what I said? If I had a nearby lake and a place to store the dang thing I'd keep it! :treadmill:

I am not sure what this minimalist fix is that you speak of, like a squirt of dopamine?

I used, for three years, my sis and BIL's cast iron skillet and their spoons. I know that in virtually all living situations I find myself in I will need a handful of spoons and a skillet.

I mean sure, if I join a remote Amazonian tribe I will ditch the spoons and the skillet. But this is an unlikely future.

[Ultralight]

Imagine if ULA had a girlfriend who was both a compulsive shopper and codependent? Hilarity would ensue!

Done it. And it is actually kind of heart wrenching.

[jp1]

But on tv conflicts like this are always portrayed as funny. And they resolve in a half hour. Are you saying life isn't a tv show? Perhaps I've been living my life wrong all these years.

[Ultralight]

Interesting development:

Last night I got one of the new Columbus-area bike maps. It is updated with the new trails and designated bike lanes, etc.

I was looking it over, like a one-eyed dyslexic in a funhouse of mirrors (by this I mean I am horrible at map reading).

But one thing was undeniable visible. One thing was totally, reasonably decipherable.

I can cycle from my place to Antrim Lake.

Antrim lake is a small, inland lake in Columbus. It is spring fed, very clean. It is fairly deep and cold. There is no watercraft allowed, so all fishing is from the bank.
I catch trout here in March and April. I catch catfish and some bluegills too through all the warm months.

I can ride my bike there on weekends (get a heck of a work out!) and go fishing if I want! This is pretty cool!

[jp1]

Sweet!

[iris lilies]

Interesting development:

Last night I got one of the new Columbus-area bike maps. It is updated with the new trails and designated bike lanes, etc.

I was looking it over, like a one-eyed dyslexic in a funhouse of mirrors (by this I mean I am horrible at map reading).

But one thing was undeniable visible. One thing was totally, reasonably decipherable.

I can cycle from my place to Antrim Lake.

Antrim lake is a small, inland lake in Columbus. It is spring fed, very clean. It is fairly deep and cold. There is no watercraft allowed, so all fishing is from the bank.
I catch trout here in March and April. I catch catfish and some bluegills too through all the warm months.

I can ride my bike there on weekends (get a heck of a work out!) and go fishing if I want! This is pretty cool!

This is a big deal, yay!

[Ultralight]

Yeah, I am enthused about this development. :)

[Float On]

Any nibbles on your canoe yet?

In larger cities I'd refresh the ad every day or so and re-post so it goes to the top. Add more photos and more description. Maybe change the title every now and then as well.

[Ultralight]

Any nibbles on your canoe yet?

In larger cities I'd refresh the ad every day or so and re-post so it goes to the top. Add more photos and more description. Maybe change the title every now and then as well.

I am in negotiations with someone now actually.

[Ultralight]

I am planning to take my exploratory ride along the greenway to Antrim lake this weekend. I probably won't fish this time, but I will see how long it takes.

Also along the way is a small pond with bluegill and catfish that is a fairly popular fishing hole too. So I might hit that up too.

[Ultralight]

I sold it yesterday to an Army veteran who was going to rig it up with pontoons and a duck blind. Seemed like a handy and imaginative guy who was happy to have a rather unique canoe, despite knowing he'd have to put a couple patches on it soon.

Another note:

I was looking again at the bike map for Columbus. I found a fairly relaxed street path to another reservoir that I can bike to! So that is pretty cool!

[Tammy]

My dream is to someday live a car free life. I'm not sure that will ever happen, but one can dream ...

[Ultralight]

My dream is to someday live a car free life. I'm not sure that will ever happen, but one can dream ...

It is a great dream!