Traveling Green with kids

Just back from a two week trip on the road with the family touring the West a bit. Weddings, Birthday Parties, Birth of a new Baby, visiting good old friends and grandparent! This, was a trip celebrating all things sweet in life. But, being the Green conscious person that I am, I am always aware of if I am living up to my standard of treading lightly on this earth. Add, two kids, a few air line flights, a rental car, and eating out more, I begin to wonder how much harm we are doing by being on the road. At home, we have our scene pretty dialed: garden, fire wood, well water, hybrid vehicle, minimal energyuse, we eat at home, and pack our meals with local organic produce, compost, etc. But, once on the road, it is difficult to make a zero waste impact with the family in tow. And, away from our sustainable island, you also realize how much of the outside world is not even slightly concerned with how much environmental impact they are having on the overall well being of the planet. Depending on where I was traveling, I got the sense that it was not a top priority to most to take the extra steps to live green. Before reaching for the 8th plastic fork in the take out food world, I made a mid course correction on our travel trip with the kids, and here were some of the green tips I thought we could share: Everyone needs their own re-usable water bottle, and packing 1 extra is also a good idea since inevitably someone will loose one. Do not accept bottled water! Do carry your own utensils and even a re-usable container for left overs. Bring the stroller and the scooter and walk as much as possible. Also, make sure to bring your own re-usable bag for marketing and cup for cafes. But the bottom line is, the most green traveling you can do it NOT travel. But, that is the hardest life style change to give up of them all.