Friday, March 6, 2009

Steamboat Blicky

Hi bloggie friends! Things are pretty busy this week chez Blicky and I'm working on a few more detailed posts, so I decided to recycle an older post from way back when my only reader was my mom. (Thanks Mom!) In light of the stealthily creeping gas prices and reports that GM might discontinue the Hummer brand, this might be a fun thing to repost. I know what you're thinking, he looks sooo different. He's been colorized of course, but this was posted was way back in the time that the internet was still in black and white. I guess this is sort of like Steamboat Blicky.

Beware the Hypermiling Feline

Well, I was just so appalled after reading that Melanie at Bean Sprouts doesn't love her dog enough to give him bottled water that I ran out and bought Blicky a Hummer. We chose the H3 Alpha. Now I was surprised to find that they were even still available. Apparently the liberal media is still convincing people to consume less gas.

So I was finally able to find one and it only cost 40,000 USD. But you get so much! It is 73 inches tall and 6000 pounds. You can haul 1500 pounds of groceries in it and when you peel out of the parking lot, you can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds. I think it's the perfect vehicle for your pet -- especially if he has a defense contract and needs to haul around some heavy and dangerous raw materials. 

It is such an environmentally friendly car too. According to their Web site it's 85% recyclable. That means if gas goes too high or polar bears take up residence in your garage, you can just drive it to the recycling side of your local dump. The only little snag is that gas is a bit on the pricey side: 13 mpg. But that's OK. We've come up with a new solution: hypermiling. Blicky averages an impressive 20 miles per gallon now, but he often comes home with small animals, various assortments of shrubbery and slower-moving humans stuck in the front grill of the H3 and his kittens all have whiplash and contusions from his whipping around corners.

We prefer a more measured approach:
We're starting to use a bike when possible (tough with car seats).
We try to plan driving carefully and get errands done on the same trip.
We've seen a small increase in our mileage by coasting in neutral at times, accelerating slowly and not braking too often.
We buy local produce either at farm stands and farmers markets or (as we're attempting this year) growing our own.
We're even thinking or buying a more fuel efficient car for our pet next time.

Have any other tips (serious or otherwise) for saving gas? Feel free to email BlickyKitty@comcast.net or leave a comment.

16 comments:

CDB said...

I love this post! Does Blick have a podcast yet? he's so hip.

I've been trying to hypermile ever since I heard the story on NPR six months ago.. but coasting through stop signs in my neighborhood (not really), I'm always planning my speech to the cop that stops me.

"Hypermiling."
"What? You were HIGH?"

I'm so scared that's how it'd go.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh you crack me up. I freaking love your posts.

Ann Imig said...

Wow, get out of my head! I'm hosting a "great posts noone read" party at my blog next week while I'm in Florida with the kids. You'll enjoy posts from many of our friends in common. Speaking of which, I'd love to collaborate with you in the future!

Oh, and Blicky...NICE TANK!

Ronda's Rants said...

Two years ago...a long two years ago...I sold my car and now my Hubby and I share one vehicle. I work form home and it just seemed wasteful to have it sit in the garage or...for me one person start it up and drive to one place and back!
So...now with one vehicle we plan trips more thoughtfully!
I have saved on gas, car insurance but mostly I walk more and feel I am conserving!
Great post...very funny!

Jeanne Estridge said...

I traded in my '94 Saturn (32 mpg) for a Subaru Outback (25 mpg) just in time for gas to hit $4/gallon. The good news is, the skills we all learned last summer when prices soared serve us well when prices are low and we just have less money!

MuseSwings said...

I'm glad you recycled this post! I'd love to read eveyone's pre-muse posts, but I think I'd have to hire Blicky to do the reading and provide with with a thumbnail sketch.
You'd better report in over at the Muse - we have an adventure on Monday - Meet me in Paris! BTW I e-mailed my reply to your question last Monday or Tues.
I missed you and the Blick!

The Self-Deprechaun said...

Ahh good old moms are always the faithful ones. but now momma can see that you have a bunch of friend who heart you. my mom still reads my stuff but doesn't get most of my jokes and wonders when I will make money from my blog. eeks.

Ragamuffin Gal said...

You win the cat mom of the year award and Blicky looks so great behind the wheel! This was a great post! Our gas is $1.79 here so of course, everyone in our house drives a Hummer and drinks bottled water!

Kat Mortensen said...

You cxould always put zsolar panekls in the toop and tujrn it into a greeeeenhouse! (I'm tryting ajhea sajh t0ajh type but Blanche is luyingh onb my writst!

Kat

The Three Little Bears said...

FYI: Come over to my page to check out the free diaper I am giving away.

Love... Hot Belly Mama

Pearl said...

Oh, no! Don't tell Liza Bean Bitey (of the Minneapolis Biteys) about Blicky's Hummer!
Pearl

steviewren said...

I just traded my Hummer for a Smart Car. Blicky would love how easy it is to parallel park!

MuseSwings said...

Blick is sick?!?!? I am sooo sorry! At least we've gotten you on board with your tissues and your Vicks and your woobie bankie. I hope you feel better soon. It's been waaaaay to quiet!

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

I can't wait to see Blicky in gardening gloves!

steviewren said...

A little birdie told me that Blicky and you are sick...I'm sending over some chicken noodle soup!

Blicky Kitty said...

Mmmmm podcast. Of course we at Blicky Kitty never roll through stop signs and can't condone it, but if you just whip right through you save a whole 7 cents.

Thanks Yaya! I'm not alone loving your posts as well!

Oh can't wait to read all the great posts no one read Ann!

Thanks Ronda I wish we could make do with one too.

I think you're right Jeanne, I just keep waiting forthe oil companies to start gouging us again.

Musie all I could think when I read your comment was hmmmm Pre-Muse Stories, PMS?

Haha SD my husband is apalled by how much time I pour into this non income generating activity.

Haha Katie 1.79, not too bad.

Kat good cat typing --almost as tough as toddler typing!

I love Smart cars Stevie!

Thanks Cynthia and Steviewren I got my woobie! :)

Margaret you won't want to see him gardening. He doesn't wear pants!

I'll come over and get caught up on all your wonderful posts while I'm there Janelle! Congrats on your big bloggy milestone!