Oh Lisa I'm with you!!! I actually am hoping that my house up here sells so that I can move to the bottom of the hill and be closer to things! I'll be able to ride to the grocery store so I'm already looking at bike rack/ pannier options and thinking of picking up a cheapo bike I can attach them to. I ride whenever I can, and when I do have to drive down the hill I plan my trip carefully so that I get everything done and don't have to make extra trips or circle back for things.
But yeah, the gas guzzlers just get to me! Unf. it's a part of the american culture. Imagine if everyone was forced to park their car one day a week. It would be mutiny! That might be the one "cause" that would get people riled up!