The Alice Slater story: living car-free in rural Maine

[Denise Brautigam]

Here is the amazing story of Alice Slater that someone mentioned, and it is amazing. I just had to share it.

First, here is the promo blurb for the Downeast Magazine article about her for review.  Note that article is not free, but I found one written by MOFGA which is much better and is free. I put the link below the blurb.

It's hard to imagine living in Maine without a car, but Alice Slater is making it work. Slater, who lives in an off-grid home in Surry, on the Blue Hill Peninsula, relies on an electric bicycle to get around. People have always asked if she wants a ride. “I've found it funny because I have a vehicle,” she says. “It’s just slightly more exposed to the elements.” Read how she handles Maine's snowy roads, the weekly grocery shop, and more in our August issue..."

MOFGA's free article:  https://www.mofga.org/stories/community/living-with-less-and-finding-more-a-homesteading-story/

[Emma Scudder]

Here's a short film made about Alice a few years back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_MrBh7kYw 

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[Denise Brautigam]

Thank you.  I was wondering if she ever left the Blue Hill Peninsula area and if she was, how she was doing it.

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[John Brooking]

Thanks, Denise and Emma. I think the key to making this possible in rural Maine is what she says in the MOFGA article, that she set the goal of living within 5 miles of a "major town", which I guess Ellsworth qualifies as. So your groceries and other needs are not far away, and if there's a bus service, you can get anywhere else from there.

John Brooking

Cyclist, Cycling Educator, Technologist

https://www.facebook.com/CyclingSavvy4ME/, http://cyclingsavvy.org

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[Denise Brautigam]

I used to get all my groceries by bicycle until recently. Did it for years. I used two sturdy bicycle panniers on a bike rack. I was always amazed how much I could pack in - so were some of the store employees.  I could easily get in 3 bags worth.  Depending which store I used, I'm 3- 5 miles away.  I did it year round.

In Portland it's very doable because the main roads get cleared up fairly quickly after a storm.  Even after a bad one they will be clear usually after a day, 2 at the most.  Side roads were a different story. I never ride until they are clear [I still ride year round].

I only used a simple Trek Electra bicycle without any motor assist.  Before that I used an LL Bean Runaround Cruiser. The Electra is a beefy road bike, the Cruiser is a hybrid. I don't even use stud tires [in winter].  You don't need them if you stick to the main roads.

I'm very curious what road conditions are like for Alice since that is more inland, more snow, and probably less plowing.  I have heard you can easily ride safely on packed snow with stud tires but I've never tried it.

Denise

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