By Donna Barr

Someday, each of us will be without a car.

Whether it’s in a city, where cars are simply seen as a tool to be used and left as needed, as in Seattle’s Car2Go system, or in the future of all our lives, when our reflexes and strength fade, we’ll lose our wheels. This is an even more difficult situation in a rural area, where there is wood to haul and only long shopping trips.

The West End is fortunate in having a number of options that make the car-free life possible. One of these is the excellent bus system, allowing any rider to hop on and off buses around the entire scenic county for a $3 day pass. The system links to routes in other counties and to other destinations.

Need firewood? Young men and women with trucks and chainsaws and stacking chops make a regular business of obtaining wood-cutting permits and selling wood to the public.

The Forks Taxi is available any time of day, all over the West End, for prices that would make any New Yorker envious. The taxi provides transportation to residents who may suddenly find themselves carless in an emergency.

Now there’s a new option. In April, Adam and Janet Campbell launched The Olympic Peninsula Errand Service, offering errands and haulage.

The couple know the peninsula. Adam is fourth-generation Clallam Bay. His wife, Janet, grew up in Sonoma, Calif., and moved to the Sequim area in 2001.

Adam is the grandson of Betty Baker, who recently died. Janet has experience as a personal assistant.

Asked what inspired the delivery service, Janet said, “It’s something I’ve thought of for a long time. As my children have gotten older and time is so precious between school, sports and other activities the ‘to-do’ lists get harder and harder to complete. Especially living so far out from grocery stores, pharmacies and hardware stores.”

“I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if I knew someone who was going into town today to pick up a few things for me. Save me the gas, time and effort.’”

“Adam and I started talking about it more seriously and there is so much more that people need help with besides just errands – especially our older population,” she said.

“This business has required very little capital to start up and as we get going and build our business, we will be looking into becoming bonded and possibly (get) a construction license. We’re starting out small and growing with the business.”

The service offers errands, grocery and hardware shopping plus prescription pick-up. The Campbells also offer weekday errand runs to Forks stores and weekend errand runs to Port Angeles and Sequim. They can check on people who don’t quite need a full-time caregiver, fetching mail and doing light cleanup.

Those going on vacation can have their mail picked up, lights turned on and off, and pets fed.

“If it’s not on the list, just ask,” Janet said.

For the Olympic Peninsula Errand Service call 640-4583 or 461-6701.