High Impact American...Redundancy

I believed that I could be a "low-impact American". Low impact on our natural environment was the goal. Decades later I understand the ridiculousness of such a concept. If you were investing a couple of months into backpcking the Appalachian Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail or bikepacking across this country, you would have a new view on what it is to be a low-impact American. The entire concept, lowering your impacts on the environment is possibly unAmerican. So, how do we work our way out of this conumdrum? Become a tidy homeless person? Which is exactly what long distance backpackers and bikepackers are practicing. However, how do we behave when the pilgrimage is over? Self-propelled adventure pilgrims have educated themselves about what it takes to survive...the difference between needs and wants...an increased awareness does result from such an effort. American society will however, suck you right back into a wasteful lifestyle...and your environmental awareness will undoubtly fade. I've done this. I've been conscious of my impacts...lived simple through bicycling and hiking full time, eating out of my organic garden and avoiding high-impact behavoirs like flying high above the earth and being pulled by a motor down the river or across a lake. However. I have taken several steps backword over the last couple of decades. Living in a remote location and creating a child will do things to a person who wished to live a low-impact lifestyle...motor vehicles, can't live without them now. Far-flung travel with hopes of inspiring and enriching the child...unavoidable!