Sometimes You Just Have to Drive
I have been told I drive like a turtle. Slow and cautious, always in the right lane.
I didn’t know when I stepped into my car that day that all of that was about to change.
This turtle found some much-needed speed.
I had recently traded my old Toyota Corolla for a Nissan Infiniti. It is easy for a turtle to drive a Corolla. But what happens when a turtle drives an Infiniti with a 3.7L DOHC V6 engine and 328 horsepower?
Well, I was about to find out.
Last Saturday I got in my car to take a walk in the park. Sunroof open, windows down, radio on.
Halfway to the park, "Sweet Home Alabama" came on. I turned the radio up to eleven. I pressed a bit harder on the gas pedal. I could feel the vibrations from the speakers on my legs.
I drove a little faster.
It felt good to have some power behind the wheel. I’ve been feeling a bit off lately, but nothing crazy. My feeling off would be someone else's rainbow and unicorns.
At that moment, I didn’t want to go to the park anymore.
I wanted to drive.
I headed for the nearest highways.
On Route 22, I noticed a tan SUV mirrored my moves. As I wove around the slower cars, the SUV matched me turn for turn.
As I changed lanes, so did they. I couldn’t see the driver’s face, but it didn’t really matter.
I don’t think they wanted to pass me. Maybe I just found a friend.
Unfortunately, I lost them at the light. Without thinking, I shot out my arm and waved as the SUV disappeared into my rear-view mirror.
I drove a little faster and turned the music all the way up.
After that, I jumped on Route 78. I should mention that I hate driving on Route 78. Usually the rumble of the trucks as they passed me would send a shiver down my spine.
But not today.
I sang along and tapped the roof with my hand to the beat of the music.
I even sang along with the radio, which only made the smile on my face grow.
Cars (and trucks) drive very fast on Route 78.
But I drove faster.
Although one car did pass me going about 90 miles an hour (I was happy, but not that happy).
It was getting near dinner time, and normally I’d pick up something and bring it home.
However, a different thought crept past the music, and I knew exactly where I was going to go.
A short time ago they moved our weekly trivia game (more like Family Feud) to a new bar. I’ve been there before, but I was never a regular.
We’ve only played there for a few weeks, but off to that bar I went.
Inside, I said hi to Liz, the hostess I met on the first night. She reserved my team a regular’s table.
Normally, I would order food to go since I was by myself.
Instead, I sat at the bar.
While I waited for my food, the waitress who had served us the previous Wednesday (Laura) stopped by to chat. We talked for a while until my food appeared from the kitchen.
Laura then introduced me to the woman who brought out my food.
That was Victoria.
For a new patron, I felt pretty much at home.
It turns out the bar manager, Lacey, is the daughter of a friend of mine (cue the small world music).
When I left the bar, I jumped back on Route 22. I didn’t need to drive so fast anymore (but now I know I could).
Eventually, I ended up at the park.
It took me a while to get there, but it was worth the trip.
I put sixty miles behind me that day. I didn’t really go anywhere, but I found something in the journey.
Not bad for a turtle.
