Driving

I have had my driver's license for almost three months now and it is nothing less than awesome. I guess it is too bad I wasted so many years without it, but apparently I had some issues to work through.

I know that I wouldn't have taken the plunge if it hadn't been for Adam. He gave me the push I needed and was an excellent teacher. I am glad to say that our marriage came through the process intact. I must admit that parallel parking was an interesting lesson, but it helped me to pass the test. I just had to visualize Adam sitting next to me telling me when to crank the wheel. It probably didn't hurt that the parallel parking portion took place on an isolated street with garbage cans instead of real vehicles. I am all about the controlled, relatively low pressure situation.

Now that I am licensed I have been able to drive to work. It is so much better than taking the bus. In theory I like the idea of public transportation, but Lafayette's isn't a perfect system. With the transfer it would often take me an hour or more to get back home. I do not miss the waiting and the weather.

Even better than going to work is the freedom to make grocery store runs. I think that the grocery errands were one of Adam's least favorite things. I am so pleased that he doesn't have to be destroyed every week. I am also happy that I can be as leisurely as I want to be. I can read all the labels and can poke through the produce all I want. The only downside is that I have to unload the groceries by myself these days. Adam has revealed an incredible ability to be unavailable even when he is home. Tricky.

I have not been the bravest of drivers. I have no innate sense of direction and have been guilty of being a relatively passive passenger for many years. I have some knowledge of certain areas and a vague sense of how they are connected, but the grey areas are pretty scary. My initial solution was to stick with my paths. I knew how to get to work and back. I could get to certain stores from work or home. I did not, however, ever deviate from the paths if I could help it. So I was certainly nervous about Adam's conference trip. Not only would I have to drive back from the old airport in Indianapolis alone, but I would need to drive to the new airport to pick him up. My anxiety levels were fairly high.

And then I bought a GPS. Specifically, I got a Garmin Nuvi 260W. I love this thing.



It is really easy to use and has been accurate for the most part. I like it that I can press the Home button and it will guide me back to the house. If I want to go somewhere that isn't in the pre-existing Point of Interest list, I can add it. Adam did have to program in the new airport because it was too new to make the map, but it didn't seem to be that much trouble for him.

I was worried that the voice would be annoying, but I set the voice to the "British" male and that has been amusing. I don't really think that the accent is authentic in any way, but there is a bit of variation in the pronunciation. The tone is polite and his "Recalculating" sounds more resigned than disgusted.

The nuvi wasn't exactly cheap, but I really believe that it has already paid for itself. I feel much more confident now. I have actually done some exploring...off the paths. Not much, but it is a big step for me. I have successfully made both of the airport trips. Kathy and I are going on an Indianapolis shopping adventure next week. I'll be combing the database and adding points as needed.

I don't know that I will ever be someone who takes a drive for relaxation or fun, but I have certainly been appreciating the freedom that comes with it. I almost feel like a grown-up.