It occurred to me that I have not driven any real distances in many years. So when looking at a 4 months long Road Trip, I thought it might be helpful if I took a few mini-trips beforehand. Fortunately, these opportunities were presented to me by family and friends.
First up, a trip from Tampa to North Augusta, South Carolina (456 miles) to visit my daughter Allison and her husband, Bob. It would also provide me an opportunity to try out the GPS, something I have never used. The morning I left there was a rain storm that covered 99% of my journey. Not good. I do not like driving in the rain since totaling my car after hydroplaning on the freeway in Los Angeles many years ago. However, time did not permit a delay–something that I should never have said to myself. I learned while sailing that a prudent mariner stayed put in the harbor until the storm passed since cruising departures are pretty much self-determined just like my trip to SC.
But I left anyway. I did wait for daylight instead of my preferred pre-dawn departure. I set the GPS and headed out. About 45 minutes into my trip, the GPS started beeping at me due to low battery. I pulled into rest area to plug it in, which in my nervousness I had not done. I also at the time thought I should not turn it off again as it did change the original route when it started up again. The end result was my driving seven straight hours without stops. The Prius managed fine without refueling, Miraculously, or perhaps out of fear, I also had a dry run–my bladder had held up for all those hours. However, on the other hand, I had hunched my shoulders for all those hours and put my neck out of alignment.
End result of that trip: I had a very nice visit with my daughter and her husband; I learned to use the GPS; and I put out $145 for chiropractic visit to adjust my neck. Lessons learned: Take frequent breaks to stretch and for restroom stops; carry my chiropractic records with me and get physical therapy to strengthen my neck.
Trip #2 (198 miles) was to meet up with high school friend, Connie, in Everglades City. The travel was more relaxed and enjoyable with my having more trust in the GPS. It was a sweet time filled with reminiscences and laid back exploration of the area with my easy going friend. She had saved a bottle of wine from Christmas in her refrigerator for us to share while we looked at the photos and stories she had brought with her about our class reunions over the years. I was touched by her thoughtfulness and her kindness. Lesson learned: This one was an easy one—stay in the moment when I have reached my destination to enjoy the folks that I am with and their gentle goodness thoroughly.
Trip #3 (159 miles) was to visit with another high school friend, Fran, and her partner, John, (whom I knew as one of our upper classmen), who had recently moved into a shared home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. I was warmly welcomed into their beautiful and serene space after an uneventful and easy trip. This visit was filled with lively conversations covering an array of topics from the political to the personal plus a delicious Mexican dinner cooked by Fran, who also has a home in San Miguel, Mexico. We had fun.
One lesson learned was a big surprise to me. It had not ever occurred to me that since I am on an Operation Bon Appetit venture, that folks might think I am some kind of dynamite cook and so they might be a bit apprehensive about cooking. I learned this when Fran remarked about her slight anxiety over making dinner for me. I need to make public that I am an okay cook—who usually follows recipe—and, more importantly, I love to eat and am grateful for any dish prepared by a nurturing cook like Fran.
Second lesson learned was on my departure. Even in the fog, I was confident about my driving and where I was going–perhaps, a bit over-confident. I had not filled my tank when I arrived at Fran’s so I stopped about 40 miles north on the Florida Turnpike to do so. The stop was in the middle of the turnpike so it could be shared by traffic going north and south. When I got back in the car, my GPS told me to go to the left but I thought it was little confused so I ignored the instruction and got back on the turnpike. To my dismay, I found I was heading back south and worst of all, there were no U Turns until I got off 40 miles down the road. Lesson learned: Stay focused and do not get over-confident!
I am sure there will be countless other lessons learned on my Road Trip but I hope the Universe will be gentle with me and not have to hit me on the side of my head with a 2 x 4 for me to learn them.
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