R is for Road Trips

To say I hate flying is an understatement. I loathe flying. It terrifies me. I cry and tremble, even when I'm trying really hard not to. A stranger has offered to hold my hand during lift off more than once. Thankfully I figured out that my doctor can write me a prescription for sedatives and things go much better. But I still don't like it. It's a good thing, then, that I enjoy driving as much as I do. Flying gets you there much faster but you miss all the cool stuff along the way.

I've driven across the country several times, twice completely alone. For me, there's something almost spiritual about it. It's empowering to watch my progress tick along on a map and know that it's just me putting that distance between myself and the place I left. Road trips can be great fun if you're with the right people. When I was in college, a group of ten of us traveled from Wyoming to Canada for a concert. Many of us formed friendships on that trip that are still in tact today. Four years ago, I drove to Las Vegas with one of my best friends. It was on that trip that our bond became as solid as it is. We referred to the passenger seat as The Issue Seat because whoever was there at the time seemed to be therapeutically venting, telling stories of her past and seeking advice.

I typically don't get bored or tired by driving. Even on the daily commute to work I find driving to be a great time to think. Luckily my boyfriend doesn't care to drive as much as I do, so I usually get to pilot most of our drives. He's looking forward to driverless cars becoming available. (They're already being tested in some parts of the country) but I just can't imagine enjoying it as much. He promises me I can always have a regular car "just for fun"!