Baby You Can Drive My Car
The date: June 18, 2012.
I was going to a wake with a friend. She hurt her ankle and had trouble walking. I drove her home. It was the last time I drove a car...until last Friday.
There are a few reasons I haven't been driving. First, I live in an area of Chicago that's very congested. Not a lot of parking and what's available is very expensive.
Second, public transportation is readily available. Buses two blocks East. Trains two blocks West. Convenient and cheap.
Then there's Parkinson's Disease. Having the hippy, hippy shakes and handling heavy machinery is an iffy combination.
I was curious about the correlation of PD and driving so I asked my online support groups. Mixed reactions as expected. Those in the early stages drive. Those with more severe cases didn't. It told me nothing.
I've been comfortable not driving the last two years, so why the sudden interest? I have this trip I want to take. It starts in North Carolina and ends in California. I zig zag through Arkansas, the Dakotas, Idaho, Oregon and a few other states. It's pretty adventurous. I need a car to do this. I have to drive...no other way.
I've been told by numerous people that doing this is problematic. They may be right but I can't give up on this before even trying, right? RIGHT?!
That leads to last Friday.
I'm meeting my youngest daughter, Kimi, for lunch. We decide on a restaurant, head to her car and we're off...but first.
Howie: Hey, Can I drive? Kimi: Well...ummmmmm H: C'monnnn... K: Do you have a driver's license? H: Sigh....yes, just got it renewed. K: Sigh....okay
She must have thought I was going to be one of those old guys who drive into a Starbucks front window.
I drove there and back. Maybe 10 miles total. No problems except for sitting on the brake a little at first.
They say it's like riding a bike, you don't forget. Bad example since I can't really ride a bike. Maybe it's like sex. Oh wait...well you get the point.
I realize that a short trip doesn't mean that I'm ready to take on the next adventure, but it's a good first step. Who knows...maybe I'll be writing the update on this from Idaho!
Beep Beep'm, Beep Beep Yeah!