White Knuckles Welcome

 

Confession: I have never been good with cars. I know Americans are supposed to be all n love with the road--and in fact, I am. At the same time, my driving skills aren't just awful. They're -- how to say this? Nonexistent, pretty much.

I learned to drive at 16 in the suburbs of New Jersey. I went on the expressway with my dad and mom and sister (who was the nicest). But when I got to college in Boston, I didn't need a car and didn't miss one; I took trains everywhere and buses if I had to leave the city to visit my boyfriend in New Hampshire. Or, I rode along with other friends.

After graduating college, I stayed in Boston a few years and then moved to New York City, where again, a car wasn't needed. In my thirties, I had to move to the Midwest when my then-husband got a job near Chicago and then in St. Paul.

That's when the trouble started. I needed a car to get practically anywhere. I hit poles, posts, curbs and walls. Other cars hit me and practically anyone behind me winds up passing me because I go so much slower (especially in winter). Oh yeah, and I get lost easily. And I mean really lost.

The truth is, I don't like to drive. I'd rather do almost anything else, but I don't have much choice because I work across town and I'm not about to bike there in winter. Biking is great and I'd love to do more of it, but I don't have the time at this point to get where I'm going and meet the deadlines I need to meet.

I thought I was doing pretty well with the car, (an uneasy truce)? Then, at the dentist office, I hit the curb and horrible squealy noises erupted. Not only were the brake pads in need of changing; by hitting the curb the way I did, I broke the stabilizer bar links. Repair cost for breaks and bar links: $700 that I don't have.

Inflation and cars don't mix. Gas is expensive enough, but do the slightest thing to your car and you'll be sorry for months, if not years.

I'd love to go back east and stop driving altogether, but it's so much more expensive than it was when I left I'm afraid to even look at the prices.

Leaving me pretty much stuck where I am, with my Nissan trundling along on city roads, and me afraid to drive it. Maybe I need a compromise. Moped? Think I could handle that?
Not really. But it makes me feel better to pretend.

How do you get around, if you are in a car city? I'd love to hear your thoughts--especially if you like driving as much (I mean as litle) as I do. White knuckle driver? 

Welcome.

Photo by Alex Chernenko on Unsplash