Drove to the Coast

[Lunar Delta]

I finally worked up the nerve to do some real driving. I found it helpful to use Google Earth to actually see the roads I would be driving on ahead of time. Actually knowing what they look like and where the exits and splits would be was very helpful, much more helpful than a simple Mapquest guide or plain road map. Knowing what I was going to do ahead of time and reviewing the rules of the road to refresh my memory made me feel a lot more confident.

I was a little nervous driving on unfamiliar highways, but I studied my instructions carefully and eventually made it to the "safe" area of the trip - a 50 mile drive through beautiful temperate rain forest with no turns, exits or interchanges. Just a straight road and miles and miles of greenery.

On the way to the coast, I had to drive through a town that had a bunch of one-way streets - my biggest driving fear - but I took it slowly and tried to imagine myself looking down on the streets from above as I did when I looked at the satellite pictures before I left the house. And in just a few short minutes, I had made it through the town and ten minutes later, I had my reward - a beautiful and calm coastal view with lovely temperatures and enormous photographic opportunities.

I felt very proud of myself, and gained a good deal of confidence from my trip. I've been driving to other places and haven't been nearly as nervous as I was before. I still haven't worked up the nerve to drive in the city, but one thing at a time...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs131.snc4/36915_406259591835_652111835_4933870_1888684_n.jpg