Drive My Car

I like to drive. My sister used to complain all the time that living outside of town on a horse farm was annoying because she had to drive ten minutes to get everywhere. I, however, like the location of our farm because every day I get to drive on the winding country roads that I love so much. I just like driving. Whenever I need to think, I go for a drive. I come up with my best ideas when I'm driving. My mind is just much clearer in the car than any other place.

Ok, I drive fast. I think it's fun to drive fast. I know it's dangerous and I could get killed or kill someone but...I don't know. It's just fun. I never drive too fast, I know my limit (also my car can't go over 80). But I like to drive fast enough.

Yes, I'm going 65 mph in a 30 mph zone but I know these roads. I drive these roads multiple times every day of my life. My friends from the city freak out when they have to drive on the winding, country roads that surround my house. Some of them don't even have lines on them. Since I live in a valley, there are lots of hills all around my house. Yes, zigzagging down a steep hill is treacherous but I've driven that road about 10,000 times. I can get down the hill in less than a minute, taking each curve smoothly, without braking once.

I know all of the difficult turns. I know where all the cycling and running routes (Oh my God, we get a ton of cyclers on the weekends!). I know where to watch our for deer. I know where to watch out for cars backing out of hidden driveways. I know to avoid Long Green Road at 3 PM because the cows will be crossing the road. I know where and when the police hang out to catch speeders. Hell, I know the police officers.

I've never gotten a speeding ticket. I've never been in an accident. I just love to drive. And I think I'm good at it. I'm also one of those people who always has to drive if we're going somewhere as a group. I don't know why I always volunteer because I have to pay for my own gas and it's goddamn expensive but I just always have to be the driver. [The only exception is when we go out because I am never the Designated Driver for obvious reasons. On weekend nights I am happy to let my friends who don't drink drive. They also tend to be the slowest drivers but on Friday and Saturday nights I'm glad to be with cautious drivers because most people out there are driving recklessly.]

I don't think I drive recklessly. I'm always in control and aware. I know there's always the surprise, something you don't see, and that's when you get in an accident. But I drive carefully even though I'm going fast. If I'm in a tricky area, I'll slow down. But on those empty country roads, when I'm driving home and the roads are silent, I can't help but push up my speed and feel the exhilaration of a fast drive.

Maybe I'm just that typical teenager who will need to learn the hard way but I've been driving for about three years and I haven't had any trouble yet. Like I said, I think I'm a good driver. I have friends who drive just as fast or faster than I do, who are not careful and have been in multiple accidents or have gotten multiple speeding tickets. I'm a good driver, I feel at home in the driver's seat of a car. I love to drive. And sometimes I like to go fast.


Speaking of fast, today is the Kentucky Derby! (Did you like that seque?) Only one of my favorite days of the year. I love thoroughbred horse racing and I especially love the Triple Crown. My grandfather used to own and race thoroughbreds. We used to breed and train racehorses on our farm. I grew up fascinated by the sport, visitng the track every other weekend. I loved visiting the stables with my mom, who was the original horse lover in the family. She knew all the owners and trainers and every horse person in the state. When I was a little girl I met some of the Kentucky Derby winners. I met Cigar, if anyone remembers that horse. He was a great racehorse. I met some jockeys who had won Triple Crown races. God, I just loved that sport.

Now we only have retired racehorses on our farm and I don't visit the track very often. But I always sit and watch every second of coverage on the day of the Kentucky Derby. I place a few bets with my family and spend the day talking horses again. It feels so nice and so comfortable.

I know once I save up enough money, maybe once I decide to retire from journalism (which is my career of choice for my future), I'll buy a small horsefarm and raise thoroughbred racehorses. Horse racing is in my blood, in my heart, and I know I'll return to it someday.

For now I'll just fall in love with one of the young racehorses running in the Derby and spend the afternoon pretending I'm back at the racetrack.