Photo illustration courtesy Susi Holt
Exams are right around the corner, and hopefully you have been studying for countless hours, cooped up in the library or in your small apartment.
Well, it’s time for a study break.
So, what do you do?
Sure, you could re-watch all those “Breaking Bad” episodes on Netflix or check the life-sucking websites Facebook and Twitter. Or, even worse, you could Snapchat.
But, your eyes are already as bloodshot as Lindsay Lohan’s on a Sunday morning, so, looking at a computer screen even longer isn’t the best idea.
And, trust me, your friends aren’t doing anything interesting, and they already see your face enough; I promise they haven’t forgotten what you look like.
However, sitting outside your studio apartment is a big, unwashed piece of equipment that you use every day. It’s called a car and, believe it or not, it can be used for more than just going from point A to point B. It can actually be a source of entertainment and enjoyment.
It’s time to go motoring, or driving for the enjoyment of driving.
Soon after the advent of the automobile, people started using their cars for more than just the daily commute. Cars such as the Stutz Bearcat and hot-rodded model A’s are evidence of this.
Too often people get fancy sports cars, not for their motoring prowess, but because they are “cute” or it makes them feel like a badass.
I’m not saying those are bad reasons to own a sports car. It just shouldn’t be your only reason. A lot of engineering went into designing the car’s performance features, and you paid a lot of money for them, so why not use them?
But, you don’t need a Corvette to enjoy an afternoon drive. You can even enjoy it with the 1993 Corolla that you inherited from your Great Aunt Martha.
It’s not necessarily about the car, it is about the experience of driving.
Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” speaks to the qualities of a nice drive.
You don’t have to be going anywhere in particular. Turn the GPS off and let the road take you were it will. It’s not about going from point A to point B, but going from point A to point Wherever You End Up.
You’ll soon forget about the stress of exams and everyday life because when you are on the road, those things don’t matter.
Sometimes it helps to live in the present and not regret the past or worry about the future. With the open road, it’s all about the present.
To paraphrase Willie Nelson: You may even see some things you’ll never see again.
I bet you didn’t even know that the largest oak barrel in the world is on Highway 6, just a few minutes away from Oxford.
And, here’s a shocker, there are other towns in the United States other than Oxford. Some of them even have historic squares and amazing restaurants. You don’t even have to go that far.
Motoring can be even more enjoyable when you share it with someone you enjoy being with.
For the majority of my short career as an automotive journalist, I have used the same photographer, Susie. When Susie and I go on test drives we drive around for hours, looking for the perfect place to take a picture.
Sharing the test drives with her has not only been some of the best memories of my college years but of my life. I may not remember the exact car we were driving, but I do remember our conversations and laughter.
When you are driving with somebody, you also have someone to act as the DJ and be the human radar detector — very important jobs. Plus, you need someone to take your picture in front of the largest oak barrel in the world. Otherwise, no one will believe you. Trust me.
So what are you waiting for?
It’s time to buckle up, start your engine and drive.
