My First Drive

Driving is a totally new experience for me. Totally new. I only got my learner's permit a few days ago. But last night, I finally did it. I drove in a pickup truck in the middle of a cemetery while it was raining. While that was totally nerve-wracking, I had to say that it was definitely pretty cool.

There was nothing like holding the wheel in my hand, gripping onto it and actually knowing what I was doing. I almost thought it was going to be like those little toy Barbie jeeps I drove in when I was little but it was nothing like that at all. I was holding the real deal in my hand and only I would have complete and total control of everything.

And it wasn't even as bad as I thought it would be. We pretty much just practiced braking (which was easy) and turning and going around in a circle. I steered too much and too little in some places and I had a hard time working on managing the big bulk of a truck but I managed to do it without hitting things. Dad remarked how great I did for the first time. Plus, he added it was harder in the rain being as it made the ground slippery and made it a little hard to see.

Turning was hard because, since it was a big car, I had to make a wide turn, so wide that I had to turn the wheel all the way around. It even took a little bit of strength. When I was going to use both hands and crossed them over each other, Dad stopped me. So I guess I'm just going to have to do the best I can to turn on my own. Dad said I could even use braking to help me turn but it would be better if I didn't use it.

I even played around with the gas pedal a little bit although I wasn't too great at that. I pressed on it a little too hard and wasn't good at letting up on it gradually (causing the car to jerk and all). I'll have to practice that in park a few times before I do anything else. But that's okay; I can learn that in another lesson.

I can't wait to get in the car again! I already feel the driving bug in me again. I know I'm probably crazy for making my first time be in the rain (and also in a big truck) but it was totally worth it. If I did so well this time, the next time should be even better. I'll even write studiously in my log about it and maybe share some driving moments here. I'll be a master in no time.

Note: This is going to be the last article I write for two weeks since I'm going away to camp and won't have access to the Internet.