Learning to Drive

[HorizonSeeker]

Well as the proud new owner of one slightly used, slightly larger than a pick up truck rv (for all of a week now) I decided to take a dive into the deep end. I got home from school at 3:30 yesterday and drove Seeker to my local tire shop and the guy I trust most about tires to have him check things out and teach me some things about rv tire care. Driving over that bridge at the park Sunday was just a warm up: Steve's tire shop sets on top of a hill on a busy Nashville street. I was very cautious turning into the straight up hill drive (and a lump in my throat) but made it. After he checked it all out and sent me on my way (no charge by the way - I highly recommend him if you're in Nashville and have tire problems) I pulled out into 4:30 Nashville rush hour traffic. Oh, and did I mention that my middle name lately seems to be RAIN? Yes, rush hour, one of the busiest roads in Nashville, and RAIN. Finally a city bus stopped traffic to let me out. Drove down to the next light to turn in and top off the tank (gulp then remember how much I'm saving on motel rooms) and then a light to make a left and head home in that lovely traffic. Got home feeling confident so told the Goddess to hop in and we would just drive to Wally World in the rv to shop for this weekend's camping trip with the grandkids. Once I got her to stop saying all the reasons why we shouldn't go in the rv and got her buckled into her seat it was smooth, albeit slow, sailing. So I can now saw I've driven downtown in rush hour traffic, in the rain, with a slightly nervous passenger. But I am truly looking forward to driving slowly and mostly alone down the Natchez Trace next week. Will post pix and updates to my blog.

Vickie
Horizon Seeker
52 days from retirement

[Liz]

You will love the Natchez Trace....and driving will be a breeze after what you already did!

[mitch5252]

..

Way to go, Vickie! Nashville traffic is some of the worst!!! So, you did good - really good!
(I hate driving in Nashville rush hour WITHOUT the Mobile Marlin stuck on my rear...)

We do need the pictures...can't let you forget that!

..

[BirdbyBird]

Congratulation....very soon you will be wonder what all the fuss and worry was about....

[AlmostThere]

Wow, good for you!!

[retiredhappy]

Wow, learning to drive your rig in Nashville traffic - I'm impressed. Even after having my rig for 10 years I would avoid and big city traffic but then I don't like that kind of traffic in my car either. You're one brave lady.

[mitch5252]

..

Hey, Vickie (NOT the Mean Vickie) - could you mozy on over to Paris and teach me how to back up my driveway?
I sure could use the help!

PS: So, we have:

1) Mean Vickie
2) Nice Vickie
3) Nice Vicki (no "e")

All clear to everyone?

..

[Carolinagal]

Congratulations, Nashville traffic is horrendous, just as most big cities. It does help if you know the area somewhat, maybe?

You will thoroughly enjoy yourself on the Natchez Trace. I've been there so many times and have enjoyed and saw something new each time. I am planning to do some of it on my way out to Ark. GTG. Its a peaceful, lovely drive. Enjoy and we'll be waiting for pictures

So happy for you that you have your wheels now !!!
CArol

[sharon]

..

Hey, Vickie (NOT the Mean Vickie) - could you mozy on over to Paris and teach me how to back up my driveway?
I sure could use the help!

PS: So, we have:

1) Mean Vickie
2) Nice Vickie
3) Nice Vicki (no "e")

All clear to everyone?

..

Not really....Nice Vicki from Texas is the one with a trailer that knows how to back one up...Nice Vickie from Tn has an rv which she can hopefully back up but wouldn't do you any good on lessons...And Mean Vickie is your loveable sidekick...is that right????

[Bethers]

Good job! I agree that you'll love the Trace. My two worst driving experiences are rush hour in any big city and wind on expressways. When it's windy I've found I'm way bettter off on two lane roads. But I like those 2 lane roads better anyway.

Now that you've done the bridge, the rush hour traffic, etc - you won't be white-knuckled at all.

[avalen]

woohoo!! you go girl!!

[flick4411]

oh Wow! I am so impressed. I have done the up the interstate and back three times (all going back to the dealership), once to Costco, once to the landlords to show off, and once to friends' house to show off. I can't think of doing the downtown traffic thing yet. I go 20 miles out of my way on a bypass road so I don't have to do the zigzag that is I-95 through downtown Richmond...which is also a lane short due to repaving. Anyone else get nervous along side those *&^$ K-rails???

I am so impressed with your accomplishments, Vickie (from Nashville--who is equally as nice as all the Vickie/Vicki's; but can we talk about Mitch??? Remember her mailbox picture when I was feeling bad about hitting the neighbor's mailbox...no sympathy whatsoever...talk about mean...)

[HorizonSeeker]

Li, I really have no choice as I live about 2 miles out of the center of downtown and I will be having to deal with it so better to start the learning curve when I don't have a definite time or place to be. I am sorry about all your driveway woes. My drive is uphill but not steep. Biggest worry is parking at the top of the drive. Ah, so many worries to deal with for the life. But I do have the luck of some prior experience: when I was stationed in DC in the 80s I drove a 12 passenger van in the van pool lanes on 95 from Woodbridge to the Pentagon for about a year. Not saying I like the traffic, just that you can deal with it if you have to. And I have to tomorrow.

Leave school at 3:00
Meet the Goddess at my house at 3:30
Head out across town (in Friday after work traffic) to start down the trace by 3:45.

[flick4411]

Oh shoot, no wonder it "aint no big thing" to drive thru rush hour traffic (or maybe just not a really big thing)...

If you can drive that Woodbridge to Pentagon run in a 12-pax, you're a natural for RVing. I lived up in Alexandria and, luckily, was 1.5 miles frm work in Kingstowne. I dreaded everytime I had to drive "up town" in my Rav4. Was this a set carpool run or did you do the slug line pickup???

thanks for the nice words about the driveway. I'm still a little surprised when I got out in the AM, and FooFoo isn't there. But I'll get her back from the dealership, hopefully, for the last time for a while, and will take her to her new temp home on Saturday. The only real drawback I see is prepping her for a trip. But I will figure it out and just prep all at one time rather than over the course of days.

And by the way, who is the Goddess????

[Birdie]

You Go Girl! You have made the first drive 'by fire'. Everything else is smooth after that. This past week I drove through Houston on I-10 to I-45 up to Dallas and through Dallas on I-45 to US75 and then turned around and drove US75 to I-45 in Dallas, to I-20 to I-35 to San Antonio. By passed Austin using the Tollroad. If you know where you are going, lane-wise, you just block out everything else and go.

Vickie is a big rig driver! She is going to be having loads of fun. Look at her practicing on RVing.