Well, spring has (nearly) arrived and that means the Mustangs come out of their corrals for another year of cruise nights, judged shows, and track events. Long before Pixar gave life to automobiles in Cars, I envisioned hot rods coming out of the garage for the first time in a new year with the same dreary eyes and lethargic starts that we humans have pre-caffeine. Before you can say “Cars and Coffee,” the season has filled with a variety of exciting events. For many owners, this also starts the laborious, and what I understand to be occasionally fun, process of detailing their rides and prepping their trailers for cross-country journeys. I have written previously about the different joys of Mustang ownership, but I want to visit the idea of simply “the drive.”
About a week ago, Alexis and I made the season official: we lowered the top down and went for “a drive” after work, for no reason other than to cruise, the first of the year. Yes, the top has already been down since the first of the year, but those trip had a mission (groceries, errands, etc). To “just drive”, however had yet to be done. Despite having to turn the heat on once the sun fell below the horizon, it was enjoyable cruising for an hour just to be together, in the air, enjoying the world. We even saw a herd of deer just off the road in a field. [Dare I say now, more than ever, we need those moments to enjoy life and unplug from the world.]
Ultimately, is that not the real purpose of the Mustang? Frankly, of any car a driver loves on; back home, a random evening trip down to Lake Shore Drive and back in the Bonneville was not uncommon. Seriously, who drives downtown Chicago for the “fun” of it?! Owning Mustangs, I am not in pursuit of accolades of medallions, nor will I ever minimize the efforts of those who are, but I urge everyone to remember – and return – to the simple joy of just driving. Remember wanting to “just drive” when you got your license? Well, I hope for each of you that enjoyment still exists with your Ponies. Here’s the best part: it can be a solo event, too. Just the other day I ran an errand, about 20 minutes each way, but I had some great tunes going…yes, maybe some singing and steering-wheel-drums action was going, too…but things just felt sunnier and less stressful.
So, let the cruise nights, poker runs, and everything else begin! But first, you need to just “hit the road, Jack (and Jill)!” Unlike that song (which has nothing to do with driving, haha), we do want you to come back though…we have a Grand National to plan! Happy driving, my Pony Peeps!