life in the carpool lane

I learned how to drive in Los Angeles. The west side to be exact. And in my Mom's BMW to be more specific. It was a stick shift and her baby. Oh, and a lemon, but that isn't what this post is about.

Initially I was very reluctant to drive on the freeway. In fact, I can still remember my Mom trying to get me to go onto the 10. I was behind the wheel and it dawned on me that while she could tell me what to do, I didn't have to do it. Hah!

But then she tricked me, and before I knew it, I was on the 10 going about 70mph. It didn't feel like 70. That was the great thing about that car. And once I slowed down a bit and got my bearings I was hooked. I realized that in many ways driving on the freeway was easier than on the streets. Of course, in traffic, it is not as much fun.

In Chicago there really isn't any freeway driving. There is that expressway, but it is nothing like a California freeway. For starters the speed limit is 55, and if you are going any where near that, you are lucky. It is very clear that no one thought the automobile would catch on like it did when the planners set out to map the roads.

So after two years of driving usually less than 20 miles per week, here I am again back on the freeways. They really remind me of roller coasters. Some of the on/off ramps take you up a few hundred feet in the air while twisting and curving. It took me a bit to get used to it again.

But I knew I was back when I jumped in the carpool lane the other day. Here (in LA) a carpool is considered two or more (in the Bay Area it is three plus). I love how you can switch freeways without having to jump out of the carpool lane. You simple exit left and land in the carpool lane again.

There is this stretch that takes you from the 5 to the 55. It is a single lane overpass that easily can save you 10 minutes. It feels like being on the Autopia ride at Disneyland. I have to remind myself that I am in control of the car though. It can get a bit scary if you get an impatient driver behind you. According to the signs you are supposed to take the turns in at out of the fly-over at 40 mph. Some people don't seem to understand that. And truly that is one place where you would not want to have an accident.

The carpool lane is certainly not for the faint of heart. I also wouldn't recommend driving with children in the car. But it is fun to do every once in a while.

on the night stand :: A Family Daughter