As some of you know, Tech Guy recently slipped on uneven ground and tore his LCL. That knee injury has restricted his driving, making me the family chauffeur.

To his credit, ‘Mr. Car Enthusiast’ hasn’t grumbled about being relegated to passenger status (with Floppy Ears), and he navigates for me with good humour.

He also hasn’t complained about my driving style, which is much different to his.

While I’ve long promoted the advantages of my ‘slower’ approach behind the wheel, including safety and fuel savings, I now have an opportunity to emphasize the numerous mental health benefits, too.

For me, choosing to travel along back roads reduces stress and opens up opportunities for impromptu stops and happy adventures.

From diverting to a roadside Little Free Library (where I left a signed paperback of one of my books), to finding a new picnic spot and visiting a charming small town, the journey becomes part of the experience.

Farmers’ fields with crops rippling in the wind. Horses and cattle grazing in lush pastures. Old barns holding several centuries of stories. Meandering rivers. Houses with wraparound porches and a mish-mash of architectural styles.

Taking the scenic route feeds my creative soul.

From tight writing deadlines to family commitments, my life often feels fast. Too fast.

Quiet moments in the car bring calm and contemplation, and driving is one of the few times I can listen to relaxing music, uninterrupted.

I know that Tech Guy is keen to return to driving. I also suspect that my slower alternatives to major highway routes must try his patience.

Still, for almost the first time in his adult life, he’s the passenger and with that comes a new way of looking at the world.

And since car manufacturers still don’t include purse/handbag storage in vehicle design, when Tech Guy’s in the passenger seat, he’s also my personal bag carrier.

A fair trade, don’t you think?!

As long as I’m driving us, as the expression goes, I want to enjoy the journey, not only the destination.