Andy and the “Red Rocket” Adventure

Is anyone up for a good laugh? Well, do I have a story to tell you.

Travel season official began this past Monday for me, and I was very excited to get back to my road warrior ways. Typically, I would get up, grab my coffee and head to my “big ‘ol truck”, but this day was a LITTLE different. Notice the emphasis on LITTLE. Instead of my “o so spacious, I could fit a couch and TV in here” truck, I embarked on my mission in my fiancée’s Kia Spectra. The Spectra is a great car, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think that they were built for 6 foot, long-legged, gangly men like me! I kid you not, my knees were above the steering wheel-I wish I had a picture!

So I was cramped in a small car, that isn’t THAT funny, right? Well, here is where the story gets good. I have always grown up driving automatics. Yup, just slam her into gear and we’re off! Welllllllll, the Kia, which I have now officially named “the red rocket” (it is Dr. Pepper red), is a stick.



I know how to drive a stick, (like how to use the clutch and gears) but I just don’t have much practice with the whole deal. When I say not much practice, I mean this was the third time I had ever driven a stick outside of the Fareway parking lot! Like usual, I had a great deal of jerky, but this time I didn’t have the kind you buy in a bag at a store that is flavored like Teriyaki. You get the picture. Who knew that something that looked so simple would give me such a headache (literally-I think I have whiplash)!

So the rest of travel season I will be taking the “red rocket”. I am starting to get the hang of the stop and go with the stick. I find that I love learning something new every day. I would say that learning to drive a stick is a challenge for me, but something that I really am glad that I am doing.

I can’t wait to get back out onto the road this next week. Just visiting with students in my first few high schools this past Monday reminded me of why I love my job. First, I meet new people each day. Second, I get to show my pride for Simpson. And third, I am helping students with their college search and presenting them with the opportunities that I had while I was here at Simpson.

There may be a few speed bumps on my traveled-way including a “sticky”-clutch, a car made for a person a foot shorter than myself, or even the occasion “I’m lost” moment. These are the things that make every day unique and exciting. I love the speed bumps, because they are what make the long, smooth road fun and interesting. Driving a stick and killing the Kia a few times made for a good laugh and nothing beats a good laugh, right? Well, maybe my karaoke rendition of “For the Longest Time” being screamed at the top of my lungs while approaching my second school of the year. Oh man-it was AWESOME!

So today I leave you with this…don’t allow yourself to take the safe, long and straight road. Instead, take a detour on a risky, winding and interesting road. The destination will definitely be worth it!

GO STORM---Andy