Autumn is always about being out on the road. It starts sometime in September when I head north in an effort to catch the early color.
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Keep Your Eyes On the Road
Duh. This seems too obvious to require mentioning, but it can be
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Fly by Foliage |
Drive Past and Come Back
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Drive Past |
This often occurred without any recognition of the condition of the roadside or who was behind me. It is amazing that I'm still here, but somehow I survived to adopt my most important driving mantra, "Drive By and Come Back". It is really very simple. When I see something that might turn out to be good opportunity, I don't dwell on it. I continue down the road until I can safely turn around and then find a safe place to pull over to study the scene. Often when I return the vista is not what I had hoped, but I've only lost a few minutes of time and I get to live to see the next spectacular view just around the corner.
Get Your Car Off the Road
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Off the Road |
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Let Them Past
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Even on what would appears to be deserted back roads, it is amazing how often cars will come up behind me. It is certainly, at least in part, because I tend to amble along as I survey my surroundings. It is good manners to let these innocent folks pass and I always feel more comfortable when my frequent scans of the rear view mirror show no impediment to my slow progress and occasional stops.
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Limit Distractions
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The Look |
Do I really have to say, "Don't text while driving!"? On a shoot I
have many potential distractions. My GPS and iPhone are mounted at the corner of the windshield, away from my view of the road, but still crying for attention. I usually have a map on the passenger seat, coffee and a sandwich and of course Nellie clamoring to be let out to pee. I do what I can. My phone is now set up for hands free operation. I select my music before I hit the road and I usually mute the lovely voice of my GPS as she constantly tries to send me down roads that are actually unnavigable cow paths. I have no easy solution for Nellie. I just try to let her out whenever it is safe.
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Ok, I Don't Hang the Map on the Dash |
Most of these "Rules of the Road" should seem self evident, but it is a valuable exercise for me to state them more formally. Hopefully it will increase the chances that I may actually follow them and perhaps survive to enjoy for a little longer the wonders of New England. Drive Safe.
Jeffrey Newcomer
Partridgebrookreflections.com
Great Tips. I like the "Limit Distraction" tip, this is really true, human's have approximately 3 seconds attention span. Drivers should stay away from using cellphones while driving.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post.Much thanks again.
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