ISSUE 02: BEHIND THE WHEEL • AUGUST 25, 2026
The Lost Art of
Driving For Pleasure.
“Going Nowhere Fast” isn’t always a bad thing.
National Lampoons Vacation, 1983
Well, hello there!
I hope you’re doing well on this fine and fantastic start to the week.
So, today I’m going to ask you to kindly fasten your seatbelts, roll the windows down, and get ready for some wind in your hair because today we’re talking about the magic of a destination-free drive.
While I don’t condone any Clark W. Griswold behavior behind the wheel, I will say, seeing the Wagon Queen Family Truckster in all its 5.0-liter V-8 glory sure brings a smile to my face. And with summer nights starting to cool down, there’s no better time to warm up the engine and hit the road. Where are we going?
Well… nowhere. Is that alright with you?
Yes, I’m serious.
No, there won’t be Google Maps involved.
No, we will not be using apps to book nor rate this drive.
And hell no, we are not embarking in a self-driving Muskmobile.
We’re getting in the car, sitting our asses down, turning the (proverbial) key, and stepping on the pedal as we let the road take us away.
The idea of driving for pleasure may feel like a new concept to some, but its origins actually date back well over 100 years, starting with the automotive boom led by Henry Ford just outside of Detroit, Michigan.
Ford Motor Company Highland Park Factory, 1925
With Ford Motor Company’s launch of the Model T, car ownership began to shift from an object reserved for the wealthy to a way of life for families across America and the rest of the globe. It was on December 1st, 1913, that Ford changed the way cars were manufactured forever, introducing the moving assembly line for automobile production.
As cars became more available, more reliable, and more desirable – and the economy continued to hum – people began to escape their respective neighborhoods and explore more rural areas as a pastime. Add in a day of rest at the end of the week where people had little-to-no essential travel, and there it is: by the 1920s, the term “Sunday Drive” had become a household phrase.
I’m well aware it’s been more than 100 years, that gas ain’t cheap, and that emissions suck. But even the reinvention of the “Sunday Drive” is a practice worth considering.
Some good counterpoints exist on the topic (take the affectionately named Reddit community, r/f**kcars, for example). Though, regardless of the sentiment toward the automobile itself, it’s interesting to witness a recognition of, and respect for, the ritual. Whether combustion engine, EV, bicycle, or otherwise, there’s an understanding that moving with no destination can be liberating.
For me, I simply love the joy of the drive. All my senses are engaged. I’m focused and feel connected to the road. My face catches bouts of cool wind as it whips through the windows, washing away the sensory overload of the day. The hum of the engine travels through the hood and into the cabin as that same sound bounces off the terrain outside. Each mile, meditative and meaningful in its own unique way.
Me On A Recent Drive (See The Video Below)
I don’t care if you have an air-cooled 964 or an XJ with no air conditioning, there’s something special about driving for pleasure. For those of us who find comfort in the respite of the road… few experiences come close.
I hope that if you love driving, you’re halfway out the door now with keys in hand, ready to head off to destination Nowhere, USA. If the open road isn’t your thing, perhaps the next time a lazy Sunday rolls around, you’ll consider seeing what it’s all about.
Either way, I leave you with warm wishes of a beautiful road ahead, and some of my favorite tunes for driving to keep you company the next time you find yourself enjoying the open road.
Drive With Me
A video & playlist to get you in the right mindset to hit the road.
Stuff for Doing Nothing
Nothing Vibe
of The Week
William Eggleston, “Untitled, (woman driving a car) 1960s
~ Drive Safe, Y’all ~
✌🏽🌞
