There is a real and powerful healing factor one can get from a good drive. A truly great drive, that makes escapism shoot to the forefront of your psyche. And on an evening like tonight, one of the first of a so far spectacular fall season, I was granted one when I needed it most.

There is a road west of Cochrane, Alberta, past the urban sprawl laying siege to most cities and towns these days that is one of those places where it’s name really says it all: Grand Valley Road. The fall sun is just beginning to set over the westward Rocky Mountains as I turn the 2012 SLK55 and it’s 5.5 litre AMG V8 onto this particular stretch of pavement. The road begins to steep upwards, leaving the setting sun temporarily in the rear view. Almost immediately the incredible valley hones into view in all its glory, decorated with the fiery colours of the season, and it’s enough for me to find a place to stop and admire. But I’m here to drive, so after some phone snaps it’s back in the driver’s seat. 

There are several very key components of what makes a good drive. The scenery? Check. The car? Oh yes. The road? A ribbon of tarmac that scythes alongside the valley, occasionally diving downwards then shooting upwards again as cows look on and the occasion deer runs for its life across it as the bellowing Mercedes screams past. Yes please. The last component is the music, which for my tastes provided me with a perfect soundtrack for which to reflect. It’s amazing how introspective one can get whilst hammering a 420 horsepower sports car up and down a country road. 

In my extraordinarily fortunate early twenties, I was able to drive and film some spectacular cars down this road. A 991 Porsche GT3 and a 2015 MINI John Cooper Works (which I loved so much I now own a 2019 version) were the subjects of those memorable days. I remember how those cars made me feel, and how truly lucky I was to have that be part of the start of my career as I continue along my journey this evening. I reflect a lot on how I went from my Top Gear-esque life to working in finance. On how I now don’t know what my future will hold career-wise. My life in this decade of age has undoubtedly been eventful.

At the beginning of this essay I mentioned how this was a drive I truly needed, and I’m reminded of that every time my left hand pressed the paddle to change down a gear. My somewhat deformed and permanently stiff left ring finger and pinky a constant reminder of the ups and, more importantly, the downs of an eventful life. For the last 18 months, driving went from my greatest passion to something I could no longer do without crippling fear. It took a very long time, and support from the people I love most to get me back to this point, where I’m finally able to laugh again as I turn the car around and press down on the accelerator as I fire back down Grand Valley Road. 

The sun is now nearly the end of its day in the sky. It’s fading light creating incredible streaks of orange and pink across the few clouds and setting the sky ablaze. As I begin my final run back down this road, I think how amazing it is that I’m now able to once again use driving as therapy as relaxation. How much I love driving again is something I will never stop being thankful for. 

Music, as I mentioned above, is the final piece that made this drive incredible. It has always had the power to throw my brain hard into introspection, and now as the sun has fully set and I set off towards home, the final piece of the puzzle begins it’s opening guitar riff through the Mercedes’ Harmon/Kardon speakers. The future may be uncertain, but I know I can count on nights like these to help me reflect and decide where I want to go next. 

“You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name

It felt good to be out of the rain

In the desert you can’t remember your name

‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain”