Driving Lessons.

Can you remember how you first learned to drive? If your early experiences were anything like mine, you had a chance to drive various little vehicles long before you were allowed to actually drive an automobile. I remember peddle cars, carnival bumper cars, a neighbor's battery powered go-cart, and later a farmyard tractor.

Figuring the twins might finally be long-legged enough to reach the brake/clutch pedal on my riding lawn mower, I decided to let them try. Let me tell you that caused some excitement.

I must compliment both girls for their willingness to listen carefully to Grandpa's explanation of the significant control features: ignition switch, dash mounted throttle, pedal for braking or shifting gears, gear selection lever, etc. They also learned which controls were off limits: blade engagement and deck height lever. After demonstrating a clear understanding of each item and providing correct answers to some pop questions, each was given a chance to start the mower and put it in gear.


After a few minutes of successful driving at a very slow speed (and Papa being sure that steering skills were safely mastered), the novices were allowed to select range 3, and then range 3 1/2.
With plenty of room to maneuver in the big back yard, it wasn't long before the realization came that they were d-r-i-v-i-n-g! It was a good start, at least, and they were very careful to miss grandpa's trees and the rainbird sprinklers, and the rest of us.
Good job, girls. Maybe next year you will be mowing the grass!!

Just remember that this was only the first lesson and there are several more lessons to come and a lot of safety rules to master and a lot of practice, practice, practice ahead of you. Driving any vehicle requires your complete attention, following all safety rules, knowing where everyone around you is at every moment, and much more. Good drivers are not only careful, but they are thinking ahead all the time. But that will come. Meanwhile, I'm proud of you now.