My driving experience in Atlanta

This past weekend, I had to drive in Atlanta.

After what happened on I-85 last week, you can imagine my dread. Funny enough, the place I was going to in Atlanta was on Piedmont Road, which was right next to where the fire occurred, collapsing part of the interstate.

This made thinking about driving in Atlanta even worse. Still, I had to do it, so I drove.

Getting to my destination in Atlanta was actually a pretty easy journey. Sure, I had to drive around a few neighborhoods and avoid a couple of jogging mothers in the road, but otherwise, I was fine.

I, of course, was relying on my GPS going in to the city, but I was keeping my eye out for any detour signs or something that made me think, “Go this way, not that way.”

I made it to Piedmont Road with time to spare, so I enjoyed my time on Piedmont and got some shopping done.

The real adventure came when I tried to leave Atlanta.

From Piedmont, a person would take one turn and basically be on I-85. This is, of course, the only turn I know to take to head back home.

This turn was closed, and my GPS app on my phone couldn’t quite get the idea.

So, because I didn’t realize that my phone was taking me to a closed exit, I ended up stuck in a line of cars honking horns at each other because no one was moving.

In this line of vehicles, I learned how to quickly make my own route to get on the interstate at a later point.

I studied the route my GPS was taking me on. I then looked at the surrounding roads until I found one that eventually connected back to the interstate.

When I was finally able to turn and get off Piedmont, I had to make a loop through a neighborhood, a couple of gas stations and a church parking lot. It was time for the afternoon service, so even getting out of that parking lot wasn’t easy.

I eventually found myself crossing back over Piedmont and heading through more high-class neighborhoods with houses that could only be described as towering. They were intimidating.

I drove past a golf course/ park area, which was a nice break from all the bright orange construction fencing from all the construction and the Home Depot bags sitting on the curbs. I think they were for leaves or something.

While I was admiring my surroundings in between tapping the gas and brake pedals, I could hear Siri’s frustrated voice in the background.

“Return to the route. Turn around and return to the route.”

I can’t forget to mention the other drivers, who could have easily worked as extras in a Fast and Furious movie, cutting me off at times during the drive.

Just as a side, drivers in Atlanta have no fear. None.

During my convoluted drive to get out of Atlanta, the place I thought I would die, I eventually found my way on to the detour path set up for drivers to make it back to I-85.

I don’t think I’ve praised Jesus so hard in my life.

As I was driving back home, happy to have been released from the grip of Atlanta traffic, I thought about my adventure.

Thank goodness I was able to think on my feet; however, I might need to learn how to use a map and plan ahead for my next trip.

Cassie Gibbs is a staff writer for The Southeast Sun and Daleville Sun-Courier. The opinions of this writer are her own and not the opinion of the paper. She can be reached at (334) 393-2969 or by email at [email protected].