Day 53: Freewayphobia

November 22, 2022

Dear Disney,

Today, I drove Darling to the store. On the way, I heard two ambulances, saw one driver attempt to create an automobile accident, and, I imagine, my blood pressure increased significantly. Darling looked at me and said, “At least we have insurance.” She is correct, like with most things, it could be worse. So today, we are thankful for car insurance.

I realize that this is a little tongue-in-cheek, but the loss of a vehicle in the United States can be very traumatic and detrimental to a person. After attempting to look up non-fatal statistics regarding car collisions, I finally gave up to the amount of alarming data on fatal car collisions, just understand that car collisions are bad.

Walt Disney had a different view on cars. He found the concept of the Highway system to be extraordinarily and futuristic; hence why Autopia remains in Tomorrowland.. Taken from the Disneyland park Prospectus, “This is the home of the exciting World of Tomorrow …where the fascinating exhibits of the miracles of science and industry are displayed. The theme for the World of Tomorrow is the factual and scientific exposition of the Things to Come…Among the exhibits, that will change from time to time, are. . . The Little Parkway system where children drive scale model motor cars over a modern freeway.” He even liked to keep his own personal car on display at Autopia, when he wasn’t driving it of course.

What is something that you use every day that you are thankful for?

Sincerely,

Jim Dear and Darling