Dear Steemians,

Today is the 10th of August 2018 and it is the last day of summer vacation. This holiday has been a sensation in many ways. On the one hand, this was once again a summer vacation for years, which we spent abroad and which was marked by many impressions and experiences. On the other hand, this holiday was again marked by a variety of injuries, in addition to abrasions and various mosquito bites crowned a wasp sting the whole thing!

But there is an experience that puts everyone else in the shade. Some of you may know that I've been suffering from extreme anxiety and panic attacks while driving (but only when I'm at the wheel) and that's why I've hardly ever driven a car in the past few months. These attacks were expressed in sweats and uncontrollable tremors all over. In addition, I often got breathlessness which forced me to stop the ride immediately.

These seizures, which only occurred after the sudden death of my father's heart, made it impossible for me to travel longer distances by car myself. Even the way to shopping became an absolute problem, because even before getting into the car I always got worse air. So my wife's job had to take over the driver's job, which she liked to do.

In the selection of the destination, which took place relatively spontaneously, the ride played a minor role. It was not until my wife made me think about who should travel to Croatia and back. So I asked my wife if she dared to do that, or if I preferred to cancel the holiday. Her answer came quickly and she was clear, of course I can do it !! So we started, my wife at the wheel, on 27.07. 2018 to our trip to Croatia, which was just over 1000 km long.

The route was planned to run in two stages, the first to Siegsdorf in Bavaria and from there to Porat on the island of Krk in Croatia. About 150 km before Siegsdorf I suddenly felt like driving myself, which made my wife look a little skeptical. She agreed and so I took the wheel. The last km to Siegsdorf led over federal and rural roads. And it gave me pleasure to drive myself.

The next morning, however, I sat back in the passenger seat and was looking forward to a comfortable ride. Finally, there were only 440 km ahead of us, which should be easy to master in 5 hours. What I had not considered, this Saturday was the first day of vacation and accordingly full, the highway was heading south. The first traffic jam came and shortly after we had driven onto the A8 in the direction of Salzburg.

Shortly before the Tauerntunnel in Austria, we put in a stop to refuel, until then, the journey was more than slow progress. After we had left the tunnel behind us, the traffic information system was already reporting traffic jams, and in front of the Katschberg tunnel. So we decided to leave the highway and take an alternative route over the pass. When I saw the first switchbacks to the pass in front of me, it tingled in my fingers !! I just wanted to drive the track myself, so driver change.

My wife did not mind that because she reluctantly drives tight and winding mountain roads. However, the driving experience was rather sobering, because many other motorists had the same idea with the evasion route. I still enjoyed the ride and so I stayed at the wheel when we returned to the highway. Also there driving caused no fears or discomfort.

But then came the Karavanke tunnel that gateway to Slovenia, Croatia and the rest of the Balkans. The traffic radio reported again 45 minutes waiting time in front of the tunnel which did not bother me however. However, that should change at the entrance to the tunnel. Due to construction work, the tunnel is only one-sided passable and I felt an extreme discomfort. My heartbeat increased significantly and I found myself looking for possible points for an emergency stop. Finally, the holding bays were also far apart.

I tried to breathe concentrated and not panic, I succeeded !! With wet hands, I left the tunnel behind me. My wife noticed my slight fit, but she did not elaborate. This was followed by some construction sites on the highway, on which a stop without endangering others would not have been possible, this still led to increased heart rate in me. However, driving made it fun, the scenery was beautiful and we approached the Adriatic Sea. After 10 hours of driving, we reached the finish and I was happy to have myself at the wheel.

The holiday in Croatia went without incident in terms of driving and I put all routes back as a driver. Even on the return trip, I wasted no thought to let my wife go. I was able to handle this 1000 km alone !! So we arrived happy and satisfied at home again. And even in the past week, which we spent in our garden, only I drove without having set such a panic attack again.

I hope I may have been able to defeat my fears, if not then I will probably have to find the way to a doctor, who then looks a little deeper in my psyche for the causes. Dear Steemians, I wish you a nice Sunday evening.

Photos by @HomeArtPictures

In the future you will find the majority of my pictures and reports under the #passionforphotography