Some birds like peace and quiet. Julius? He likes adventure. So when he saw the car door open this week, his curiosity got the best of him. Before I could even buckle my seatbelt, there he was — feathers fluffed, eyes wide, climbing right up onto the passenger headrest like he was about to co-pilot a cross-country trip.

At first, he wasn’t too sure about the whole thing. The seat moved, the engine rumbled, and the air vents made that funny whooshing sound he couldn’t quite figure out. He leaned forward, crest raised, giving me that unmistakable “what’s happening?” look. Then he started talking — a few chirps, a squawk, and what almost sounded like, “Where are we going?” But after a few minutes, he settled right in. The sunlight was warm through the window, and the movement of the car had this gentle rhythm that even Julius couldn’t resist. He stood tall, looking out like a proud captain surveying his kingdom, occasionally letting out a cheerful whistle to let everyone know he was still in charge. Every stoplight was a new opportunity for him to observe the world. People in nearby cars couldn’t help but stare — it’s not every day you pull up next to a snow-white cockatoo riding shotgun. A few folks smiled and waved, and Julius, ever the showman, bobbed his head right back like he was greeting his fans.

By the halfway point, he was completely at ease. He preened a bit, stretched his wings, and even let out a happy little squeal that made it sound like he was laughing. When the car finally stopped and I opened the door, he looked at me like, “Wait, that’s it? We’re done?” It’s funny how something as simple as a car ride can turn into a whole adventure when you’ve got a bird like Julius around. He might not have been sure what was happening at first, but by the end of it, he was loving every minute — the sights, the sounds, the attention, and of course, the post-trip snack waiting back home.

Life’s never boring with Julius. Whether he’s hanging out on the couch, showing off a new toy, or taking a drive to see what the world looks like outside his window, he reminds us to slow down and enjoy the ride — literally.