![](/static/253f0d9b/assets/icons/icon-96x96.png)
![](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/8f2046ae-5d2e-495f-b467-f7b14ccb4152.png)
I think it makes more sense if you read “outdoors enthusiast” as outdoors “enthusiast.”
Im 99% sure the author is just engaging in some dry wit and being sarcastic about his outdoor prowess, seeing as he was so deeply unprepared that “boot cup” became his primary means of survival.
What hes describing above is common enough to have a term : highway hypnosis.
It’s well passed “zoned out.” I’ve personally experienced it. Youre on such autopilot that you dont even recall the drive. Its more likely to happen for routine or monotonous drives.