Honestly, I wasn't even looking for her, but once I found out she was so close by I must say my curiosity grew. A guy has needs after all. I can always claim the 100 mile rule. The important thing is that it was a one time thing, just today and never again. I was just looking for a meaningless quickie to build up a good sweat. In all actuality I was only in her for a few minutes, it has been quite a while you know. Although I can't help feel just a bit guilty, I only left my true love just a few weeks ago...
But there I was, hiking in a strange Sate Park, not the same district mind you, but the same system, it's like they're cousins. I'll have you know she's not a park of loose morals, she doesn't even allow visitors after dark. Yet my short time in Swatara State Park still makes me feel as if I'm cheating on my ol' gal Ohiopyle.
It really was just for a moment, I was only there long enough to get to the Appalachian Trail (oh I'm such a trail whore). I can't help but feel like it's all different now. Perhaps it's just best if my relationship with Ohiopyle State Park changes with the current situation. While I'm on the road it's inevitable that I'll be seeing other parks. Not just State Parks, but National Parks too! And I'm not so naive to think that Ohiopyle won't be having "visitors" while I'm gone.
We had a good time and I'll certainly visit, I'll always be a Friend of Ohiopyle. You can be sure that when I'm in town I'll be looking for a little hike action, and I know I can always get a little Sugarloaf when I need it. If not, I'll just go up the road to the Bear Run Conservancy, Arbutus always gives it up, oh yeah.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Another day another hotel
I now find myself slightly north from my last lodging. Here in Jonestown Pa there is, if possible less to see than back in Chambersburg. So far this foray into the trucking industry has come with a lot of free tiny bars of soap. I could probably moonlight for a travel review site... first review, for the love of god don't let them put you in the dungeon at the Days Inn at Jonestown! If your room has no window I recommend the Best Western across the street. Then again those nights at the Chambersburg Holiday Inn Express were nice. This concludes the hotel review portion of the post.
In my first 3 weeks in the industry I have been able to make a few observations about the profession.
1. People in cars do ridiculously stupid things.
Yes, it's cliche and a bit early for me to get my holier than thou attitude about driving a truck, but Damn! Maybe it's just due to more exposure and time on the road, perhaps I'm just more aware of what is going on but with the way some people drive (yes, you class A professionals included) I'm amazed there aren't more accidents out here. One word of advice, It's easier to merge with your head out of your ass.
2. Drivers like overcooked brown food in quantity
While there are "healthy" options on the menu they appear to be a token gesture of some sort. A quick scan across the tables in the truckstop will come up with little that is not a shade of brown. Sadly this also seems to include things that were once green. I am undergoing a severe broccoli withdrawal which will have to be addressed once I have my own truck. I have new found respect for the McDonalds Asian chicken salad.
3. Class A licences permit you to urinate anywhere at any time
If it is a receptacle approximately 20 oz. or greater it is now also a bathroom. Loading areas dumpsters, parking lots, you get the idea. I can say there is a definite lack of facilities for the driver and many of those are available are so vile... let's just leave it at really nasty for the sake of decorum. This profession also leaves you in traffic at the least opportune moments. After this and river guiding I can't think of too many jobs where you get to pee while you work. One of the benefits of the title you could say.
4. Having an administration "friendly" with the oil industry will not be good for your bank account.
If drivers got fully paid for the job they did there would be serious economic impacts. when you consider the hours, risk, health and social concerns, it just doesn't add up. Why am I getting into this mess then? I can overlook some of the detriments to get what I need out of it, and my lifestyle fits into the industry well. But think about it, everything... again, EVERYTHING you buy gets trucked at least once, most things multiple times. If A driver got paid a fair wage and was given the same tax and subsidy considerations as all the other industries the price of all goods would jump. Perhaps this would educate people on the true cost of goods, beyond that of production. Do you really think you can make a double cheeseburger from cow feed to plastic tray for 99 cents. There are just too many variables involved for that to be possible. Even considering the economy of scale, someone along the line is getting shafted. Drivers aren't the only ones along that line, but then again what would that burger cost on a fair trade scale and who could afford it?
I'll leave that topic before I start sounding too much like a hippie tree hugger on a soapbox. If it got out they may not let me hang out at the Flying J.
I really need to stop staying up all night on the computer.... more fun later from the 18 wheeler (or room 18 at the Days Inn)
In my first 3 weeks in the industry I have been able to make a few observations about the profession.
1. People in cars do ridiculously stupid things.
Yes, it's cliche and a bit early for me to get my holier than thou attitude about driving a truck, but Damn! Maybe it's just due to more exposure and time on the road, perhaps I'm just more aware of what is going on but with the way some people drive (yes, you class A professionals included) I'm amazed there aren't more accidents out here. One word of advice, It's easier to merge with your head out of your ass.
2. Drivers like overcooked brown food in quantity
While there are "healthy" options on the menu they appear to be a token gesture of some sort. A quick scan across the tables in the truckstop will come up with little that is not a shade of brown. Sadly this also seems to include things that were once green. I am undergoing a severe broccoli withdrawal which will have to be addressed once I have my own truck. I have new found respect for the McDonalds Asian chicken salad.
3. Class A licences permit you to urinate anywhere at any time
If it is a receptacle approximately 20 oz. or greater it is now also a bathroom. Loading areas dumpsters, parking lots, you get the idea. I can say there is a definite lack of facilities for the driver and many of those are available are so vile... let's just leave it at really nasty for the sake of decorum. This profession also leaves you in traffic at the least opportune moments. After this and river guiding I can't think of too many jobs where you get to pee while you work. One of the benefits of the title you could say.
4. Having an administration "friendly" with the oil industry will not be good for your bank account.
If drivers got fully paid for the job they did there would be serious economic impacts. when you consider the hours, risk, health and social concerns, it just doesn't add up. Why am I getting into this mess then? I can overlook some of the detriments to get what I need out of it, and my lifestyle fits into the industry well. But think about it, everything... again, EVERYTHING you buy gets trucked at least once, most things multiple times. If A driver got paid a fair wage and was given the same tax and subsidy considerations as all the other industries the price of all goods would jump. Perhaps this would educate people on the true cost of goods, beyond that of production. Do you really think you can make a double cheeseburger from cow feed to plastic tray for 99 cents. There are just too many variables involved for that to be possible. Even considering the economy of scale, someone along the line is getting shafted. Drivers aren't the only ones along that line, but then again what would that burger cost on a fair trade scale and who could afford it?
I'll leave that topic before I start sounding too much like a hippie tree hugger on a soapbox. If it got out they may not let me hang out at the Flying J.
I really need to stop staying up all night on the computer.... more fun later from the 18 wheeler (or room 18 at the Days Inn)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Been in the hotel way to long... now I have a blog.
Well, I'm waiting for my mentor's truck to get a new starter and who knows what else put in it. I'm told it will be ready by tomorrow. Chambersburg Pa is not the most ideal of locations to be stranded, no real amenities nor decent parks nearby. 3 more weeks of training and I'll get my very own Swift truck. Hopefully it won't also spend as much time in the shop. Until then it's Target stores for me, and seeing that it is 2 AM I should sleep in anticipation of some actual driving tomorrow.
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