Trucking Images Four

These next images are a little closer to home and taken after I had been given my own truck. These are taken from good views points at a few locations that I found interesting.

These images were taken on I-82 between Yakima and Ellensburg, WA. While the decent isn't terribly steep, that it traverses the side of the slope, giving a wonderful the whole way down is what makes it interesting to me. I took these from a veiw point at the top.

Trucking Images Three

This group of images was also taken last Feb, only now we are in Montana.

This is on the road from Cut Bank to Kalispell.

Note the mountains to the right.  This is Glacier National Park. Very nice.

 

Trucking Images Two

This next series of photos was also taken on a California trip.

I spent part of my childhood in northern Cali in a city called Redding. Was there from 4th grade through the beginning of 9th grade. We did a lot of great things there; Camped, fished, hiked, etc. While I do bash on California A LOT (and deservedly so), I really did enjoy my time in Redding. Keep in mind that when I was there it was before the majority of the people in California got stupid and started electing people like Jerry Brown (the first time), or taxing the snot out everything that did and didn't move.

I also learned to ski there. I think it was the Christmas of my 7th grade year. That year my "Santa" present was a complete package of lessons, ski rentals, lift tickets, and transportation to and from the mountain. The mountain I learned to ski is featured in this next group of images.

This first grouping was taken from the north side of Mt Shasta, just after leaving Yreka, CA. This area is one of my favorite areas on the face of the planet. These images don't do it justice. Even though California has been governed by stupid people for the past 35 years I would live here in a heart beat, if my lovely bride would agree to it, which she won't. I like the million mile and dollar views. I have priced real estate here and it really isn't too bad.

Done Truckin'

Well, there is some good news from PACNW Righty. I will be changing jobs. I will no longer be a truck driver.

However, I will be staying in the transportation industry.

While the hours of this job really won't be any better than driving a truck, the pay is certainly better.

My time on the road was interesting to say the least. It was not a job I really enjoyed. Too much time away from home for too little pay. While I won't be fixing the time away from home issue, the pay issue will be solved. One thing I discovered; while I drove a truck for a living, but would not consider myself a trucker. For all the men and women who do this for a living, are good at it, and enjoy it, my hat is off to you!

While I was out on the road I was able to take a few images from time to time. I will post a few of those in the tonight. the one very positive thing I will say about trucking is that the view from my "office" couldn't be beat.

These first and second series of images were taken while I was in training. During this period my trainer and I were what was called a team. Basically this meant the truck was constantly moving other than for fuel and other quick stops. The images were taken while my trainer was at the wheel and I was getting ready to bunk down in the sleeper.

This first group was taken last Feb as we were making our way to California. We hit snow just south of Roseburg, OR and had to chain up a couple of times as we climbed and decended a series of mountain passes with the highest at just over 4,000 feet.

Right after we chained up and getting ready to head over the first pass

Decending the final pass into California. We have just crossed over the highest point on Interstate-5. Please excuse the blue color on this and the next image, I was trying to get artsy. As you can tell "artsy" is NOT a strong suit.

A Response

Patrice over at Rural Revolution has put together a great World Net Daily column about why young people should seriously consider getting a vocational education rather than going into debt for a college degree. Her points are very valid and I happen to fully agree with her. College isn’t for everyone and there are plenty of jobs out there that don’t require a college education and they pay well enough to support a family.

But there are some folks who don’t agree. In fact, there was a comment from “twosidedtruth” that caught my eye. I was going to respond to his/her comment but it got rather lengthy and decided to make it a blog post (The first in over a month).

2-Sided, three points that I'd like you to consider. First, if you look back at the history of the Great Depression you should note that when FDR put in place those high tax brackets on the rich an economy that was showing signs of recovery hit the skids once again. In 1937 the top rate was raised to 79% and the economy plunged as investments dried up in 1938. It took a war to bring about a recovery (although that was artificial as proven by the severe dip after the war).

Take Care Where You Park

Something a little different for you folks to read today.

As many of you know I am now driving a truck for a living. It is not exactly what I want to do with my life, but I have to put bread on the table and for the time being this what I am going to do.

So in addition to blogging my thoughts on politics and whatnot, I will also include some of my thoughts about being on the road and upload a few pictures when I can.

Some of the thoughts I will have might rub some of my readers the wrong way because I am going to complain about some of the things that I witness out there on the road. When you read this I want you to remember something. I will probably put more miles on the road in one week then you will in a couple of month. Think about this, on an average day, I will do about 500 miles. That is an average week for many of you.

The other day I was waiting on my turn to get a load of bagged seed loaded into my trailer. It was beautiful day in Eastern Washington. The sun was out with a light breeze. The location was in an obvious industrial area with many small manufacturers and similar businesses up and down the several streets. At one point this car pulled up and stopped on the side of the street and stayed there for about 30 minutes.

No big deal, right?

Actually it was a big deal.

The person had decided to park right in a location that was used by truckers to gain some space for getting their rigs in and out of a loading dock.

Here is something for you to remember: If you are in an industrial area, and this includes businesses that serve the agricultural community, take care where you park. If you see an area along the sides of the streets and roads that look heavily worn and compacted keep in mind that this was mostly likely caused be trucks repeatedly crossing over that area as they enter and exit the local businesses.

Some will claim ignorance of how all this operates and that is fine. But in the case of the person I saw parking in situation described above, I know full well they were aware of where they were at because one of the employees of the seed business came out and got their lunch from the driver. In the time this person was parked there, one truck tried to exit the dock. They were able to get the rig out, but not after backing up twice just to make the corner. And the driver of the car did nothing to help, didn’t even offer to move.

If you don’t see other cars parked in these worn areas, take heed. The space is well worn for a reason. Please notice where the cars are parked and make every effort to park there. Those spots are so designated for a reason.