Comments
by Navigator....
This is what you could call, my maiden voyage.
Folks up and down the highway know me as The Navigator. I've been
an Over-the-road trucker and photographer for a few years, and lots of
miles. It's a lifestyle that's not for everyone, but if you've got
what it takes, it's the best job on earth. Now I'm bringing some
of those adventures to the web throught this column, and this is
the first installment.
.
I recently drove long-haul
for a company out of northern Michigan.
This photo was taken just
south of Salt Lake City at a new Flying J.
I've driven just about everything
with wheels. And like most of us Northern Boys, delivered everything
from cars, lumber, steel, and computers to dynamite. The list could
take up the whole page and then some..There's almost nothing you can name
in this country that didn't ride on a truck at one time or another.
I've been behind the wheel
professionally since 1992. I was working for the city of Alpena
as an Operation Specialist. That meant I cleaned catch basins and
sanitary sewer systems. Damndest stuff ends up down there.
Well, I didn't like this job much..and the pictures weren't much fun ether.
I worked the Oil fields as
a equipment operator/roustabout. My main responsibility was to drive
to various well locations draining pit water from well sites throughout
northern Michigan. Lot's and lots of hours and too many bosses. And
once again, the pictures weren't that interesting.
Looking back, the best job
has to be driving the open road. I have taken hundreds of rolls of
film: major cities, deserts, oceans, accidents,
and as my wife Carol says,
everything in-between. Sure wish I had a digital camera but I haven't
found one as good as my Minolta 9000.
Anyway, back to how it started:
like a lot of us, my best drinking buddy got a job as a driver trainer.
One night old Howard asked me if I ever thought of driving the big rigs.
After a long talk, I thought the money was good, lots of miles, and good
hometime. And best of all, I'd get to see the country.
After the tests were finished,
I jumped aboard to my first trip East, New York and JFK Airport!
As I soon learned quick, we were delivering next day mail and packages.
This was real OJT, on-the-job-training.
Old Howard is an owner-operator
and still drives. He taught me lots of lessons that have saved my
life more than once, and kept me out of harm's way. Don't forget,
Over The Road is the best life there is, but it can be dangerous.
But if you're careful you can drive hundreds of thousands of miles, accident-free.
I've gotta go now, my rig's
all warmed up, and my thermos is full. I'll log another report from
down the road soon as I get the chance. Till then, watch for wide
right turns and share the road. We'll catch you on the flip.
This is the Navigator, over and out. |
 
 
Hey,
we know!
.
Allegedly
Art's
Link Letters
Below
The Fold
Crazy
Talk
Dept.
Of Huh?
Eye2Eye
Fool4Love
Full
Disclosure
Get
Over It
Homoerrectus
New
World Hors Doeuvres
O-T-R
Patriarch's
Planet
Scene
& Herd
Strange
Bedfellow
Technophobia
|
