Want Some Company?

Yep, I know you “guys” have been asked this question.  Especially if you are a “truck stop hopper” or a “pickle-park parker”.  Of course, this is usually reserved for the really big, really busy places where lots of trucks park at night.  You newbies will be asked this question a time or two, as you’ll see, it’s just a matter of time if you park in these places.  And it’s mainly aimed at the guys…mainly…

The “oldest profession” doesn’t limit itself to motels and street corners.  Places where lots of men congregate (especially those men that have their own room as part of their vehicle) and are a great magnet for those that sell their own wares.  They are called “lot lizards” in trucker-speak.  However, don’t think for a minute that the lady drivers out there don’t have to deal with it, too.  It’s just not as common.

Hubby and I have made plenty of deliveries in Hunts Point Market.  For those of you who don’t yet know, Hunts Point is in the Bronx in New York.  It’s not one of the best places to be after dark, although I’ve heard it’s been cleaned up quite a bit.  Hubby almost always drove us in and we usually didn’t get in there until the sun was coming up.  One morning, though, we got there about an hour earlier than we expected to and the sun wasn’t yet starting to lighten the eastern sky.To play it safe, we managed to find a place to park in the middle of a line of trucks waiting to get in.  A nap was the next thing, so we made sure that the windows were rolled up and the doors were locked.  Samantha the Truckin’ Dog was ensconced in whichever seat she wished to be in while hubby and I snuggled up in the bunk.  The “Screaming Meanie” (that’s a VERY loud alarm clock found at most major truck stops) was set so that we’d be up before our appointment.

Give us a whole ten minutes of snooze time and Sam starts growling.  Great.  Then comes the rappin’ on the window as Sam starts barking.  Hubby always slept closest to the door, so he drags himself up to the drivers’ seat and cracks the window.  It’s never a good idea in a place like that to roll your window down far enough for a hand (or gun) to be stuck through the opening.  I’m hoping that our appointment has been scooted up, but those hopes are dashed when I hear a female voice ask hubby if he wants some company.  Without thinking about his answer, he blurts out, “No.  I’m married and my wife is with me.”

Naïve little me, thinking that she’ll leave now.  Instead, she says, “Well, that’s okay, sweetie!  My husband can take care of her!”

Ooops, my bad.  Pay attention on the road ladies, they want your money, too!  And who knows what else if you happen to be on your own…be careful out there!

About Author Tumbleweed

Hello, to all of you! I'm glad to see that you took some time out of truckin', or hopin' to be truckin' or even done with truckin', to stop in. I've done my truckin'. I had several years "on the CB" before I even got to truckin', and that dad-blasted radio is the reason I've paid my dues. Me and my big mouth, that's what I get. I used to work about an hour from a very big city and I was always chattin' with the drivers and helpin' them get to places in town that they were trying to get to. I could get them around all the construction and any events that might be taking place at the fairgrounds or the convention center. Every now and then I'd stop and have coffee with one of the drivers. The last time I did that, we ended up talking for four hours! Two weeks later I was on the road with my future hubby. Hubby had been driving big trucks for about seventeen years, by then. He's had the opportunity to drive the "double-stick" shift, he's hauled swingin' meat, gasoline, produce, dry goods, lumber, car engines, you-name-it. Then, I got to do it, too. Of course, I did know how to drive a straight stick and I think that helped some. I actually tried driving the big truck like it was a really, really big 5-speed. Took a little while to get used to double-clutchin', but once I got the hang of it, then I wanted to do it in the 5-speed, too. Geez. I've been in Kenworths (KWs), Peterbilts (Petes), Western Stars (Star Cars), International Harvesters (IH's), and I think I even drove a Volvo once. My favorite truck as far as looks go…Western Star, hands down. But as far as driving and comfort, I go for the Petes. Those of you who are or have been truckin' will understand what I give up in this blog. Those of you who haven't yet will get a little bit more education, maybe a laugh or two, and hopefully a little insight as to what you're in for. And if I know anything about truckers, it's that they love to talk about their experiences out on the road...the good, the bad AND the ugly. Come on in and let us hear from you. You don't have to start blogging, just add your own experiences for everyone to share. I've been off the road now for nine years and for the most part, I don't miss it. However, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world. Truckin' is a life unto itself. Now, I'm livin' in the southwest with my hubby and takin' things one day at a time. I like it like that.

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