What Do You Miss?

I miss my weekends smoking ribs, pork butt, brisket whatever we decided to do that weekend... when I'm driving through a city or even a small town I will get the whiff of some business or even some guys in the neighborhood smoking meat.... I also miss the smell of fresh cut grass. Throw both together with a couple of friends sitting around having a couple cold ones it just doesn't get any better than that. I also love cooking in the kitchen. I have devices on the truck but it isn't the same.

I miss having an oven. I love to cook. I miss making desserts. I miss making homemade spaghetti like Donna said. I miss my kids and grandkids. My oldest turned 18 today and I wasn't there to share it. I miss having a 13 speed manual. I miss the power of my 579 Peterbuilt. But unfortunately autoshifts are here and there here to stay. Raptor

I miss being able to watch whatever game is on that night. I especially miss my wife's southern cooking.

BTW sitting on my 34,I've watched a driver break out the jump rope and the usual walkers doing laps around the lot (which the wife is reminding me that I'm supposed to start doing). I remember seeing those rubber band things that you can use to work out with in limited space.

Friends. I miss my friends.

But, I cherish watching Andy Griffith with my 11 year-old Daughter when I’m home.

Don’t dwell on what you’ll miss. Family time seems to be better quality than it used to. And the blessings that have come with this job are too numerous to count.

Write your own story with incredible chapters on overcoming obstacles and pushing new horizons. Make it exciting in a positive way. Be the person you want to see in others. You may be the only positive truck driver they see. 😎

You guys that have done your year need to look local or regional. Tons of opportunities with big names AND it doesn't mean shuffling huge cases of soda and food in and out :)

I've done 4 years local with few dings as a newbee. I get home every night, make good money and even get the occasional road run to stretch my legs.

Take your time, investigate your options and be methodical. If you go local and have a bump or two go back OTR. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

You guys that have done OTR have my admiration. I couldn't do it which is why I defaulted to local to begin with.

A common thread emerging for sure. Depending on where you live, this business provides a wide range of choices. I miss riding my bike the most and working around the house. My grass is always kept beautiful, just not by me. I love being outdoors and improving my little space in the woods. For me this business is not forever. Then I will get back to those little things I miss. But it probably won’t take long and I’ll miss the road again. Viscious circle I guess

I miss my cats. My wife won’t let me take them on the road, and I agree, though for different reasons. She thinks it is cruel due to the small space. I’m just afraid they would jump out when I stop and I would be devastated.

As far as spaghetti, there are microwave pasta cookers.

https://www.amazon.com/Microwave-Pasta-Cooker-Original-Sticking/dp/B00WHCIEPW/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?keywords=microwave+pasta+cooker&qid=1571236856&sprefix=microwave+pasta&sr=8-12

So far, mostly being able to drive on any road I want and park where I will, lol.

Other than that, I miss my mountains and the great outdoors (I'm from a town in the foothills of the Cascades in Oregon), hanging out and drinking with friends and family, having a bathroom, shower, kitchen, wifi, a desk, a nice bed, room for my stuff, and room to move around at home, lol. Going fishing after work and on weekends and I am missing hunting season as we speak.

However I am seeing so much more country and places, environments, and flora & fauna (I love geology and biology), and I am learning new things. OTR may not be forever for me, but I am enjoying the new experiences while it lasts.

I miss having running water available whenever I want it.

Swanny misses the comforts of home:

Also...I DO miss my toilet haha.

TBH, that homestyle privacy is gone. Even brushing your teeth, there's people all around. (Not to worry, (free) private showers are at most truck stops.)

Well, privacy is nice, but I miss my toilet mostly because it's right in the next room instead of across a lot of some sort! 😆