Profile For Michael C.

Vendingdude: I really enjoyed reading your post buddy. You are the type of person I look forward to meeting while I'm on my next adventure!

Thank you for being you sir!

Mike

In my year over the road I was able to do bit of sightseeing, but not at any "big" places. You can't drive a semi right up to the Smithsonian or through Yosemite National Park. But you will be able to do random things that may satisfy your curiosity to sightsee. Let me tell you a few of the things I enjoyed.

I live out west, but once on a load to MA I found myself close to the ocean going through CT. It was getting close to sunset, and my delivery wasn't scheduled until the next morning. I had time to park at a shopping center and walk a couple hundred yards to the beach. There were spits of rocks put out into the surf for people to fish from. I walked out and took off my shoes and sat with my feet in the Atlantic. (Didnt want to go all the way in the salt water without knowing where the next shower was coming from!). First and only time I've done that. Pretty cool to watch the day end with the birds and the waves. Enjoyed a great local fish dinner before heading to my drop for bedding down later.

Another time, travelling from Reno to Portland or Seattle I was on the back roads of eastern Oregon, somewhere past Susanville I think. Pretty trees, hills, lakes. Had time, pulled over at a sightseeing turnout, grabbed my chair (hint: carry a cheap folding chair with you when OTR, store in top bunk to keep clean, you'll be amazed how often you use it during downtime), and followed a fun trail to the shore of a post card winning lake. I had a book, and killed an hour. Others might use a fishing pole. Nothing more invigorating to me than that connection with the world.

Another time, I found myself somewhere in Montana on a Friday night and needing to shut down. Happened to find secure parking at the edge of a shopping center, and noticed the stadium lights blazing from the local high school a quarter mile away. I spent a few dollars to get in, bought a hot dog and Coke for dinner and settled in and watched an honest football game. Though a complete stranger here, I befriended the family that was next to me, sharing stories about life, etc. between plays and thoroughly enjoyed the Americana I was experiencing. Price of admission is way less than a National Park!

These types of experiences are easy to find and take. Could tell you of dozens of stories of my quest to attend church every Sunday possible if I wasn't at home. Some amusing, some confusing, but all proof of what an awesome land and people we are.

My goal in trucking was not to spend money on name-brand tourist sites and trappings; I had a young family to feed and was pinching pennies. But that didn't mean driving had to be drudgery!

Thank you all for your responses. I truly appreciate your support and words of encouragement! It's bittersweet, I am so excited to take the test but very nervous as I haven't tested for anything in many years. I'm scoring in the high 90's in all the practice tests I'm taking but just can't get the nerve up to go in and take the real one! Weird I know, but, never the less, I'm hesitant. Thanks again for your input, I'm sure there are others out here feeling the same as I am! Have a great safe day y'all😎

I am studying for my CDL Permit in Washington State. I am enjoying using TT's awesome permit preparation system but am wondering if it will give me all the knowledge I need to take the written in my state? Is it nessisary for me to study the Washington CDL Manual on top of the TT Training I am already doing? Thank you for your response in advance 😎