What Are Some Hobbies You Do?

I've not even started the CDL school yet (we're still waiting to fill out the class, need 2 more students...) and already begun compiling lists. My list of stuff to bring in terms of hobbies (subject to change, haha!):

With mentor: - Canon camera (maybe only after gone solo) - crayons/water-soluable pencils/markers and coloring books - foam roller and mat for exercise - pair of drum sticks (fyi, youtube tutorials on drumming w/out a full set!!!!) - Sudoku puzzles book - phone with internet, netflix, hulu, exercise apps, Angry Birds

After gone solo: - old-fashioned books (my eyes gets annoyed with absolutely everything on screens, so no technology book stuff like Kindle. Plus, there's that satisfaction of hand-turning a page and smelling the paper and glue...) - adjustable kettlebell, dumbbells, battle bar, battle ropes, TRX (when have enough $$ and purchased) - laptop (when purchased) -- netflix, hulu, couchtuner.com, etc - bicycle (when purchased) - camping chair to just chill outside (with an umbrella?) - GoPro (after purchased) - my cats

I thought about bringing my paints, too, but I wouldn't know which ones (acrylic, oils, water-soluble oils, watercolors) and I figure more of a hassle to have the canvases drying, cleaning up the mess, etc... but if at some point I decide to, I do have a folding easel.

btw -- suggestion to Devan -- audio books??? also - idk if that's what you are using, but I was told to get hotspot. I know nothing about technology stuff like this, but supposedly internet access/service isn't a problem with hotspot? *shrug*

I've not even started the CDL school yet (we're still waiting to fill out the class, need 2 more students...) and already begun compiling lists. My list of stuff to bring in terms of hobbies (subject to change, haha!):

With mentor: - Canon camera (maybe only after gone solo) - crayons/water-soluable pencils/markers and coloring books - foam roller and mat for exercise - pair of drum sticks (fyi, youtube tutorials on drumming w/out a full set!!!!) - Sudoku puzzles book - phone with internet, netflix, hulu, exercise apps, Angry Birds

After gone solo: - old-fashioned books (my eyes gets annoyed with absolutely everything on screens, so no technology book stuff like Kindle. Plus, there's that satisfaction of hand-turning a page and smelling the paper and glue...) - adjustable kettlebell, dumbbells, battle bar, battle ropes, TRX (when have enough $$ and purchased) - laptop (when purchased) -- netflix, hulu, couchtuner.com, etc - bicycle (when purchased) - camping chair to just chill outside (with an umbrella?) - GoPro (after purchased) - my cats

I thought about bringing my paints, too, but I wouldn't know which ones (acrylic, oils, water-soluble oils, watercolors) and I figure more of a hassle to have the canvases drying, cleaning up the mess, etc... but if at some point I decide to, I do have a folding easel.

btw -- suggestion to Devan -- audio books??? also - idk if that's what you are using, but I was told to get hotspot. I know nothing about technology stuff like this, but supposedly internet access/service isn't a problem with hotspot? *shrug*

I use audio books but only when I drive. I am big on listening to personal development books and stuff on just bettering myself. My phone is a hotspot. The issue with Internet is I don't have enough haha. I got 35gb of data but it still isn't enough because I I watch a lot of youtube. I would go with a different carrier, but everywhere I go with Verizon I always have service.

Chris, That is a big list and quite ambitious! Many days you will burn through your entire 14 hour clock. You still need to eat, shower, shop, pre and post trip. Oh yeah.... Sleep too! Trust me, there isn't much time to do all of the above when you are turning miles. Not to say there is no down time, but life on the road was an eye opener for me, and in my previous life I regularly worked 60 hour weeks! You'll find out soon enough!

My phone is a hotspot. The issue with Internet is I don't have enough haha. I got 35gb of data but it still isn't enough because I I watch a lot of youtube. I would go with a different carrier, but everywhere I go with Verizon I always have service.

Search eBay for Verizon Unlimited Data Plan. There are sellers who offer the old unlimited plan that Verizon had. They sell you a hotspot device and then you pay monthly.

Will set you back a bit but if you know how to chew through some gigs every month, you can get your money's worth and then some. When you find some sellers, just check their feedback. Some will also just sell you the monthly service if you send them a question about it and already have a Verizon hotspot.

Cooking would be good for me because I like to do it, It will cost less to eat, should be better for your health, tastes better <-the best part!

Problems?

Reeks up the truck. Do truck stops freak out if you're cooking outside the truck? Is this practical to do without getting run over?

Heating. Electric devices use a lot of power What if you don't get a truck with an inverter? Are companies OK with installing an inverter into the battery system that will handle the load? Propane is dangerous to carry and use because of the open flame and explosion hazard

Cleaning up the mess. How do you wash all the utensils pots etc after you're done? Water would be needed. How do you carry or find it? How do you get rid of the waste water?

Preparation surfaces. Are you going to sit in the truck with a chopping board on you're lap? Is a small folding table a possibility for use outside the truck?

Not that you're going to be equipped with a full chef's kitchen aboard or be cooking while going down the road like in the movie with Lucille Ball “The Long, Long Trailer” , are there any experienced “road chefs” willing to cut loose with some secrets about cooking while traveling?

Cooking would be good for me because I like to do it, It will cost less to eat, should be better for your health, tastes better <-the best part!

Problems?

Reeks up the truck. Do truck stops freak out if you're cooking outside the truck? Is this practical to do without getting run over?

Heating. Electric devices use a lot of power What if you don't get a truck with an inverter? Are companies OK with installing an inverter into the battery system that will handle the load? Propane is dangerous to carry and use because of the open flame and explosion hazard

Cleaning up the mess. How do you wash all the utensils pots etc after you're done? Water would be needed. How do you carry or find it? How do you get rid of the waste water?

Preparation surfaces. Are you going to sit in the truck with a chopping board on you're lap? Is a small folding table a possibility for use outside the truck?

Not that you're going to be equipped with a full chef's kitchen aboard or be cooking while going down the road like in the movie with Lucille Ball “The Long, Long Trailer” , are there any experienced “road chefs” willing to cut loose with some secrets about cooking while traveling?

Look a little further up in this post. Lunch box oven, Thermoelectric cooler, lots of canned soups,tuna,chicken,beef etc. Paper plates, bowls, plastic silverware. Foil to line loaf pans and wrap things for cooking/heating. I've been eating well in my truck with these simple items. Buy perishables at Walmart or equivalent in small quantities and keep them in the TE cooler. Keep pots/pans to a minimum. There is NOT lits of time to cook like you would at home. I use the KISS principle. I have eaten two sit down meals at a restaurant in the last 2 1/2 weeks.

I remember wondering what I'd do in my down time, but in this "home every week" job most of the time I'm either driving or I'm on my 10 hour break and trying to sleep. I have a 4TB Mybook with recorded movies and tv programs, so I usually watch something just to get my mind off the day. So I guess I usually fall asleep in front of the TV.

Hey Devan, are you still going to be in Denver today? My plans got turned upside down and I'm getting there around 10 and will be at the terminal til around 1500 or so. If you're gonna be there send me an email at pgwright88keys@gmail.com and I'll give you my phone number

I find very little free time while on the road. I understand that everybody's situation is different, but for the way I operate I don't have much time for hobbies. Most of the time I am either giving it all I've got behind the wheel or resting for the next time slot of moving my truck down the road. I do have some books with me, and I will spend a little time on Trucking Truth. I also enjoy taking a thirty four hour break in an area that I find interesting, and during those times I just kind of act like a tourist.

The time that I spend doing my hobbies is usually when I am at home. I love to cook, and I enjoy gardening. This past week I took some time at home and enjoyed pulling the weeds from the garden. I also cooked a big pot of boiled Shrimp for my family.

I do some cooking on the road with a crock-pot. Bullwinkle had some questions about this:

Do truck stops freak out if you're cooking outside the truck? Is this practical to do without getting run over?

I see some drivers cooking outside their trucks with a small portable charcoal grill, or a Coleman stove. I've never seen anybody at the truck stops "freaking out" over this practice.

Heating. Electric devices use a lot of power What if you don't get a truck with an inverter? Are companies OK with installing an inverter into the battery system that will handle the load?

A standard 120v Crock-pot can be used with a small plug-in inverter. I think mine pulls around 14 watts on low. Some companies don't allow inverters that are hard wired into the electrical system. I work for Knight, which does not allow those type of inverters, but they have no problem with me using a plug in inverter as long as it is not overloaded. The thing about the plug in inverters is that if you are overloading the system you will blow a fuse - that is a much easier fix than trying to bring a truck back to life that just burned to the ground.

Cleaning up the mess. How do you wash all the utensils pots etc after you're done? Water would be needed. How do you carry or find it? How do you get rid of the waste water?

Most drivers just take their stuff into the truck stop bathroom to wash them. It is a daily experience for me to go into the restroom and see a driver at the sinks washing his dishes. Some drivers take their dirty dishes into the shower room with them when they get a shower. There is a sink in there that you can use if you like or you can do like our Moderator Daniel B. and just take your dishes with you right into the shower - that's right he washes his arm pits and his dirty pot of chili all at the same time. Weird? Not really, truck drivers just figure out how to make things work out here on the road.

Preparation surfaces. Are you going to sit in the truck with a chopping board on you're lap? Is a small folding table a possibility for use outside the truck?

I actually have a cutting board with me. There is a small slide-out table top in my Volvo where I sit and eat, or do my paperwork. I just put my cutting board on there and cut up some fresh vegetables like the mushrooms and onions that I put into this smothered pork chop dish that I prepared when my daughter was riding with me.

We also cooked a Jambalaya while on that trip...

You've probably noticed I'm using paper and plastic for my eating utensils and plates. I love to cook, but I don't want to spend a lot of time washing dishes while on the road. You do what works out here, and I've discovered that a pork chop covered in a rich gravy with portabella mushrooms tastes just as good on paper plates as it does on Staffordshire clay! If you're interested you can read about my travels with my daughters on these links:

First Trip With My Oldest Daughter

Second Trip With My Middle Girl

Third Trip With My Youngest Daughter

I have the exact same "china" and"flatware" on my truck!