Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys. Don’t let ‘em pick guitars and drive them ol’ trucks. Make ‘em be doctors and lawyers and such. - Willie Nelson
Cape Girardeau, MO: Perhaps the best time to be a trucker is between the hours of 1 and 7 in the morning. At least that’s when I enjoy it most, when it’s peaceful and you can be alone with your thoughts. Leaving West Memphis, Arkansas at 1AM this morning, I wound through all 10 gears before putting The Beast on cruise control on a long stretch of two-lane highway.
The darkness, made thicker by a light fog, was broken only by a red moon floating just above the tree line. Aside from a brief exchange of greetings on the CB with another trucker headed the opposite direction, it was just me and the darkness on the highway. After what seemed like an extended time of seeing only the silhouettes of trees and the rapid-passing highway lines, the blackness that seemed to nearly engulf me was pierced by the lights of a nearby little town. Driving into the place, I felt a strange comfort at the fact that I was again around other people. There is something about being utterly alone that makes the eventual presence of others, even when they are unseen, reassuring somehow. That is, until one of the local specimens pulled out in front of me. I was the only other vehicle around for 15 miles, yet this dunderhead had to pull right out in front of my semi. That was when I remembered Mark Twain’s observation that, after all, Man was made at the end of the work week, when The Almighty was tired.
After my 3AM “live load” appointment was complete, I began making my way north and decided to try some classical music via the smart phone, but I fell short again. Another baritone opera singer, only this one sang with a twang, and just sat there on the melody, barely able to move a note or two without hurting himself. Imagine Tennessee Ernie Ford on valium. My taste in classical music can now be summed up as, “If it ain’t Baroque, fix it.”
The sun was like a red ball of fire peaking over the horizon as I switched to country music and heard Willie Nelson’s song, quoted above. I’ve often wondered if truckers are basically modern-day versions of cowboys, moving goods from one end of the country to the other. As a breed, we’re a restless lot, an independent and cantankerous group from all walks of life. Some of the truck stops have an almost “wild west” kind of atmosphere. Inside the restaurants, drivers refer to the waitresses as “ma’am,” they hold the door open for ladies, and often times address each other as “sir.” But outside the truck stop, any number of questionable professions might be pursued even as the more rowdy ones get on the CB radio and try their best to start fights in the parking lot.
If you think the conversation on Ricochet has been a bit raucous of late, tune in to a CB radio sometime. At a dizzying speed, the conversation goes from highway updates, to jokes, to fights, and back again. In the midst of a traffic jam a few weeks ago, I heard the following exchange:
“Did anyone see that little lady in the red car?”
“You mean the red Toyota?”
“Yep.”
“The girl with the green skirt?”
“Yep.”
“With the skirt hiked up a little on one leg?”
“Yep, that’s the one.”
“No, I ain’t seen her.”
“[expletive, expletive, expletive, and expletive some more]”
One old Red Simpson song describes us as a bunch of, “…double clutching gear jamming coffee drinking nuts” and I’d be hard pressed to argue the point. But the one constant that I notice as I travel across the country, is the presence of patriotic themes on the rigs. James Lileks noted the same phenomenon recently. Part of that is due, I think, to the preponderance of veterans in the industry. But a sizeable portion of it is due to the simple fact that many of these hard working men and women just love their country. For those of us in the industry, America is our office. The fiery rising sun, the jutting mountains, the cities that sparkle like jewels in the night, …it never grows old.
Perhaps it’s the fact that we get to see so much of the country that inspires the patriotism. Perhaps it’s the reward of an honest day’s labor and the expectation (though dwindling) that we will be able to build a better life for our children and grandchildren. Many of us can’t make it to Tea Parties. We’re always on the move, and truck parking is scarce anyway. But many of us are there in spirit, working and praying for the success of the American Dream; the idea that we really can take care of ourselves. Perhaps on just this one song, Willie got it wrong. Mamas, there are worse things your babies could do than grow up to be cowboys.
- Comment (29)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (3)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Whats the difference between a large car and a big truck?...when going up hill, a big truck changes gears, a large car changes lanes. Hey cowboy, which one you got?
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Just a slow, lumbering truck, weighing 80,000 lbs, traveling 10,000 miles a month to bring your car to the dealer, your food to the grocer, your computer to the store, the materials that built your home to the contractor, your fuel to the gas station, the clothes on your back to the department store, etc., all while trying to stay out of your way going up the hill and trying not to burn the brakes up and hurt you on the way back down the other side. Just a slow, lumbering truck, driven by a thick-headed ol' trucker. Drive safe and have a nice day.
Edited on Sep 18, 2010 at 6:16pmJul '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
And God Bless ya bro for doin it...live your insights and commen sense approach, catch'ya on the flip.
Jul '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Love...not live. Smartphone shmartphone
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Thanks much.
Jun '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
The next time you roll through central Missouri, let us know, so we can have a ricochet meet-up in the middle! Maybe we can get messieurs Long or Robinson join us in the 'wilderness area' between NY and LA... After all Missery loves company.
Great post Dave, liked it very much. Tempts me very much to get outta dodge and do something real.
Edited on Sep 18, 2010 at 7:24pmSep '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
I seem to remember you writing that you've driven north on 95 from Jacksonville. In southeast Georgia there are a few "who is john galt?" billboards. Are these unique to Georgia or do you encounter these signs throughout continental America?
Jul '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
You're spot on about driving at night and feeling better just coming across signs of life. I've driven cross country all night to see family numerous times, and especially in places like western Kansas along I-70, it's always a little comforting to see those tiny towns. Always worth stopping in for a moment for some gas and a chat with the attendant, although more and more it's a closed store with the pumps left on.
Jun '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
The difference: Cowboys tell their lies around a campfire. Truckers tell their lies in log book (present company excepted of course).
Sep '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Does the technology exist to host Ricochet Podcasts over CB radio? Now that's something I'd like to hear.
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
These days, Misery positively insists on company. You could say it "mandates" it. I'd be happy to have a meet-up in the wilds of mid-America sometime. I'll send an all points bulletin next time I head that way. For now, I'm on my way to Wisconsin, hopefully making it up to Madison tomorrow.
Edited on Sep 18, 2010 at 8:18pmRe: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
I believe I saw something like one of the Galt billboards in Tennessee a few days ago. There was one that said something on the order of: Congress, We're Coming For You In November. Subtle, yes?
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
The drivers who do that sort of thing are finding it harder, as electronic logging is becoming the norm. Also, the authorities can go back and look at fuel receipts, the date/time that we go through weigh stations, toll receipts, and determine whether the log book is non-fiction or fiction. I just log it as I do it,...much easier that way.
Jun '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Dave Carter
These days, Misery positively insists on company. You could say it "mandates" it. I'd be happy to have a meet-up in the wilds of mid-America sometime. I'll send an all points bulletin next time I head that way. For now, I'm on my way to Wisconsin, hopefully making it up to Madison tomorrow. · Sep 18 at 8:12pm
Edited on Sep 18 at 08:18 pm
Be real careful, Dave, as Ricochet grows, you may be stopping for coffee every two miles to meet up with a member or two, and what will that get you besides a totally messed up log book?
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Cas Balicki
Be real careful, Dave, as Ricochet grows, you may be stopping for coffee every two miles to meet up with a member or two, and what will that get you besides a totally messed up log book? · Sep 18 at 8:23pm
What will that get me? Probably more familiarity with rest areas than I ever wanted. But I like meeting people. ...Not in the rest areas, I mean...
Jun '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Oh and Dave, I don't know what sort of sound system you have in your truck, but of late you have been complaining about singers and "classical" music. So I'm going to make a recommendation: Palestrina- Missa Papae Marcelli. If you want to hear poly-harmony at its best this is for you. Palestrina, is reputed to have saved church music at a time when austerity was, as it periodically does, waxing in Christendom. The hormonic lines running through this mass will knock your socks off.
Edited on Sep 18, 2010 at 8:40pmRe: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Cas Balicki: Oh and Dave, I don't know what sort of sound system you have in your truck, but of late you have been complaining about singers and "classical" music. So I'm going to make a recommendation: Palestrina- Missa Papae Marcelli. If you want to hear poly-harmony at its best this is for you. Palestrina, is reputed to have saved church music at a time when austerity was, as it periodically does, waxing in Christendom. The hormonic lines running through this mass will knock your socks off. · Sep 18 at 8:36pm
Edited on Sep 18 at 08:40 pm
Excellent. Thanks. I'll look into it. I pull up various artists on an application from my smart phone, and the things plays music from that particular genre. Then I run the phone through the truck's speaker system and become a happy camper. Except for the time I had the volume too high while listening to Ted Nugent and blew out a speaker. But it's all better now.
Jun '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
I recommend that you blast Missa Papae Marcelli through your stereo at the highest setting you can stand, and then just bathe in the pure joy of the human voice. One of my favourite quotes, unfortunately I don't know who said or wrote it, was a response to the question, do you believe in God? The answer came back: "Sometimes when I listen to music." Palestrina makes you believe in God like no music ever will. Oh and I love Willie Nelson among others, by the way.
Edited on Sep 18, 2010 at 9:05pmMay '10
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Dave Carter
Except for the time I had the volume too high while listening to Ted Nugent and blew out a speaker. But it's all better now. · Sep 18 at 8:49pm
What was that? I can't quite hear you.
Re: Truckers, Cowboys and Patriotism
Cas Balicki: I recommend that you blast Missa Papae Marcelli through your stereo at the highest setting you can stand, and then just bathe in the pure joy of the human voice. One of my favourite quotes, unfortunately I don't know who said or wrote it, was a response to the question, do you believe in God? The answer came back: "Sometimes when I listen to music." Palestrina makes you believe in God like no music ever will. Oh and I love Willie Nelson among others, by the way. · Sep 18 at 9:03pm
Edited on Sep 18 at 09:05 pm
“Music is harmony, harmony is perfection, perfection is our dream, and our dream is heaven” Henri Frederic Amiel
Edited on Sep 18, 2010 at 9:15pm