This trip actually started all the way back in Nevada. After two rough days of driving back to back, sleeping only four hours, we found ourselves leaving California late in the afternoon while the scenery was still bright. As we drove, the sky changed, and I took beautiful sunset pictures with birds flying for their night rest.
When we entered Utah’s point of entry it was dark, around 10 PM, and I took a picture of the building called the Kennecott Garfield Smelter Stack. Instead of a complete stop for the night, we drove probably two hours more, and by the time we hit our stop at Little America, Wyoming, it was midnight.
We found a parking spot and we ventured into their 24-hour general store, grabbed a snack, and went back to our rig. We didn’t sleep right away. Did I mention I slept on the upper deck? It always reminds me of climbing trees when I was young.
The next morning, when we got up, we continued our driving. On our way to Nebraska I said to my partner — “Wouldn’t it be nice if the drop off will be anytime today instead of tomorrow even if it is two hours past Gretna? And, if we arrive in Gretna ahead of time — let’s go antiquing.”
His phone rang.
After the call ended, he looked at me and said… “You scared me.”
I asked what he meant.
He said the load we were on — instead of delivering tomorrow morning — would be ready right away anytime now till tomorrow. And we made it ahead of schedule. That was wonderful.
We found a parking spot in an open field next to a 24-hour general store. While we were unwinding we smelled something was cooking, like hot pizza and spaghetti. Eating hot food while traveling is not a choice but rather an opportunity, so we changed our clothes and grabbed us a hot pizza that just came out of the oven.
Yummy.
Rebel stayed up for an hour but I was tired, so I slept ahead of him.
The next day we went to pick up a load from a company in Gretna that we would be bringing back to our hometown. But it was not ready. The company mentioned they have a room for showers as well as a sleeping area if we chose to rest more. We took the chance to shower because we needed one.
After our shower, we asked one of the employees named Beth if there’s an Uber around the area as we would love to explore the town. She suggested we go check out Junkstock, which was happening at that time.
The best part — they let us use one of their company cars. That was a surprising and kind gesture, so we accepted the offer.
Excited, we took off and found the area. We were surprised — no store, just open space — but rather a huge antique event. We looked at each other and we were both speechless as we had never been to one. There are lots of booths, food to eat, and friendly people everywhere. We actually ended up being there for three hours.
On our way to return the car we stumbled onto a Runza restaurant — that one gets its own story. We decided to go in and bought some food for the road.
When we arrived back at Beth’s place our load was ready to go, and off we went.
You see, we drive truck coast to coast for a living. And the best part of it is that it allows us to travel throughout the US for free and get paid. We do not worry about fuel expenses at all, or repair expenses wherever we need service on the road.
In exchange for what we are doing, we get to explore counties within each State. Also, whenever we are ahead of schedule, we park our truck, call an Uber, and visit landmarks, check out roadside attractions, thrift stores, antique stores, and those unexpected hidden local gems.
Because we both have that adventurer personality, what we do for a living adds tremendous benefit. It frees us both from the shackle of working in one place for many hours a day. We are able to choose what day we want to drive again or be home.
There is a huge gratitude in loving what you do. Wherever you work, I hope you find something worth loving and build good memories to go back to when you need some positive vibes.
