Sometimes A Shower Can Be The Day's High Point

Published on June 21, 2006 By MasonM In Blogging

I think trucking is probably one of the few occupations/lifestyles in which getting a shower can be the high point of the day. Most folks take it for granted that they go home after a day of work and have the option of a nice hot shower to wash away the day's residue.

For the trucker, a shower is something that has to be planned for and scheduled just like every other part of the run. For many truckers it's a simple matter of planning their shower for where they plan to stop for the night. Fueling also plays into the planning as fueling your truck earns you a free shower, otherwise the showers cost around 9 bucks. For my kind of specialized hauling, loading and unloading also factors into the plan as it can be and usually is dirty work.

I've never understood those truckers I run across from time to time that just never seem to shower. You can usually smell them from 10ft away and they look like they just crawled out from under a rotting log someplace. Showering just always energizes me and makes me feel human again. I will readily admit that my schedule doesn't always allow me the luxury of showering every single day. Sometimes I have to settle for every other day on hard runs. But I carry antibacterial wet wipes in the truck so that I can at least wash up in the evening before turning in. It's better than nothing.

I intentionally didn't waste my earned shower last night because I knew I'd be loading a machine this morning that required tarping. Tarping is the dirtiest part of my job. There is no way to handle a 110lbs tarp, get it over an 8ft tall, 9ft long machine without getting all dirty, sweaty, and just plain nasty.

So this morning I went down and picked up that machine, secured and tarped it, got all dirty and nasty, and then returned back to the truckstop for a hot shower and breakfast. My hair is still damp from the showering which, after the hot, sweaty, dirty work this morning felt like heaven itself. The water pressure was even impressive which is something that's hit or miss at some places.

Yep, it's a very weird lifestyle living out here on the highways and biways of America, trucking from one place to the next. But at least there are nice hot showers along the way to brighten up the day, wash away the road grime, and make everything seem all right with the world again.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Jun 21, 2006

That is something that a non-trucker would not think about - showers. But even to us land lubbers that dont drive for a living, a nice hot shower always makes us feel human after a long day of yard work as well.

MasonM

on Jun 21, 2006

#1 by little-whip
Wed, June 21, 2006 2:23 PM

[little-whip]Especially if that tarp is wet and gross, been there done that.

Aren't they always? Could be rolled up for months and still be all wet and nasty when you need them.

Nine bucks for a shower now, eh? Damn. They were only $6 when my first husband and I drove, and we had the added advantage of being able to share one.Petro always had the nicest showers, and we liked their Iron Skillet restaurant too.

Yeah, of the big chains, Petro usually has the best showers. I know of a couple of smaller "mom & pop" places that have awesome showers. One in particular used to have a motel and they converted all the rooms into extra large showering rooms. Very nice.

Feels good, don't it.

Yeppers.

MasonM

on Jun 21, 2006

#2 by Dr. Guy
Wed, June 21, 2006 2:24 PM

[Dr. Guy]
That is something that a non-trucker would not think about - showers. But even to us land lubbers that dont drive for a living, a nice hot shower always makes us feel human after a long day of yard work as well.

Yeah, that's one of those trucking facts of life that often doesn't occur to folks. Thankfully all but the very smallest of fuel stops has shower facilities although there are some that I refuse to use. I stick with the ones I know are cleaned after each use.

Texas Wahine

on Jun 21, 2006

LOL, my husband's biggest complaint from FTXs is the length of time he's sometimes gotta go without a shower (over a week at the last one). He said one guy took off his boots in the ambulance and he could have sworn he smelled something dead. Hahaha.

Nice article.

MasonM

on Jun 21, 2006

#5 by Texas Wahine
Wed, June 21, 2006 2:59 PM

[Texas Wahine]
LOL, my husband's biggest complaint from FTXs is the length of time he's sometimes gotta go without a shower (over a week at the last one). He said one guy took off his boots in the ambulance and he could have sworn he smelled something dead. Hahaha.

Nice article.

Thanks. I don't think I could stand to go a week without a shower! Every other day is stretching it for me at times. I have to at least be able to wash up in the evening. I can't stand going to bed feeling dirty.

I do remember those times while in the service. Could be why I have such an aversion to going without now.

Caracarn1

on Jun 21, 2006

I know what you mean, I love showers, they are what makes me human and not a still sleeping zombie man.

Not sure how I made it through college when I would barely shower due to smoking pot and being a dirty hippie and whatnot.

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