I picked up the grader yesterday in Spartanburg, SC and promptly pointed my rig towards home. Friday. Holiday weekend. Traffic. Complete and absolute idiots behind the wheel. One, two, three backups caused by accidents.
By the time I reached Richmond Hill, GA I'd had enough of the crap. I pulled off the interstate intending to park at the truckstop for a while, spotted a hotel with truck parking and a lounge and pulled in there instead. Holiday weekend rates of course, but what the hell. I got myself a room, lit up one of my better cigars, and relaxed for a while.
Later in the evening I strolled to the lounge to have a cold one or two. I had of course showered and changed into some "non-trucking" clothing. Most hotel lounges tend to have a certain type of people and walking in wearing grease stained jeans and a tee shirt makes one stand out and look like you don't belong there. I really never care what anyone else thinks of me or how I look, but if one expects to hold a conversation with people it helps to more or less fit in with them, or at least look like you do.
I was somewhat surprised to find that the lounge was fairly crowded and that crowd was comprised of what one could only describe as lower class people or, in a phrase, white trash. Don't get me wrong, I'm neither a classist nor do I use the term white trash in a derogatory manner. It's a fitting description of a certain element of our society and when I'm wearing my trucker clothes would aptly describe me as well. One normally expects to find business travelers, salesmen, and assorted other types in a hotel lounge. Not a bunch of rowdy rednecks in jeans, tee shirts, ball caps, and cheap cowboy hats.
I'm not complaining mind you. Those folks tend to me more lively and fun to be around even though their conversations tend to be simpler and less stimulating. I had a pretty good time, listened to some good music in between karaoke sets. I still insist that karaoke is Japanese for "revenge for Hiroshima". I hate karaoke.
Anyway, I left the hotel this morning and drove straight home. Whille traffic was still heavy the primary Friday rush to get wherever people go on a holiday weekend was over and I was able to make it home in a reasonable amount of time.
I have to deliver the grader to the port in Ft Lauderdale on Tuesday and once I do I'll return home again for a few more days before getting out there and doing it all again.
As Socrates is now due for his first shots, a little past due actually, I'll try and get that done this week before leaving out again. I'm sure he'll be pissed at me for that, but it has to be done. He'll really be pissed next time we get in as I'll be having him neutered then.
Time for a cold one and ordering a pizza.