Driving on Two-Lane Highways – It Feels Awesome

As you may or may not know, one of the most therapeutic things for me in life is to drive and I like it very much. I especially love to drive on major Highway/Freeway Arteries, big and small, long and short. When I drive, it is very relaxing to me. I remember when I got my G2 drivers licence, I began driving on highways in Ontario, Canada, especially the Highway 401 going back and forth to Montreal from Toronto, and when I used to go up to my cottage in Tweed, Ontario on Highway 37 which is a two-lane highway in some parts. Then after I got my full G licence, it felt awesome taking control and having that experience to drive all on my own from Montreal to Toronto, which is about a 5 hours drive. I loved it. Listening to the radio/cd’s, Myself, my car and the road. It was so peaceful and incredible.

With that being said, I absolutely love driving on two-lane highways as well. I feel like I am driving out in the country, different lifestyle, seeing farmers, pick-up trucks, old cars, overlooking trees, scenery, farmland, agriculture, fruit and veggie farms, animals, a house or 2 within a few km’s away from each other, followed by passing pick up trucks, big trucks/rigs on opposite side of the highway, then seeing solid lines, then broken lines for cars that are able to pass at that moment, say if there is a very slow moving vehicle in front of you, then quickly merging back into your lane, of course when it is safely to do so. I love road-trips like that, and I have to be the driver, but I am not the one who can stay in a car for more than 8-10 hours. That is my maximum limit. Anymore than that, I would rather fly somewhere.

I know sometimes driving in rural country/county township highways take longer to get to places, depends on where you are going, but it feels incredible to see greenery more and to get up close and personal with nature as you drive along.

Do you usually drive in the family or when you are amongst your friends? Or do you like being a passenger a lot more? I am in the mix between both, but I am the one who likes to usually drive. I cannot sit in a backseat of a car. I feel uncomfortable. I have to either drive or sit in the front.

Do you have a driving memory or story?

The Importance of Water – Our Natural Resource

Water is so important in our lives and vital part of it, and where water is scarce, some people in the world do not have clean drinking water, who do not have access to showers on a daily basis, in other places water is limited and come from wells, and replenished by trucks.

When I was in California when we were driving through Visalia, Tulare, Bakersfield, Fresno, on Highway 99 and inland of California plus other places, I saw big signs saying “No, Water, No Jobs”, and the crops, vegetables, trees, grass, fruits that are shipped across North America are crying for water and are crying for rain. I can see how dry the land is, grass and some trees have turned blonde/yellow and desperately need rain to liven up the soil and crops. By the time the produce makes it to us, the flavour and freshness changes a lot. There is a lot of farm land in California and passed by hundreds and thousands probably.

We are very lucky to have our water resources, where other places are in desperate need. In areas of California they are so strict about watering lawns, taking long showers, continuously keeping the water on while washing dishes, washing cars, and driveways. I heard they authorities are fining people if caught. I have always heard the severity and the shortage in California, but actually witnessing it in person is absolutely terrible.

Keep showers short, turn off the water when brushing your teeth, Do not keep the water running in the sink when using the washroom (people do that and I have seen it in public restrooms), and do not use it to water your lawn much. If you know it rains in your areas, Let mother nature take its course.  Inform your family and friends and always remind them to use water wisely.

Use water responsibly and do not waste it. It is a very precious resource of our world. Water is life.

Truck Drivers and Transport Trucks Do Not Get The Credit and Respect They Truly Deserve.

There is something that has been a great course of concern for me for the past several months, that I need to get off of my chest, and that is about Truck drivers driving big transport trucks and people continue to disrespect them and give them a bad rap for what they do from ordinary drivers on our roads. I am not talking about the reckless drivers out there. People have a point about those, but I am just discussing this in a general manner that I need to address today. I think truck drivers and these big transport trucks do not get the credit and respect they truly deserve. They are always bad mouthed about, they are always the ones who stand out in our roads, but it should not be the case. They are ordinary people like us who have families, friends and lives to live too.

It is not easy to transport and drive a huge transport truck for so many hours a day and for thousands of miles or kilometers. I do not think it is fair for people to judge them. What they do is very hard work. They are responsible for the driving, they are responsible for a huge truck, they are responsible for getting the delivery of what is being transported to companies on time. People think it is easy to operate a huge truck, but it isn’t. People go to extensive training and driving schools and that is something that people do not credit and respect. I mean take a look around you, take a look at the home you live in, take a look at your vehicle in your driveway or garage, take a look at your fridge, stove, food in your fridge and freezer, take a look at the furniture, bed you sleep on, and all other necessities in your life. It must come from somewhere right? Like a big transport truck and who delivers it? The truck drivers do. I have a big respect for them and I credit them very much.

I have this sense of relief to know that my life’s necessities are being transported and It is at my reach on a daily basis, I am very happy to know that and to see that in the stores. There is a lot of pressure with this job and people have to do it, or else this world will be at a stand still and nothing will ever get transported without these big beauties of our roads. I love these trucks so much. I love seeing them on our roads. Never mind about these trucks taking up road space, be happy they are there and they are there for a reason, they are there to transport our lives needs. Its very important to know this and to cut them some slack when they are on our roads. Ordinary drivers, do not know how hard it can be especially for those truck drivers who do runs alone and who have nobody beside them for so many days at a time and when they are away from family and friends. It can be pretty nerve wrecking and some truckers get frustrated at a few things, and people should understand their points of views and how they feel about the situation, but bread and butter must come from somewhere, feeding and putting food on the table and a roof over your head must come from somewhere right?

So each time you see these trucks and the truckers, just think of this article I wrote today. Thanks very much.

On The Road During the Holiday’s! My Respects to The Transport Industry

Recently I have been thinking a lot about the transport trucking industry during the holidays and all year round. I must say that I have a big respect of truckers out there who are away from their families at this time delivering and transporting our lifes necessities and all that. Without these truckers, we wouldn’t have the things we have in our homes and in our life like food, technology, so on and so forth. I have a huge amount of support for these people whom sacrifice being with their families on the holidays to provide for them and to make a living to bring bread and butter to the table. I am sure its as difficult for families to be without their father, mother, aunt, uncle or whoever is part of the industry.

A few times when I went to celebrate Christmas and New Years in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, I would drive on the 401 east and I would see these big rigs, truckers at the service centres and I would just think about how difficult it must be for them to be away from loved ones, friends. Its become a working world and people work 24/7 365 days a year to make a living. When I am stopped at a service centre and I see them in the line up to order coffee or they are just sitting down and having their meals before heading back on the road, I go up to them and say hello and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to them and I tell them thank you for the work you do to provide for us all. May God bless you and give you energy always to continue to deliver and to drive these big trucks.

I must say, driving big trucks/big rigs are very difficult and its not as easy as it looks. So many rules must be followed, guidelines, and ways to operate a truck. Its not like the ordinary vehicles that we drive, but its a lot more difficult. I myself wanted to be a truck driver for a while, get the Licence to drive them because I found it to be so intriguing and interesting. Its a good licence to have. I may seriously consider it and try it out for a year or 2. I have never been in a big truck/big rig before but I do hear its awesome to be so high up and see everything on the highways. I have a few trucker friends, so I may ask them to go on a trip with them someday if they are headed to Montreal and back. 🙂

Anyway, I want to wish all the truckers and their families a blessed christmas and all the best to you all in 2012! Drive safe and becareful of the weather conditions out there!