Have Greyhound, Will Travel

So, if one does not want to spend close to $1,000 for airfare, the next best travel alternative is Greyhound Lines (trans-USA bus company). For this particular trip, I prefer Greyhound's $136.00 fare for the trip from Greensboro NC to Jonesboro AR. The return fare in only $81.00 if booked 7 days prior to departure date.

Compared to air travel, some of the VERY desirable aspects to travel by bus are: 1) I will NOT be a potential candidate for a randomly selected 'strip search' by bus station security personnel; 2) I can board the bus WITHOUT taking off my shoes for x-ray examination; 3) I can observe the handling and storage of my luggage; 4) I will be able to actually see recognizable land features - not a high-altitude abstract collage; 5) I will only be a few feet off the ground, within easy step-off or jump-off distance (good to know for both normal and emergency action); 6) my ears will probably not have to adjust to changes in altitude; 7) the baggage claim area is 'at the bus'; 8) there will probably be fewer people waiting to use the onboard toilet.

In 4 hours (at 1300), I will board a Greyhound bus in Greensboro NC for the 'one day and forty-five minute' trip to Newport AR - arriving at 12:45. The trip (1,158 miles) will include stops at a dozen or so stations along the way, and three transfers to a different bus. I anticipate taking several brief naps during the trip - not really a sound sleep; hopefully, refreshing respites of rest for body and mind (especially the eyes).

My next blog will probably be after September 30th, after my return to Graham NC and completion of my three weeks of ASU (Arkansas State University) training in Newport. After my return, I will go to the local NC Drivers License Bureau, take the North Carolina 'Hazardous Materials Endorsement' test, and have the 90-day Arkansas CDL class A driver's license (issued at the end of ASU training) transferred to a North Carolina CDL class A license. Once that is complete, I will call USA Trucking to schedule my pick-up by one of their driver-trainers, to begin an additional 4 to 8 weeks of one-on-one driver training in company truck with company instructor.

Photos and text in my next blog post.

Please say a prayer for me - that all goes well with training, tests, everything!

Take care,

Jim

In the beginning...

What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? Life decisions! Change! Need a job! Need a place to live! Need . . . need . . . need! For the moment (days, weeks), my "wants" have very low priority. Currently owning just a few things - 2 suitcases filled with clothes and misc. stuff, a laptop, a computer printer - has its advantages: less stuff to haul around, to be concerned about, to give away or sell one day.

At 59, I've lived a really good life and I'm trying to figure out the best way (for me) to continue to do just that! I believe I have found a way to do all of the "above" and have fun, travel the USA, be employed with benefits, and be physically active.

I hope to become an OTR (Over The Road) truck driver during the next few weeks. Sometime today I should receive a "go/no-go" decision from a truck driving school. If it's a "go" . . . I will start a 3-week training course on September 11th. If it's a "no go" . . . I will continue to look for an OTR opportunity!

Being an OTR truck driver is not a new idea for me. I was in the process of applying to a truck driving school a year ago when I got a chance to travel to Greece and visit a good friend who lives on the island of Crete. Crete was okay and it is REALLY good to be back in the USA.

Driving a vehicle larger than an SUV is not new to me. I drove a school bus during 3 of my high school years. I drove a converted Trailways bus for a couple of years in my early 20s while I pursued a career as a musician (bass guitar) in a rock-n-roll band (mostly Motown, soul, r&b, beach music).

I like to travel, be on the move, visit new places, experience living in different locales. I spent a few weeks last year travelling the USA in a Chevy van which I bought and 'fixed up' for that purpose (I sold the van to pay for travel to/from Greece).

As a first post, perhaps I should tell you that I hope to update this blog as often as possible (once or twice a week) with text, links and photos. Eventually I hope to have a digital camera mounted inside the truck cab and have it set up so that I can concentrate on driving and easily trigger the camera to take a photo of whatever is of interest in front of me. I should be able to use my laptop computer whenever I am within WIFI range at truck stops (and other locations) to post new blogs and photos.

That's the game plan at this point. Hope it all works out . . .AND. . . I hope that God will help me to always drive safely, on schedule, and comply with applicable state, federal, and company rules and regs. I believe in prayer and in keeping a good relationship with God.

Anyone interested in reading about OTR truck driving? Viewing photos of the USA from a truck driver's perspective? Having access to relevant links about OTR, truck driving, sights, highways, towns, cities, truck stops, people I encounter while driving/working? Then sign-up - subscribe - to this "Life OTR" blog! Okay? Thanks! Jim

***** Update @1510, 6sept06 *****

Thanks to 'Driver Solutions', I will begin class at Arkansas State University (ASU) in Newport on September 11th. I will work for USA Trucking - based in Van Buren Arkansas.

I will travel to Newport via Greyhound bus - airfare is too expensive.

Links in the sidebar are to websites for companies, the school and towns mentioned in this blog.

I am EXCITED..!!!

YEAH!!!!!!

Later,

Jim

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