[golfhobo]

There has been alot of discussion about this, but mostly one saying it's possible, and others saying no way! Those opinions are noted, and often have MORE to do with the attitude of the poster than the actual facts.

Let's have some real examples given, and/or reasons of why it is or is not possible. I'll start.

First of all, I'm not sure whether teaming (as I do) makes it easier to sightsee... or NOT. As I do not spend weeks at a time on the road, alone, I have no idea for sure what I might could have done. But, here's some of what I have (or could have) done:

1) Sitting in Kingman, AZ in the afternoon and not needing to deliver in L.A. until the next morning, I had time to drive 19 miles south of I-40 at exit 9 to Lake Havasu City. There, I parked the truck and walked across the London Bridge where I jumped on a taxi boat and went across the lake/river to a small casino on the Cali side.

2) Arriving in Salinas late one evening, with pickups scheduled for the next morning, I drove the truck down to Monterrey Bay, and wandered around Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row.

3) Driving across the Bay Bridge into Frisco one evening, with a delivery the next morning, I parked the truck near the receiver and took a bus for $1 down to (that) Fisherman's Wharf and had a nice dinner and tourist time.

4) Arriving early one Sunday in Richmond, CA, I dropped the trailer (since it would be several hours) and bobtailed to the parking lot on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, then walked the distance across and back, stopping on the other side for lunch.

5) Another time, after leaving this same receiver, I parked the truck near a BART station in Oakland, and took the subway over to Fisherman's Wharf area in Frisco.

6) With a layover in Portland, I took a bus/light rail into downtown Portland for the day.

7) Going from Portland to Yakima, with a full day to get there, I took US 12 through Mt. Rainier State Park. Beautiful pictures.

8] After delivering in Kent, WA one morning, I dropped the trailer on their yard, and bobtailed a few miles away to see the house/neighborhood I grew up in.

9) Arriving in Denver one night before a morning delivery, I spent a bit much on a taxi to take me to my favorite "Gentleman's Club."

10) On a future layover in Portland, I plan to rent a car and see the coastline. (Enterprise will come to the truckstop to get you.)

11) I've been through South Dakota a time or two, with time to spare, but it was nighttime, so I didn't drive the few miles to Mt. Rushmore (trucks welcomed!) But, I will do this one day soon.

12) With a little planning ahead, I can sometimes leave a day early, and stop in Williams, AZ and take the train to the Grand Canyon. (not yet, but soon!)

13) Almost forgot the time I "scheduled" a layover weekend in Vegas to attend my niece's wedding! That was super cool!!

Almost ANY major city, where you have a layover, reset, or even half a day, you can usually find rapid transit to take you wherever you want to go, and many have 1/2 day tours on a motor coach.

I've heard MANY on here describe a run of only about 600 miles and 2 or more days to get there! Surely, you could have found time to do something IF YOU WANTED TO!

I'm gonna have about 18 extra hours this week on my way to Cali. Hmm.... should I do Graceland? Or the Murrah memorial in OKC?? Or just shoot straight to L.A. arriving noon Sunday (monday morning delivery) and rent a car and go see the Hollywood sign and Rodeo drive?

Okay.... your turn. What HAVE you done? Or could have done? Or want to do? Tell us how you did it or will do it. Let's not turn this into an OTR bashing thread about how you CAN'T do it. Cuz.... I KNOW you can!!

[inmate1577]

Honestly, I'd rather use the free time when there is some....so catch up on my sleep.

[Roadie]

Thanks Golfhobo
That is exactly the kind of thing we need to know. Planning on team driving with my wife, and hopefully get to see some country while we do it.
It sounds like any other job, its what YOU make of it. Take advantage of what the situations offer, and have fun, or sit there and complain that no one is taking care of you.
looking forward to more of this!
Cheers

[golfhobo]

Originally Posted by inmate1577

Honestly, I'd rather use the free time when there is some....so catch up on my sleep.

I can certainly understand that, Inmate. That DOES seem to be part of the problem with driving SOLO. I get more sleep than I need every day. As I've said before, I have only had a few chances to run Solo for a week at a time, and I always seemed to be behind the clock a bit on the way home! But, I've had some extra time on the way out. Is your dispatcher giving you loads that are "pushing" the HOS?

Have you NEVER spent a 34 hour reset on the road??

[golfhobo]

Originally Posted by Roadie

Thanks Golfhobo
That is exactly the kind of thing we need to know. Planning on team driving with my wife, and hopefully get to see some country while we do it.
It sounds like any other job, its what YOU make of it. Take advantage of what the situations offer, and have fun, or sit there and complain that no one is taking care of you.
looking forward to more of this!
Cheers

Well, I HOPE the thread goes well, myself!! I see you are in Salt Lake. I forgot to mention that I deliver there now and then. Last time, I had 24 hours to get from there to Salinas, so, after delivering, I went to the "J" near downtown, and took a bus/light rail to Temple Square. Didn't have a LOT of extra time, but I got to see the temple and where the choir sings, etc. If I could get there early enough one evening to find parking THERE for the night, I could go downtown and actually take in concert of the Tabernacle Choir! It WILL happen! :wink:

I usually end up overnighting in Toelle, which is a beautiful place! But, I think I can drop my trailer near the receiver and find room for my bobtail at the downtown "J," or at the Wallmart, or wherever!

Funny story, one time while LOOKING for that elusive "J," I took a wrong turn and was headed towards Temple Square! Since it IS a truck route, I drug all 53' right through downtown and in front of the Temple! I got to see it, but I had to keep moving! (And I wouldn't ADVISE it!!) :lol:

My brother and his wife TEAM, and it was HIS daughter who got married. THEY, too managed a weekend layover in L.A. and rented a car and came to Vegas for the wedding! My niece said it was the BEST part of her wedding having us all there!

[Jimbpard]

When delivering to Washington D.C. on "L Street", the workers said it would be a couple of hours before they could get me unloaded, so I shut the truck off, and took a walk a few blocks down to the white house. Very cool.

One time I delivered in Bradford, PA and stopped at the Zippo (lighters) factory on the way back home.

Thats about it as far as "tourist" places go, as I've only had a local job, but have seen many other cool things....Mason Dixon Line, Allegheny National Forest, Allegheny Mountain chain, just to name a few.

[greg3564]

I've stopped off at Glacier National Park when I went across Hwy 2 in Montana.

Seen many historic downtowns on off time. Met up with family in San Diego and gone down to the bay and Coronado Island. Went on the USS Midway tour. That was awesome.

If you end up on a reset anywhere near a rail line in Southern Calif, you can take the Surfliner anywhere up and down the coast for a day trip. You can go to Santa Barbara, L.A. and San Diego.



Golfhobo, I'm glad you brought this up. I think a lot of drivers miss tons of opportunities to see the sights. They just sit in their sleeper and never get out and be creative.

[bulldog2036]

Just don't go to J-Town next time you come through El Paso...and yes if you get a chance to see the OKC Memorial it is a must....just awesome and sad at the same time.

[golfhobo]

Well... I think it's settled. With 18 extra hours on my outbound trip, I think I'll spend most of Sunday seeing the Grand Canyon! Been wanting to do that for awhile now!

Come on folks.... I can't be the ONLY driver having any fun out here!! Let's hear some stories!! :lol:

[greg3564]

Originally Posted by golfhobo

Well... I think it's settled. With 18 extra hours on my outbound trip, I think I'll spend most of Sunday seeing the Grand Canyon! Been wanting to do that for awhile now!

Come on folks.... I can't be the ONLY driver having any fun out here!! Let's hear some stories!! :lol:

That train is pretty cool. I've been to the Grand Canyon four times in the last couple of years when I lived in Vegas. I've had the pleasure of going in the winter too. Snow on the rim of the canyon is something to see and no crowds. Never did the train, but I will the next time I go. I love the Grand Canyon. It and Glacier are my two favorite national parks. Have fun!