Driver Lifestyles
Enjoying the Journey: Top Places to See During Your Travels
One of the perks of being an expedite owner-operator or driver is that you get to travel the country, usually on someone else's dime. But, more often than not, you might be so focused on the job at hand that you miss opportunities to see really interesting places and have great experiences that help you "enjoy the journey."
So, what are some of the top places to go and see throughout the U.S. when you're out on the road and in between loads?
EO recently caught up with long-time expediters Linda Caffee, Lisa Shilling, Tom Evans, and George McDonald to find out where they've enjoyed visiting during their years on the road. Here's what they said were their favorite places to visit and why they would recommend that you check them out, too.
Linda Caffee
Owner-operator with Landstar
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
Web: http://garlits.com
Where: Ocala, Florida
Why: "This is the best racing museum as Don saved everything from his racing days with lots of pictures. The displays are very nice and the museum is very clean."
Fort Hays - Mount Rushmore Tours
Web: http://mountrushmoretours.com/standard-pages/contact-us-mount-rushmore-tours/
Where: Rapid City, SD
Why: "The all-day bus tour takes you to Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and to see Crazy Horse Memorial. End the day with dinner at Fort Hays and a show. It's worth every penny with fantastic pictures and views that we could enjoy while not driving. There's a campground next door with commercial truck spots."
West Virginia Tamarack
Web: http://www.tamarackwv.com
Where: Beckley, West Virginia
Why: "Great place to walk around and watch artisans create masterpieces. Nice place to visit year-round as everything inside this huge circular building was made by a West Virginian. Lots of good food and plenty of truck parking below the Tamarack. The best part is that it's free to visit."
Lisa Schilling
Solo driver with A Plus Expediting
Montauk Point State Park
Web: http://nysparks.com/parks/61/details.aspx
Where: Montauk, New York.
Why: "Montauk is a little village is on the eastern most tip of Long Island, New York, where there are so many things to do for the entire family -- surf fishing, paddleboarding, surfing, and horseback riding. And it has some of the finest shops to go shopping. As for me, I enjoy scuba diving. On the very tip of Montauk Point State Park lies the largest underwater state park in the continental United States, where the HMS Culloden, a 74-gun British warship, sunk in 1776. You can dive and explore the wreckage just off the Point."
Montage Palmetto Bluff Resort
Web: https://www.montagehotels.com/palmettobluff/
Where: Bluffton, South Carolina
Why: "I enjoy this place because It's a perfect place to relax and get away from stress. And the sunsets. Few places can compare to its beauty."
Snoqualmie Falls
Web: http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/
Where: Snoqualmie, Washington
Why: "Waterfall hiking at Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington State's most popular scenic attractions. This is where I go when I need my mountain range 'fix.' At the falls, you will find a two-acre park, observation deck, the Salish Lodge and the famous 270 foot waterfall. The hike also boasts an amazing view of Mount Rainier--very peaceful."
Tom Evans
Fleet owner, TNT Expedited Services Inc., and owner-operator leased to Load One Transportation & Logistics.
Texas Canyon (Arizona)
Web: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Canyon
Where: Cochise County, Arizona (20 miles east of Benson, Arizona on I-10)
Why: "It's just a beautiful piece of interstate to drive through with a very nice rest area to stop at. Spectacular rock formations and scenery."
The Great Salt Lake State Park
Web: https://utah.com/great-salt-lake-state-park
Where: Magna, Utah (west of Salt Lake City on I-80)
Why: "It's very easily accessed by trucks, and the salt flats are amazing to experience."
Imperial Sand Dunes
Web: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra.html
Where: Brawley, California (on I-8)
Why: "Another easily accessible stop for trucks. The dunes are huge and amazing to look at. Being there can make you think that you're in the Sahara."
George B. McDonald
Owner-operator with Ceva
Mid-America Trucking Show
Web: https://www.truckingshow.com/
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
Why: "It's where you go to see what is up and coming in trucking. And, for me, it's
world's largest 'toy store' for truckers."
Expedite Expo
Web: http://expediteexpo.com/
Where: Lexington, Kentucky
Why: "It's great for helping plan your next [truck], meeting other people in the industry and attending classes to learn more about expediting."
Hampton Roads
Web: http://hamptonroads.com/
Where: Hampton Roads, Virginia
Why: "There is so much to see and do with Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown Battlefield. I love history -- to see where we, as a nation, have come from and what has happened in past."
What About You?
What places have you experienced in your travels that you would recommend as a "must-see" destination? What would you add to this list?
Share your recommendations and experiences in the comments below.