Blue grass or just very green

I drove through St. Louis in the dark this morning so no picture of the arch but I have seen it enough times I am sure I'll get one soon. From there i took a turn south in Illinois to Kentucky across the Ohio and Tennessee rivers.

This was the sunrise in the Illinois farm lands.

This is the Ohio river where I crossed into Kentucky from Illinois.

This morning before I left Foristell MO I went into the truck stop restaurant for the drivers social hour. It is something that seems to happen in almost every truck stop diner at around 4 to 5 am and also happens at night too. In the morning as drivers wake up to start their days they wander into the restaurant to get breakfast and sit at the long horseshoe shaped counters. I am sure most truck stops that have this counter, set it up to formulate social interaction for the drivers. The conversation flows pretty fast depending on how many drivers are at the counter and the topics change faster then the waitress can pour a cup of coffee. Trust me the waitresses join in the social hour too.

The drivers talk about everything from their homes to life on the road and always about their family's. The hot topics include politics and the state of the industry we are all in, trucking. It gives a great sense of family when you join in these social conversations with drivers from all over the nation and some from Canada too. It can also give you insight into what people from other parts of the country think of current day government, politics, social issues and even Paris Hilton.

Did i mention the jokes? Oh yes lots of jokes as they all try to top one another. Then the waitress comes out with one and the place starts slapping the counter and laughing very loud. I think the waitresses have the best jokes because they must hear them all.

The waitress has a very important roll in this social gathering other then keeping the coffee flowing. She is sort of the facilitator of making the drivers feel at home. Normal waitresses in the very Early morning hours have been doing the job for many years and have this shift because they have grown to love it. The waitress this morning said she started the job when she was 18 and we didn't ask but she looked to be around 65. So you can imagine what she has seen in her time on the job. She ran around taking orders and pouring coffee. She had a very mom like attitude, wherein she would call you dear and hon, of course, and just make you feel like you were at your own kitchen table at home.

I think its one of the better times for life on the road and definitely keeps the drivers of America going on down the road.

Until next time, be safe.