I’m too tired from my early morning awakening, my fuel hose repair task, and the past few days preparing – always challenging getting ready for a prolonged road trip – to drive for very long. I try to drive until at least dusk to take the temperature of those traveling north along my beaten path.
I realize I was expecting some kind of strong reaction one way or the other to the messages on the back of my truck but instead, after leaving Atlanta proper, I clock only one white male trucker’s response as he zoomed past me. I couldn’t tell if he was raising a thumb or middle finger so I just held up my hand with the peace symbol as he headed up the highway, hoping he could see it in his side mirror.
The welcome center I’d intended to rest at was blocked off – construction – so I had to continue driving. Well sporadic driving as I had to stop every 30 or 40 minutes to get out, run around the truck, retrieve more snacks from the camper, until finally I found an open rest stop.
By the time I get on the road again, after a great sleep, I only have a little over 200 miles – 700 to go! If I don’t hurry, I won’t make it for my 6:45pm appointment Thursday in Philly….grrrrr. I do not like driving under a time schedule. But off I go.
This time, driving through North Carolina and into Virginia in the dark, again I get one trucker’s response: this time a very positive honk accompanied by a wide smile and a thumb’s up!
No one else says a peep – at least that they make known to me.
Rage I understand. Excited camaraderie I love. Even puzzled confusion but silence? Total silence?
I’ve driven across country with this same message painted on the back of my truck and where many were silent, very many responded, mostly positively. So I think the words are readable. Although I haven’t been able to replace the panels on the back rollup door yet and they may have shifted some but I think the messages are still readable.
I will continue the rest of the miles in the light of day and see if that helps.
