Truck Stops are Really Just Neighborhoods!

While riding through Missouri on Sunday on our way to Peoria I was thinking about the walk we had just taken in the parking lot of the Petro truck stop in Joplin, Missouri.  As I thought about all I have seen on our walks around truck stops, I realized that truck stops are actually just like neighborhoods.  Here is a comparison so you can see how I came to that conclusion:

Neighborhoods Have those who park on the lawn, near the driveway openings and out from the curb Have those who never cut their lawn, leave their trash cans out too long or better yet leave their trash on the lawn  Have those who think their music is so good it should be heard by everyone Have those who keep their lawns and cars immaculate, cutting the lawn regularly and waxing their vehicles every weekend  Have those who would lend a helping hand, offering tools and helping with repairs Have those who walk their dogs that stop and chat with each other along the way Have those who will share a kind word or give a wave as you pass by their porch

Truck Stops Have those who park on the line, over the line, along the curb, or anywhere else that doesn't have a line but is close to the building Have those who think the parking lot is for throwing their chicken bones, cigarette butts, their trash and bottles filled with urine (God forbid we stop at a rest area or truck stop and if not at least put it in the numerous trash cans found all around) Have those who think their music is so good it should be heard by everyone Have those who keep their trucks immaculate by washing and waxing them (even the tanks and steps) every chance they get Have those who will offer assistance, tools, hoses, screws, etc to someone broke down or needing to make a repair Have those who walk their dogs that stop and chat with each other along the way Have those who share a kind word or give a wave from their truck as you pass by

As you can see truck stops are just like neighborhoods, but it shouldn’t be surprising since a truck is a drivers’ homes away from home. The big difference is truckers move to a new neighborhood every day and are always adjusting to their new neighbors.  Thankfully, like most neighborhoods the good neighbors always out number the bad, but better yet, unlike a home owner, a driver can move his or her house away from their annoying neighbor!