Modern Cowboys

My husband Shannon mentioned to me the other day that truckers think of themselves as modern cowboys. I've thought about this over the past week and after watching and listening to our fellow drivers I would have to agree that this comparison is true in many ways. Each evening these modern cowpokes pull their 53+ feet long  "horses" into a number of corrals strategically placed along major interstate trails. These corrals have names such as T/A, Pilot, Petro and the Flying J Travel Plaza.  Each evening these stops fill up with tired, dirty and hungry cowboys who are in need of rest and refreshment after a long day of herding their goods from one destination to the next. At these stops they can get a "homecooked" comfort meal, restock their supplies, get feed/fuel or new "shoes" for their rides, and even a hot shower with soap and towel provided. Some of these cowboys are true loners. They don't seek out others nor give away anything of themselves. Their best friends are their ponies. Other drivers need to sit around the campfire, which today looks like the counter and booths in the 24 hour restaurants located in each of these stops.  They swap stories with others who just came in off the trail. They get into "pissin" contests with each other telling their tales of unparalleled abilities to maneuver their loads in any kind of perilous weather condition or unthinkably tight constraints, they complain about their foremen and the owners of the ranch they work for, and of course flirt with anything that passes for a female. The modern equivalent of the saloon are the taverns, topless bars and exotic dance clubs and casinos that can usually be found along the trail or within walking distance of the "corrals."

There are even modern equivalents to the saloon girl. They are called "lot lizards" and they roam the stops, knocking on the doors of trucks, selling their wares. It is as sad today to see these wasted lives as I'm sure it was for the saloon girls in years past.  Today's cowboy for the most part still accepts fellow drivers as instant members into this elect group. Any group has bad apples and good ones and the same is true for these modern cowboys. The CB radio allows for communication between the cowpokes within a certain distance. On a high level, this communication tool is used to alert fellow drivers of hazards on the trail, getting information on where the next corral is located, disclosure of the location of a "smoky," and sometimes just connecting with another human voice. Unfortunately, the bad apples are also able to push that little button and loudly broadcast their low IQ and crudeness for all the world to hear.

Now here is one of the differences from the past to today. Yesteryears cowboys held convictions and if needed they weren't afraid to make their stand, whether it be for the honor of a woman or a fellow cowboy. If it was the right thing to do they did it. Today's cowboys have lost that courage that earmarked them as mustangs and a force to be reckoned with. Yesterday's cowboys came with a belief system; today's come with a "live and let live" attitude, even if that means a fellow cowpoke is ridiculed for the color of his skin. In my short time in this arena I have met a few true modern cowboys. Happily, I am married to one. Two others I met at Watkins & Shepard. One is an instructor for W/S. Dick is a long drink of water, way over six feet tall, slow to speak, fast to help, and absolutely true to his convictions. The same can be said of Dennis, a fellow W/S driver. It has been my privilege to meet and get to know these modern day examples of the best of what it means to be a cowboy.

The other big difference that I've observed in this world of maverick living is the entry of women into this select group. As I was driving last night three rigs passed me in a row, all driven by women. Wives are joining their husbands on the trail and an increasing number of single gals are saddling up, and I think this will have a dramatic change on this longheld male-dominated way of life. Will it be a good change - I hope so - but a change nonetheless. I, for one, will mourn the passing of  the mustangs of years past; who let their feats and courage speak for themselves, who walked tall, and slept the honest sleep of the fearless and brave.

Signing off for now - Truckin' Tweety (aka Robyn) and Batman (aka Shannon).