My vessel

Rushing down a river that flows in 2 separate directions. I pass boulders and hollows on either side. Keeping my hands steady on the wheel. I coerce my vessel diffidently through rapids winding to the horizon. My dreamlike setting depicts a land foreign to me. With each glance a vast expanse of history and knowledge is thrust upon me in great strides. This subtle thought breaches my mind with such force that I may weep in its enormity. Firmly grasping the wheel and following the bends of the mighty tributary almost instinctively, without weary of faltering my path. The sun is set far behind me, eclipsed by the loom of mountains cascading in all directions. The world is blanketed in warm shades of amber and metallic gold. Deep canyons and crevices pull the land apart like wounds. Passing through my ears is an assortment of ballads wrought by a band I could only imagine as gypsies. All this is only a moment of contentment in an array of disorganized thinking. For within seconds my mind collapses as my worries of burden flood over my collective thought. Entrancing me in disarray yet again. I yearn to feel the light of life within me. To know what it feels like to have a steady span of compassion. A prophetic worshiper once told me of a vision she had. This vision was of myself. In her prophecy she explained me as a broken mirror. Still whole, yet cracked like a sheet of ice over a pond. And that one day my cracks would seal themselves. Mending my broken soul. It feels as if this were told to me a century ago. For even now my heart is heavy and my sight is unclear. But, being the optimist that I am, my hope never subsides. It guides me and pierces my actions. I regard my past with sultry view, behold my present with awe, and steer myself to a future with an auspicious end.

Aaron Mitchell.

TWILIGHT

you may think i am gay or childish for saying this...but the twilight series were some of the best books i have ever read. no joke. i am forever grateful that i had a chance to read them!!!

My First Ever You Tube Video

The Lush Forests of the North West

I  was beginning to think that my choice in being a truck driver wasn't going to pay off as well as I had hoped. But today was a day that made me think twice about my decision. 30 miles outside of Seattle in the Snowqualmie Valley is where I have spent my last two days. Its monday now and rainy. Not unusual for these parts. But Yesterday was gorgeous I must say, sunny and warm.  Funny thing is I spent most of it in the truck reading Twilight, a fitting book considering my location. After finishing said book, I fell asleep and woke up to an overcast. Today was cooler and cloudy. It looked like it was going to rain most of the day but luckily it waited till the evening to drop a lake on us. After spending most of sunday inside I was getting a little antsy. As I said the rain held off for a while so I took advantage of the locals. I asked them if there were any good hiking trails in the area, I found a nice little trail about 2 miles up the road, a place called twin falls. I was up for anything as i began my walk towards the trail. It was fairly easy to find, convenient signs were placed within view. I was excited to see that i was not the only person out for the day. A good amount of cars were parked at the beginning of the trail. I made a goal to make it to the falls and back before dark, so I proceeded with my jaunt. Of course I didn't realize how long of a walk this would be. About half way to the falls I was becoming rather thirsty. That and my bad habits were catching up with me, and following me. Luckily I found a nice couple and their child who were kind enough to chat with and they happened to give me a bottle of water. I was very grateful. This wouldn't be the last time i was shown hospitality by a stranger. After my intrusion to these kind peoples day I kept on my way to the falls.  Another ten minutes and I was there. I was overwhelmed with beauty. One hundred foot waterfalls, towering cliffs, and trees with trunks larger than i have ever seen. A bridge cascaded 90 feet about the waterfalls, it was rather unnerving but breathtaking. I was spell bound.  I could not ask for a better day. The only thing that put a damper on my mood is that i had no one to share it with. That and my phone died before I could get a picture of the waterfall. But luckily I did take a few quick pics before it decided to crap out on me. I hovered around the waterfalls for a good while, and carved my name in to a railing. When I was satisfied that I met my goal, I made my way back to the beginning of the trail, and after that the truck stop. But before I could make it too the beginning of the trail it started to rain. Not heavy, but just enough to get me very damp. By the time I made it a 1/2 mile from the truckstop, it was pouring. This is when i was shown another act of chivalry. As I was walking on the road to the truck, a car heading in my direction started to slow down, and eventually came to a stop next to me. A hand holding an umbrella reached out the passenger side window. All I could do was grin. I told this wonderful woman I didnt have far to go but she insisted that I take the umbrella and that i could keep it. Another thanks, and I was on my way. A little dryer. I finally made it back to the truck. My co-driver was convinced I was mauled by a bear. I was gone for over 3 hours. After all was said and done. I took a very long shower, and had a very nice dinner. I am pleased with how the day went. But to be honest I think need more naked women in my life. EnD

ONE HELL OF A RIDE

Hello again. It's been a few days since I have had a chance to sit down and convey some more of my enchanting thoughts, and delightful adventures. So now that I am back in my truck and sitting in the passenger seat, next to my co-driver Stephen, I have found a little time to do some bloggins. The title to this blog says a lot about the state of this past week, it HAS been one hell of a ride. Starting Monday in Newark, NJ. The night before this I talked to my first crack whore, literally, she asked if we wanted some pussy. When we said no, she asked if she could have 5 bucks for Mcdonalds. This was 5 minutes after a man told us we could park on the street and no one would bother us. Fucking Hilarious. Monday was a good day for two reasons. One being I made it the fuck out of Newark, NJ. Two being I made it home. What a relief that was. Tuesday didn't consist of much action at all really, just enjoying the company of my friends, and our mutual friend; booze. Wednesday was on a level all on its own. Wednesday April 15, 2009 was the day I rode my first roller coaster. I know, your asking yourself how could I be 22 years old and have never been on a roller coaster. Well, when growing up in a small town in a somewhat impoverished family, its a little hard to get out as much as you would like. Especially when you have parents that are content with being miserable. But I digress. The anticipation, and anxiety that i was feeling before making my first trip was palpable. The Griffin is a monstrosity, nothing in my life could have prepared me for the thrill that I was about to experience. Needless to say my first time on a roller coaster was something I am never going to forget. How could I, I was screaming like a 12 year old girl at jonas brothers concert. Although now that I think about it Brandon was more excited then i was. For five minutes after the ride I was in complete shock. And then there was this gnawing at my insides. Not from the inertia but from the need for more. And so I fed this hunger, with the help of my friends Brandon and Ivy. Within 2 hours we hit every major ride at the Busch Gardens theme park. Everyone but Apollos Chariot, it was closed for maintenance. By the end of the night I was an entirely new person. Beyond the trip to Busch Gardens and back not much else happened on wednesday night. Except Pee Wees Big Top, but that doesn't need any explanation. And then came Thursday. A slow day at first. Our initial plan was to go to the D.C. Zoo. But as a group we tend to procrastinate on a grand scale. So we ended up lounging around till about 7 P.M., than I went to the driving range. I commenced to play to rounds and get completely trashed. An all around good time. The rest of the night was somewhat of a blur. But the main thing I remember of that night was how I ended up naked with Brandon and Taylor with plastic bags over our heads. How it got to this point is still a mystery to me. Im sure our buddy Jordan was thinking the same thing when he woke up with all three of us in his room dancing beside his bed. After all of this I ended up leaving Virginia around 4:30 A.M. The sad part is I did not end up sleeping till early saturday morning. Now that its sunday i have caught up with my sleep and I am ready to drive. All this is just another small part of the continuous adventure that is my life. I just hope that i can always have the fingers and hands to write about it all. But then again I could end up losing a bet in some third world country where the wager is my hands. End.  

HOME

There is nothing better than knowing I am home. That I have a home. And that i have friends to share it with. It will make my months on the road worth it. I am forever grateful. End.

Crazy Freds Whorehouse Truckstop

Today while driving east on 40 through Arizona, I came across a grand piece of americana. This fantastic view of the past is located about 5 miles out of Kingman, in the outskirts of the desert mountains. Oddly enough my Co-Driver knew all about this place, and decided we should stop and "look around".  So there I was, pulling into a relatively small truck stop just off of exit 44, not far from the legendary route 66, and this is when i realize that this is no ordinary choke and puke, but an American landmark. Sure its old, small and rundown from years of abuse, but you can feel the energy that was once there emanating off the buildings. The title to this joint is Crazy Fred Whorehouse Truckstop. And directly behind it, not 50 feet away, is a wonderful little tavern called The Dollhouse A Big Rig Gentlemen's Club(sadly not open this late in the morning). Which resembles a barn, or more so the old western taverns. My first reaction to all of this was to not get out of the truck cause the air could be rank with AIDS. But after thinking about it I decided i should not miss such an opportunity to learn more about the history of truck driving. The sign for Crazy Fred's does not actually say whorehouse, I had to meander inside and browse the gift shop to find out the true name. The reason I am so interested in such a place comes from knowing how truck driving as a lifestyle once was. Truck drivers years before my time were all mavericks and renegades roaming the country always in search of "a better time". These were the kind of truckers taking hills at a 120, not sleeping for days at a time, all the while keeping tabs on several different love affairs across the states. They were kings of their territory and could not be slowed down for an instant. And the only actor who could ever pull such a role off is Burt Reynolds. But as the years progressed the federal, and local governments slowly started playing around in the business. Speeds on highways were reduced, trucks were governed, roads were restricted, laws were set in motion to make sure that drivers get the proper rest and aren't causing ruckus(this is where the logbooks were implemented). Local communities started shutting down the truck stops that were deemed religiously, politically, and lawfully inappropriate.  Even the truck stop whores(lot lizards) are few and far between. My point being there is no fun in truck driving anymore. Sure there is a good amount to see around the United States, but what professional driver has the time or money these days to stop and see the sights. Granted I am new to all of this, but the message is coming across just the same. Senior drivers I have had the the pleasure(or displeasure) of meeting all have the same view. Its not a lifestyle anymore its just a job. I still love the road, but I am disappointed knowing its not what it once was. Truck driving was the American Dream, the meaning of freedom, it was full of comic book characters and true entertainers, it was filthy, raunchy, politically incorrect, and most of all a formidable career. Present day trucking is just another employee handbook to read an memorize. So in conclusion, I salute you Crazy Fred for keeping the past alive, and living the American Dream, with cheeseburgers, strippers, and diesel fuel. end.