Lost in the country

[Doc_Bob]

I drive 74+ miles one way to work now. Takes anywhere between 2 to 3 hours one way.

4-6 hours a day in a car ??? That is 30 hours a week !!!!!!!!!! Cripes, I would find a nice apartment, or sleep in my office, get a second job (6 hours in a car is a second job for which you receive no pay) and go home every other day. And pocket the extra money for missing 3 days of driving 150 miles at 50 cents a mile 225 dollars a week or 900 month or 10K year.
Bob

 

[HomeBrew2]

I don't think it's the mileage so much as the time spent on the road. If you have kids, you are missing out on huge chunks of their awake lives. The cost isn't an issue as being a slave to the drive so much that you don't get a chance to enjoy the country life.

Interesting perspective! I've been hearing those, and many other excuses, for the past 30 years, from friends and associates that just didn't have what it takes to devote themselves to a rural life. For those of us that made the committment, long ago, it's not a question, debate or negotiation. It is a "given", on par with breathing. It transcends all relationships and other states of mind. It IS life itself. It doesn't matter if you have to work for cheez whiz ... it's all about the land and the freedom it provides the mind, body and spirit. However, as was written for Clint Eastwood, "A man has to know his limitations"

 

[MossRoad]

I'll choose lower pay over a long commute any day.

 

[scesnick]

I drive 50 miles to my job that is also in the country. all highway and no stop lights. 45 minute drive. I work three 12 hour shifts so it works out well. I get to spend alot more time at home with the kids and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[WVBill]

Mike and Prokop -
I'm on the roads with you guys. I drive from Summit Point WV to DC every day. 74 miles each way. I'm lucky, though that my job lets me avoid rush hour so it's only 1 hr 15 min. in the morning (4:30 - 5:45) and a little more in the afternoon (2:00 - 3:30). At that hour of the morning, my wheels don't stop turning from the time I leave my garage until I cross the TR bridge into DC. The BEST part of the trip is cresting the Blue Ridge on Rt 7 on the way home when the Shenandoah Valley is spread out in front of me - "Almost heaven".

WVBill

 

[czechsonofagun]

Bill,

I know what you mean - I scouted that area a lot. We evenn looked at a house on Raven Rocks Road - thats the road from 7 going north on top of the Blue Ridge.

I would move further west in a heartbeat - but the commute, my job and kids in school are still stronger argument than my escaping of the spreading suburbs.

 

[riptides]

4-6 hours a day in a car ??? That is 30 hours a week !!!!!!!!!! Cripes, I would find a nice apartment, or sleep in my office, get a second job (6 hours in a car is a second job for which you receive no pay) and go home every other day. And pocket the extra money for missing 3 days of driving 150 miles at 50 cents a mile 225 dollars a week or 900 month or 10K year.
Bob

Ya..... BUT... you have to realize, here in the "Nothern" part of the GREAT commonwealth, an hour commute is nothing. So for me, it is the normal commute + an hour or two.... weather wrecks timing.

The job is just a job, my life is on the farm with friends and family.

-Mike Z.

 

[riptides]

Mike and Prokop -
I'm on the roads with you guys. I drive from Summit Point WV to DC every day. 74 miles each way. I'm lucky, though that my job lets me avoid rush hour so it's only 1 hr 15 min. in the morning (4:30 - 5:45) and a little more in the afternoon (2:00 - 3:30). At that hour of the morning, my wheels don't stop turning from the time I leave my garage until I cross the TR bridge into DC. The BEST part of the trip is cresting the Blue Ridge on Rt 7 on the way home when the Shenandoah Valley is spread out in front of me - "Almost heaven".

WVBill

I use to get up at 3am to start the day. Luck would have it that I don't need but a few hours of sleep a night. Unfortunately I "accepted" a new position which demands presence during "normal" hours. So now the day starts at 5am and pits me against the 200k other soles in the heart of the morning and evening rush hour.

-Mike Z.

 

[riptides]

Bill,

I know what you mean - I scouted that area a lot. We evenn looked at a house on Raven Rocks Road - thats the road from 7 going north on top of the Blue Ridge.

I would move further west in a heartbeat - but the commute, my job and kids in school are still stronger argument than my escaping of the spreading suburbs.

Ravens Rock as in VA 601? Cool. Our family has a place up there too.
Unfortunate the traffic on 7 and 66 is worse than 95 IMHO. Every morning I listen to the traffic and can make a right or left to go 66 or 95.

It has been 95 these past months, maybe the HOV lanes that opened on 66 will make it better. I could then take 28 and stop by the tractor dealerships and dream a little.

-Mike Z.

 

[escavader]

The same deal here,if you work local,the pay is crap,and you work part time at walmart,a fast food joint,or convience store.thats all there is.I have commuted all my life,52 one way,18...,30...., and for the last 8 years 35 miles .I have choosen a company with a great retirement,great insurance ,and all the bennys,and its worth the travel.ITS mostly highway traveling leave at 5am,return at 5pm.
The guys use to work 1/2 days on saturday,ive got them to finally[the last few years] work an extra hour each day,and not work weekends.It never seemed worth it to travel down there for 1/2 day.
Heck , this amount of traveling is just enough time to unwind,before getting home.
ALAN