Like a lot of you, I've been on a lot of plane rides in my life, too numerous to count.  The excitment of flying has long gone, but I still enjoy getting a window seat and looking out over the landscapes.  On a recent flight from Raleigh, NC to Nashville, TN, I knew just about where I was the entire flight.  We followed I-40 almost the entire flight.  I saw the different cities on the way and spotted the tank farm that I loaded gasoline at for 12 years in Greensboro, NC.  Soon after, I noticed we were flying over the mountains and I then saw Pigeon Forge, TN where my wife and I spent our honeymoon 19 years ago.  Later I saw I-40 cross the French Broad River and I knew we were near Knoxville.  Sure enough the city soon appeared below me about 35,000 feet.  I then noticed the massive smoke stacks of the Tennessee Valley Authority power plant west of Knoxville on I-40.  You cannot miss these 1000 ft. monsters reaching to the sky. Soon after, I told my wife, we were getting ready to descend and sure enough the pilot throttled down and we started descending into Nashville.

On a recent flight from Dallas, TX to North Carolina I wasn't able to follow along from my window with the kind of detail mentioned above, but I was able to see the Mississippi River and later, the Blue Ridge Mountains indicating that I was getting close to home.  I'm sure most of you have similar stories as we've traversed this nation of ours for many years. 

A retired truck driver friend of mine recently got back from his "bucket list" road trip from Virginia to the Pacific Coast in Washington.  He told me that to truly appreciate this land of ours, you have to stay off of the interstates and get the real experience of riding through the small towns that John Mellencamp sung about a few years ago.  Maybe one day I can, when I don't have these cars to deliver...Ever Forward!

Comments (6)

Joey Slaughter

Joey Slaughter is the owner of Blue Ridge Transport, LLC. Joey has been in the trucking industry since 1992.

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Funny, I think about this every time I am flying as well. I am especially familiar with the "final approach" zones when the altitude gets lower and I can make out landmarks. When on final approach to my home airport here in Ontario, California, I can make out the highways and roads from as far out as Phoenix and follow it all the way until we touch down!

September 08, 2013 10:25:38 AM

Yeah Craig.. Someday. I know what you mean. Truck drivers spend a lot of time traveling all over the country and deciding where they'd like to come back and visit when they don't have a load to worry about.

September 06, 2013 21:15:39 PM

I would like to drive all of the lower 48 states some day. I would also like to drive to Alaska. My dad and step mom drive up there with their RV every summer and spend a good 3 months before coming back south. They love the drive and the sights. Some day........

September 06, 2013 13:33:47 PM

I like finding the small little towns and normally there is a really cool cafe to be enjoyed.

September 06, 2013 5:50:44 AM

My bucket list trip is to drive to Alaska, probably on a 4-wheeler though.

September 06, 2013 5:43:41 AM

My bucker list trip would be riding my motorcycle on state and county highways.

September 06, 2013 4:57:31 AM