The White Belt Chronicles · Tuesday February 13, 2007
OK, so this is my first shot at a blog. A few years ago I didn’t know what a blog was. Then I didn’t understand why anyone would take the time to write one. Today, I feel a need to share some experiences and opinions that I hope you’ll enjoy.
First off, let me explain the name of my blog…...“The White Belt Chronicles”. My wife Karla is often my lone captive audience as we travel down the road. Apparently, I often….....I mean occasionally go on a bit of a tirade about things that annoy me, strike me as unjust or just plain dumb. At moments like these, Karla suggests that I get a white belt, move to Florida and complain full time. Now let me say this…....I love Florida. It’s a great state for RVers and those of us who have an allergy to snow and the shovels required to manage it. If you happen to own a white belt, this blog is in no way meant to be an indictment of your fashion sense. The White Belt Chronicles will allow me to share some of my stories, opinions and curmudgeon like rants. Now, I’ll admit that I’ve always looked forward to Andy Rooney’s vignettes on 60 minutes, but I will try to stay on topic here. I truly believe that there are enough things to talk about that pertain to our RV lifestyle. Karla finds Andy’s unkept and bushy eyebrows particularly disturbing. If I get even one stray eyebrow hair, she has been known to sneak up on me with razor sharp shears.
And the really neat thing about a blog is that it will allow for interaction with the reader. If you’d like to leave a comment to any blog you read…...you can post it right here. This can include views that are contrary (be nice), suggestions for future topics.
Choosing an inaugural topic was pretty easy because it’s a subject that I encounter almost every day on the road. The Left Lane Bandits…....those intrepid drivers who blissfully occupy the left lane…...also known as the “passing lane”.....at or below the speed limit as a long line of hapless drivers form a long line behind them. In front of the Bandit lies an open road. What goes through the Bandit’s head? Very little, I fear. The bandit continues to hog the left lane as the drivers behind him or her…...usually him, get increasingly annoyed. They try to let him know that they would like to get by him by tailgating, flashing brights, honking, gesticulating…..but undeterred the Bandit hangs onto his prize. When one of his unwilling captives gets a break and is able to pass him on the right, the Bandit remains steadfast in his position and will not acknowledge the glare of the passing driver. HEY BANDIT! If your reading this, here’s how it’s supposed to work. If you wish to drive below the posted speed limit, stay in the right lane. If you encounter a vehicle that is driving even slower than you, then and only then, can you use the left lane to pass. Once you’ve passed, get back in the right lane.
RVers seem to know how this works. I very rarely see an RV committing this cardinal road sin. The ones I see are most likely renters. Keeping traffic flowing smoothly and safely is everybody’s responsibility. Don’t hog the left lane and don’t tailgate those who do.
Also, have you ever noticed that if you’re driving your RV in the passing lane and keeping up with the flow of traffic…...passing the traffic in the slow lane and maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you, there’s always some guy in a fast car who needs to power past you, whip in front of you and then slam on his brakes?! Does he have a death wish? Does he not know that it takes more road to stop a big RV than it does to stop Honda Civic with a coffee can muffler?
That’s the way it looks to me from behind the wheel of “Big Mo”.
As my good friend Doug Swarts says…..“Keep the dirty side down.”
— Rob Engman
Loved the article and look forward to reading many more :) Lovely photos in the gallery ~ looks like life is treating both you and Karla well.
Cheers,
Laura
— Laura · Apr 2, 00:39 · #
Another “bandit type” is the impatient individual that is apparently required, as a result of personal stupidity, to pull up in the right lane beside you or in your blind spot after you have moved to the left lane as a result of slow traffic or another vehicle entering the highway from a ramp etc. The driver then stays there causing you to impead traffic, now making you appear to be the problem. As you stated they don’t understand the ramifications if you have to slow down to get back in the right lane or the speed and distances required to get that done safely. My usual practice is to slow down in order to get away from any driver/vehicle in order to stay away from the spin of their out of control vehicle or flying spare parts that may result from “that bandit” forcing their way through traffic.
— Dean Rousson · Apr 8, 08:01 · #
Another thing that bothers me about some drivers is when they don’t use their mirrors before changing lanes, when you are stuck i the right hand lane due to traffic with vehicles entering the highway and they don’t check their mirror and try to get between me and my trailer.
— Keith thomas · Apr 26, 20:38 · #
We are traveling by RV in a few days to Newfoundland from Toronto with our 3 dogs. All dogs are very well behaved and 2 of them are show dogs. We would love to get some help finding upscale spacious and somewhat private RV sites along the way, as we are not willing to give up the 5 star status we enjoyed in an hotel room just because we are “camping” (if you can call it that) in our own RV. Since your wife is usually good at picking good parks, we hope you can help. We’ve seen some beautiful KOAs but we’ve also seen some pretty shabby ones too. Do the award certificats on their websites make the differenc??? ?Thanks so much.
— kj · Aug 14, 11:04 · #
Great photos, great post.
— Race Car Parts · Jul 13, 12:46 · #