I spend most of my writing on instructional, suggestive, and opinion articles. And, with the holiday spirit in the air, along with the snowfall, I found myself at the Warners Service Plaza, I-90 westbound, in New York, for a ten-Hour break. Still focusing on my primary role as a truck driver, I spent my waking on paperwork, and prepping for the next available load. I’m constantly looking out my logs to verify my available hours.

            Much of my work out here is not only to enhance my experience as a professional driver, but to work and strive as an Entrepreneur, and a writer. Driving only holds my primary role for this period of time. But sometimes, there are days, good and bad, that make all that seem less important, and I allow the time to feel the other aspects of personality, family, and the desire to be somewhere else.

            It worked out that upon my next assigned load, I could actually take an additional 24 hours down time, to have full 70 hours for up and coming week to work. After looking at the map, I could stay right here, and build a database for an instructional video, and at the same time, make it for the work I currently occupy. I call it “switching gears”, where when the truck sits, the ten wheeled truck is now my office. I begin to focus on other work, other than professional driving.

            So far, it sounds like business as usual. But it still doesn’t cover the personal time down, or why anyone should desire the roll of resting at a service plaza and enjoy rest as if right at home. It does take time not to feel like a transient. But, if you stick with it, the same world we live in is seen in a whole new concept.

            The rest area decorated the inside around the theme of Santa, gifts, and other seasonal decor. It’s basically things you find charming or attractive for the eyes of a child. The music playing varies, along with the crowd of travelers stopping for a meal rest, and even directions. Minds of various people with different intentions stop, eat and go; decorations seen, initially like me, as charming.

            The more I sat, and yes, worked on my database, the more I stayed focus, ignoring the different amounts in the crowd. But, you work for periods of time, especially if you have time to sit. It’s when you take those breaks, you know longer just simply wander, instead find little styles in the themes someone so painstakingly took the time to place to be included in the festivities. The decorations placed, now break into a chance to feel the holidays, along with those who do take time to notice. A room with telephones now designed to show a purpose for gift wrapping. At the other end of the hall, the vending machine, and gaming are has three chairs and a table, specifically for writing…letters to Santa. There is even a mailbox directing those letters for the North Pole. In the main room, for eating, has a fake chimney intruding the centerpiece of the room…with three sacks on top.

            Of course there is a Christmas tree, with lights and ribbons, making that seasonal statement that gifts can be found there, and a simple display of a sleigh, with one huge box occupying the whole seat. Then, I found it; the reason why we all look around, and look on. I found that treasure that made me smile, and know I found my moment to look; tucked in the corner, a chair, and end table, and cookies and milk for the big guy himself. I guess even Santa needs a break from time to time, and it appears the Warner Service Station wished to accommodate every traveler who passed by, and needed a break…even Santa Claus.

      May you find your own seasonal treasure in your travels this holiday.