For Christmas, my husband wanted to give me “a memory” instead of buying me some material possession that will fall apart or be forgotten as time passes. He has a very busy work schedule these first few months in 2012. He is trying to get in enough touring before we take time off to care for a new child (we’re adopting). He knows that January is always a difficult time of year for me; The weather is awful, the magic of the holidays are distant memories, and being alone is extra hard. For the next two weeks, I am no longer a road widow. I am a road companion! I left the snow in Seattle and flew into sunny Phoenix, Arizona on Monday.
My gift, my “memory”, is spending two weeks with him here in Arizona between two long tours. The band members flew home so it’s just the two of us in the van. He built a queen sized bunk in the back (which we’ve slept on a couple times and it wasn’t too bad) but we have plans of a few hotels, a few friends’ guest rooms, and camping at Grand Canyon park. I dont know what these two weeks will hold. I know that we are just happy to be with one another.
I want to hear from our readers: Have you ever toured with your musician? Or spent any time out on the road? Do you love it? Hate it? Did it change your perspective of the job? Are there other girlfriends/boyfriends/spouses that tour with the band while you stay home?
Road Widows
Chris B.
imacrewwife
Nise
lindsyr
I have a handful of times. And while the time with the hubby is always nice, the reality of life on the road, I’ve come to realize, is definitely NOT for me. In fact, I wrote a long time ago about the reality of life on a tour bus here: http://roadwidows.com/2010/02/10/the-reality-of-life-on-a-tour-bus/. Definitely not for me.
I love this!
I’ve gone a few times with my husband on the road. Twice I simply “caught a ride” on the bus down to close to where family lives. It’s impossible to not find your husband’s co-workers to be like family when you’ve all seen each other in your PJs. LOL!!
Definitely an experience. One I equally love and find to be daunting at the same time.
I absolutely love, life on the road. Lucky for me, I am able to ride the bus quite often. I’ve enjoyed “the bus life” for over ten years now. Its my favorite place to be, of course, it’s mostly because, when im there, that means, im spending time with my husband and sharing in the adventure of his day to day life on the road.
Once in a while I do feel a little akward, like I have invaded the “stars” space a bit, but they have all been nothing but nice and have treated me like family.
I try not to overstay my welcome.
I love everything about Bus life, driving down the highway, day and night looking out the window, watching TV, listening to music, eating and drinking, hanging out with and getting to know all the others on the bus.
My favorite thing is doing a “Runner Out” ! I love the thrill of that !
oh and I love all the hotels, especially the luxury ones, but I have found that I get the best sleep ever, in those bunks, it’s easy for me to sleep like a baby, since my husband is the one driving the bus. There is something so comforting about the sound of the road, under your pillow and the gentle swaying of the bus here and there. I have the utmost confidence in his abilties and the many other veteran drivers I have known, many of whom have been doing this for 20 to 30 years. I sometimes wonder if the other “Road Widows” ever wonder about the guy behind the wheel of that 45 foot, 20 ton, Prevost bus, rolling down the road, at night, with up to 12 peoples lives in his hands, with all kinds of weather conditions, and crazy drivers out there!!
Next time you’re on the road, remember to “Thank” your husbands/wives driver for getting them from one venue/hotel to another and eventually home safe to you.