Warning! This is not a travel blog and my name is not Rick Steves. This story is about a traveler seeking work. This story is about a man who pulled himself out of darkness and learned to enjoy his freedom in solitude. Even though you will read about Pizza, Pilsners and Pierogis, ultimately, you see through the eyes of a traveler and all that he goes through.

After wrapping up The Horseshoe Casino in April, work was still scarce, so I found myself signing Gary/Hammonds book in Indiana. This was my best option to get out to work right away. The pay scale was almost double what I made in Cincinnati, and I could be home in about four hours, so I went for it.

I traveled solo on this trip, I set goals and I crushed them. When I took the call for the refinery, I told myself I would only be in a motel for two weeks. I sat through a week of orientation and safety training. The second week I stepped onto the job I saw an old timer named Bill heading in the same direction. Bill recognized me right away, “Big Jim! How are you doing brother? Did you take a call with Newton Electric too?”

I was happy to see a familiar face, “Yeah, I just got here last week. Do you know of any places to stay closer to the job?”

“Well as a matter of fact, I do. I’ve been staying in apartment with a buddy of mine from Wisconsin. Our third roommate plans to take a call back home next week. You could move in after he leaves. The best part is the apartment is right here in Whiting. We’re five minutes from the job!”

As I finished moving into my new place I thought to myself everything was working out great. The apartment had a living room which George and Bill had put up heavy curtains as a divider. There was a small kitchen. I had the only bedroom which I would find out later I was paying an extra fifty dollars a month for. But having my own room was well worth that extra fifty dollars. After they showed me around, I decided I should grab a bite to eat and then buy some groceries.

The first restaurant I tried in Whiting was The Purple Steer. I ordered a three egg, texmex omelet and it was amazing! As I was leaving the restaurant I noticed a flyer that read, “Join us as we bicycle through the city and light up the night on this date.” Every traveler I spoke to so far had reminded me we are in Gary Indiana and to be safe at night. After reading the flyer, I realized Whiting was as safe as the city I grew up in. This revolation allowed me to take a deep breath and really start to enjoy the town.

I kept a budget and stuck with it. The longer I worked in Whiting the more I got to know this town. One night a week I would try a new restaurant and it never disappointed. It was Wednesday evening, and I just had the best Chicago Style pizza from Capri’s. After dinner I met the guys from work at Center Lounge for a few beers.

During the day I installed heat trace at a refinery which required me to climb great heights. Monday through Saturday, sixty hours a week, the job was very physical. At night I would call home and talk to my wife and daughters. I would have dinner and then sometimes make a trip to the bar. I would wake up at 5AM the next day and repeat. I never felt tired; in fact, I felt like Superman.

I was feeling really good about taking this job. The money I was making allowed my family to have a better life. When I was feeling down, I would occasionally take three days off to go home. One particular weekend, I was so ready to get home that I didn’t notice I was speeding. I saw flashing lights behind me, then I noticed I was going about 100 miles per hour. I remember think to myself, don’t hit the brakes, that’s an omission of guilt. I took my foot off the gas to slow down, and the state trooper just sped pass me. Like The Blues Brothers, I was on a mission from God. I suppose that’s why I didn’t get pulled over. I was desperate to get home because seeing my family was rejuvenating to my soul.

It was now Summer, and I was still working at the refinery, so I decided to make the best of it Whiting had a small town feel with flavors of Chicago. There is a strong polish heritage in Whiting. You could pick up freshly made Pierogis at M.J.s Polish Deli. Whiting has a beach along Lake Michigan and The Indiana Dunes were close by. If you like The Blues Brothers, check out The Calumet Fishery. This is where they filmed The Drawbridge Scene. Another thing about Whiting is The Pierogi Fest! Every July, The City of Whiting Draws in over 300,000 visitors from all over. The more I worked there, the more joy I discovered.

Although the money was great and Whiting had many things to offer, I really needed to get back home. My oldest daughter was learning to read. One night, when I called home, she asked me when I was coming home. I was getting closer to taking a call back home, but it was still a waiting game. I could only tell her that I would be home as soon as I can.

There still were no jobs in Cincinnati and I found myself drinking more and more. I started meeting up with the guys at The Center Lounge every night of the week. My daughter’s question kept running through my mind. I was working towards being debt free. I was working in another local to keep putting into my pension and my insurance. I kept telling myself that if I made enough money that I wouldn’t have to travel again.

The drinking, the depression, never really bothered me at work that is, until we started working Sundays. I remember going in one day and I couldn’t hold a screwdriver. I was losing hope; I was losing focus and wanted to see my family. I was getting closer to taking a call back home, but I couldn’t back in the state I was in.

I started spending my evenings at The Whiting Library. It was quiet there, and the smell of the books and chilled air was calming to me. I would write my thoughts down and my goals for when I got back home. I would read magazines and bring books back to my apartment. Doing all of this instead of drinking every night quieted the noise and helped me get back on track.

As work began to slow down at the refinery, my mental health was improving. I could see a light at the end of the tunnel, and a smile returned to my face. Work was still slow in Cincinnati, but it didn’t matter, I was going home. I could take off a month and spend that time with my family. I said goodbye to my roommates and my tool buddy, Dave. I said goodbye to Whiting as I drove past the refinery one last time.

I’ll see you on the next one