Who Was Up at 5:30 AM Other Than Bakers and Truckers?

Early mornings often bring forth individuals who are willing to rise before the sun and engage in their duties. While it might not be essential for me to wake up by 5:30 AM, this is the time that I usually awaken. I've been waking up between 5:00 and 5:30 AM for many years, largely due to the need for a good 5 hours of sleep since turning 50. My routine starts with a bit of meditation and relaxation before I pay attention to the dawn chorus, a pleasant sound especially during the early months of the year.

A Chronic Early Bird

Over the years, I have been waking up at 5:30 AM or earlier, a habit that helped me reach work on time for many years. Before my current job, I would wake up at 4:30 AM to arrive at work by 6:00 AM. Prior to that, I would wake up at 5:00 AM to be at work by 7:00 AM. Commuting in the San Francisco Bay Area is known to be notoriously difficult, with my 25-mile commute taking an hour or more. Thankfully, retirement has brought a welcome change to this routine.

Bay Area Commuters and Early Risers

In the San Francisco Bay Area, people who commute are often up even earlier, around 5:30 AM or earlier. My best friend, who is a baker, rises at 2:00 AM to ensure that he is at his shop by 3:00 AM. Sleeping in until 5:30 AM would not be sufficient for the demanding job of baking bread and other baked goods. Over the years, many traditional bakeries have seen a decline in popularity due to the rise of supermarkets.

The Broader Picture

Meanwhile, there are numerous others who prefer to start their workday early, to avoid the traffic. I, as a farmer in southern Idaho, am up at 5 AM daily, beating the sun up—I can't imagine getting any less done in the mornings. This time of the day is crucial for a variety of essential roles, including fuel stations, local deliveries, grocery receivers, police, mechanics, roadwork crews, and coffee shops, in addition to countless commuters who are just trying to start their days on the right foot.

These early bird enthusiasts include:

Packers and storekeepers (now referred to as 'early start workers') Nurses and doctors Cleaning staff 24-hour McDonald's staff Bus and train drivers Pilots and airport staff And perhaps hundreds of other roles that require early starts or 24/7 operation

While the early bird gets the worm, these individuals continue to play essential roles in ensuring that society runs smoothly, despite early morning challenges.