Happy New Year

What a year 2011 has been. It is hard to believe all the changes we have gone thru. But most importantly, we all healthy, happy and thriving.

I will try to post more often. It is hard to do so on this itty bitty phone. (For now, I am playing with this blog to see what I can and/or cannot do. So please forgive me if something looks odd or doesn't fit on a page.)

One month done...

Wow it hardly feels like a month has past since I last posted. Irene and I have been on the road together now for exactly a month. We are currently at home spending Christmas with the kids and some much needed down time. It has been an incredible journey so far. The only states we have not seen are North Dakota and a handful of the North East...but hey we lived there most of our lives so we have already been there and done that. We have seen some of the most beautiful landscapes this nation has to offer, from the California Coastline to the Rocky Mountains,and the Smokey Mountains, up to Seattle Washington and down to Miami, zig zagging everywhere in between...what a wonderful ride its been.

The job itself has been very good and we have been averaging about 6000 miles a week. We have met a lot of nice people along the way...and some not so nice...lol...we have seen our fair share of snow already this season. We had to shut down in Denver a few weeks back b/c of snow and also shut down last week in New Mexico for the same reason...no where to go when Highway Patrol closes the road, you just park and wait. Of course my favorite has been seeing the Antelope grazing along the highway in Wyoming...Bison in Montana along with Mule Deer in Colorado...oh and I cant forget the Moose that stood on the edge of the road on our way into Utah one night...that gets the heart beating while you pray he does not walk in front of the truck as you pass by...that would definitely hurt.

Irene on the other hand is hooked on California...especially Santa Barbara. We had a load at Lompoc/Vandenberg Air Force Base and drove the Coastline on Ventura Highway...she loved the ride with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other...I have to admit...it was pretty spectacular. And I thought I would never get her to leave Miami nor Orlando last week while we were there...of course we had just left the snow and cold in the Rockies so it was a welcome relief...

All and all its been a ball...but its great to be home for a few days and see the kids...we really miss them when we are out on the road...that has to be the hardest part of all this. I feel they know how much we love them and miss them though, and that everything we do is for them...Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year to all...2012 will be a great year!!!

Finished!

Well its been a while since I posted...I know, I know...but I was cut off from the electronic world. I am happy to report that I am finished with training and have been upgraded to a full time driver...along with Irene. She actually finished a few days ahead of me but we are both back in Joplin at Conway's main terminal and have been assigned a truck (2012 International Prostar, pics to follow) and are ready to hit the road.

What a 3 week adventure it was...

I have seen some of the most beautiful sights of this great country that we live in...started out on a run to Texas...loved the Western Hill country of Texas...very scenic...rolled through Dallas and Austin at night...what a sight to see all lit up. Delivered in New Mexico...I believe close to where they found the Alien and UFO in the 60's...beam me up Scotty! Traveled through Kansas City and saw Arrowhead Stadium home of NFL's Chiefs...right next door was Royals baseball stadium. Had a delivery in Omaha Nebraska...next door to the College World Series field...onto Chicago past the Cubs stadium..rolled past the Football Hall of Fame in Ohio and down I-85 through Fancy Gap...the Appalachians...awesome drive! Saw the 1st snow flakes of the year as we rolled through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan...two days later, sitting in Laredo Texas at 92 degrees...nice thing about truck driving...if you don't like the weather, wait a day...you'll be somewhere differant..lol...Atlanta, if I never see your traffic again it will be to soon! Now I am ready to discover more...and I get to do it with my best friend...Irene! We are so excited to get rolling and I promise you the camera will be in hand and pictures will start to appear as we move ahead in our adventure...Stay tuned!

I want to take this time with Thanksgiving only 2 days away to share some things that I am truly thankful for...1st off for the men and woman of the Military who lay there lives on the line protecting us so that we can enjoy this great country we live in...for the Emergency Responders for all they do day in and day out...my 3 wonderful children who I am soooo very proud of...I love you guys! And most of all my new partner...Irene, I am so proud of what she has accomplished and most of all I am proud to have her as my partner not only in the truck...but also in life...I love you sweetie!

Happy Thanksgiving...to all my family and friends!