The Little Things

A couple of days ago, I was lucky enough to meet up with a husband and wife team big truck drivers. I have been "following" them on twitter for quite a while and the time and location all came together.

After what I consider a very nice couple of hours, the visit was over. As they walked over to their truck - I got in my P/U and headed home. It was during my drive home that I began to reflect on my driving past and a few bits of information that they shared with me. By the time I got home I had decided that not only are they nice folks to "Tweet" with but I found a higher level of respect for what they do and who they are.

W and D traverse the country hauling both refer and dry freight. They relocate the goods from where they are to where they need to be for consumer availability. This is done around the clock, in all types of weather, often under tight time lines. Now W and D are by no means the only two that do this, but they are the two that were willing to share with me.

Just like us, they have a home (in Tenn.) that needs the same care as yours and mine. Maintenance, bills, enjoyment all continue just the same - only for weeks to months at a time they are on the road. Their off time is not down time as both work to pay the bills and keep up the house. But the smiles that crossed their faces as they related stories of home time with kids, grandkids, inlaws, and outlaws assured me that they would have it no other way!

As they travel in their truck, they have to plan their days and nights. Between pick-up and delivery times, hours of service, eating, and personal time, they also travel with a dog and a cat.
Unlike us in a car, you cannot stop or pull in anywhere you fell like. Trucks with 53' trailers do not fit everywhere.

A perfect example was our visit. The Ontario, Ca. area is very limited for truck parking. The two major truck stops, while almost always full, charge money to park. And local police and the Ca. state CARB make other locations almost impossible for drivers. That is why this team needed to park an hour away to wait for their delivery time. For all our "I want it all and now", we sure make rules that make it very difficult for those who work to meet our wants and needs.

But in spite of the awkwardness of the plans, these two have a remarkable outlook. They are happy together, they are both very capable with there jobs, and they are both truly nice people.
So as I go into my kitchen to get something, or I drive around town, I hope I remember
W and D and what they and others do for me.

Thanks you two, hope you both get some two wheel time at home soon, Bye...