Fondest Trucking Memory

[arkjarhead]

What is your fondest trucking memory? It can be anything. I know everyone has to have one time during their career that they really enjoy to remember.

For me it was the time my dad and I met up at the Flying J just north of Texarkana on I-30. He was bobtailing down to Dallas to pick up a trailer and I had a load going to California. We ran down to Dallas together and had a good time. Every time we would come up on a slower moving truck dad would get on the c.b. and say "Batman, get in the hammer lane and we'll pass this J.B. truck together". I'd say "yes,sir" and do what daddy told me. Well after doing this about 5 or 6 times some driver with an attitude decided to make a comment about how that one driver must have whooped the other one a few times for him to be constantly saying yes, sir. I told him he was correct. I was saying yes,sir to my dad and if he didn't like it he could turn off his radio. Well, A bunch of drivers told me that was pretty cool that I was so respectful to my dad even on the radio. That's not the only time we've ran together.We've bumped into each other in truck stops a few times. My dad and I don't look a whole lot alike. I look a little like my dad and my mom's dad in the face, but I'm built like my mom's brother. So when people see us in the truck stop eating together they just assume we're friends. So we have been called quite a few names when we go our different ways and other drivers see us hug and exchange "I love you", but I just tell it's my dad and kiss my azz. Then most people feel bad for calling us gay, and make some comment along the lines of "I wish I could still hug my dad, he's been dead for 10 years". I will always hug my parents and tell them I love them when we part ways regardless of where we are and who is around. I don't know how long I will have them for and I'm not taking anything for granted.

 

[ATeam]

My fondest trucking memory (not family memory) is getting back on the road after spending too many days at home.

And, yes, Ark, you never stop missing your loved ones after they are gone.

 

[Moot]

For me it was the day I got my class A license. I was the first scheduled road test after the lunch break. I took my test in a 1957 B model Mack, single axle, triplex transmission pulling a 40' flatbed trailer.

When I returned to the office of the small family owned company I worked for, the dispatcher asked if I passed the test. When I said yes, he threw a stack of bills my way and said "you're off to Jeno's." So my first solo load was a 300 mile round trip from St. Cloud, MN to Jeno's Pizza in Duluth, MN.

When I got to Jeno's there was 3 or 4 Mexican guys standing around outside the door to the receiving office. I pulled up and one yelled out to put it in door number 7. So I backed the 40 or 42 foot trailer into door number 7. I drilled it dead on, first attempt, with trailers on either side of me. And with my best I'm a cool trucker walk, I strolled over to them. I whipped out the bills and said that I had a load of cardboard for them. One of the guys said "if you want us to unload you I tin yoo better open da doors." I had backed into the dock without opening the doors. So much for the macho cool trucker thing.

I pulled away from the dock, well forward of the other trailers. Maybe a little to well forward. Because after opening the doors, I couldn't get it backed into the hole. It must have taken me at least 10 minutes to get backed in somewhat straight. Nothing like having an audience while I made a fool of myself.

I remember heading back toward home. It was getting dark and I turned on all the lights. The reflection of the cab ID lights off the hood was pretty cool. Even if it was a 1957 B model Mack. I was truckin' solo. Take that Sonny Pruitt and Wil.

 

[ihamner]

What a great question! And Moot, I am still laughing at your story! I LOVE it! You are the best! I love it when we can laugh at ourselves and keep going.

My fondest memory is actually rather recent. We delivered to a Marine base and we were waiting to get unloaded. They told us precisely where to park and open up the back then sit and wait. It was very early in the morning and we were seeing all the busy Marines walking around, getting where they needed to go and opening buildings and such. Suddenly EVERY single Marine (no matter what he was doing) stopped and faced in the same direction. We couldn't figure out what was going on but we sat quietly and observed. Suddenly they all saluted and stood at attention. We realized then that the beautiful "stars and stripes" were being raised in the distance. What a sight! I can't remember EVER being so proud of my country and these amazing men and women who have volunteered to serve! Wow!

 

[Moot]

Thanks India for posting that story. Sometimes it takes experiencing a profound scene like you witnessed or the second hand telling to make us realize and appreciate how fortunate we are to have an all volunteer military to protect us.

 

[cheri1122]

Excellent posts, all!
Something the Col said in another thread made me realize that my fondest memories are of challenges overcome, strangely. The time I had to wire the generator muffler up, at the side of the road, with traffic whipping by at 75....the time I needed to hotwire the truck, in the middle of the night, in a deserted lot, the time dispatch said "There's a return load where you just delivered, but it's too big for your doors" and I got the load, anyhow.
Expediting has shown me so many things to be grateful for, not the least of which being that I am capable of doing it. It's a nice feeling.
And it applies to every single one of y'all, as well: Job well done!

 

[greg334]

Sleeping through the night dreaming of being on a farm and waking up to a cattle truck next to me with mooing cattle.

 

[highway star]

I agree with Cheri, and not just because I heard Frankie Valli singing your song at the volleyball tournament today. Great stories! Ark, what a wonderful memory to have of time spent with your Dad.

Like Moot, the first time I got behind the wheel was very special. Of course, it's not a cool story like his. And, it was so long ago there was no "class A" or a road test. I just paid a couple extra bucks for a Chauffers and hit the road. It was just the anticipation of what I was getting into.

But really, for me it's every time I have one of those "little moments". It may be a beautiful sunset, going through the mountains, loading or unloading at some special place, the list goes on. It's not a lifestyle that's for everyone, but I'll take it.

 

[dcalien]

My fondest memory was taking my 16 year old daughter from Michigan to LA, and all up and down the coast for a week.

One night we spent the night in a Eucalyptus planting, and watched the Pacific Ocean under a big moon.

She enjoyed Vegas, and South Central. So did I. I still talk to her on the phone most every day, and always think about that trip even though it was a long time ago.

 

[arkjarhead]

Another time I can think of that isn't so happy was when I was in Northern IL coming home from Green Bay and my Uncle was sick with cancer. It was about 0730 and I stopped for breakfast. I remember it was bust at the Flying J and I ate was in line at the register and talking this guy that looked like a younger version of Refrigrator Perry. You know the big ole guy that used to play pro football? Anyway, He asked me why I was in such a hurry. I told him my uncle was sick with cancer and I was trying to get home before he died so I could tell him good bye. His reply was "Don't think like that driver". I paid for my meal and started walking away about that time my phone rang. It was my dad, and my uncle had passed. I couldn't help but cry. This big ole guy just wrapped me up in his arms and told me it was ok and my uncle wasn't hurting any more. We got some weird looks and he explained what happened and no one asked any questions. He said he was going the other direction and asked me was I ok to drive and I told him I was. As I pulled out of the lot I heard him on the radio asking any southbound drivers if they would keep an eye out for me because I just had a death in family and I was upset. He told them what my truck looked like. I don't think both of us being there at the same time was luck or fate. It was meant to happen that someone would be there for me that would give me a shoulder to cry on.

 

[arrbsthw]

Now you have made me cry Ark.

 

[layoutshooter]

Our November run to Anchorage, Alaska. What an unbelievable trip. Snow, Ice, Mountains, Wildlife, Chinook Winds, two really great breakfasts and some really cool people. Like the "closed" restaraunt near Glen Allen that found some frozen blueberry muffins and coffee for us along with some great conversation with the "locals". Maybe the truck stop/restaraunt in the Yukon, on the US Thanksgiving Day. Cariboo burgers were one of the best Thanksgiving meals we ever had. Along with the soup. layoutshooter

 

[piper1]

Was 15 and driving up north with my dad, after we stopped for lunch he threw me the keys. I've had a very hard time staying out from behind the wheel since.

BTW, you don't have to be a newbie to have Moots "door" experience. I did that last month with a rental truck.

 

[arkjarhead]

Now you have made me cry Ark.

Sorry didn't mean to. Just wanted to show there is some brother/sister hood out there.

 

[x06col]

My fondest (an I wouldn't a believed it a couple years ago) wuz on the first a July this year. Thats tha day when my trucks went down the road with ME in the rear view mirror.