The Only Thing Constant is Change

I apologize for not writing sooner. At this time of the year, the days just fly by (and go quicker as I get older)...but during this delay, new developments have arisen like the morning sun. Rick has transferred and is now a Western Regional driver, covering 8 western states (If I remember correctly, they are California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho...hmmm what was that eighth one?). This move is beneficial in numerous ways...1) Rick is on the road for 2 weeks then home for 2 days...wow! we actually get to see him once in a while, 2) it comes with a promise of more consistent miles, and 3) it keeps him closer to home. We are already reaping the benefits of his transfer. Rick drove all night to make it home for Thanksgiving. We were very thankful to have him home safe and sound. Yeah!

Heading East to Michigan

Picked up new load in Wenatchee, WA, swapped out in Montana, headed to Michigan. Here's to good weather along the route.

A Trucker's Prayer

Dear God above bless this truck I drive
And help me keep someone alive

Be my mortal sight today
On streets where the little children play

Bless my helper fast asleep
When the night is long and deep

And keep my cargo safe and sound
Through the hours big and round

Make my judgment sound as steel
And be my hands upon the wheel

Bless the traveler going past
And teach him not to go so fast

Give me the strength for every trip
So I may care for what they ship

And make me mindful every mile
That life is just a little while

AMEN

Copyright ©2005 Unknown
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/trucker.poems/node/56

The Best Laid Plans...

Ahh, the sorrow of plans gone awry. Rick did not have enough hours to take his load all the way to California and he was switched out. No visit home to rest his weary bones and to spend some quality time with his friends and family. Instead, he picked up a load of cantaloupe in hot, smoky Arizona to deliver to Washington state. Luckily, we got to lay eyes on Rick as he passed through Ontario on his way east then north in his home state. We had a lovely dinner chat at Mel's diner, then Rick was on his way. Got to love those load deadlines.

"Going back to Cali"

Like the words of the LL Cool J (the new star of NCIS, LA), Rick is heading home...well at least in the direction of the West Coast. He is scheduled to deliver loads near Carson and Fresno next week. He mentioned the route is from the 15 to the 10 - close enough for me. We hope he gets a break so we can give him a big bear hug!!!

I hope the schedule doesn't change and they will allow him a couple of days off at home. We know he sure deserves it. Keep your fingers crossed!

Winter Wonderland

It has been several days since I posted (life seems to just speed by) and Ricky continues traveling along. Seems like he was stuck and wearing out the road between Indiana and Pennsylvania and back again, venturing to other states more recently.

As we move through Fall and head into Winter, Ricky is gearing up for his winter driving, and that cold weather on the East Coast. How is this California boy going to survive? Of course, he made a trip to Wally World (Wal-Mart in trucker lingo - and Ricky's favorite store) to stock up on winter supplies and to winterize his wardrobe. Thermals and shorts anyone? Good thing he planned ahead as winter actually came early as he encountered some snow while delivering a load from NJ to Boston (look out for some pics I will post in the coming days).

Boston is now in the rear view window as Ricky heads towards Pennsylvania (again!!!). Say hello to all in Quakertown!

BTW, Rick complains East Coasters can't drive any better than our crazy California drivers. Let's all be safe and courteous to our local big rig drivers. Trucker karma is a good thing. :)

Detour to Nashville

The Hershey load made it safe and sound to Pennsylvania (and unfortunately for me, intact). The Hershey chocolate factory was in sight, but Rick had no time to be a tourist as he had another load of Hershey products bound for Kentucky.

Kentucky, the "Bluegrass State", was an easy ride and those Hershey products made it safely (drat, another missed opportunity). From Kentucky, Rick was hauling a Smucker's load (sweets must be in the air) to St. Paul, Minnesota.

By coincidence, I am also headed to St. Paul for a work conference. Too bad Rick and I were going to be there 5 days apart. It would have been nice if it could have been a "Laredo" moment (stuck in one place for a number of days) so I could have met up with him....but hold the brakes, Rick had to detour to Nashville, TN. Turns out his refrigerated trailer's ("reefer" in trucker lingo) cooling system went out and is headed in for repairs. Hopefully this layup won't be too long.

On a sad note, two CR England drivers were killed in a accident on I-8 in California last week. Our prayers go out to their families. We wish all truck drivers a safe journey.

Pennsylvania Bound

At last, the waiting time in Laredo has come to an end. Five long days of nothingness has been replaced with the call of the open road as Rick heads east. Pennsylvania is calling his name and Hershey products are along for the ride. Now, that is one load where I wish a few (okay, a lot) of chocolate bars with almonds would fall off the back of the truck and land on my door step!. Ahhhh....the call of delicious milk chocolate, soothing to the soul.

Funny though how you have to truck your Hershey products from Laredo to PA...can't they just get it from Hershey city itself? (Ah dang, it's another company that outsourced to Mexico....an American tradition that's "Made in Mexico"). But it is a benefit to Rick...and he is excited to a have new load. He's got 36 hours of driving time ahead of him as he crosses the US. I imagine Pennsylvania will have a bit more interests than ol' Laredo.

Killin' Time in Laredo

Life on the road has come to a standstill as Rick awaits his new assignment...in the Texas border town of Laredo. It is lifestyle of the rich and famous...or maybe idle trucker. It is a glorious but nomadic life of moving from one lot to another, taking sleeping breaks in truck stops and wiling away 7 hours in one lot waiting for someone to check in his load.

Isn't it his dumb luck to be stuck in Laredo rather than some metropolitan tourist city? What benefits does Laredo have for a single man to experience...a hopping nightlife, museums and other cultural delights....stop! this is Rick...he would rather experience an 1880's town or an old car show...doesn't this town have anything for Rick to enjoy?

Here's hoping Rick is on the road again...soon!

A sample of Trucker Lingo as been posted. Be sure to check it out.

Southern Charm

Rick is spending his next few loads traveling within the Southern states of the US. He successfully made his drop off in Atlanta and now is currently on a run to South Carolina. Along the way, he gets to experience the Southern charm and food. Yesterday, he stopped at the Army surplus and had a down-home meal of Chicken Fried Steak at the surplus' restaurant. Yes, only in the South can you find a restaurant in an Army surplus store. Rick enjoys eating at these Mom and Pop joints. I just hope he gets more exercise than honking the horn for his fellow roadies.

Rick also experienced that lovely Southern weather that has been making the news. (Maybe they can send some of that rain our way?) While in the Atlanta area, Rick caught glimpses of the flooding. He passed by an RV dealership where there was water half way up the RVs. I bet there will be some good deals to be had at the dealership in the next few months. Carfax for RVs, anyone?

Rollin along, Rick is now traveling from Dallas to Missouri then onto HOT-LANTA!

Introduction

Rick Stanfield is the operator/driver of RS Transport, and a long-distance truck driver delivering goods across the United States. His motto is "If you bought it, a truck brought it". As Rick travels across the country, he reports back the oddities, wonders and others sights he encounters or sees across the United States.

Being a truck driver is a life-long dream for Rick, and he is beyond excited to be working in this field. He is also getting to see the US and enjoys discovering the uniqueness it has to offer.

Although we miss seeing Rick frequently, we know he is having the time of his life on the open road.