KEEP ON TRUCKIN: GOING LONG HAUL

NOT ME, BUT I COULD NOT FIND A GOOD LOOKING DRIVER

     My trainer Mike and I pulled out of the yard at 5 am onto the streets of Los Angeles on a hot summer morning.  Early, yes, but not by LA freeway time.  We began the slow crawl through the downtown interchange and up the 101 toward Oxnard, where we were to pick up a trailer for delivery to a Sears warehouse in Chicago.  Rush hour turned the 45 minute drive into a 2 hour ordeal.  Upon arrival I zipped in to and out of a tight spot that had given me fits early in my training.  I was starting to get the hang of it.  With a fully loaded trailer we began the trek east.

     Fortunately, we did not have to back track through LA.  We worked our way across the Mojave Desert to pick up Interstate 15 and were on our way.  With the air conditioning inside the cab we were oblivious to the 105+ degree heat outside as we cruised through Las Vegas just before sunset.  We decided to stop in Mesquite, Nevada, just shy of the Utah border. 

     Being a veteran of the road Mike knew all the spots he liked and those he did not like.  He loved Mesquite because there was a casino there.  We parked on the back of the lot with numerous other trucks lined up in a neat row.  I always loved seeing this, now I was one of them.  We went inside, had dinner, then Mike vanished into a crowd of gamblers.  I went back to the rig, climbed in the sleeper and fell asleep. 

     Early the next morning I went inside the casino for breakfast and saw Mike at a black jack table.  It’s possible he had come back to the truck during the night but I doubt it.  I ate breakfast, wandered around for a bit then returned just as Mike was deciding he was not going to earn his fortune just now.  He grabbed breakfast and we were back on the road.

     Traveling north toward Salt Lake City and then veering east on Interstate 70 through eastern Utah I saw some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen.  Scenery that is unique to this part of the country.  The hills and rock formations were illuminated by brilliant sun shine at times and brooding, dark clouds leading to spectacular flashes of lightning and torrential rain at other times.  We crossed into Colorado, passed through Grand Junction and into the Rockies just as darkness fell. 

     Normally I consider it a waste to drive through beautiful country like this in the dark but tonight was an exception.  It happened to be a full moon this crystal clear night, which lit up the Colorado River as it meanders alongside much of I-70 in this area.  Mike was driving at this point so I was free to gaze at this magnificent scene.  Huge, old trees descended down steep hill sides to the water’s edge where the free flowing river often turned to turbulent rapids as it worked its way down the mountain.  The ribbon of water was a magnet for the moon light.

     The next morning, after pulling off the road for a few hours sleep in Eagle, we set out for Denver.  This was my first experience driving the long descent out of the Rockies into the Denver area.  Truckers do not like long descents and a runaway truck is their biggest nightmare.  This one is famous.  Trucks stop at the top to check their brakes then use a combination of brakes, jake brakes, caution and patience as they slowly work their way down.  A fully loaded truck weighs close to 80,000 pounds so the smell of burning brakes is common as you creep down the steep hill single file in the far right lane.  Mike lectured me at the top about what to expect and then coached me down smoothly.  I was relieved my first trip down was not in a winter snow storm. 

We pulled into a truck stop on the outskirts of Denver for lunch, a shower and fuel.  Mike made a few phone calls, corresponded with the office via computer and updated our log book.  By law, a log book of time spent behind the wheel by the driver’s, must be kept.  In an effort to ensure safety there are limits as to how much time a truck driver may spend behind the wheel in any 24 hour period.  Law enforcement officials may request to see the book at a weigh station or a routine stop.  Conformance is critical.  After stretching our legs for a bit we were back on the road again.  More to come.