Ten years ago I started my career as a professional truck
driver. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it seemed like the right decision. I
was burned out with teaching and in trying to decide what other career I should
pursue, it just seemed logical to get my CDL and team drive with Larry. I think
Larry was a little surprised at my decision. I had spent a few weeks on the
truck with him as a passenger so I knew that it was not an easy life, but it has
been more challenging than I ever thought it would be.
Four weeks at a Truck Driving School and it was off to
Werner Enterprises out of Omaha, NE. I had to clock 250 hours behind the wheel
as a team driver with Larry before I was officially hired by them. And I almost
didn’t get hired. I failed the drive test because of being so nervous. It took
Larry defending my ability as a driver by stressing that, if he felt safe
enough to go to sleep in the bunk with me driving, then I was ready to be a
truck driver. Thankfully that was enough to convince them that I was ready to
be officially hired.
Here are
some milestones of the last 10 years:
I’ve driven
well over a million miles and all accident free.
I’ve driven on most major highways and through
most major cities in 46 states.
My favorite
place to drive is anywhere west of the Mississippi. (except California)
My least
favorite place to drive (besides California) is the mid-west and the east
coast.
I’ve driven
in all kinds of weather with a few harrowing experiences – even driven in a
hurricane. But I still haven’t seen a tornado. One went past us in the night,
but we never saw it.
I’ve driven
7 different trucks, from a 9-speed to a 13-speed; 2 Peterbilts and the rest
Freightliners.
I’ve worked
for 3 different companies.
On the
personal front:
I’ve gained
weight and I’ve lost weight.
I started
out with brown hair and now have gray hair.
I had no
grandchildren and now I can count 10.
I have 3 new
daughters-in-laws.
We sold a
house and bought a house.
3 of my kids
graduated from college while another one started his own business.
I’m still
fairly healthy, with only a few minor issues, which is amazing considering the
lack of exercise and good eating habits.
I’ve never regretted my decision to go on the road. Being
with Larry has been amazing, and grateful that we have been able to be together
out here. But it is a hard and stressful life and I’m ready to move on. I don’t
know what the next few years will bring, but somewhere there’s another
adventure waiting for me.
