Ten Year Anniversary

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.