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| The trips are much more comfortable in today's trucks , especially when you bring someone as special as your wife along for the week . |
I really enjoyed attending the NASTC convention this year in Nashville, TN. My wife, Karen accompanied me along on the trip. We always seem to come away with more knowledge on how to operate our business and it's great to catch up with friends during this event. I thought it would be fun to hear Karen's take on traveling with me during this past week.
Good afternoon from the passenger seat of the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution. Henry and I left North Carolina en route for Nashville, TN last Wednesday. We enjoyed the drive as we took in the fall foliage in all its splendor along interstate 40 West through the gorge in North Carolina . That evening, we stopped at an independent truck wash as Henry needed the truck cleaned for the NASTC conference. Unfortunately, the hubby was right in that this wash establishment did more damage than good during their wash process. I tried to remain positive in their efforts but when the soap/water dried...it was a mess. The next morning in Nashville was spent re-cleaning and polishing the truck.
The NASTC event itself was filled with the celebration of this years award winning drivers along with our industry partners and inspiring guest speakers. I made a few new friends this year at the event. On Saturday evening, a group of us headed to music row to enjoy dinner and experience some very talented musicians throughout Nashville's HonkyTonk establishments.
We left Sunday and headed for Trenton, Missouri to unload/reload our shipment. We stopped at a Walmart in Mount Vernon, IL to pick up groceries for the remainder of our trip. I began to put items into the cart and Henry informed me that we couldn't take those items as he didn't have room in the small truck refrigerator. After years on the road, he knows precisely what will fit and what won't.
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We were informed that our appointment time to get loaded today at Trenton is 4 pm. We arrived and slept here last evening. This morning,after refreshing in the lady's bathroom and putting on my trusty ball cap for bad hair days, I attempted to brush my teeth. There was a wash basin however, I couldn't find any knobs on this interesting unit. I phoned Henry from the restroom as he informed me to step on the bottom bar. OMG water at last. I have never worked in a plant environment therefore this was new to me. It is a beautiful,sunny warm day here in Trenton so Henry and I thought we would take a long walk to pass time and get some exercise.
As I write this blog, our trailer is being loaded. It's soon time for me to make our lunch in which we will sit outside at a nearby table to enjoy the weather along with our turkey/cheese sandwiches. Soon, we'll be back on the road for the sixteen hour drive home. Henry will stop to fuel up the truck and I get to go inside and view all of the snacks,candy, and chewing gum a girl could want. Henry laughs at me as he says this is my foodie shopping experience. You see, I'm not big on going into convenience stores at home. I'm usually
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the women on the run and in a hurry and therefore, I gas up the car and I'm on my way. Besides, what good would my working out 5 days a week at the local gym be if I ate all that junk? ...but when I go on the road with Henry on occasion, its my time to splurge a bit and you better believe this gals going to enjoy some treats along the way. At the travel center, I love just standing there and looking at all the choices before me. Henry finds this amusing and also annoying if we're in a hurry.
Henry also has to make some adjustments when I travel with him. He needs to wait for me to make those yummy treat selections, restroom stops and whatever catches my curiosity during our trip. I also move into his private space in the truck with all my “extra” luggage and whatever else I feel needs to accompany us on the journey.
Luckily, I have a very patient husband.
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| On our walk we found this old Freightliner COE which was similar to the one I drove during our first year of marriage 27 years ago . |
I will admit, I wasn't the best passenger years ago in the older trucks. I did complain when it was too hot, too cold, or just down right uncomfortable. Today, its a different story and I look forward to every new adventure with Henry in Freightliner's Cascadia Evolution. This truck truly offers me the comforts of home. The seat adjusts to exactly what I need. The temperature is just right with various controls and it's so quiet that I sleep like a baby. This truck along with it's new technology makes for superior comfort which will enable Henry and I to enjoy many happy working rides together. Thank you Freightliner!!!