Roadstar Wall Of Fame

 

Flashback to our friend Marlaina pointing to Ed's name on the Roadstar Wall of Fame.

The plaque above the list of names says:

This wall is dedicated to the men and women of Landstar who have devoted their lives to setting and maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism in the transportation industry.

It is through the efforts of these fine people that Landstar continues to provide the safest, highest quality, most innovative transportation solutions in America.

Roadstars, we salute you!

Not only do I salute my husband (not literally), but I am so proud of him.  Not just for achieving the highest award the company we are leased to bestows upon drivers, but proud of him for the daily level of safety he maintains when we are on the road.  

Way to go, Eddie!

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2024: The Stone Quarry
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Little Bitty Lyman
2018: This Little Guy Eats Like A Bird
2017: Vibrant And Vitamin Packed
2016: In The Thicket
2015: Live It
2014: Blizzard To The East, Clear Skies To The West
2013: The Discriminating House Hunter
2012: Oh, Sweet Cream Cheesus
2011: Pit Stop
2010: Sorry, no post for this day.
2009: A Peek Behind The Sacred Pantry Door
2008: Thistle Or Thatle
2007: Big, Rich, And Free
2006: Look, Honey! A Grist Mill.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Grease Job

A little grease on the fifth wheel to make sure everything slides easily into place.

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2024: Rest Break In The Equality State
2023: The Makings Of A Feast Under One Beautiful Unique Roof
2022: Taking A Ship To See A Queen
2021: Dignity Of Earth And Sky
2020: When Life Gives You Lemons
2019: Istanbul Cobble
2018: Circulating The Morning Air In The Lonestar State
2017: It's The Real OLD Thing
2016: Stopping In Style
2015: Patiently Waiting
2014: Find Out Where You Can Dine With Giraffes
2013: Sputtering With Excitement
2012: Water May Not Be The Only Liquid Nourishing These Flowers
2011: Nappy Time
2010: Dick. Not A Dick. Which One Are You?
2009: First The Poultry, Now This
2008: California Moon
2007: Ryno And Rob
2006: Living The Dream
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn't start until May 2005!

They Know Who Brings The Goods

 

We love it when businesses have dedicated truck parking.

Thank you!  Without us, they probably wouldn't be in business.  Remember that.

This one was at the Runza in Lexington, Nebraska.

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2024: Ablaze
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Welcome Back
2018: Perfecting The Most Important Facial Feature
2017: Brewed
2016: Abandoned In New Mexico
2015: We Entered Through The Big Mouth
2014: Getting Ready For The Really Big Shooooo
2013: You'll Know You're Getting Close When You See The Zebra
2012: You Can’t Go Wrong At ShopRite
2011: When The Feelings Get Too Strong For Words
2010: Looking For Loads In All The Wrong Places
2009: CTRL Freak
2008: 1. Cut String 2. Walk
2007: Amish Down The Lane
2006: The Competition Is Stiff
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Chasing The Moon

Climbing uphill towards the daytime moon in Steins, New Mexico.

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2024: The Only Faces I Want To See On This Mountain
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Survivor
2018: Today's Catch
2017: Antiques Around EVERY Corner
2016: Flashback Friday
2015: The Rich Coast
2014: Getting Hosed
2013: River Of Grass
2012: Stupid Rock
2011: Crab Rangoon Makes Me Swoon
2010: Bonnie And Clyde Meet Toni And Frank
2009: Finally…A Bib That Is Both Functional And Accurate
2008: Trickling Down
2007: Anonymously Yours,
2006: Over 7,000 Feet Of Pristine Beauty
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Bridge Strike

So, this happened yesterday on our way home.  

We didn’t do it, of course, but the interstate was closed and we were routed around the bridge to get back on the highway.

Someone’s in biiiig trouble.

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2024: Charm City Power
2023: Five Hours Of Bliss
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Room For Waiting
2020: A Year Long Carnival
2019: Four Balanced Women
2018: Five Spices And A Few Cuties
2017: Water That Saved The Life Of A Princess
2016: A Few Blocks From Fort Apache
2015: Única…Original
2014: Living The Examined Life
2013: Trucking Like We're On Fire
2012: Looking For A Coffee Fi
2011: Container Port, You Are No Friend Of Mine
2010: Encased In Plastic
2009: No Lifeguard On Duty
2008: Palm Sketches
2007: You Know Who You Are
2006: I Fear The Family 
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Where's The Snow?

Sitting in Nebraska, watching the rain, and waiting for the snowstorm that's coming.  The wind is so strong it feels like we can be blown over at any moment. 

I know there'll be a lot of hot air tonight, but where's the snow I've been promised??

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2024: The House That Kobe Built
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Topped With Fallen Snow
2018: Urban Art
2017: Rockin' It
2016: Former Trees
2015: Birthday At The Blowhole
2014: Dreaming Of Blue Skies And Swaying Palms
2013: They Never Ask If You Have Invisible Ink
2012: I Didn’t Break A Leg, So I Guess I Can’t Regret Doing It
2011: Why Couldn’t It Have Been The Canola??
2010: I Like To Call Him The Kite Master
2009: Talk About Making Good Use Of Your Time
2008: Don’t Three Feet Equal One Yard?
2007: New And Improved
2006: Maybe I Don’t Need To Know Everything
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

The Waiting Game

Here we are, waiting in the driver's lounge at the Volvo dealership in Utah for a repair to be done on our truck.  It had fairly comfortable chairs, clean bathrooms, a crappy vending machine, and an even crappier coffee station. And we were there for TEN hours.  TEN!

The repair is finally done and we're back on the road but holy moly.  The reason it took so long is because they put the part in, it didn't work, and they had to take it out and do it all over again.  Sheesh!

What's next?

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2024: Power And Nature
2023: Sorry, no post on this day. 
2022: Sorry, no post on this day. 
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Church Near A Castle
2018: Sock It To 'Em
2017: Linked
2016: Stop And Pray
2015: Stateroom 342
2014: The Higher The Hair, The Closer To God
2013: My Two Cents On Oscar Fashion
2012: A Little Nip Of A Love Affair
2011: It’s A Serious Addiction
2010: Why Play Fantasy Football When You Can Spend Your Time Making Lists For The Halle Experiment?
2009: I Hope There Isn’t Going To Be A Quiz
2008: Sunglasses Required
2007: Golden Eye
2006: Making A List And Checking It Twice
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Researching The Best Wines While Buying Tires

 

We are sitting in a dirty tire shop in Utah waiting for them to put new tires on the truck and do an alignment.  There are only four chairs - not super comfortable - and a dirty bathroom, but they do have a few things going for them.  

There are two vending machines (which I’m not partaking in, but which are stocked with good snacks), a Keurig machine with some delicious flavored coffee choices, and a nice ice and filtered water machine.

But what surprises me most is the magazine selection.  In addition to Guns & Ammo and Ratchet & Wrench magazines, they also have Essence and Wine Spectator.

Fancy.  

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2024: The Clothing Of A King
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Life Between The Cracks
2018: Well, I'll Be Damned!
2017: My Sentiments Exactly
2016: Ed's Last Look
2015: The Lido Line
2014: Puttin' On The Fritz
2013: Proof That A Snowball Does Have A Chance In Hell
2012: I Just Want Tiny Little Elephants To Massage My Earlobes
2011: App-solutely Crazy
2010: NCIS Investigates The Kitchen Aftermath
2009: Sometimes There Are FOUR Sides To A Story
2008: Made With Pride
2007: Coke Crushes The Competition
2006: Tired And Mute
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Custom Design

It's not the prettiest picture, but it is photographic evidence of my sewing skills.

Ed came to me with a problem - deteriorating airbags.

The airbags on our sleeper, like all airbags, are made of rubber.  We have five airbags on the back of our sleeper that you can see here - three in the middle, one on each side.  Over time, with exposure to the environment, road schmutz, chemicals, and sunshine, the rubber deteriorates and the airbags need to be replaced.

What Ed wanted, was a way to shield the airbag from these destructive elements.  He gave me the tarping material he wanted used and asked if I could sew a cover.

Well, I did.  With the measurement of the airbag Ed gave me, I created a little jacket for each airbag.  It was a very simple sewing project - I pleated the material all the way around to create a curved sheath that would hug the airbags, and closed each one with a wide piece of velcro so they'd be easy to remove if needed.

Ed loves them!  And they work.  

I can now check this project off my to-do list!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: The Giver Of Much Delight
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Winter Tree Warning
2018: The Dog From The State Of Sonora
2017: More Like A Submarine Sandwich
2016: Good Stuff, Maynard!
2015: Spiky On The Outside, Sinfully Delicious Inside
2014: The Most Awkward Descent Down A Snow Covered Hill. Ever.
2013: At The Top Of My Favorite Cities List
2012: Not Looking Anymore
2011: There Is Hope
2010: Where The Bunnies Of The Desert Hang Out
2009: The Marion County Shirt Factory Incident
2008: Eddie Roams The Mayan Ruins Friday
2007: Self Service Antiques
2006: Begin At Once
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Blazing Across The Night Sky

Last night while on a rest break in Bagdad, Arizona, from the side of Highway US-93, we saw the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket!

It launched 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, 521 miles from where we sat!  

We’ve seen one of these launches before but the skies are very dark in this part of the state so the visibility was great and seeing it come over the mountain was pretty spectacular. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Personal Space
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: The Worst Bar-B-Q In Texas
2018: Bestie In The Caldera
2017: A Living Snapshot Of Another America
2016: C'mere, Give Me A Hug
2015: La Bufadora And Almejas Gratinadas
2014: In The Nick Of Time
2013: This Business Means Business
2012: A Nodding Donkey On The Hill
2011: What A Croc
2010: Flash Of Pole
2009: They Hire ‘Em Young These Days
2008: Setting Sail At Sunset
2007: Happy Bee
2006: It’s Not Unusual
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Morning Rush Hour

Back to the grind.

This was the extent of the traffic this morning when we left our  house. About 15 cars ahead of us. 

Here we go, people!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2024: Floating Into Victoria
2023: Bienvenido A España!
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Moto Cop
2018: ¡Salud!
2017: Eddie On Ice
2016: My God, This Reminds Me Of Why I Love Adele
2015: Making Friends And Dinner Plans
2014: It's So EXHAUSTing Being Right All The Time
2013: A Marriage Of Two Loves
2012: I Love A Man Wearing A Damn Good-Looking Workboot
2011: MMXI At Full Throttle
2010: Maybe There’s A Reason Ed Never Lets Me Out Of The Truck
2009: Napolitos
2008: Pull Up A Chair
2007: The Story Of The Uppity Barista: Otherwise Known As A Texan Gittin’ Above His Raisin’
2006: Rock, Paper, Eddie
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

We'll Be Seeing You Soon

 

We've been home since June but will be going back on the road in February.  It's been a long time and although I love being home, I will be happy to cross the country again.

I hope I remember how to drive a semi.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2024: Peacocks In The Park
2023: In The Heart Of The Baroque City
2022: Campo Wind
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Rock Solid Saint
2018: Rainforest Adventures
2017: Low Ceiling In The Desert
2016: An Original Recycler
2015: There's A Black Hole In The Desert (With Truck Parking)
2014: Strength In Numbers
2013: Woman Cannot Live On Bread Alone
2012: Why Milk Is ALWAYS At The Top Of My Shopping List
2011: Fun For Sale
2010: Dublin Is Incredibly Corny
2009: Welcome To Snowhio
2008: When Big Hair And Denim Were King
2007: Open 24 Hours
2006: Lucky One Eye
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Somewhere Out West

It's just around the curve...

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2023; Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: The Heart Of Dixie
2021: Christmas All Day And All Night

2020: Contained
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: The Most Exclusive Rooftop
2017: Cell Block 8
2016: The Price Of American Made
2015: Sunset In The Brick City
2014: The King Of Light
2013: The End Of WiFi???
2012: Through A Canopy Of Oaks
2011: Clap Your Hands
2010: Wishing For A Blizzard But Will Settle For Flakes
2009: A Hideous Thief Exposed 
2008: Southwest Sunset
2007: Subtlety Is SO Not His Middle Name
2006: Bridging Chicago
2005: Oxymoronic Holiday

Nestled In The Foothills

 

Lake Crescent in the Olympic Mountains of Washington State.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: A Different Kind Of Catcall
2017: Discovering The Backcountry
2016: The Beauty Fuels The Drive
2015: Making A Killing By Killing People
2014: The Best Damn Piece Of Driftwood I've Ever Seen
2013: Junk Still Exists In The Snail Mail World
2012: Where The Chisled Form Of David Accompanies You In The Restroom
2011: Settling In And Planning Our Day
2010: Por And Parking Served Up With Southern Charm
2009: They Should Put This Scent In A Candle. I’d Have One Lit In My House Every Night!
2008: After All
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Who My Baby Daddy?
2005: South Siiiide Education

There's Always Time To Play With A Shuttlecock

 A

Ed and I carry two badminton rackets and a few shuttlecocks in the truck. 

We don't use them very often, but it's a lot of fun to get outside and smack these around on a nice (not windy) day.  We don't need an actual net; just an agreed-upon demarcation that serves as one. 

And an honest scorekeeper!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: It's All Happening At The Zoo
2017: A Royal Goodbye
2016: Passing Time
2015: The Vast Nothingness
2014: An Amish Gathering
2013: Personalized
2012: Fire On The Island
2011: Harborside Education
2010: Yo, Vin!
2009: Sweeter Words Have Never Been Spoken
2008: More Proof I Ate At A Sushi Place
2007: North Sally Port
2006: Holy Cow!
2005: Wishing

The Farmer And His Family

These sculptures are part of The Tin Family, the farmer's son is below.

Created by artist Gary Greff, these sculptures and more can be found along the Enchanted Highway in Regent, North Dakota.

If you have a chance to swing through North Dakota, make this part of your road trip.  It's a fun sight!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Checking Every Nook And Cranny
2017: Equestrians Crossing Since 1493
2016: We Will Rise
2015: The Whitewashed Domes Of León
2014: Tormenta De Polvo
2013: A Bridge To Baytown
2012: Sometimes We Like To Lay Low
2011: Pick ‘Em Slowly And Gently
2010: Listen, Learn, And Laugh
2009: Where Is Robin Hood When You Need Him?
2008: All American Eddie Friday
2007: A Hippie Dippie Woo Woo Town Sporting Lots Of Leg Hair
2006: Flowering Rocks
2005: The Cool Mom

Bound By The Road

Photo courtesy of Bound By The Cloak website

I was recently asked to be interviewed for a podcast called Bound By The Cloak. 

Chandi Guntapalli contacted me because she and her co-host,  Zoe Marshall, wanted to get the perspective of a woman truck driver and tell the story about what we experienced on the road as a truck driver.

I love talking about my job and sharing what happens in my daily life on the road.  Many people seem interested in this profession and don't always know what our days are like.  So Chandi and Zoey asked the questions they were interested in and I answered!

You can listen to my episode HERE.

Enjoy!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Welcoming Wyoming Wind Power
2017: Not Really A Loop
2016: Food For The Spirit Inside Of You
2015: These Little Piggies Went To Market
2014: Just Another View From The Road
2013: Polly Needs More Than A Cracker. Polly Needs A Roll Cage.
2012: Hats Off To Tits And Ass
2011: Approaching Chi-Town
2010: Paneful Outlook
2009: Gray County Silhouette
2008: This Little Piggy Went To Market
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: The Heat Bog
2005: Five