Over the years we've hauled loads that need what's called an escort truck. This is not the same as having a pilot car escort. An escort truck follows the lead truck, turning when it turns, stopping when it stops, always keeping it in view.
Most of the loads we've hauled that require an escort (or that we've been an escort for) involve some kind of sensitive or expensive freight. Sometimes there will be two loaded trucks and one escort truck. The escort truck is always empty, it never carries any cargo.
One time we did a load that required two trucks AND a car that contained two armed security officers. I still have no idea what was in the truck. Although I did a little research to figure it out and tried to pry it out of the armed guards, we were only told it was some sort of pharmaceutical chemicals. Phooey!
I'm really not a fan of doing loads that require an escort. It pays very well, and you don't have to drive loaded (so no weight issues, no load checks necessary) but it's still a bit of a pain in the ass. Escorting is all about compromise - you have to talk to the other drivers and agree on the speed of travel, what kind of stops and breaks you're going to take, whether there are pets involved that need walking. Mostly, I don't like being at the mercy of another driver or having to make any changes to my routine. If we do it, I'd much rather be the lead truck instead of the one following.
We recently did an escorted load where we were the loaded truck and the other was the escort. Good because we, as the lead truck, made the rules, but bad because we still had to make some compromises. The other team we drove with were great. The wife was just the kind of person I like, which is rare in this industry, as I usually don't have anything in common with the other trucker wives. The only problem it seemed we were going to have was the speed - they wanted to do "the speed limit", which can mean 75 miles per hour in some states. We don't do 75 miles per hour. EVER.
In fact, our regular speed is 58 miles per hour. If we're in a rush, we might do 60. And 62 is our top speed. We don't like going fast. I don't like it because it's unsafe. Ed doesn't like it because it tears up the equipment. There's just no benefit to going that fast. I knew when I was moseying along around 60 miles per hour, she was behind me pulling her hair out. I felt a teensy bit bad but not enough to crank it up to 62.
I also don't like using the CB Radio and hate having to keep it on while doing an escorted load. But you need to be able to communicate with the other team. I like to listen to podcasts or books on tape when I drive and I hate the scratchy sound of the CB. And when people talk it's always so garbled, I can't understand them anyway. On this last load, we communicated using phones which was much better.
I'm not saying I'll never do another escorted load, but whenever Ed tells me we got one, I always say, "Ugh. Really??"
Probably my favorite part about this particular type of freight hauling is seeing the look on my mother's face when I say, "Guess what? I got paid four figures this week to be an escort."
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2017: Comforting Souls
2016: Get Lost In The Links
2015: Up In The Bakken
2014: I See A Molasses Sorghum Cookie In My Future
2013: Save Fifty Cents By Staying Away From The Card Tables - Go To A Concert Instead
2012: Zero Tolerance Zone
2011: Flicker Of Hope…GONE
2010: Knee Deep In Training
2009: She Sells Seashells By The Seashore
2008: Shopping At Walmart Is The Closest Some Of Us Will Ever Get To China
2007: Giving Indians A Bad Name
2006: Six Flags Of Horror Fly Over Texas
2005: Snake River
I'm pretty sure I'm living in the wrong part of the country. Every time I leave the southern Arizona, where I currently live and head east, my mood improves exponentially. Last week our run took us through eastern Tennessee, into the Great Smoky Mountains, before crossing into North Carolina.
I love this route. We don't go through here often and the last time I drove it, it was dark so I couldn't see a thing. I love the hills, the curves, the mountain views, the lush greenery. I would move there tomorrow if I could.
I've said it before and I'll say it a million times again, my favorite part of the country is definitely in the eastern half. From north to south (except for Florida, which I don't like at all), I like it all. I'm looking forward to next weekend when I'll be in Connecticut.
Such a pretty time of year to be on the east coast!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~2017: Friends In High And Rugged Places
2016: No Middle Ground
2015: Check Out These Links Before The Big One Hits
2014: In Six Months, They'll Know Right Where To Put It
2013: Musical Parking Spots
2012: Me And The Thunder
2011: Her Cup Overfloweth With Idiocy
2010: Dear Arizona,
2009: Come Sit In Our Cab For A Spell And Let Us Take You On The Road!
2008: How Well Do You Know Your Stringed Instruments?
2007: Meat. The Old Fashioned Way.
2006: Kicking The Hell Out Of Texas
2005: Look, Mary!
This sculpture, on the 24th Street Bridge in Council Bluffs, Iowa, spans Interstate 80.
Every time I drive through here I think, "What the hell is that??" I call it "that Edward Scissorhands thing" because that's what it reminds me of.
The Iowa West Foundation paid $3 million for the sculpture. It's called "The Odyssey" and it's supposed to be a tribute to western Iowa's agricultural history. Its presence has elicited many reactions, including more than one person getting into an accident because they were distracted by it.
The artist who created it - Albert Paley - is known for his large-scale works. "Notable examples of his work are the Portal Gates for the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the Portal Gates for the New York State Senate Chambers in Albany, and a ceremonial archway in Forest Park for the Saint Louis Zoo. Works by Paley can also be found in the permanent collections of many major museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and others throughout the world."
Paley said of the sculpture: "You’re not going to see this anywhere else. It’s a ceremonial gateway, a sense of place and an entrance to Iowa that reflects grandeur and symbolism. It is a place with an incredible sense of the land and of nature - with the play of sun, wind, and shadows.”
Uh, okay. Still not gettin' the agriculture connection, though.
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2017: 360 Degrees Of Blue Sky
2016: Sunlit Trees
2015: Kitchen Troubadour
2014: The Earth Is 75% Water. Grab A Fork.
2013: Reflection On The Island
2012: Sprinkled
2011: Prized Good Luck Piece
2010: Summer In The City
2009: I Should Get A Job Working The Pole At A Boy Scout Camp
2008: The Flavor Of Life
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Again??? But You Just Got Off The Phone With Her!
2005: A Cow’s Opinion
I used garlic a LOT when I cook. I always have it on hand. Recently when I was shopping for the truck, instead of buying a bulb of garlic I decided to by this tube of garlic paste from Gourmet Garden. And I have to tell you, I LOVE it!!
One of the things I don't like about garlic is peeling the cloves. And for some reason, in the truck, it just seems like a bigger pain in the ass than at home. Thin garlic peels flying everywhere, having to wash my cutting board and knife (I like to try to wash as little as possible to save water), and all for a little garlic in whatever dish I'm making.
This was perfect. Squirted what I needed and the paste easily mixed in. The flavor was fresh and delicious, and it filled the air with the same amazing smell. In the grocery store, I've seen the other herbs they have and I'm planning on trying them, too. They even have recipes on their website. This product is definitely a keeper!
PS: Gourmet Garden didn't pay me to praise their product, but if they want to send me more herbs to try, I'm totally game!
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2017: All Tatted Up
2016: Trapping Tourists Since 1965
2015: Selfie In 53
2014: Storm Warning
2013: Another Home Run By Big Ed
2012: A Window On New Mexico
2011: My Man Makes A Mad Meal
2010: Less Is Not More In All Cases
2009: Grain Gone By
2008: The Absolute Beauty Of It
2007: Not Only Did He Pray, He Posed
2006: Camera Phone Coolness
2005: Life Is A Salt Shaker
