This Is The Life

Really enjoying this ChickieMonster. Thanks for sharing. Could you touch a little on how your husband is doing riding along with you? Is he bored? What does he do during the day? What's it like on the road with your spouse?

He's actually really enjoying it. We both have a bit of a gypsy soul so this lifestyle really appeals to us!

He's great at helping me out so I can spend more time driving. He will get me snacks or drinks or Tylenol, whatever I need so I don't have to stop to get something. He's also been learning how to use trucker path to find out stopping place which is a HUGE help! We are getting a lot better at finding stops with plenty of parking. I think we have only stayed at a major chain truck stop once since we have been out. We really like rest areas and the mom and pop truck stops! We usually try to stop in the middle of the day at a pilot or flying j to get showers since I have credits at those. We've gotten in down to an art and can get in and get a shower while I take my 30 minute break.

He also helps out with making phone calls and laundry and various other small stuff.

I know that people say living in a truck with someone is hard but we are having a great time and are really enjoying this life!

He doesn't get too bored. We love to look at the sights along the way and talk about stuff we see. We both also brought along books so he will read while I drive.

I think we have only stayed at a major chain truck stop once since we have been out. We really like rest areas and the mom and pop truck stops!

A - MEN Sistah! Those non-chain stops can be way better than the big boys. Then again, some are pot-holed dirt lots, but the parking is often easier.

(Written in the Iron Skillet restaurant in the Petro in Jackson MS. )

We had an AH-MAZING breakfast this morning at this little place in Worthington MN plus I got homemade carrot cake and hubby got a homemade cherry turnover!

We are major foodies and are always looking for the next best unknown place to eat. We try to only eat out once or twice a week and cook on the truck or eat quick meals (sandwiches or tuna or canned food) the rest of the time.

Well I finally got my hot spot working so it's time for an update!

I got my load in Minnesota. It is a pretty tight time frame on this load and when I got the load I only had about 5 hours on my 70. After talking with my dispatcher and doing a little math, I managed to work my clock so I didn't have to take a reset and I should be right on time for my delivery.

Minnesota to Connecticut. We have run this I-90/I-80 corridor a few times now. I seem to be stuck up north, hopefully just temporarily. I'd really like to go south for awhile!

Minnesota was absolutely gorgeous! I really liked it and they had windmills! I am obsessed with the giant wind turbines you see all over the country. I think they are super cool. I posted about 8 pictures to my facebook last night. I know, I'm a little strange!

Today was interesting. We woke up in IL, went across Chicago around 2 am, took a nap in IN because I couldn't hold my eyes open, got coffee in OH, and now we are going to bed in PA. It's a crazy life for sure!

I'm not liking I-80 in Pennsylvania. Its all curvy and mountainy and it's killing my clock. But I have plenty of time to make it close to my receiver tomorrow and I will get a 10 before I have to deliver at 10 pm.

My backing is getting so much better! I had never done a 45 degree angle back before orientation, and now it's probably my strongest backing maneuver. I have had some difficult spots to get into lately, but I don't let myself get stressed out and just take my time. It usually takes a few pull ups and a couple GOALs, but I can usually nail it.

The last couple of days have been rough. I've had a short fuse because I feel like I've been dealing with jerks all day! And it's not even 4-wheelers, it's other semi drivers!!

Lol if you don't like 80 you sure don't want to try 76. The pa turnpike is a lot more twisty and mountainy than 80 that's for sure. And the turnpike has tunnels. 80 really isn't that bad I find it enjoyable actually it might just be because I don't have a lot of experience out west that I like it so much.

I have had some difficult spots to get into lately, but I don't let myself get stressed out and just take my time. It usually takes a few pull ups and a couple GOALs, but I can usually nail it.

The other day I had to park my 30 foot camper in my driveway, which is a narrow driveway on a narrow dirt road with deep ditches and fences on both sides of the driveway. The tires on the camper are only a little past halfway back so the swing on the tail is enormous when you're doing a 90 degree back. I have to have the tires within a foot of the ditch on the near side and if I swing it right the back end of the trailer misses the fence on the opposite side by about a foot.

I was thinking of you guys as I was backing in. I'm proud to say I did five G.O.A.L.'s during the process and got it backed in clean and smooth. So trust me, there's no such thing as having so much experience that you shouldn't take your time and be as safe as possible.

I also counted my routine before hooking up and pulling away and I did five complete walkaround inspections before pulling it away from it's spot.

Some people get careless the longer they do something. Others get more cautious because after all those years you've seen so many things go wrong that you know you're going to have a catastrophe if you're not careful about the details.

Never get in a hurry. Never make assumptions. Never let your ego prevent you from taking your time and doing things the safest way possible even if you have the skills to do it faster.