Got to reading some of Sandy's notes to you all and felt bad about not saying a few words myself. She pretty well covered the country and all we have seen, so I won't repeat much of that. Maybe I can share some of the practical side of the "trucking life" with you. Lots of odd hours, bad roads, and strange people to put up with, but the sight of the horizon just beyond the hood is a wonderful thing. Sure, you get tired of roads you have traveled many times, but the new roads and sight are worth it. Small-time America is still out there ya'll, full of unique towns, narrow roads, and quaint people. Quaint is a word you use when you don't really know how else to describe them. We have met some very nice and helpful people. Their smiles are not reserved just for the people they know, they seem to be very glad to have you as part of their day. Sure, you have the knotheads and jerks, but they come and go with any job, behind a desk or behind a steering wheel.

Some of our best surprises come when we get off the route, usually when I miss an exit or maybe when a construction detour comes along. There are small side roads you would have never seen. Streams, lakes, miles and miles of green crops, rivers that take half a mile to cross, and much, much more. We are blessed, even when the loads don't turn out right, when the schedule is too tight, and things just seem to be hard all day long.

Sandy is doing some cooking in the crock-pot in the truck. It makes the cab smell like a kitchen. We try to stay conscious about healthy food and away from the fast stuff, although sometimes it is all you have time for. About once a week we seem to be averaging a hotel stay for one night. DO NOT TAKE YOUR BED AT HOME FOR GRANTED!! If it isn't moving it is much easier to sleep in. Seems every time Sandy needs to get some sleep we are on a terrible highway. It is like trying to get some rest on a roller coaster. I can sleep through just about anything, but it bothers me now and then too. One more thing to not take for granted...your very own private, not shared with other people, bigger than a closet bathroom. The less said about that the better. Oh well, we knew these were parts of the life and are dealing with them.

Got to go now, we are at a truck stop and they have finished changing the oil in the truck. We are supposed to take a load on up to Ontario later tonight, hope that all comes together.

By the way, Jonathan and Douglas, send Sandy some pictures so we can get them on this site.