I Am Not Sure I am This Brave

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Craig

A couple of weeks ago we received an email from Elizabeth.  Her husband Lee is a truck driver and they follow our blog.  I have really struggled with this post as I am just sick about what has happened to these two.  Actually, I will let Elizabeth tell it.  Here is her email to us.

 Comment: Hello Anne and Craig,
My name is Elizabeth Allen, and I am married to a long haul truck driver, Lee Allen. About a year ago we decided that when my daughter graduates high school we will team up and drive together. He loves driving and right now I am stuck in an office. We talk every day about how much fun it will be, but of course we examine the potential negatives as well. About 6 months ago I discovered your blog. Now every time one of us gets an email about a new post, we call the other and ask if they read it. We debate about what is better, company driver or owner operator. We talk about the best truck stops, and look to see if there are any within walking distance to a movie theatre in case we need a night away from the truck.
Well, on February 19th Lee was traveling on I-80 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania en route to Minnesota. The road was very icy, and a collision could not be avoided. According to the news it was a total of 40 tractor trailers and 10 passenger vehicles.  I do not know all the details of the accident as the police report has not been released and my husband is on a ventilator so he cannot tell me what happened. Aside from being on a ventilator he has a level C4 spinal cord injury, complete quadriplegia. Everyone else’s injuries were mild to moderate.
The reason I am writing is to see if you will share a page that was created by my friends to help raise money for Lee’s “new life.” I have convinced him that we can still live our dream, he will just have to settle for being my co-pilot. My desire is that we can modify a truck with a lift so that he can get into and out of the truck and in the mean time just enjoy the ride.
I will make it happen. My community has been great, they are throwing a benefit and offering to build ramps to get Lee into our home (which is a whole other issue!). If I have to tear down walls myself I will. I am determined that when he is done with rehab he will come home. But after that…I need to get him back on the road.
Thank you for considering sharing and taking the time to read our story.
Safe Travels,
Elizabeth Allen

OK, it is Craig again.  We had heard about this horrible accident and that there was a truck driver who was critical.  It really hits home when they become “real people”, not just a news story.  Solo truck drivers drive about 140,00 miles a year so you can imagine the dangers they face.  Here is a link to the website Elizabeth mentioned.  If there is any way you can help with either finances or prayers, we would very much appreciate it.

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-for-lee/143992

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Friends on the road.

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Anne Leonard

3 years ago we made friends with a couple in the truck next to us. Kathi and Ken Cross. Little did I know how big an impact they would have on my trucking life or what good friends we would be. We met at Fed Ex in Edwardsville because we were both waiting for our loads. They were late so we sat and sat and sat. We drove for Us Xpress then and they drove for Team One a division of Us Xpress. We got to talking and Ken offered us a starbucks to go. We gladly accepted and wanted to know how the heck he made us one. Turns out he had a Keurig coffee maker in the truck which is why we ran out and got one as soon as possible. We talked some more and became facebook friends.
Next we met up in Boise, Id. We were driving through and they were broken down. Went out for lunch at this great little restaurant. Flash forward a few years and we were lucky enough to be home and unfortunately they broke down in Cheyenne over July 4th. No problem come on down to Fort Collins. We went out for Mexican. Played some pool and just had a great couple days.
Kathi is probably the person I talk to the most on the road. When we first started I use to call about all sorts of things. Anytime I needed help or advice she was right there for me. We have been lucky enough to meet up when our paths cross. Whether it’s California or Texas, Idaho or Colorado. Truly one of the gifts of this profession. The friends you make out here and the friends you keep. We are truly blessed to have Kathi and Ken in our lives.

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How we do what we do on the road.

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Anne Leonard

Being a team makes it easy to do all the things we do. We usually have extra time in the schedule that a solo driver doesn’t. I realize that it takes planning but last weekend is a good example of how we plan. Heading to Phoenix where we know we will arrive on Saturday but can’t make the delivery until Monday. So we get online and find a rental car place right down from the truck stop. If the weather had been warm we would have rented a hotel room but it was perfect weather.

The main reason we took this load is it is spring training for the Mariners and you’ll never guess where they are located. Yup Phoenix, well really Peoria. We drove over to the stadium and buy tickets from a guy in the parking lot. SCORE. We are first row behind the Mariners dug out. So freaking cool. Met some great people and enjoyed a great game against the Angels. Then the sky opens up literally, the game was called and by the time we got to the car it looked like we had gone swimming. Laughed our butts off the whole time. Memories for a lifetime.

When we know we are going some place and that there is time in our schedule. We see what is on the way or at our destination. We find places to park using google. You can zoom in and find places to park the truck and also find things nearby. We don’t always rent cars unless we are stuck for a few days and there is nothing in the area. But you learn places that are fun and remember the next time.

Having friends and family all over the country helps too. We know we are driving by and what time. Make plans for a quick bite to eat or just coffee. Happens all the time. Also happens with other drivers. You have to make it work though. Yelp is our biggest friend. It can tell you restaurants, hair salons, nail salons, stores….. And how far they are, hours, and reviews. Amazing how many places we’ve found that we never would have known were there. Neighborhood dives that rock!!! This is why I love driving.

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Okay I was blown away tonight.

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Anne Leonard

Tonight we were helping friends organize their new house. Hang tv’s and figure out where the furniture went. Now after we were sitting on their gorgeous deck relaxing. Talk turned to trucking and our blog. Okay maybe i’m really naive but was totally shocked to hear that people don’t believe we do the things we do. Okay rewind. What?!?! How in the world could they think that. We post pictures. We try to share our adventures and why in the world would we ever lie about what we do?? In my world that makes absolutely no sense. We started this blog to help other drivers. When we started we couldn’t find any information that was really helpful. Craig told me he hears this all the time on the forums. Okay I admit, my mouth dropped open. WHAT?!? Why in the world we would spend the time writing about our adventures just to make it up LOL. I mean the same things are on our facebook page. It totally shocked me that anyone would think we make it up.

Dang if I was going to make things up I would tell how we saw the last space shuttle in Florida. Oh wait we did do that. Okay we went to EVERY family event all over the country. Oh wait we did that too. Hey I know, we rescued wild animals in Maine and ate lobster in Bar Harbor in our semi tractor.Oh dang. We did that too. Okay I am being a little silly but honestly people need to get a life. We do the things we do because we take the time to do it. We plan it and honestly there is no way in hell I would still be driving a truck 3 years later if we didn’t have so much fun doing the other stuff. I don’t know why I am so shocked that people are saying there is no way we do the things we say. What?!?!? It just baffles me.

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ED!!!!!

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Craig

ED is the newest Leonard family member. Ed is a merle chihuahua that needed a home. I have been talking about getting another dog for a few weeks and a couple appeared. Funny how that happens. It took me a long time to get over Max but realized Lil Bit needed a friend. Now Craig didn’t agree with me. My girlfriend from college posted a picture on facebook and tagged me in it. We happened to be in Alabama heading home for the weekend. I made plans to come down and pick him up for the weekend to see how he fit in. Ed is a doll. He has some issues but is the most loving puppy. He is a little over a year and has had some hard times in his past. We don’t know all the details and honestly I don’t want to know. But with love and patience he is doing amazing. He adores Craig. What is even weirder is he reminds us of Max. There are times I swear he is channeling Max. Little things that Max did in the truck, Ed does. He and Lil Bit wrestle in the morning. Her nose was a little out of joint but now she is doing great with him. I do think she was lonely. They make me laugh everyday and I am so happy that we have these two babies with us on our travels. Craig is head over heels over Ed. I did a good thing!!
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I am so over winter. I want spring to last as long.

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Anne Leonard

This has been the worst winter we have been out on the road. At least in my book it is. We have had brakes freeze, -25 degrees without wind and just too much dang snow/ice. We left Pa last night and good riddance. We made it in and out safely (even if we did get stuck once) I just can’t believe how bad it has been ALL over. We have been in FL, TX, AR, AL, MS, TN and it has been ridiculously cold and snowing. Crazy that we were sleeping in FL a couple weeks ago and had to turn the truck on since it got so cold. I have been blessed to have been able to spend weekends at home. This past weekend Craig went out as a solo driver. He has learned he doesn’t want to be a solo driver. He said it was way too quiet in the truck without me. He meant it in a good way. At least I took it in a good way LOL. I looked forward to getting back in the truck which was nice. Even with all the fun we have out here and we definitely have fun. There are times I really need to get out. The weekends home really rejuvenate me and off we go again.

Forgot that I didn’t post this when I wrote it. I was going to add some pictures. Winter is still with us. We did spend a few days in Phoenix and it was nice and warm. Did get caught in a downpour but I’m going to let Craig share that post. I need to be better about posting here. Time just seems to get away from me.

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Beat the Drum and Hold the Phone……

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Craig

the sun came out today….were born again there’s new grass on the field….rounding third and headed for home is a brown eyed handsome man…..everyone can understand the way I feel…..Put me in coach! (John Fogerty)

Only One More Day!!!

Until pitchers and catchers report to Mariners Spring Training.  I am a little stoked about this.

Driving past the Jackson Generals (AA Farm Team of the Seattle Mariners) baseball park in Jackson Tennessee one day before pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Peoria Arizona.  I am a bit excited about this.

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Typical Wyoming Winter Day

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Craig

Out for a nice relaxing drive across Wyoming.

So over this brutal winter.  Last year was so mild we got spoiled.

Aaaaaand….we almost made it.  35 miles to Utah.  We got stopped for about 6 hours until they opened it back up again.

 

 

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Going Against the Grain

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Craig

From the owner of Farm2Fleet, the company we are leased on to.  This is the beginning of a series you really should follow if you want to understand the business side of  trucking

Going Against the Grain.

via Going Against the Grain.

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It’s looking like a good year 2014

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Anne Leonard

After last year I am spooked to say good things about our truck. But we do love her a lot and she is being a good girl this year. We have had a couple little bumps but she is running beautifully. We are getting great gas mileage and running pretty consistently. It makes me wonder where we would be this year if she had been running this well since day one. You live and learn though and the one thing I can definitely tell you about trucking is. Sh*t happens. It just does no matter what you think. You just have to be prepared. I swear after last year we deserve some smooth sailing!
We have spent time with most of the family in the last month. That is the biggest reason we love our job. Honestly what other job enables you to go where you want, when you want. I’d be lying if I told you everyday I love driving a truck. There are days I seriously want to get out and stay at home. But then there are those days that you see the most beautiful sights out on the road, or you meet the coolest person or you are just with the one you love.
Craig and I do love what we do and love doing it together. Living in a small area has its challenges but I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else. Now don’t be shocked… but we do bicker. But we bicker everywhere. It’s what we do I’ve realized. Some think we are serious and sometimes we are. But most of the time it’s just bantering. I’m blessed to have Craig in my life and my children’s lives. I’m blessed to be able to see the sunrises and sunsets from every state (except Alaska and Hawaii).
I’m excited to see where we are professionally in a couple months of continuous driving. I have finally stopped thinking that every noise is going to shut us down. She is a beautiful truck and we do love her!!

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