Any truck drivers out there or former drivers???

[southpaw]

I myself am a former driver. My husband and I drove team for JB Hunt. My husband now drives for Raven Transport out of Jacksonville, FL. I still like to ramble the roads with my husband now and then. As a matter of fact, I just got back from a trip, we did 3,320 miles in 8 days! Whew!!! Now, that was nothing when we was teaming! I know there must be some stories out there, as all of us truck drivers have "stories" to tell, so let's start rollin' them on and see where the diesel fumes may lead! ;) We own a 36' 5'ver and of course a diesel truck--2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab turbo diesel.

[southpaw]

BTW, if you haven't guessed it by now, my ID is my CB handle: southpaw. It also says something else about me, it says that I am a leftie!!!! They say that lefties are always in their right minds, since we use the right side of our brains most of the time! :D Any other lefties out there???

[bigben]

Don't they have any web sites for ex truck drivers?

[southpaw]

I don't know if they have any websites for ex-truckers but I do know that a lot of truckers wind up buying rv's and travelling because of the whiteline fever they have in their blood. Once its in your blood, it never lets go. So, I know there are some folks out there with some stories. I've talked to some around the campfire. I"ve met more truckers in rv parks, if you ask around, you'll definitely find out. They're a personable bunch of people not a bunch of low lifes that some people like to make them out to be. I know some people give them a bad name, as there is a few bad apples in every bunch, but that doesn't make them all bad.

[firstchiefmike]

" Breaker Breaker "Hello all you whiteliners. I'm also a retired driver. I was an owner operator for Allied but wound up hauling LDL for USF Reddaway. Have been retired for 5 years, Do a lot of RV'ing. We are what they call anytimers, Anytime we get the urge we go. Due to fuel cost this year we will be camphost at a California State Park for the summer.

73's and keep the shine side up.
The Prospector

[whodo]

firstchiefmike -- I don't want to hi-jack some one else's post, but what Park are you going to be hosting at?
We try to hit a couple of the Calif. parks on our way to Oregon, Washington.

[firstchiefmike]

firstchiefmike -- I don't want to hi-jack some one else's post, but what Park are you going to be hosting at?
We try to hit a couple of the Calif. parks on our way to Oregon, Washington.

Hi Whodo
We will be at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Just northeast of Santa Cruz. If you get a chance stop by, be glad to eyeball you.

[whodo]

firstchiefmike
The Better half and I haven't been to Big Basin SP since we were on our honeymoon in 19 uh 19 (I better not get this one wrong, I might sustain a little bodily injury) July 1968. In those days we had a pickup/camper. As best I can remember there weren't any large RV sites. Is that still the case?

[firstchiefmike]

firstchiefmike
The Better half and I haven't been to Big Basin SP since we were on our honeymoon in 19 uh 19 (I better not get this one wrong, I might sustain a little bodily injury) July 1968. In those days we had a pickup/camper. As best I can remember there weren't any large RV sites. Is that still the case?

Howdy whodo,
I believe that there are a few sites that will accomadate larger units, I'm not sure about the max length but I will findout from the rangers; I just check Woodall's directory and it says that 31' is max length I do believe that is about right. How big is your RV? We have a 26' 5th wheel, pulled with a Ford F-250 super duty. Powered by a 7.3L diesel. We don't have any problems getting parked. Of course there isn't any hookups, but there is a dump station and generators can be used during the daytime so that should'nt be any problem. Also there are showers and flush bathrooms. Water is at about every third campsite but you have to carry it in a bucket.
Well I hope that is of some use to you. Also you can reach me thru my E-Mail: Firstchiefmike@Aol.Com . I will be looking for your reply.
Mike

[southpaw]

Hello there firstchiefmike and whodo! Nice to meet ya! :) I'm on the other coast, FL to be exact. Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond, but been down with the "bug" twice--one right behind the other! Now, I'm back on the mend! :D
Make sure you keep it between the lines, and don't let rubberneckers slow you down! ;)

[meetarita]

I am not a trucker, but I've been around them for so long, I practically feel like one. I was, well, what you might call a lot lizard back in the 90's. Sure, I know what you're thinking, but let me tell you how lucky I am to have had that experience.

I met my husband at a stop and he gave me a life I would never regret. Unfortunately, he died after a few years of us being married, but he is still dear to my heart. Larry, was a long hauler from North Dakota. We met at the Pilot in Barstow and after several meetings; he finally wrapped up his divorce and married me.

We traveled the roads together for 5 years before he got sick. The Dr said he was poisoned by something he ate, but I can't imagine how. Anyhow, I no longer work the lots, but I have a lot of "friends" I still hang out with now that I travel in "Bertie" my converted bus.

[firstchiefmike]

Hello there firstchiefmike and whodo! Nice to meet ya! :) I'm on the other coast, FL to be exact. Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond, but been down with the "bug" twice--one right behind the other! Now, I'm back on the mend! :D
Make sure you keep it between the lines, and don't let rubberneckers slow you down! ;)

Hi Southpaw; The pleasure is all mine. Sorry to hear you were under the weather. Where are you in FL. I lived in Tampa for awhile back in the 60's, I used to go to Rocky Point(on the Cause-Way btwn Clearwater and Tampa) to go diving and eat smoked mullet. I drove for Greyhound while I was there,between Tampa and Homestead, also from Tampa to Orlando. I put a lot of miles over the B-Line Hwy. I didn't like the bugs and snakes though.
Firstchiefmike

[southpaw]

Hi Southpaw; The pleasure is all mine. Sorry to hear you were under the weather. Where are you in FL. I lived in Tampa for awhile back in the 60's, I used to go to Rocky Point(on the Cause-Way btwn Clearwater and Tampa) to go diving and eat smoked mullet. I drove for Greyhound while I was there,between Tampa and Homestead, also from Tampa to Orlando. I put a lot of miles over the B-Line Hwy. I didn't like the bugs and snakes though.
Firstchiefmike

My husband and I are in Ocala. Not on either coast, but in the middle of the state. It makes it nice for whatever way you want to go (I-75, Hwy 27, Hwy 441, Hwy 301) and for whenever my husband gets loads by the house just for a stop over for lunch or dinner or even a night before coming home for a weekend. I agree with you whole heartedly about the bugs and snakes, I don't like them either! We spray inside and outside for the critters about once a month. If I see one of those spiders well I guarantee you, you probably can hear me screaming all the way to the west coast! lol Me and spiders don't get along at all. I still carry my CDL even tho I don't drive the big rigs anymore. My husband and thought about going independent at one time, but with the cost of fuel and all, we didn't think it was worth it.
We're looking into buying a campground at a later time tho, that's a dream of ours. ;)

[southpaw]

I am not a trucker, but I've been around them for so long, I practically feel like one. I was, well, what you might call a lot lizard back in the 90's. Sure, I know what you're thinking, but let me tell you how lucky I am to have had that experience.

I met my husband at a stop and he gave me a life I would never regret. Unfortunately, he died after a few years of us being married, but he is still dear to my heart. Larry, was a long hauler from North Dakota. We met at the Pilot in Barstow and after several meetings; he finally wrapped up his divorce and married me.

We traveled the roads together for 5 years before he got sick. The Dr said he was poisoned by something he ate, but I can't imagine how. Anyhow, I no longer work the lots, but I have a lot of "friends" I still hang out with now that I travel in "Bertie" my converted bus.

Nice to meet you Meetarita! :) Glad that you met your husband and sorry for your loss. It's great to have a lot of friends and glad that you still get to travel. :) My grandmother always told me that I should've been born with wheels under my feet, and I've done just about that! :p I've been blessed to see all 48 continugous states before I got injured and no longer team with my husband. I still however continue to take rides on the big rig whenever I get the chance, when my health allows. We use the 5er whenever we get the chance.

[firstchiefmike]

My husband and I are in Ocala. Not on either coast, but in the middle of the state. It makes it nice for whatever way you want to go (I-75, Hwy 27, Hwy 441, Hwy 301) and for whenever my husband gets loads by the house just for a stop over for lunch or dinner or even a night before coming home for a weekend. I agree with you whole heartedly about the bugs and snakes, I don't like them either! We spray inside and outside for the critters about once a month. If I see one of those spiders well I guarantee you, you probably can hear me screaming all the way to the west coast! lol Me and spiders don't get along at all. I still carry my CDL even tho I don't drive the big rigs anymore. My husband and thought about going independent at one time, but with the cost of fuel and all, we didn't think it was worth it.
We're looking into buying a campground at a later time tho, that's a dream of ours. ;)

Hi Southpaw, sorry it took me so long to reply but we are getting ready to leave for our summer camp job. Getting the 5er out of storage,doing repairs, cleaning,and checking.Then I have to get the pickup ready also. Boy it sure keeps one busy!
I know the Ocala area. I used to be an owner operator for Allied Van Lines. I have been all over these United States. I was also a Driver for Grayhound Bus and the Van Lines also. Of course that has been many years ago so things have changed a whole lot, Do they still have the wild pigs in the Gainsville Area? I remember when they had the problem with the rattlesnakes and brought the pigs in to get rid of them. I remember the rattlers were in the schools, stores, even the goverment buildings as well as in the homes. I was moving a couple from that area and when I pulled the washer and dryer out to disconnect them , there were 3 rattlers under them. I reckon the population has expanded all over Florida and got rid of a lot of the problems.
Well Gal I had better get to doin again or we won't be ready to leave this coming Saturday. I wish you and yours all the "73's" possible. Again it is my pleasure to have had the priviledge; I hope your dream of owning a campground comes true.
A retired driver.
Firstchiefmike

[southpaw]

Hi Southpaw, sorry it took me so long to reply but we are getting ready to leave for our summer camp job. Getting the 5er out of storage,doing repairs, cleaning,and checking.Then I have to get the pickup ready also. Boy it sure keeps one busy!
I know the Ocala area. I used to be an owner operator for Allied Van Lines. I have been all over these United States. I was also a Driver for Grayhound Bus and the Van Lines also. Of course that has been many years ago so things have changed a whole lot, Do they still have the wild pigs in the Gainsville Area? I remember when they had the problem with the rattlesnakes and brought the pigs in to get rid of them. I remember the rattlers were in the schools, stores, even the goverment buildings as well as in the homes. I was moving a couple from that area and when I pulled the washer and dryer out to disconnect them , there were 3 rattlers under them. I reckon the population has expanded all over Florida and got rid of a lot of the problems.
Well Gal I had better get to doin again or we won't be ready to leave this coming Saturday. I wish you and yours all the "73's" possible. Again it is my pleasure to have had the priviledge; I hope your dream of owning a campground comes true.
A retired driver.
Firstchiefmike

Hey there Firstchiefmike! Well, we still do have wild hogs that roam the country side, you can see them alongside the road while travelling. Also, you can spot a gator or two at times also! The rattlers, well, err... yep they're still around. I haven't seen any and hope not too! Well, have a great time as being camp hosts this summer and if you get a chance, hop on the boards and give a shout! :) Been nice meeting ya and talking with ya! :)

[sayersaa]

I am an ex trucker. Drove in the 90's before I stopped. But I always have this need to be 500 miles from where I am now. So here I am out here soloing it. I was widowed in 05 retired in 07 an bought a fifth wheel and started driving again. For fun this time. Saw lots of country I wanted to see but the load pushed me on. Now if I want to stay a month or a day that is what I do. It is great. :cool:

[boothby1952]

Well, guess there's a few of us here. I started back in 1985 for a company in Michigan. I don't do OTR anymore, but during the warmer months I drive wheelers. During the colder months we OTR with a winnebago.

[fixit]

after I retired for the 2nd time I tried that OTR business for almost 5 years and just couldnt handle the cross country team runs. Their was not enough time and to many places to visit so my wife and I went to the leasure style OTR in our coach.The wife didn't go with me and those coast to coast runs really did me in. We have spent the last 9 years trying to "see" Oregon via the leasure style.:cool:
fixit

[ladyliberty]

Previous Pumpkin Driver here. Drove for three years with the Ex as a OTR Team. I stayed on that truck till my water broke with the first one, then I drove local small steal truck out of Dayton for awhile so I could be home everyday with the young one. I have always loved travel via the roads, something my Dad taught me while young, we were anytimers as they say. We went anytime, anywhere he felt like going but we never had a RV..tents were his style. Growing up in Florida, we learned alot of military history and saw alot of sights. I bought my first RV this past summer. It is a 1987 Ford Freedom Class C 29ft. She's a beauty! Low miles and looks near new, especially inside! My 15yr old named her "The Lady Liberty" since we are all girls and it's a Freedom and we are a retired military (Navy) family. My current husband (we just celebrated our 10 year anniversary)just officially retired last month. Class of 1986 Naval Academy! We have a lot in common but he lacks the desire to roam as I do, so he goes to the local camping activities with us, but the girls and I (they are 1 month shy of 16 and the other one is 7) we go anytime anyplace we can. Our next big venture will be Spring break time, we want to go to Hiddenite, NC and dig for gems..Anyone been there? I think it sounds fun! Summer will bring a trip to Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore, I'll be taking my 70yr old parents with us then. Nice to get to know you all!