So, who is herding this hog, anyway?

Well, OBVIOUSLY, it's the girls! We have had our doubts about everyone else! Me? I set my phone & smart watch to Eastern Time so I could keep track of when loads need picked up or dropped off. (Panther keeps track of everything on Eastern Time because they are based in Medina, Ohio.) It makes it easier to keep track of timing for loads, but if not for Google, I'd NEVER know what local time is in most of these places! Nick? As Nick told me from the beginning of this adventure, this is my dream, and he will let me do what I need to do. So he is willing to drive when and where he needs to, but he's happy to ride shotgun. Our Mentors? They have TONS of experience, and they could absolutely tell us what to do. That just isn't the way the Mentor Program at Hyfield Trucking works. Hyfield put us in a great truck, they pay for fuel and maintenance, Panther sets us up with loads going all over the place, which we don't have to take if we don't want to go to that geographical location or if we need to take time off for some reason. Our mentors are a phone call away, whenever we have questions or problems. Those phone calls are almost constant at the start, but as you repeat things a few times, you start to have a whisper of a hope that maybe you DO know what you are doing! Panther? Just today, they authorized us to move from City A to City B because B has more loads per day, on average. We got half way to City B, when they sent us a load offer to go back to City A, get a load and take it to City B. They may have the loads and channel the money, but they are DEFINITELY not herding THIS hog! So, I guess that leaves 2 choices: 1.) Esme, the Expediting Freightliner, is guiding herself, and we are holding on and enjoying the ride, OR 2.) It really is the girls, controlling us, so we take them wherever they want to go. If you have ever been on the receiving end of Gem's side-eye, you know it is a very viable possibility.

OMG! What a week! ....... or two.

 

Hyfield Pups!

Last thing I remember, we were running back and forth along the Rio Grande, sweating our butts off, and BAM!! It's almost Wednesday, again, TWO WEEKS LATER!!

So, let me recap: We had a training class in Medina, OH on July 12, so Panther got us loads that would get us closer for it. We picked up in Del Rio, TX, and delivered near Nashville, TN. Picked up in Gallatin, TN and delivered on Lake Erie. Had our class at Panther that was really helpful for us, then we went home to check on the kids and drop off the dogs. We went up to Fort Wayne, IN to go to the Expedite Expo and met SO MANY of our fellow Hyfield Family members, IT WAS AWESOME!

We got to spend more time with our mentors, Dana & Debb, met up with Vince & Mel again, and got to finally meet Kelly & Delenna, the Expedite Chics. We were introduced to so many Hyfield people: George & Teresa, Tony & Morgan, Paula & Jason,  Jaime & Patrick, Jackie &  Michael, Jim & Julie, Helder & Sharon, Patrick Lee, Eric Hyfield, Donnie Lee, Frank & Stephanie...,. And so many more! 

And even better than ALL of that, we reconnected with a couple we met last year, David & Dorothy, who we were able to introduce to our mentors. Hopefully, next year, they'll be coming to the Expo with more stories than questions! 

Coming home after Expo, we had a cookout with the offspring, even the GrandGirl! We did laundry, cleaned the truck, took out stuff we didn't need, replaced things we used up,  and had lunch with Chris & Mike, my sister & brother-in-law. 

So Monday evening, we were rearranging the truck, when the call came and we were back on the road again. And that is the continuing story, of a wonderful guy who humors his wife by letting her play trucker

¡Vive mi Estrella!

 

It's been a really interesting couple of weeks since we started this new adventure. Driving the big old truck has basically been a matter of getting used to a slightly bigger vehicle than the school bus, on roads that are usually wider and definitely longer than my bus route, among other drivers who are definitely not as considerate or sympathetic as many people are to school bus drivers. I expected to find it difficult to live in a tiny world with another fully opinionated person and 120 pounds of dog, but surprisingly, with the addition and proper maintenance of a Porta-Potti, this hasn't been the most challenging part of the adventure. The biggest challenge is probably figuring out how to do the paperwork. BUT as of this morning, I think all of our loads (which were delivered on time!) had their accompanying paperwork accepted, so we eventually expect to get paid! 

Part of driving (anywhere) is the billboards.  Alabama, Arizona, California, Kentucky, Louisiana,  Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, & Texas are no different to Ohio in that regard. So, seeing a name you call every day (but most people have difficulty pronouncing) on a billboard like it's as common a word as "Star", you take a picture of it! 

Speaking of Estrella, she is doing really well with this nomadic lifestyle. It may be my vanity, but I enjoy that if I'm up front, she lays between the seats. If I go back in the sleeper, she'll lay with me either on her bed or ours. Gem adores Nick, but she's happy to lay on the bed while we're driving or she'll split her time sitting up front and laying with whomever is sleeping. And she does SIT. The side-eye we get when we kick her out of the navigator's seat is always entertaining to us. 

We spent the 4th of July in El Paso. Once upon a time, we celebrated the 4th in all the common ways, parades, cookouts, fireworks, etc. Then we had Beau (Robert), who loved SEEING the fireworks, but dreaded the BOOMS. Then we were blessed to get Sam back from Iraq, but we realized at the next 4th of July that all the sparkle fizzled when it put a deathly fear in his eyes. And now we have the girls to consider. The truck stop where we spent the weekend had a fireworks stand not far behind it, and every night they had a small display. We usually caught the start of it when we were walking the girls before dark. Gem was kind of tough about it, but Stray just freaked out at the first boom. Once in the truck, with the APU (generator) and AC on, we could barely hear them, but she could. And Monday night, I guess they shot off what they hadn't sold by then. It was the longest fireworks display that I never watched. 

We spent Tuesday waiting for a load that didn't come, typical after a holiday weekend. This morning when a load came and went (canceled for whatever reason), our mentors recommended a change of scenery, with company blessing so they will pay for the fuel to get to a better location. Now we are headed east, getting ready for our next load.