¡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.