Imagine riding high above the freeway traffic with a view of America unhindered by guard rails and shrubbery. Little did I know what an adventure this would become. Trusty journal always at the ready, I recorded it all, the fun times and the scary moments, as well as Gene's work-a-day. We met people, too-sometimes strange, but always intriguing; many were lonely on the road, even at crowded truck stops. The whole country became our home. We were always on the go, whether it was a beautiful day, rainy night, or an icy mountain highway in winter. Some roads became as familiar as faces while others beckoned with promises of mystery around the bend. Truckers and non-truckers alike, their families and friends, and even those who just wonder what it's like, will enjoy this book. This would make a nice gift, or a foretaste for anyone considering a career in truck driving.
About the Author: I grew up in southern Oregon, on a mountain near Rogue River, Oregon, a place called Buzzard's Roost. I was always going to be an artist, or so said my family, who are all artists of one kind or another. Dutifully, I went to Burnley School of Professional Art in Seattle after I graduated from high school. I've had various art jobs, like illustrating a few books, painting murals and signs, doing a comic strip for a belly dance magazine, designs for a rubber stamp company, etc. I had always dabbled in writing, mostly poetry, and I sent poems and drawings to the Oregon Farmer magazine when I was in grade school, receiving a dollar for each - my first paid submissions! One of my high school teachers gave me my own "Jackie's Corner" bulletin board for my drawings and poems. After high school I joined several writers' clubs in Washington and Oregon, and wrote articles for local newsletters. I attended several writers' conferences and even won "honorable mention" in one of their contests. Wow. I took a couple of writing courses and did some copy editing. A few years back, I would never have thought I'd write a book. Me? A real writer-person? Nah. But then Gene and I had a big adventure. We spent two years in a Big Truck, a semi, an 18-wheeler! Gene had always loved driving, especially big rigs like trucks and motor homes. He really needed a career change from window washing, but he was in his 60s now. Who would hire him? We lived near Salem, OR. Gene went to truck driving school in Portland. He knew he would enjoy the work, and there was no problem with his age. Soon he was hired. So began our Big Adventure! We traveled all over the country, and even into Canada a few times. Sometimes it was like a vacation, but other times it got pretty hairy - it was, after all, a job. Situations in a Big Truck can get scary pretty fast. I kept a running journal of his phone calls as well as our time together in the truck, which I never thought would be part of a book - but what did I know? I hope you enjoy the trip. We did - most of the time.