2022 - In Review~

 Our sixth year started with a wind-blown snowstorm on New Year's Day, leaving us with a few inches of white. On the fifteenth, another snow & again, another couple inches.  The remainder of the 21-22 winter season was very dry.  A harbinger of the summer to come...  

New Year's Day - the snow starts - view from the Cabin~

The following day Butch left for Springfield, MO to begin training as an Over-the-Road Driver.  By the 21st. he had completed his courses & graduated from the Truck Dynasty Driving Academy.  Leaving Springfield, the same day, he drove with a friend to CFI headquarters in Joplin. He attended company specific orientation meetings & met his Finisher.  The remainder of January & most of February he was driving over-the-road.  Dispatches took them to the east coast, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, IL & south to TX.  

2-23-22 Moving day!

The 23rd of February, Butch was assigned his first truck!  He was dispatched home to outfit Big Red the first week of March. Nika & I joined him on his next trip - a dispatch to Buena Vista, CO. I was happy to get the experience & see a little of the job my husband had signed up for! I found out quickly being on the road was not for me. By the end of the month, Butch had purchased a Rand-McNally trucker's GPS which was a huge help planning routes to unfamiliar places.

3-8-22 Connie & Big Red

 I started to keep a daily log of Butch's travels & link to the day's route with Google Maps. There were times I used Google Earth to help him navigate particularly difficult directions.

4-15-22 Butch returns home~

Butch had his first real home time by mid-April.  Those few days went by way too fast!  The rest of the month, he was in TX, TN, GA, PA, NJ, KY & IL.  

5-30-22  Memorial Day Weekend - Adair County Courthouse, Greenfield, IA

  The 26th of May, Big Red broke down while Butch was hauling a hazmat load in TX & was towed to the Kenworth dealer in Dallas. The wait for parts to make the repair was measured in weeks rather than days... Butch decided to fly home on the 28th to wait for word from the shop. During that same time - a friend mentioned the company she drove for was looking for a driver & Butch applied. 

In the interim, on Memorial Day, we made a drive to my hometown of Greenfield, to decorate family gravesites & attend services at the Greenfield Cemetary.

6-3-22 Going through Dallas~

When we returned home, Butch had a new employer; Blake Scott Logistics LLC.  Reservations had been made to fly him to Salt Lake City by the 7th.  Butch gave notice to CFI & we made a quick one-day turn-around drive to Seagoville, TX to pick up his personal belongings out of Big Red.

6-7-22 Ranger - Freightliner!

By June 7th - Butch had his second red truck & first Freightliner!  He loved the roomy interior cab space, larger semi overall & driving the Freightliner without a governor set at 65 mph. 

7-15-22 Nika - OTR - Deadman's Pass, OR

When Butch made a stop at home on June 13th, he decided to take Nika with him!  She was really excited to go & enjoyed her time OTR.  By October though - she'd lost weight & wasn't thriving.  We decided her days on the road, were over.

 Mid-month, a terrific windstorm blew through our area...  It took down the big Locust at the far west end of the woods.  As it fell, it broke big limbs from adjoining trees & made a terrific mess.  Of course, this gave me plenty of clean-up work to do.

6-15-22 Damage from the windstorm~

I was very appreciative of our neighbor, who took ownership of the Locust & started work on it with his chain saw.  Between us, we had piles of limbs & branches everywhere.  (In November, I hired a tree company to come & cut the rest on our property, down.)

7-13-22 Butch with Skyla & Josie~

In July, Butch was lucky enough to be dispatched up to OR.  Our daughter Jentry drove from Astoria with our Granddaughter's Skyla & Josie to meet-up for a picnic dinner.  Butch hadn't seen them since our trip in late December of 2017.

8-6-22 Butch home with his Blue Frieghtliner~

August, Ranger was to be sold & Butch again changed trucks.  This time, to a blue Freightliner.  His route could be called semi-dedicated, since most of his dispatches took him from Gooding, ID to MO, then back west to Salt Lake.  I was thrilled he could occasionally fit in a night or two at home on his way by. 

9-11-22 Bikes at Lake Cunningham~

By September, it had been a summer of record-breaking heat & deep drought.  I spent a lot of time watering - in the hope of keeping the trees & shrubs alive.  The soil, even in the woods was as dry & powdery as dust...  Butch had a few days home time & we took advantage of the nice weather to visit Lake Cunnigham.  It was Butch's first opportunity to ride his new bike!

10-9-22 Antique Archeology, LeClair, IA

October was the month of our 40th Anniversary!  We made reservations in LeClair, IA.  We'd always wanted to visit the town, after being fans of the Antique Archeology TV show.  Both the shop & the town didn't disappoint.  There was even a little local brewery overlooking the river.

We took a long drive north, crossed the Mississippi & returned south down east side in IL.  We also discovered the Mississippi Palisades State Park & hiked to the overlook.

11-1-22 Butch & Blue - 100,288-miles!

November, in nine-months of driving, Butch reached 100,000-miles!  A big moment for him & for me too!  It had taken four trucks to get the job done!  (The four included a red loaner truck - Rebel - he drove while Blue was in the shop & again while waiting on his newest truck.)

11-5-22 Solar Panels Operational~

On the home front, after over a year of installation delays, we finally received permission to power up our solar panels!  They take up a good-sized portion of the backyard, but we have plenty of open space.  We were told our choice of a ground mount installation was a wise one.

12-16-22 Butch's new truck - Traveler~

December, Butch's latest truck arrived.  Another red Freightliner, Traveler is the newest yet & in excellent condition.  He was very happy to have a truck designated "his" & hopes to be driving Traveler a long while.

12-18-22 Butch with Josie, Ben & Skyla~

A few days later, Butch was again driving up in WA.  The same day Jentry was making her move from Astoria, OR to Camano Is., WA.  The timing was perfect!  They managed a meet-up near our old hometown of Arlington, WA.  Butch got a huge surprise!  Grandson Ben was with them!

Home for Christmas~

Butch was home for Christmas!  Ours was white, with light, fresh snow falling most of the day.  We had a quiet dinner, Jentry & the grandkids called to video chat.  The next dispatch arrived on Christmas day.  A trip up north,  leaving the 27th. to pick up a load of Blue Bunny Ice Cream in Le Mars, IA!

_____________________

When I wasn't mowing, weed whacking, weeding or watering, I spent a lot of time on my bike & reached my goal of 800-miles on the trail.  I enjoy the monthly Glenwood Garden Club meetings & still participate in our mat-making group on Wed. mornings.

12-31-22 New Year's Eve - 5:10 p.m.

New Year's Eve was a quiet one, not even as many fireworks as usual.  Nika was thankful for that!  I walked the property in the evening.  The sky glowed an amazing, brilliant orange, as the sun set.  An auspicious end to Butch's first year of driving OTR~  

Happy New Year 2023!

Past Year - 2021~

Winter has Arrived~

 After yesterday's sunshine, we were again gray today.  The cold has moved in - today's high reaching the mid-20's after 6 degrees last night.  While Butch was home for Thanksgiving, we did some shopping.  I found two little trees that renewed my interest in decorating.  I went through all the boxes of decorations & came up with a plan for both trees.

Family room~

The first, we found at Michaels, with a slender profile, it takes up less floor space, but adds additional height.  The frosted branches remind me so much of riding through the woods after a fresh snow.  Every year - the snowman wall hanging daughter Courtney made us - is one of the first things to go up.  I've collected pine cone ornaments for years, they went on this tree.  

Living room~

We found the little tree above at Menards.  It's more traditional, with our collection of glass ornaments, icyles etc.  The Santa wall hanging was a gift from a dear friend in WA, who made all the star shaped dollies, runners & tree skirts I use to this day.

Little Tree in the Cabin~

Last, the little tree in the Cabin, with  minature ornaments.  I spend time each day in the Cabin, checking on the gernamiums & watching the birds at the feeder.  Sad to say, so far anyway, I've not seen nearly the birds we usually have.  Just a few Chickadees & a Blue Jay.

First "snow" on the 15th~

More of a wind driven sleet than snow it was still pretty for the short while it lasted.  Enough to coat the roads in ice for a few hours.  Maybe two inches at the most.  Not even enough to try out my new snowblower.  

12-17-22 The Woods - 3:07 p.m.~

When the sun has shown though - the woods are beautiful!  Crisp in their light coating of white, now covered with a hard crust.  I completed my clean-up work just in time.  It's been so cold, the snow has stayed.

Butch has been busy since returning to the road. Rebel began having mechanical issues mid-month as he was leaving MO.  The plan was to get him into a truck he could keep by years end.  Thankfully, that truck arrived in Salt Lake. Butch was diverted there to make the change on the 16th.  (His fourth red semi.)

12-18-22  Traveler ~

By the 17th, he'd arrived in WA state.  He made one delivery & the following day, a second up near the border of BC.  Our youngest daughter was making her big move from Astoria, OR to Camano Island at the same time!  She made it a point to arrange a quick meet-up, before he passed by the island on his way south down the I-5 corridor.  She & the granddaughters had arrived late at their new home, then were up early see Papa!  Unknown to Butch, our oldest & first grandson Ben was with his mother!  The two of them hadn't seen each other since December of 2017!

Josie, Papa, Ben & Skyla~

Ben mentioned accompanying Butch on a dispatch one of these days!  I was so excited to see them all together I laughed & cried...  I told Butch - before long - we're going to have to find a vacation house on one of the islands & have a family get-to-gether!  It's Way too Long overdue!

Here & Gone Again~

 Monday, I knew Butch was coming this way...  On his way to Carthage, MO.  Dispatch scheduling has tightened up these last few weeks. It wasn't until he received the dispatch covering the rest of the week - I realized he wouldn't have time to make an overnight stop at home.  So, instead, he added a few miles to his trip & we met for lunch at Sapp Brothers off I-29.

Here he comes!

Butch called when he was in Lincoln, about an hour out.  I left home shortly after he called & arrived about 20-min. ahead of him.  It was a truly gray & ugly day with just enough drizzle to make the roads wet...  Such an abrupt change after the beautiful sunshine I enjoyed on Sunday's ride.

Parking~

Usually, the gravel lot has a lot of semis parked, but it had been freshly graded & Butch was the first one to pull in.  He'd lost his brand-new D&D trailer with his last drop & hook.  It's Rebel I recognize!  Nika knew where we were the minute, we pulled into the truck stop.  

After greeting me, Butch walked around & opened the rear door to say Hi to Nika.  She was So excited to see him!  It was funny to watch her reaction.  Happy & a little leery at the same time.  She didn't want him to think she wanted to go with him again!  :-)

The Explorer & handsome Rebel~ :-)

We enjoyed lunch, with only a couple other people in the restaurant.  With great service, it was nice & quiet, giving us a chance to catch up face to face.  Time with my husband didn't last long enough...  But I knew he was taking time he should have been covering miles.

Rebel pulling out~

I'd brought him a fresh batch of cookies & some sausage rolls.  Otherwise, he's well set, since he finally has all his things in this truck.  He was in Carthage Tuesday morning.  After a drop & hook, he left for St. Joseph & arrived there late morning.  There was the usual day's wait for the trailer to be loaded, but he was back on the road today. 

Safe Travels!

This run, is all the way back up to WA & almost the Canadian Border.  Word came through that he'll be stopping at D&D in Gooding, ID with the possibility of switching over to a newer truck!  The new truck is supposed to be red.  If that's the case, it will be his fourth red semi & third red Freightliner!

If things go as currently scheduled, he should be coming back east in time for Christmas week!  

Goal Accomplished ~

 December's weather has been a bit sketchy - cold & windy.  I was hoping for another decent day to get in a longer ride.  Sunshine & mid 30's by noon, it had yet to warm into the low 40's forecast.  Even so, the sun was shining when I arrived in Silver City by 1 p.m.  Mari Jo was meeting me for a ride to Malvern.  She needed to be back early though & my plan was to get in enough miles to meet my goal for the year.

Mari Jo, bundled up!

The wind was out of the S, SE & it was bitter!  We were both cold starting out, but soon warmed up enough to appreciate being out.  It didn't seem to take us long to arrive at the Trestle, we were moving right along!

Silver Creek through the trees~

There wasn't a cloud in the sky.  The tiny .12 of dizzle we'd received last week, combined with the colder temperatures, did seem to make things a little less dry.  Rain is again in the forecast for tomorrow evening into Tuesday - we'll see.

We stopped at the Depot.  Mari Jo turned back north, while I turned south again, to do my loop around the far side of town.  I knew if I did that loop & the one around the pond, I'd have the extra 1.5 miles I needed.

At the park~

It was a simply gorgeous December afternoon.  I stopped at the picnic shelter to take a short break & soak in the sunshine before going on.

Sunshine & Smokey's shadow~

For whatever reason, the wind, which I expected to be at my back, had died down to nothing!  I didn't complain, but I'd looked forward to a little push from behind :-)

North of Malvern~

That concrete mile north of town always feels so smooth after the miles of limestone.  Quiet too!  I can just barely hear the small generator in Smokey's front hub that powers the lights.  I never use them, but they were an option that came along with the fenders.

Three doe stopped on the trail about 100-yards ahead of me, but bounded off into the fields by the time I pulled out the phone for a picture.  I was past the Hwy 34 underpass & about half-way back to the trestle when I started hearing the distant whine of motorbike engines...  

Last week, just south of Silver City - a private property bordering the trail - had made a dirt track parallel with the trail.  A least two people on motorbikes were riding over fresh mounds of dirt & sending dust high into the air.  The sound I was hearing, was exactly the same, but behind me!

Riders coming fast~

I reached the trestle & rode up onto it, before stopping to see what was causing the obnoxious sound.  I parked Smokey in the middle of the bridge, sideways, before getting out my phone.  I started taking pictures as the riders approached, now slowing.

3:26 p.m.

They asked what I was doing?  I replied; "Taking photos". Then added;  "No motorized are allowed on the trail."  To this the one on the left said;  "These are electric."  I repeated my second comment.  I would have to have been deaf & blind not to reconize gas powered engines when I see & hear them...

When I didn't move, they raised their face coverings, turned around & took off as fast as they could go.  I took video, the sound of the engines was obvious.  It was a glaring interruption to the quiet of the trail... 

Once they were gone, I finished my ride & by the time I was back to the Explorer I was cold! Mari Jo had left me some of her peanut butter fudge!  So creamy - peanut butter is my favorite!  

I'd made my goal for the year - 800-miles, with a mile to spare!  With rain scheduled, possible snow flurries & temperatures to drop to down to the teens next week, it will be the luck of the draw as to whether I get in another ride this year!

Ice on the Water ~

 Sunshine, warmer & no wind.  A day to be outside & enjoy.  I drove over to Silver City & was at the trail-head by early afternoon.  With the days getting so short, so quickly, I wanted to allow plenty of time.

Silver City~

I will say it was a bit chilly, in the low 40's & cooler in the trees.  But on the open sections of trail, the sun was warm.  With the trees again devoid of their leaves, it's quite a change of scene.  Back to stark & bright!

The trail~

Only the Catbrier had a few leaves left, hanging in the sun. 

Ice forming~

It's been cold enough, long enough now the creeks have the first layer of ice forming.  So beautiful & yet it seems early - not even winter - yet!  Just before the bridge, a familiar rider was coming my direction.  Mari Jo was on her way back north, we'd just missed meeting up.  We both commented we were a little cold, but it was worth it to be out on such a nice day!

Ice Forming on Silver Creek

The creeks are So low...  We need mositure so bad...  The latest statistics show Glenwood at 16" below normal.  I can personally attest to the incredible dryness of our soil.  We're supposed to be due for rain this coming week - it can't come soon enough.  I dread crossing the gravel roads if there's any traffic at all, which thankfully there ususally isn't.  The dust clouds carry for miles.

North from Malvern~

I did end up removing my jacket at the trestle.  My vest was enough as long as I kept moving.  I rode past the park to the arch by the depot, before turning back to take my break at the park. 

A very low pond~

As you can tell from the photo above - the pond is very, very low.  It's only fed by rainfall & that's been in scarce supply.  I have heard the harvest from our area didn't fare as badly as anticipated, but other issues affected the yeilds.  A little of a silver lining in an otherwise dusty season.  

Returning to Silver City, it wasn't long before my coat went back on!  I pulled in at home, an hour earlier than just over a week ago, to find the sun already setting behind the woods.

On The Road Again ~

 Butch enjoyed eleven days at home!  The longest he's been home since starting his OTR journey January of this year.  We didn't anticipate Blue going out-of-service & the resulting wait for another truck.

We also expected Butch to leave for Salt Lake City, the company headquarters.  Instead, he received a ticket to Shreveport, LA!  December first, we returned to Eppley where Butch flew out to Houston at 3 p.m.  He only had one connecting flight to reach his destination of  Shreveport.

Entrance to the Shreveport, Airport~

Butch walked the block over to the motel.  The following morning, a driver he'd met twice came to pick him up & take him to a familiar truck!  Butch had driven this truck starting August 18th, while Blue was in the shop having the AC repaired.  It was the newest Freightliner he's driven & he enjoyed it.  But it was designated to a dedicated tractor/trailer route for live loads. 

8-25-2022 Butch leaving~

By August 29th, Butch drove to a meet-up spot in UT, where he met the new hire who would be driving the dedicated route.  That driver had driven Blue (out from the shop) & the two of them exchanged semis.  Butch only saw this truck one more time, at a customer loading dock.

12-2-22 Truck & Trailer~

Butch was picked up by the driver who had quit.  They drove to a nearby truck stop, where the truck/trailer were parked.  An inspection noted the lower cab faring was missing on the driver's side, the trailer had sustained a few scrapes & there were two large dings in the windshield.  

"Rebel" getting washed!

The trailer had to go in for a wash-out, so Butch had the truck done from top to bottom!  Now, that he's driving this Freightliner for the second time, (duration unknown) we decided Rebel needed a name!

At Hydro Sweet Potato~

His first dispatch this morning, was from Shreveport to Lookeba, OK.  It took a while to find the corrrect location.  When Butch  arrived, the staff explained the address differed from the one shown on the dispatch.  Each season, they find whatever property is available to use for the harvest.  When you're enjoying those holiday sweet potatoes, think of Butch & Rebel!  :-)  Who knows - the ones they're hauling may appear on your dining table!

Potato's being loaded~

Butch decided to go over the scales to adjust his tandems, before leaving for Idaho.  It only took a short distance, with a full load,  to discover the trailer brakes weren't working. The next stop was a Loves.  Even in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma, they had a service bay & mechanic on duty.

In the service bay~

Assembled & disassembled three times today - the brakes were still not working.  Another mechanic came on duty & discovered a new problem no one there had seen before. 

What a mess~

 Everyone is scratching their heads trying to figure out how this kind of damage could happen.  Another driver - owner/operator viewed the damage & said in his 40-years OTR - he had never seen anything like it. 

The brake pads were concave in the middle~

Butch is waiting for the repair estimate to forward on.  New brakes & drums all the way around...   We were both anxious for him to return to ID & pick up his personal items from Blue.  I had to persuade him to take a sleeping bag!   

OTR is always a challenge!  Idaho or bust!