Another year of the wheels on the semi going round-n-round! February of 2024 marked the start of Butch's third year driving Over-the-Road. He's been with Nationwide since the end of October 2023. His dispatches cover the mid-west, with driving somewhat less challenging than either the east or west coast.
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| 2-16-2024 Hy-Vee, Cherokee, IA |
He's been driving the same truck - Maverick. Dispatching was consistent,
home time was roughly every three weeks & the semi had the largest cab of any he'd driven. It's always a bonus if a dispatch brings him within range of home, with enough time to spend a night.
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| 2-16-2024 Sunset, Speedway, Kingstown, IN |
Winter wasn't too bad, especially without the mountain passes or winds & ice of Wyoming. I-80 through Iowa though - kept its reputation for being as difficult - if not more so.
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| 3-8-2024 I-80 westbound~ |
The view above was the drive Butch made early March, as he was returning to Omaha for scheduled time at home. By the time he'd reached Avoca, within a ten-minute period, he saw three semis jackknifed along the interstate. The biggest cause of the wrecks always seems to be the same, excessive speed.
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| 4-11-24 Sunset, Spoon River Rest Area, IL |
Above, another gorgeous sunset from the Spoon River rest area. Leaving the following morning - he was on his way back to Omaha. He made his delivery, checked in at Nationwide & picked up another load at Armor Swift. He dropped that trailer at Nationwide for the night & still made it home by 7 p.m. It takes just the right circumstances to get him home overnight, but we take it. I call it a "Stop & Go".
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| 5-6-2024 Chicago rush hour traffic~ |
Having delivered a trailer to Smithfield in Greenfield, IN - he was to pick up a loaded trailer there & deliver to Oconomowoc, WI & Ankeny, IA by 5/8. The only Nationwide trailer there - had been loaded with the wrong load. Butch had to wait for it to be unloaded & reloaded before leaving.
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| 6-23-2024 Iowa 80 |
Iowa 80 became his
go to truck stop when crossing our state. So large there's always parking, plenty of indoor space to walk & the restaurant serves great coconut pie! Since we'd stopped there on our way to LeClair one year for our anniversary - I always feel comfortable when he's parked there.
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| 7-11-24 Near Williamsfield, IL |
Butch had left home on the 11th, dispatched to Carriage Hill in Salem, OH. Mid-morning his dispatch had changed. He was to meet-up with another driver at Love's in Oakview, IL & exchange trailers. That driver needed to get home & Butch's original load would get him there.
I still follow his daily drives with Google Maps & keep a log of where picks up, delivers & stops for the night. It's not too often he has to drive at night, which I'm thankful for.
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| 8-23-24 Record Printing, Story, IA |
August 19th, Butch was back on the road, after our trip up to WA. He's done a great job of photo journalizing his time on the road. We're both getting more familiar with routes he does frequently. We talk twice a day. I like seeing photos of the different warehouses & places he's stopped each evening.
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9-5-2024 I-80 East Bound Rest Area, Casey, IA
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Having picked up a load in Council Bluffs, Butch was delivering to SK Food Group in Columbus, OH on the 6th. The wind turbine blades make even the semi's look small.
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| 10-31-24 - A stop at McMahon Truck Center, Indianapolis, IN |
Maverick's instrument panel started showing warning messages. The computer said he had an hour to drive before the engine would shut down. He made it to McMahon without a tow bill. The problem was a ground pin that had disconnected from a sensor! A minor issue, soon fixed & Butch was back on the road! It wasn't in time to make his delivery at Walmart; they refused to take a late load. Nationwide had to call & reschedule, which left Butch waiting another full day.
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| 10/24/24 - Driver of the Month Award~ |
We took our usual yearly time away for our anniversary. When Butch arrived at Nationwide, the award was waiting for him! He'd driven almost 12,000 that month.
Two years with Nationwide~ |
| 11-13-2024 Home on a Stop & Go! |
Butch texted mid-day he'd be home overnight with a delivery this day & a pickup the following in Omaha. The timing was good, since Maverick's hood latch had broken that morning. (Living here, it seems we get so little rain - it's almost become a novelty!)
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12-3-2024 Leaving Gary, IN on the way to MI
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Butch left home in snow flurries. The weather deteriorated with each mile he traveled north. After picking up his loaded trailer at Farmland in Denison, IA he was heading east. By the time he reached his delivery in Ohio, the weather had improved.
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| 12-30-2024 Conway, MO Rest Area |
Delivering commercial doors from Steelcraft in Cincinnati, Butch left early in the morning to make deliveries to Springfield, MO, Springdale & Magazine, AR. He enjoys delivering to commercial construction sites. They remind him of his prior occupation. He was asked one day - after mentioning something on the site that needed changed - if he wanted a job!
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| 1-10-2025 Flying J, Springfield, MO |
With the first of the new year, came the worst of the winter storms. Butch was on his way to the Caves in Independence, MO when a big storm blew in. Trucks pulled off the interstate to find parking at truck stops that were soon full to overflowing.
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| 1-10-25 Entrance Road to the Caves, Independence, MO |
The following morning, 4-6" of snow welcomed him, along with 28-degree temperatures. On the drive to the Caves, trucks were off the road everywhere. Even on the entry drive, a semi had slid off the shoulder.
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| 1-18-2025 Maverick II |
Butch came home on the 16th. He dropped Maverick off at Nationwide & brought his new truck -
Maverick II home on the 17th. Monday morning, he was back on the road, all his gear moved into the new truck.
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| 2-5-2025 Maverick II - towed~ |
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| 2-24-25 Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO |
Butch finished out his third year of driving at Maverick's wheel. The semi turned over 400,000. This was the first time he's driven a full year with the same company. Getting regular time at home has been great, too.
Mileage for 2/25/23 to 2/25/24 is - 124,617. His three-year total is now 382,880 miles & the half-million-mile goal is getting closer!
We'll see what the coming year brings!
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