Second Year OTR ~

 The end of February marked the completion of Butch's second year driving Over-The-Road.  During the past two years, Butch has safely traveled 254,654 miles.

2-20-2023 Corinne, Utah

Butch began driving for Blake Scott Logistics LLC, June7, 2022, pulling D&D Transportation trailers.  He picked up his Freightliner -Traveler in December of the same year. His routes were fairly consistent, taking him from ID to UT, NV, NE, CO, WY & MO.  He was getting home about every three-weeks.

3-1-2023 Hwy 50, CA  26 degrees. 

2023 - Winter driving was, well, winter driving again!  Leaving Wells, NV the morning of 3-1 & arriving in Carson City, NV by nightfall, had been a day of treacherous driving.  My husband though - is an expert at driving the mountain passes & has done them all.

3-5-2023 1:07 a.m. Flying J, Snowville, UT

The morning of the fifth was thick with snow & fog too!  Butch waited until things warmed up a little before leaving.  Several semi's had slid off the road.  On to Hayden, UT the weather improved.

4-4-2023 Arkansas Rest Area~

Arkansas weather was warmer & turning springlike by April.  Dispatches were covering more states, D&D Transport had lost a large contract.  Without that contract, Blake Scott was down to six drivers.

4-18-2023 UT

On April 18th, the day's drive took Butch from Santa Rosa, NM to Green River, UT.  The country was beautiful.  He enjoyed seeing the southwest again driving in NV, NM, AZ etc.

5-1-2023 Mason in the driver's seat! Traveler~

The first of May, when Butch realized how his schedule was going to work out, he called daughter Courtney.  She & Mason were happy to make a long road trip south, through lots of traffic to have dinner with Papa!  Butch had driven 621-miles to make the meet-up happen!

6-24-2023 Oregon~

By mid-June, Jacko Logistics in Vancouver, WA was leasing the six remaining Blake Scott semis.  Butch's home base had moved from north of Salt Lake, all the way back to WA.  When he asked for home time, it seemed impossible for Jacko to get him home anywhere near the dates he needed.  

7-1-2023 Crossing the Hood Canal Bridge, WA

Butch spent the weekend of the fourth-of-July in Port Angeles, WA waiting for a trailer to be loaded. It was also the beginning of his second year driving for Blake Scott.  

8-18-2023 On the way from Beaver, UT to Coors in Golden, CO

In August, Butch sat a new personal best - driving 745-miles in 10:27.  To do those miles on an 11-hour drive clock takes long open stretches, no traffic, a light load & a lot of luck.

9-21-2023 - What happens when a semi takes a curve too fast~

September 25th, Butch was hired to drive for Jacko Logistics who had taken over authority on the Blake Scott semis.  (Butch was the last of the Blake Scott drivers.)  This change resulted in dispatches taking him up & down the west coast.  It wasn't long before he realized why so many drivers refuse to drive in or out of CA.  

10-3-2023 Cassidy, Courtney & Mason~

By early October, Butch had made several dispatches to the pacific northwest.  On one of those trips - he had a layover in North Bend.  Daughter Courtney brought both grandkids with her to have lunch with Papa.  (This was the last time Butch was with our Grandson Mason.)

By the end of October, Butch gave notice to Jacko Logistics.  He drove one final extended dispatch to get Traveler back up to WA before flying home.  He had been looking at companies in the Omaha area & with a friend's recommendation, settled on Nationwide Transport.  

11-5-2023 Maverick, Butch's new ride~

Butch had a few days at home the end of October while he had orientation at Nationwide.  His new truck, a Volvo VNL860 was not the Freightliner he had hoped for, but within a few weeks he was happy to be driving it. Maverick was more comfortable, had a bigger cab & was smooth ride.  

11-2-2023 Maverick's dash~

The first time I looked in - I was amazed at all the bells & whistles!  Of course, the one problem Butch encountered was the horn...  It wasn't loud enough.  Traveler had a very loud horn that got other drivers' attention.  This truck hardly sounded like a truck at all.  A trip to Iowa-80 solved the problem with a beautiful new horn that sounds off at 175 decibels!   

12-15-2023 - Silver Lake Rest area, IL~

We were both happy to have him based closer to home.  Nationwide is only about 25-minutes away which makes it handy for Butch to come home overnight when he's in the area.  It took a few weeks for the dispatching to smooth out, but it's been very consistent.

12-19-2023 - I-80 Sunrise, eastbound~

The views have changed too!  From the mountains & snow to the prairies of the Midwest.  Butch was very lucky this winter & managed to skirt most of the storms that rolled through.  Not having the passes of CA, CO & WA to navigate has saved me a lot of worry.

1-7-2024 - Great Sauk Trail Rest Area, IL~

It's not that he didn't have some interesting driving conditions.  He's traveling to MI, IL, IN, AK, KS, MO, WI, KY, TN, AK, OK.  Of course, IA, SD & NE too.

1-13-2024 Bosselman Travel Center, Grand Is. NE

Travel in the winter months along I-80 is rugged no matter what state you're in.  NE is almost as notorious for bad weather as WY.  IA saw a record number of accidents during a big blizzard that rolled through.  

It's gratifying for us both to know this second year is in the rear-view mirror.  I won't say it was any easier, with changes in companies, trucks & dispatches.  All's well that ends well & this year ended with Butch home for Christmas & a New Year's Day spent with our closest friends.

This new year, I'm no longer home alone - since Finnigan became a member of our family early December.  His cheery little attitude does wonders to keep me smiling.  I'm happy every evening when Butch calls to say he's done driving for the day & is parked somewhere safe.  

Butch's first year~

The First Year OTR - Complete!

 Congratuations to my husband! 

As of this past weekend, Butch has completed his first year of Over-the-Road driving!

February 15, 2023 Glenwood Canyon, CO

February 25, 2022, he & Big Red were on the way to Ohio with his first dispatch to Home Depot.  By the end of March, he'd driven 12,135 miles.  I accompanied him for my one, three-day adventure into trucking...  It was not successful - for me...  I found my time better served - at home on terra firma!

March 3, 2022 Big Red at home~

May, after two breakdowns in two-days, Butch decided to take advantage of another driving opportunity & give CFI notice.  (It's difficult to find a driving position without at least two-years of OTR experience.)  He flew home from Dallas.  We took a road-trip to Seagonville, TX to pick up Butch's belongings out of Big Red.  The truck was waiting for parts & was still there months later - when a friend went past & saw the semi still parked.

May 26, 2022 - Where Big Red went in for repairs~

By the 7th of June, Butch had flown to Salt Lake City.  There he picked up his first truck driving for Blake Scott Logistics LLC & his first Freightliner!  It was love at first drive!  

June 10, 2022 - Ranger at home~

Butch came home mid-month to outfit Ranger & decided to take Nika with him.  Nika really seemed to enjoy the time with Butch.  The two of them took walks - saw interesting animals - like cows & had a great time.

June 14, 2022 -  Nika the OTR dog!

July, Butch & his sidekick were driving the miles!  A trip to OR, made it possible for our youngest daughter & our two youngest granddaughters to meet-up with Butch & Nika for a picnic dinner at a beautiful park!

July 13, 2022 Clackamas, OR  Skyla, Jentry & Josie~

By August, Butch & Nika switched semi's.  Another Freightliner & the only blue truck Butch has driven so far!

August 7, 2022 - A new ride!

This truck aptly named Blue - had a problem with the AC in the middle of the warmest days of summer!  It went into the shop.  Butch was given another truck to drive in the interm. 

August 26, 2022 "Guard dog!"

Butch drove this truck twice over the year.  The second time, we decided the truck needed a name & Rebel it became.  This was the nicest Freightliner Butch had driven to date & he was a little sad when he dropped it off & returned to Blue by the end of the month.  

October 14, 2022 - Blue with new mudflaps~

October Butch & Nika came home for a few days, so we could get away for our 40th Anniversary.  Butch found new mudflaps for Blue at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop near Wolcott, IA.  One of these days he'll find time to install them on Traveler!  (We decided Nika would stay home with me.) 

November 1, 2022 - Butch at 100,288-miles!

Blue was the Freightliner that carried Butch over the 100,000 mileage mark on November first!  But by the 17th, Blue was back in the shop, this time with more serious issues.  Butch flew home on the 20th from Twin Falls.  He was home over Thanksgiving, before leaving December 1st for Shreveport, Lousiana to recover Rebel.  (The driver had decided to drive for another company.)  

December 9, 2022  View of a wreck from Rebel~

Butch was driving Rebel for the second time - until he dropped the truck off in Salt Lake the 16th of December.  He then moved into his latest & hopefully long-term Freightliner - Traveler!  

December 26th - Traveler's first time home~

Winter driving - was - well - winter driving.  Lots of snow, ice, cold.  I-80 in spite of the WY Highway Departments best efforts seemed to be closed more than it was open.  Butch ended up making several cross country trips using I-70 through CO.  Butch was impressed with the way the CO State Patrol handled traffic over the passes, keeping the cars in the passing lane & allowing the trucks to maintain momentum in the right.

January 15, 2023 Northern Sierra - CA

In January, during one of the worst storms of the winter season, Butch drove Traveler over the northern Sierra's to make a delivery in southern, CA!  He had one option to cross & though it took him miles out of the way - the delivery was made!

January 23, 2023 - Traveler has a new Logo!

A real logo!  For the first time, Butch is driving a Freightliner with the new company logo!  The compliments started coming in - just about every time Butch drove through a warehouse gate!

February 8, 2023

February, Butch scheduled his home time to be here for our birthday's.  (Our mood was dimished by our all too recent loss of  Nika... ) The first time Butch has been home without our little Buhund girl here to meet him :-(  The weather was beautiful though.  We enjoyed our time together & a ride on our bikes. 

As we look back, it's gratifying to have accomplished our goal for the year.  The day Butch left for Springfield last January seems like the distant past to us both!  If the distance Butch has traveled is taken into consideration - it's an apt description!  Butch's mileage for the year - 140,540!  We've been very lucky in so many ways.  The top of the list is how Butch has traveled all those miles safely!  He's received his first safety bonus & is well on his way to the next!  

We look forward to 2023 & another safe year of driving~

Rollin' - Eighteen to Two!

 Butch pulled in on Wednesday - just before noon!  (This was Butch's first-time arriving home without Nika here to greet him...  Very tough for us both...) I'd just returned from mat-making.  As he walked in the door he asked if I was ready to ride?  I mentioned I'd thought of going up to the Lake if the weather cooperated.  It had & we did!

Traveler - Home!

Butch had driven in from Henderson, NE.  He'd hoped to make it home Tuesday night, but the condition of the roads in WY had taken a chunk of his drive time.  He was at 643-miles when he called.  Home safe & sound on Wed. sounded better than having him push through the remaining miles.  He would have Wed. night at home, before leaving Thursday morning to deliver in Carthage.

Butch rolling on two wheels! :-)

We'd no more than gotten the bikes off the rack, before Butch was off warming up his bike!  It was chilly - but the sunshine made it feel warmer.  This was his first-time riding with the new fenders he'd installed & they fit perfect.  

Butch enjoying sunshine!

I had to take him to my favorite spot on the lake for our break.  It was wonderful to just sit together & enjoy the sunshine & view.  Now, when I call him from here, he'll know right where I am!

Ice on the water~

There were no fishermen today, but two Eagles were out on the ice, taking advantage of having the lake & the fishing to themselves!  

Trail~

Not only are the day's getting longer, but the shadows of late afternoon last longer.  We did run into a headwind traveling south on the east side of the lake, along Indian Creek.  Butch was amazed at how low the creek was, even though I've been telling him!

The bikes take a break~

It wasn't just the bikes that needed a break!  The wind up that stretch was brutal.

Another feather find!

We were just leaving our bench by the lake - when I looked down to find another feather laying on the ground!  I've looked - but so far haven't identified what bird may have lost it.  I did send a request for an I.D. to the naturalist at Pony Creek.  Butch said, "It's from a "duck"!  If it does end up being a duck feather, I'll never live it down!  

2-9-23 Butch backing into the Cabin's drive~

Butch left again very early Thursday morning & was unloaded & deadheading back home by 1 p.m.  Traveler pulled in just after 6 p.m.  The round-trip was 644-miles in 9:19!  I had dinner waiting!  This visit - he has three whole days at home!

Hey Big Rig!

 As the lyrics to the Luke Bryan song go; 

"Hey big rig, keep clockin' them miles

Pullin' that horn, makin' us smile

Rollin' that load down the road all night long

Country on"

Leaving home~

Butch has been driving the miles, keeping the wheels going round & round!  This last two-weeks he's driven over 6,000.

Weight!

When you see in print the actual weight of a tractor/trailer with a full load, it's easier to understand why they ask for space on the road...  Butch enjoys a light load going over the mountains & a heavy one when there's wind!

Last week, Butch was dispatched from Triumph Foods in St. Joseph, MO out to Kent, WA.  He'd told his boss he would "do" Washington, but no further north than Auburn...  Right!  Obviously his boss was not too familiar with where the cities are located :-)   He had hoped to have time to at least see a few of the grandkids, but the schedule was very tight & made tigher by a date change deleting a day from the arrival date.  

9-30-22  Taylor Farms~  A building Butch built!

He called as he turned south onto I-405 from I-90.  Traffic was at a standstill - welcome to Seattle!  Not...  Finding his way to the delivery - Isernio's Sausage Co. - he said something about the area being very familiar.  Just getting near the dock was difficult, with cars everywhere.  

When he finally bumped the dock - I heard him exclaim.  He was looking right across the street at a building he had built!  It was orginally built for Monterery Foods.  This was where he constructed a "cold room".  When I went to visit & walked through - through being the operative word - I discovered how cold, cold can be!  At -35 degrees below zero, I could feel my face freezing before I reached the exit door!

10-01-22  Sat. morning, south bound on I-405

The following morning, he drove due north to Ferndale, WA.  Just a few miles shy of the Canadian Border.  Hum...  you can't get much further north & still be in the good ole USA!  From there, a quick unload & turnaround.  Back south, then east all the way to eastern WA & Selah to pick up a load of apples going to Costco in Aurora, CO.

Nika in the drivers seat!  Guarding the truck!

From what Butch has been told, he won't have to switch to a Kenworth, which makes him happy.  For now anyway, the big blue Freightliner is his home away from home. 

Speaking of home!  One more dispatch & he'll be heading home!  In time for our Anniversary & it's a big one this year!  I told him getting home in time for us to leave is a priority!  A busman's holiday!

A truck stop at night.  Stock haulers light up their world!

He & his friend Ed (They were in training together for CFI.) passed each other on the interestate today, at mile marker #320 in Oregon.  Ed heading west to Kent, Butch moving east to CO.  They hit their air horns as they passed!  So far they've run into each other on the east coast, in the mid-west & now on the west coast.  Amazing how small the trucking world can be.

Home Time/ Fun Time!

  Friday afternoon, Butch was driving in from the south, as I was coming back from the east.  We met at the school to drop the trailer before he followed me home.  I had to hurry to get the Bronco moved over for Blue!  :-)

We were lucky with Butch's scheduled Home Time this month!  The time always fly's by - Saturday we were busy running errands. 

Both bikes loaded for the first time~

 Sunday though, was literally a top ten day for any time of year & we planned to ride!  Sunshine, low humidity, mid-70's & a light breeze.  It was Butch's very first ride on the new bike that's been waiting for him.  It was wonderful having him home over a weekend & we sat out for quite a while enjoying the morning.

We decided on Henry's diner in Crescent for a late breakfast.  It was as yummy as we remembered.   Glen Cunningham Lake was our destination & when I looked at the GPS, we were only 12-minutes away!  

The bikes at the Lighthouse~

We drove over the old Morman Bridge & decided to circumnavigate the lake.  On the east side, we found the three entrances & stopped at the second by the dam to park.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day & were surprised the park wasn't busy.  Labor Day Weekend had been so hot & humid.  Here were were enjoying such great weather just a week later.

Butch stops to check his tires~

Butch has outfitting to do on his bike.  Fenders, a bag etc.  He borrowed my tire pump to get his tires up where they needed to be - after sitting for months.

Looking across, close to the north end of the lake~

It was so fun zooming along on the concrete.  As Butch commented, its way more fun to ride when you don't have to work at it.  He was happy with how easy the Cannondale is to ride.

Butch on the bridge~

Such an enjoyable afternoon!  Only a few people besides us with bikes.  The Lake is 390 acres & operated by the City of Omaha.  The old horse trails have been greatly reduced to maybe five-miles at the most.  The trails that were the closest to the lake were taken for the new walking/bike path.  Sad, but here I am enjoying them again.

Looking South~

The ride around the lake, seemed shorter than we remembered from our first visit here.  Maybe because we were going faster with less effort.

Our Route~

Driving out the Old Lincoln Hwy from Council Bluffs seemed much easier than taking the freeways.  I feel comfortable making the juant now, on my own & plan to now & then.  Butch has spent the night with the semi at the Sherman Summit rest area in WY, that commenorates the Old Lincoln Highway!

We couldn't help but stop at Cristy Cream in Council Bluffs on our way home!  The homemade sherbert is the very best in the whole world!  I had orange & Butch had strawberry!   We sat outside at the picnic table.  A  great way to end a really fun day~