Nestled In The Foothills

 

Lake Crescent in the Olympic Mountains of Washington State.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: A Different Kind Of Catcall
2017: Discovering The Backcountry
2016: The Beauty Fuels The Drive
2015: Making A Killing By Killing People
2014: The Best Damn Piece Of Driftwood I've Ever Seen
2013: Junk Still Exists In The Snail Mail World
2012: Where The Chisled Form Of David Accompanies You In The Restroom
2011: Settling In And Planning Our Day
2010: Por And Parking Served Up With Southern Charm
2009: They Should Put This Scent In A Candle. I’d Have One Lit In My House Every Night!
2008: After All
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Who My Baby Daddy?
2005: South Siiiide Education

There's Always Time To Play With A Shuttlecock

 A

Ed and I carry two badminton rackets and a few shuttlecocks in the truck. 

We don't use them very often, but it's a lot of fun to get outside and smack these around on a nice (not windy) day.  We don't need an actual net; just an agreed-upon demarcation that serves as one. 

And an honest scorekeeper!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: It's All Happening At The Zoo
2017: A Royal Goodbye
2016: Passing Time
2015: The Vast Nothingness
2014: An Amish Gathering
2013: Personalized
2012: Fire On The Island
2011: Harborside Education
2010: Yo, Vin!
2009: Sweeter Words Have Never Been Spoken
2008: More Proof I Ate At A Sushi Place
2007: North Sally Port
2006: Holy Cow!
2005: Wishing

The Farmer And His Family

These sculptures are part of The Tin Family, the farmer's son is below.

Created by artist Gary Greff, these sculptures and more can be found along the Enchanted Highway in Regent, North Dakota.

If you have a chance to swing through North Dakota, make this part of your road trip.  It's a fun sight!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Checking Every Nook And Cranny
2017: Equestrians Crossing Since 1493
2016: We Will Rise
2015: The Whitewashed Domes Of León
2014: Tormenta De Polvo
2013: A Bridge To Baytown
2012: Sometimes We Like To Lay Low
2011: Pick ‘Em Slowly And Gently
2010: Listen, Learn, And Laugh
2009: Where Is Robin Hood When You Need Him?
2008: All American Eddie Friday
2007: A Hippie Dippie Woo Woo Town Sporting Lots Of Leg Hair
2006: Flowering Rocks
2005: The Cool Mom

Bound By The Road

Photo courtesy of Bound By The Cloak website

I was recently asked to be interviewed for a podcast called Bound By The Cloak. 

Chandi Guntapalli contacted me because she and her co-host,  Zoe Marshall, wanted to get the perspective of a woman truck driver and tell the story about what we experienced on the road as a truck driver.

I love talking about my job and sharing what happens in my daily life on the road.  Many people seem interested in this profession and don't always know what our days are like.  So Chandi and Zoey asked the questions they were interested in and I answered!

You can listen to my episode HERE.

Enjoy!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Welcoming Wyoming Wind Power
2017: Not Really A Loop
2016: Food For The Spirit Inside Of You
2015: These Little Piggies Went To Market
2014: Just Another View From The Road
2013: Polly Needs More Than A Cracker. Polly Needs A Roll Cage.
2012: Hats Off To Tits And Ass
2011: Approaching Chi-Town
2010: Paneful Outlook
2009: Gray County Silhouette
2008: This Little Piggy Went To Market
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: The Heat Bog
2005: Five

Body At Rest

 

When I wake before Ed - in the truck - because it's such a small space and any amount of light can be disturbing when you're sleeping, I always cover Ed's head with my pillow leaving his nose and mouth out for breathing.

He usually always sleeps right through this and rarely feels me placing the pillow over his eyes.  Of course, because I'm so gentle and considerate.

Is there a male version of Sleeping Beauty?  Because if so, he's it. 

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.

2022: Sorry, no post on this day.

2021: Blown Away

2020: Sorry, no post on this day.

2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Dwarfed
2017: When A Bolt Turns You Into A Bitch
2016: The Most Important Meal Of The Day
2015: The Weirdest Reunion Ever
2014: River Alarm
2013: A Face Only A Mother Sniffer Can Love
2012: Rolling In The Deep
2011: A Castle On A Bluff
2010: The Skies Really Are Friendly, No Matter Who Is Flying In Them
2009: Eddie Beach Feet Friday
2008: Panoramic
2007: My New Motto
2006: Fake It Till You Make It
2005: Feria Colour Strands

Prime Parking

My seat at the dinette table in the sleeper berth of the truck faces forward, with my view being whatever is in front of the nose of the cab.  

This is the view I see when we're parked on Port Townsend Bay in Port Hadlock-Irondale, Washington.  We face the bay and can see Mount Townsend, part of the Olympic Mountain Range, in the distance.

The sun sparkles off the water most of the day, we see sailboats and fishing boats pass by, and watch birds on the shore as the tides go in and out. 

THIS is prime parking.  

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Explore The Hive
2017: An Odd Little Hedgehog
2016: Go Further
2015: Until We Meet Again

2014: Sculptures That Literally Live And Breathe

2013: Pinged

2012: Adventure To Adventure

2011: The Mixing Of The Bitter And The Sweet

2010: A Great Start To A Weekend In New York

2009: Sing Sing Singin’ The Incarceration Blues

2008: Flame Sandwich

2007: Contradiction

2006: Every Eight To Twelve Seconds
2005: Sorry, no post on this day.

We're Back!

 

Approaching the Customs Officer at the Port of Entry in Port Angeles, Washington, United States.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Tacos?
2017: Set The World On Fire
2016: Eff Your Beauty Standards
2015: This Steak Caused A Buzz
2014: There Was Gold Everywhere
2013: Two Telephone Poles And A Cloud
2012: I’ve Yet To Make Lemonade
2011: Alien Ribs Of The North
2010: White’s Bastard Cousin
2009: Jake
2008: I Might Have To Be Put In Restraints For Our Next Conversation
2007: People Who Are Happy To Help You Drown In Debt
2006: I, I, I
2005: Sorry, no post for this day.

Open Deck Transport

 

We made another trip on the Seaspan ferry from Delta, British Columbia to Swartz Bay, British Columbia, located on Vancouver Island. 

It's the best view from a ferry we've ever been transported on.  We back onto the front of the ship, they put up a little net to keep us from going over the side (LOL), and away we go!  We just sit in the cab of our truck and have an unobstructed view as we snake through the Gulf Islands.  

The weather was gorgeous and since it's whale migration season, we thought we might see some orcas swimming through the Strait of Georgia, but sadly, we didn't have such luck. 

Maybe next time!

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Good Answer!
2017: A Really Big Shoei
2016: Spatchcock!
2015: Completely And Utterly In The Pink
2014: Hammer Down Thrifting
2013: Does Anyone Have One Of These I Can Borrow?
2012: Built Like A Mack
2011: Luxor-ious Seating
2010: Sharing A Moment
2009: When Sunny Gets Blue
2008: Putting The Friendly Back In The Skies
2007: White Squall
2006: Free As A Bird
2005: The Heat Is On

Peek-A-Boo!

 

I was looking through some old photos and came across this one of Ed in our old truck.  If someone is going to peek out and boo! at you, it helps if they're cute.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: The Red Dragon And His Friends
2017: The Common Folk
2016: Happy Mother's Day!
2015: There Are Vacation Links In This One
2014: Remains In A Gold Field
2013: In The Shadow Of Al
2012: Uphill Semi-Battle
2011: Happy Mother’s Day!
2010: Back On The Road And Sleeping Like A Baby
2009: Peeping Ed Friday
2008: It’s Obvious Where My Sense Of Style Comes From
2007: End Of Season Snow
2006: At Least She Isn’t In The Cubicle Next To YOU
2005: Mother Lode

Second In Line

 

The line of trucks waiting for service at ARI, the shop in Indiana where our custom sleeper was built.  I didn't take this photo but we're in it - the second truck from the right, the black one.

Looks like we'll be spending the weekend in the area!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Hard Labor
2018: Heading To The Tall Pines
2017: They Nestled The Produce On Beds Of Kale
2016: Take It To Ramon
2015: California Field
2014: Happy Easter!
2013: A Tree Grows In A Truck Stop
2012: The Herb Whisperer
2011: Turning Tables With Adele
2010: A Different Kind Of Dumpster Diving
2009: Federal Glow
2008: My Mother Is An Oxymoron
2007: The Restroom Shell Game
2006: The Pressure
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Parking Lot Reeds

 

Some weeds at the edge of a parking lot in Corfu, New York.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Soup In A Golden Bowl
2018: Where The Elks Of Globe Went To Gather
2017: For All The Real Easter Lovers Out There
2016: Round Trip
2015: A Delicious Bridge And Tunnel
2014: More Important Than Taxes
2013: Stadium Seating
2012: Where Ed Was Found Roaming The Aisles
2011: If You Happen To Have A Few Hundred Million Lying Around, Have I Got A Deal For You
2010: Another Day At The Port
2009: Buggin’ Out
2008: Hangin’ Out With Ray Stoker Jr.
2007: Sunset On The Move
2006: Happy Easter
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Weather Event In Vacationland

 

Dysart's truck stop in Hermon, Maine glistening in the rain.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: The Art Of Clog Making
2018: Beauty Prevails
2017: Approaching The Future Of Space Travel
2016: Hmeep Hmeep!
2015: Spring In The Sky
2014: Power To The Tree
2013: For Mommy
2012: There’s Always Room For La Dolce Vita
2011: Drop It Like It’s Hot
2010: The Art Of Being Tardy
2009: Vantage Point
2008: Cape Cahd Hahba
2007: Waxing Brilliant
2006: Seven! Seven! Seven! Seven! Seveeeeennnn!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Path Of Totality

 

When we came back to the States from Nova Scotia, Canada earlier this week we had the opportunity to stop and view the solar eclipse in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, which was in the path of totality. 

For two minutes and seventeen seconds, the area was plunged into an eery darkness.  We didn't have special glasses so we couldn't look until the sun was covered, and although I took this photo it still doesn't represent exactly what we were looking at, which was much cooler.

We saw some other people and families come to the truck stop and set up their lawn chairs in the parking lot, waiting for the big event.  On our trip to Nova Scotia through all the states in the path of totality, we saw signs warning of traffic backups and telling people to not stop on the interstates to watch the eclipse, but being in Canada eliminated all of that because there aren't as many people here so the roads were wide open and there wasn't a stitch of traffic.

We saw a lunar eclipse in 2015 and a partial solar eclipse in 2017, and now we have this one in the books.  I'm happy we got to experience this even though we didn't even try to see it - we just happened to be in the right place at the right time - because the next one that will hit the Lower 48 won't be for another twenty-one years!

So unless we plan to travel to see other eclipses around the world (which we won't), this year is going to mark our special moment with the moon, sun, and a bunch of strangers in a parking lot in Canada.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Top Of The Parmigiana List
2018: Stay In Your Lane
2017: Don't Even Go There
2016: Pretty Purple Prickly Pears
2015: Visually Artistic Lighting
2014: I Lost Sleep Looking At All These Links
2013: Five Facets Of Comfort
2012: The Daily Rant Brings You The Daily Commute
2011: Not For The Shy
2010: A Barge And A Lady
2009: Easter Preparation Takes Its Toll
2008: Eddie In The Blue Friday
2007: The Man Filter
2006: There Is Still A Chance
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Rest Break In The Equality State

Ed took this photo in Wyoming during one of his rest breaks. The views in our "office" are ever-changing. 
 
And I love it.

Which brings me to this...

I have been included as one of the 100 Best Trucking Blogs and Websites.  I come in at number 33, in the top third section of the list.  Not bad.

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2023: The Makings Of A Feast Under One Beautiful Unique Roof
2022: Taking A Ship To See A Queen
2021: Dignity Of Earth And Sky
2020: When Life Gives You Lemons
2019: Istanbul Cobble
2018: Circulating The Morning Air In The Lonestar State
2017: It's The Real OLD Thing
2016: Stopping In Style
2015: Patiently Waiting
2014: Find Out Where You Can Dine With Giraffes
2013: Sputtering With Excitement
2012: Water May Not Be The Only Liquid Nourishing These Flowers
2011: Nappy Time
2010: Dick. Not A Dick. Which One Are You?
2009: First The Poultry, Now This
2008: California Moon
2007: Ryno And Rob
2006: Living The Dream
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn't start until May 2005!

Navigating The Gulf Islands

 

We took a quick 24-hour trip to Victoria, British Columbia this week, and on our way back to the States, took a different ferry than the one we usually use.

This ferry, rather than taking us to Port Angeles, Washington, leaves from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, snakes through the Gulf Islands, and winds up at the Seaspan Tilbury Island terminal in Delta, British Columbia.

We were parked on the front of the ferry, on the deck open to the elements, which allowed us to sit in the cab of the truck, giving us an unobstructed view during the trip. The scenery of British Columbia is always majestic, and on this day, although it was shrouded in mist since it was overcast and a little drizzly, it was still beautiful. We even saw a group of sea lions sprawled on the shore, nestled beneath a small red-and-white-striped lighthouse - we heard their barking as we sailed by. 

This ferry crossing was longer than the other one, but I liked being on the open deck and seeing the scenery. It's definitely something I look forward to doing again.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: The Smell Of Paradise
2018: Every Photo Ever Taken With A Disposable
2017: Birding From The Couch
2016: Resting Up Down South
2015: Looking For Our Container
2014: Bringing Sexy Back
2013: The Veteran And The Rookie
2012: Spring Has Arrived In Culpeper
2011: Food. Essential.
2010: Sometimes It Takes A Libra Two Weeks To Make A Decision
2009: What The Hell Is This?
2008: What It’s Like To Bee Watched By More Than Twelve Million Eyes
2007: My Man Is Ripped!
2006: Take Two Caramel Lattes And Call Me In The Morning
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!