Lightning Strikes, And Other "adventures"

So far, I am really loving my new job with Don Hummer Trucking, but I have to say, that if it weren't for my time on the Swift Walmart account, I would probably be dead in the water. The many backing scenarios I encountered with Swift, gave me the confidence, and tools to tackle each of the places I encountered. Some of these places are definitely NOT made for anything more than a Pup/Day cab combo, or a straight truck. My last delivery, due to being detained at my first stop for 3 hours, was 30 minutes late, as he was closing up. So we rescheduled for 7am next day. I am very glad it worked out this way, because this was one of the aforementioned places I got to walk the area, and figure out my game plan, for delivery time. Long story short, I backed a 1/4 mile down a public access road, and did a 45 degree dock, around a telephone pole. And had to not block traffic once docked. It was actually, pretty fun, and a great challenge.

A few days ago, when that crazy storm front was moving through Pennsylvania, I was traveling down US 15 South, Just barely ahead of the storm front. Just as I pulled into my delivery, In Hazeleton, PA, it finally caught up with me, and backing in a torrential downpour is a challenge in and of itself. Afterwards, the storm had let up, but there was some crazy spiderweb type lightning, as it raced across the sky. It was beautiful, and a touch scary. Back on the road, where Pen-309, and-I81split, I was following a Prime Truck, when a series of lightning bolts started a massive web in the sky. I could feel the static, and then a bold came down and hit the truck, about 100 yards ahead of me. The driver was ok, but his entire electrical system was fried. I wonder how he explained that situation to Breakdown?!?!

All in all, I have to say, that OTR is definitely a better fit for me, than the regional dedicated, with a lot of similar, and some very different challenges. I still have a lot to learn, and look forward to each day, and the challenges it will bring. Being able to drive through Downtown Boston, and the tunnel, was a great experience, and again, my experiences driving on Long Island, and in Jersey City, definitely prepared me. I have my phone mounted, so the camera sits above the dash, and i have it voice commanded to snap a picture when I say, "Say Cheese," and a series of 10 shots, when I say "Frito Lay." Here is one of those pictures.

I was traveling down US 15 South, Just barely ahead of the storm front.

Man, I lost count of how many times I would be on a run from the West Coast coming back East and a huge storm would follow me for days all the way across. I'd be watching the radar all the time. I'd wake up in the morning and it would be like 12 hours behind me. I'd drive for the day, build a bigger lead, and go to bed for the night. The next morning it would be 12 hours behind me again. I'd to that all the way across.

Several times I was along the Gulf Coast or the East Coast with a hurricane approaching in a few days. I always got out of the way in time but it's such a foreboding feeling knowing a massive storm is just over the horizon heading your way.

All in all, I have to say, that OTR is definitely a better fit for me

I was the same way. I loved the OTR lifestyle. You had such a huge variety of destinations and experiences, and the travelling was an actual lifestyle, not just a job you were hoping would end so you could go enjoy yourself. I loved it. I lived in the truck for many years. I didn't have a home or a vehicle or anything. Just a couple of big hockey duffle bags full of stuff was all I owned. I loved it. What an awesome way to live.