The First Truck Stop You Slept At?

I'm currently at the Pilot in Hagerstown, MD. The one where they try to kill out of shape drivers by making them walk up a two storey flight of stairs from the pumps to the store.

Whenever I'm here I recall that this was the first truck stop I actually slept at. I was with my trainer at USXpress at the time. I had a nice, easy straight back into a parking spot. Who else remembers the first truck stop they slept at?

P.S. photo provided as proof that the uploading issue is resolved😉

Pulled off at the Kwik Star I80 exit 201 Brooklyn IA to take a nap in my daycab.

First (and only) time I've taken my 10 in a sleeper at a truck stop was the Flying J on the Northside of Sioux Falls SD where 29 and 90 meet. We're spoiled, we get company paid hotel rooms

I can't remember which one it was, but I know it was on I-85 in South Carolina. It's been almost 30 years, and I remember my first trip out with my trainer like it was yesterday. I remember my trainer letting my behind the wheel for the first time, my first truck stop, first meal, first night in the bunk, and even an accident we saw that first night. It was the most exciting time in my life to that point (I was 21 years old) and to this day the excitement I felt from that incredible adventure is still fresh.

That's why it's hard for me to understand some of the new drivers. They haven't even attended school yet, and they're already jaded. They hate the mega carriers; they think trucking is a scam; they have a long list of misconceptions about the industry, etc.

Man, when I started trucking, all I ever thought about was the adventure! I couldn't believe I was about to live on the road and drive a big rig for real! What a thrill! I never had an ounce of cynicism. I never wondered if I would get screwed by a company. I didn't even know it was a thing! I just wanted to live on the road and travel the country. I knew I would make four times what I was making at that time, and I was excited about that, but the real thrill was the adventure!

First one for me was Flying J in New Haven, IN. Had just gotten on the truck with my trainer. He drove from the company yard to the truck stop. I slept in the truck and he had dinner with family. I hadn't even gotten my first paycheck, so I didn't even bother going into the truck stop except to use the restroom.

I'm currently at the Pilot in Hagerstown, MD.

That's the one with the ducks! There used to be a group of about a dozen (mostly Mallards) that would wander the parking lot, going from truck to truck for handouts. I used to carry a small loaf of bread in the truck just for them. I have pictures, just not on this phone.

That's the one with the ducks!

That's right! I didn't even remember them until I saw your reply. I didn't see them out here today. But, yes. I remember they waddle around here like they own the place.

Oh my gosh, the memories I forgot to remember.

I went out with my trainer and he knew all the stops. The first night we parked at a McDonald’s that had truck parking. I cannot remember the exact location, but it was somewhere.

I can't remember exactly where, but somewhere in Kentucky, in January and I was scared to death. First solo trip, it had been snowing, I made it through some small town w/90 degree turns (YES IN THE SNOW). When I got to the little Pilot to scale the load, there was one parking spot left (of about 15) and I backed right in. The snow had stopped, there was a break in the clouds and a slight ray of setting sun let me know that God was looking out for me. And He still does!

I was born and raised in Hagerstown. It was a much different town then and I still have family there. I've only been to that Pilot once.

Thanks for the reminder of how good God has been to me on this journey.

1st weekend we stayed at the Love's in Tolleson, Az. 3 days actually, waiting for next load! lol Trainer was a new lease op with CRST, he came from Stevens Transport TX, was training me per his training. The next weekend was same thing, we ran east, and back west, at the SAME Love's in Tolleson a few days. He was even trying to find a broker load for us to roll out hahaha