In order to understand the excitement of this week, I think that everyone should know that Ryan loves to drive and decided a long time ago that if medical school didn't work out he would learn to drive 18-wheelers across the country and "Keep America Moving." This week he got as close to driving a big-rig as he has ever been. In fact, he even got to rub elbows with fellow truckers at the CAT weight stations where he weighed the truck before and after we filled it with our furniture. I have to admit though that both Ryan and our moving truck were much smaller than the real trucks and truckers. Keep reading below for highlights from my exclusive interview with Ryan about his 2 day trucking experience. Michelle: "Thank you for joining us Ryan, we know your schedule is very busy. How did you feel driving the truck across the US?"
Ryan: "It was like living a dream: sitting high above the other cars, going zero to 40 in 2 minutes off a red light, and singing On the Road Again as I ignored cars merging onto the highway. It was beautiful."
Michelle: "Were there any challenges that you did not anticipate that you had to overcome?"
Ryan: "Yes, the wind moves a big truck around a lot more than a car. I had to learn to keep a good grip on the steering wheel and not to over-correct when a strong gust of wind tried to push me out of my lane. I'm a fast learner though, and by the time we were in Iowa I was down to running only 1 car off the road an hour."
Michelle: "Do you feel that you fit into the trucking world?"
Ryan: "I'm not sure, but I got a lot of headlight flashes from other truckers to let me know I was clear to switch lanes after passing them. I think that's their way of slowly inviting me into their circle."
Michelle: "Are you ready to do it again?"
Ryan: "No, but I will be when our next move comes up in 3 years. I need to take my skills up a notch, and I figure if I start spending Saturdays at the auto parts store and subscribe to Truckers Monthly I should be ready."
Michelle: "Thank you Ryan for your time and good luck with your future plans."
We also got to visit Emily and her family half way to Omaha/Bellevue. It sure was nice to have a day to rest after packing and before unloading. Here are some fun pictures that you can click to see more.
7 comments:
WOW sounds like a ton of fun. Three years is enough time to upgrade to a bigger truck. remember that when you are out buying all the necessities of life. You should have a big-rig filled in no time! HA HA
I am just amazed at how much Emily's kids look like Amber's, and I always thought that they took after Spencer's side of the family (I guess I was wrong about that) LOL
Have fun with the new baby!
I don't understand the whole wanting to drive long distances thing. My husband has also expressed an interest in truck driving, either that or working the night shift in a convenience store. Crazy men.
-Becky
My brother informed me this year the ideal job for any man would be to drive the snow plows. Why? Because they get to drive a big truck, they have the right of way (generally speaking), they get to play in the snow all day, and THEY GET PAID FOR IT.
Ryan--I'm sure you can get there some day.
Jesse and I used to talk about getting our commercial licenses and driving cross country in the summer with our wives 'Keeping America Moving'. We should start a trucking company. : ) Of course we also wanted to fight forest fires in Montana... Instead we played NFL Blitz on the Play Station...
I got to drive a large moving truck a couple of times. Drove from Arizona to Virginia. Practically cross country. 10-4 Good Buddy.
Snow plow - what a great idea. It's good to have lots of backup plans. And Ben, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one with big dreams. 10-4.
ok, i have to laugh about the doctor and the lawyer whose 'big dreams' are driving trucks for a living! hah!
maybe you could combine your career interests and study common trucker health conditions like diabetes, numb-butt, and roadrage.
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