After the frost, we came to snow and slushy roads, the further West we drove, the colder the air got; slush turned to ice and we found ourselves in the back of a long line of cars and trucks being escorted by a highway patrol. One driver said "I feel kind of Presidential being escorted like this." I didn't feel his enthusiasm. The roads were glazed over and we moved our right side onto the shoulder for more traction. Those behind us must have thought it was a good idea and followed suit.
We didn't have to go long before the CB was chattering with talk of more bad roads to come, drivers in the ditch and Coops (weigh stations) being "Open with a smile". Sarcasm comes naturally to most drivers who talk on the CB. [That last sentenced reminded me that I never knew what "CB" stood for. Google will surly know. Citizens' Band radio, now you know too. :)]
I grabbed the camera we keep in the truck and hoped to see some of the accidents in the road. I wasn't dissapointed, thought I'd share:
I heard over the radio, from either one of the drivers in the accidents or another one with experience in the matter, and inadvertently got my first official piece of Trucker Wisdom. in regards to icy roads; "Stay the hell off them brakes, and don't accelerate!" How can this be applied to my life?
"Stay the hell off them brakes, and don't accelerate!" I think to me this means that sometimes when the road is icy, don't be in a hurry to stop, but don't be in a hurry to rush either. Take every situation one step at a time and try and predict the outcome. Once you have the firm knowledge of the situation it turns into instinct and instead of having to judge each situation in your life, you instinctively know if you should stop what you're doing or thinking; or to press forward. When instincts are the right one, you're a better person for it.
We ended up stopping at a Truck stop in Limon, one mile after the second spin out. I went in and heard an 'old timer' talk either about the first accident we had seen, or one previous in his life. I couldn't be sure which. I sat down hoping to over hear more and got a coffee from the waitress. She was as classic looking as any truck stop waitress, old and hard with hands molded to a coffee pot. We had breakfast, which seemed more like lunch time to dad, I'd forgotten that he's already been up since 3 driving.
"Stay the hell off them brakes, and don't accelerate!" Trucker Wisdom.
2 comments:
WOOT! keep writing...This will be good because I will know where you guys are AT too! I'm anxious to see pics of truckers and hear their wisdom...and I like how you "applied" the wisdom to your own life.
i like the blog, keep up the work and pics, try and work your way toronto side. this will give u some time to clear your head and lots of time to talk with your dad, thanks to u and your family helping me out after my troubles, the year we had at the hockey games meant alot to me, and made me a better person. take care chase keep writing
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