Let me tell you a story about trucking and adventure.
��������� We have a grandson, who was not quite three at the time.� His father was living with us in B.C.� Rusty missed his son terribly so we agreed to bring Kain from Ontario in the truck.
��������� The plans were made,but you know what they say about the "best laid plans...." We had expected that we would get a trip from Ontario straight back to B.C. What turned up was a trip to California.� Darn! This meant more time in the truck with a small boy. We did consider cancelling and taking Kain at a later date, but how could we disappoint a boy and his dad.
�������� When we picked up Kain I expected he that he would be just a little nervous about leaving his mama. But no, he was raring to go. He couldn't get into the truck fast enough. So we loaded his toys and books, kissed mama goodbye and boosted him into the truck. We were off on Kain's adventure.
������ Almost the first words out of his mouth were "Are we nearly there." Oh oh......already? It was going to be a long trip.� I got the map out and showed him where we were going, and tried to explain how long it would take to get to B.C.
���� We headed for the border. Snow was falling lightly but we did not anticipate and problem with the weather. When we arrived at the border, David went to clear customs and we stayed in the truck. A strange noise came over the CB radio and Kain turned to me asking "Grandma, was that a musical fart?"� Out of the mouths of babes.� I gave him the mike and told him to ask the man. Which he did. The two of them had quite a serious conversation about "musical farts".
���� After clearing customs we headed into Michigan. We weren't very far down the road when disaster struck. The light snow which we had encountered in Ontario was turning to freezing rain. Not a happy occurance when you are on the road. There were many cars in the ditch and the road was like a skating rink. With the added responsibility of Kain, we decided to play it safe and took a motel for the night. By morning things had not changed so we stayed put. It is not easy to entertain a child in a small motel room. How many times can you read the story of the turtle who was afraid of the dark. I don't remember how many times I read it but Kain never did tire of it.
������ Things went well for the next couple of days as we drove through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska then into Wyoming. We were getting worn down from listening to childrens songs which Kain insisted on playing continuously. There was a television in the truck, but no, Kain had to be in the passenger seat and watch everything. What pleasure we got watching the world open up for him. Everything amazed him. The mountains and the rivers and the prairies. The antelope and deer he saw along the way.� And California was at the other end. Young as he was he had heard of California and was so excited at the prospect of going there.
����� In Wyoming we ran into the worst kind of snowstorm. I was driving.� It was a beautiful clear night. In the distance I could see a strange white haze. I wondered what it was. Then I hit it!� Blizzard! And such a blizzard! Swirling snow and total blindness! Where was the road? I could see nothing but a white fury in front of the truck. Thank God for straight roads. I hollered for David (who was in the bunk sleeping) I can't see anything! I have to stop! Absolute terror. There were trucks passing me and blowing up more snow. Where was the road? Was I still on it? David jumped up in his underwear just as I stopped the truck. We were very fortunate that we were not hit by another vehicle. David took the wheel and drove us to the next truckstop. That is an experience that I will never forget.
���� We were approaching the mountains and Kain's excitement was growing. No mountain was too high for him to climb. He could climb to the top of every one of them. Into Utah now and the Great Salt Plains. Kain could not believe that it was salt he was seeing, he was convinced that it was snow. So we stopped an let him have a little on the top of his tongue to taste. Sometimes it takes the taste to convince a child. I don't think he would have believed it otherwise.
��� On to Nevada. We needed a shower and there was laundry to be done, so we stopped in Boomtown, a truckstop just outside of Reno. The noise and the flashing lights of the slot machines were a fantasyland for Kain. He looked crestfallen when we told him these toys were for adults only. The laundry room was right beside the slot machines and many times I had to run out and drag him back.
����� Here comes California.� Again we ran into heavy snow on Donner Pass. The chain up signs were lit, which meant David was going to have to get out into the wet and chain up the truck. In California at the first sign of snow the chain up signs go on. A pet peeve of people who are accustomed to driving in the snow. The truth of the matter is that many trucks in Sunny California are not equipped to drive in the snow so the law about chaining up was made for their benefit and everyone must abide by it.
�� Finally we get to the other side of the pass where we can stop and take off the noisy chains. It was raining on that side and we discover the windshield wiper on the drivers side is not working. Just one problem after another. We soon find out that by tying a shoelace to the wiper and sticking your arm out the window and pulling on it will alleviate the problem for the moment. This gets us down into the valley where we find sunshine. Wonderful,warm sunshine
�� Our destination was San Francisco, and we had lots of time so we stopped at the 76 truckstop in Sacramento for dinner. Kain had found out as he went long the road that of he flirted a little with the waitress a dish of ice cream for dessert would be his thanks It is a wonder he did not turn into a butterball during that trip
��� After unloading the next morning we were sent north to the redwoods to load some lumber to take back to B.C.� It was springtime in the redwoods and it was a glorius, sunny day. We had some extra time before we had to load so we stopped at the beach on our way. California has a beautiful shoreline. Nice sandy beaches right beside the road. We had stopped there many times in the past. Kain and our dog at the time, Lucy, chased the waves and the waves chased them back. What a picture the two of them made. Kain squealing with delight and Lucy barking joyously. We gathered shells for Kain to take home as a souvenir and even found some wild flowers for him to take home to mama.
������� After being a "trucker" and helping Grandpa tarp the load we tucked Kain in for a nap and headed for home. Wouldn't you know it. Trouble followed us. Again, I was driving as we approached Eugene, Oregon.� It was snowing again. Going down the hill into Eugene the truck started to slide. Oh, my heart. Why does this always happen when I am driving? I white knuckled it to the nearest truck stop, and sighed with relief when I turned off the key.
���� We had not had the wiper repaired yet We had hoped to make it home and have it done there. The truck stop, fortuneately, had a wiper motor that would do the job and changed it. Everything is ready to go except us The roads are too bad to risk. Another night shut down because of the weather. We had a very impatient child on our hands and a very impatient father at the other end.
����� The next morning we awoke to clear skies and good roads. We were nearly home. Eight more hours of driving and Kain would be with his Dad.
����� When we arrived at the border at Sumas Washington I turned to Kain and said Look at the mountains. The awe I saw on his face made the whole trip worthwhile.
����� Kain and Rusty had a wonderful time together, and three weeks later I took Kain home on the plane, but that is another story. |
