first trip in a big truck

by stephen palmore
(richmond va. )

I guess it was 1960 or there abouts , when my dad and I came out of the big dipper resteraunt , and sitting in the parking lot was a brand spanking new B model Mack , basic green and over sized sun visor.

He had a cold pack reefer , and that brigs motor was just a chugging. That was it , I was a trucker right there and then.

A lot of things happen in life but I was 28 before I got my first chance . An owner operator took me along and was teaching me the trade. We headed down the road one evening to pick up commissary food for the army .

His ol cab over Pete was a little worse for wear but did just fine . Once on the highway that 318 Detroit was barking out the straight pipes , and would make your brain turn to jelly!!

The pick up point was down a little 2 lane country road , as we rounded the corner the whole electrical system died!!

Total black out on a road that had no shoulder ....crap. the lights came on and I asked him whats was that all about?? "I think we have a fire!!! LOVELY!!!

I leaned as far out the cab as I could and I could see the reflection of the flames in the chrome grill of the reefer unit , crap!!!

stop and we'll put it out!!! nope can't stop extinguisher don't work!!!So we drove into a government base on FIRE!!!! I mean a fire !!!

We put it out with a big CO2 rig at the guard shack , and re-insulated the battery cables with a floor mat and made the trip.

I think maybe I should have listened to God at that point but nope before the trip was over I got some diesel fuel on my boots and been there ever since .