Orientation

Sorry, that I have not been updating this week. The reason for this is that all I have been doing is reviewing company procedures and policies. We were given our long haul packages, they include, fuel cards, fuel network books on there locations, log books, DVIR books, the Bison reference manual, or as it is known here as the "Bison Bible". We were also given securement load seals. We have been reviewing hours of service (HOS), for log book compliance. I have been learning allot of new things about the industry. When I get on the road this will be more interesting to write about. I will leave for now and see you down the road.

At Bison Transport

Well I made it! Here I am at the Bison headquarters. The building is very unassuming and not pretentious in any way. Then you go inside and OMG! It is outstanding, I mean it is very modern and open and airy. The people are friendly and helpful. I got there early, so I had a
chance to look around, all I can say is "WOW"! They have a huge training facility with 3 simulators,one is a full size truck, a Volvo. It has been a good day, I did my test drive and pre-trip, then it was off to do my TGD (Transportation of Dangerous Goods). I then was off to sign up for my contract. I was also given a folder that has a benefits package as well as a drivers information package. I then was sent for my drug test...and man did I have to pee! I am going to be posted in Calgary it looks like, I'm ok with that. At least it's close to the mountains, and closer to home. It looks like I'll be here for 13 weeks, and then on to Calgary. I will find out more as time goes on. I am happy to be here so far. As the days go on I will update as much as I can, so as not to bore you with little details. I am going to watch a hockey game. I miss all of you, I'll talk to you all later, down the road.

The last Leg

Well its 6:30 am here in Regina, it cold and clear. I look out the window of my room and what do I see, Frost on the cars! After a shower and getting organized I again look out and see that the frost is melting away. After I check out It's off to Sevie...need my regular, and I have to clean the windshield. As I turn east onto Hwy 1 the morning traffic is starting to get heavier. I look in the rear view mirror and watch Regina fade of into the distance. I love the cool clear mornings on the prairies, it reminds me of where I come from ( that is a song I think). I am looking forward to Winnipeg and the challenges that are forthcoming in the next few weeks. The further East I go the more I pass thru some of the flattest land that I can ever remember seeing. I am approaching Brandon, and as I do I realize that this is the wheat capital of Canada. It's also the home town of hockey's "Great One" Wayne Gretzky.. The one thing that I notice is the lack of snow out here. I stop in Verdin MB for coffee and a sangi, I am not sure if it is an "diner, drive in or dive"...lol. The coffee was hot and the food good, so all is well. I head down the road towards my goal. Winnipeg. There are now trees around, more then I have seen in a while. I get closer and the traffic gets heavier. The road signs are well marked as I come into the city. I am blending into the traffic like a rain drop blends into a stream, seamlessly. I find my hotel, check in and settle in for the night. I do go out and take a look around and find the Bison yard, only a few minutes away from here...cool! The yard is huge! I have never seen that many trucks and trailers in one place before. Now I am getting excited! I head off and pick up dinner and its back to the room to watch a hockey game. Tomorrow I will do some exploring around Winnipeg. I am signing off for now, I'll see you down the road..goodnight!

On to Regina SK

This morning when I got up it was cool and clear, so I know that its going to be a nice drive today. I went and had a lite breakfast, so as not to feel sluggish. As I point my Highlander east on Hwy 3 heading towards Medicine Hat, I am quickly reminded of the best friend I have left behind at home. The radio is playing a song .."Cinnamon Girl"! This reminds me of a trip to Hawaii my wife and I took in 1999. That is where I gave her that nickname, It was a great trip and it was the right tune to start me on my way on this trip. My head is full of good memories that come rushing back like falling into her arms once more, that embrace is like no other. I get the truck up to speed as I then settle in for a nice morning drive, with a smile on my face thinking of her. The time passes quickly like the white lines dotted on the highway. I soon come in to Medicine Hat and into a detour due to a accident. As we are being rerouted I fall into line behind a local. I follow him. He decides to take an shortcut, so I follow. In my review mirrors I see the traffic continuing down the street, as I take a dirt lane behind the local, I am thinking to myself "am I going the right way". I am glad I did , before to long we are back on the street without any traffic around. I am so SMRT! I soon find myself on to Hwy 1 eastbound, towards Swift Current SK. Again the road folds out before me like a ribbon from God. I eat up the road like an machine, wanting, needing to feed a hunger that has become out of control. I soon come into Swift Current. I need fuel and a coffee. I stop at a Sevie and get it to go. I also stop and pick up something for the road. I swing back onto the Trans Canada, and again head east towards the capital city, Regina. The day, as I had predicted was clear with light soft clouds and bright sunshine. The traffic is somewhat lighter than I had expected. The truck traffic was steady, but the car traffic seemed light. Mind you I did not know what it should be anyways. I get my room in Regina early enough to do a little shopping for dinner. I get what I need and head back to the room and settle in for a night of hockey and microwave lasagna and Sunny D. I also get the opportunity to have a video call with my wife. I then get onto my blog to update my day. I am now going to leave you now, so I'll see you down the road. Have a great evening.

Castlegag to Bow Island AB

Leaving Castlegar in the morning sunshine. I am following Hwy 3 into Alberta. I came over Kootenay Pass and into a snow storm, what a treat. It was beautiful sight! I stopped in Cranbrook to see a old friend. Spent 11/2 hours catching up on times gone by. The rest of the drive was spectacular. I saw lots of wildlife, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats, it was nice to see. After I crossed into Alberta the weather got a little cooler, but still bright and white, with the bright sun against the fresh fallen snow. I drove with the music softly playing in background, and enjoyed the day. I got into Bow Island Alberta at a decent time this afternoon...thanks Patty. ( I forgot it was Thursday). It was 400 miles of sunshine and a ribbon of blacktop flowing out in front of me, taunting me to eat up more and more pavement before I should stop. I have a nice room in a small motel in Bow Island, went for a nice dinner at a small restaurant. I will be going to bed early as the time here is 1 hour ahead of B.C,and I am just plain tired. I will be on to Saskatchewan tomorrow.I will for now watch a little hockey and do a little reading from the "Secret" and off to sleep. I will update tomorrow night when and wherever I am. I'll see you down the road, in a different time zone no doubt. Bye Bye for now.

In Castlegar

Man did I have a shitty sleep last night! I just could not wine down for some reason. I was in bed at 10:30 pm up again at 2:30, 4:15,5:35 am and so on. I finally crawled out of bed at 8:45 am! I went an fueled up and grabbed a coffee for the road and away I went. Jumped in a Pete today and was pulling around a 53' trailer. It was a day of challenges, but all good ones. I went over to some friends for dinner tonight, had a bunch of shits and giggles. Boy Murray and Cherryl are great people. After dinner we sat down and had a good "BS" session. I am now in my room at the Sandman getting ready for bed. Tomorrow is a travelling day after all. I am off to Medicine Hat AB. Leaving the mountains for the flat lands it going to be sooooooo boring! I guess I crank up the tunes my daughter made up for me. So I'll be rockin down the hwy,.. ya me! ( did I say that out loud !) ...oops*!- Anyways I am off to bed, I'll be seeing you down the road...K ? Buy for now.

On To Castlegar

Boy am I tired! I left home at 2:30 am this morning. I arrived in Castlegar at 4:30 pm this afternoon. All went well, it was a great day for driving it was beautiful and sunny the whole way. Last night my two girls were over with Patty and I, we had a great time! We spent 2-3 hrs pouring over pictures of our family growing up. Man have we come along way! From teenagers in love to marriage to babies and to beautiful grown daughter's, wow where has the time gone. My oldest asked, "how do you feel now", my reply was "proud, very proud"! My youngest is so worried about me being on the road she went and got me some "good road karma", in the form of Smokey Chrystal's to take with me and keep me safe, thanks Squirt! Got an text from my oldest at 8:00 am to wish me well, thanks Dani! Hell even my wife was checking up on me , I feel so loved and blessed. I am tired so its off to bed. I"ll catch up tomorrow down the road.

My Co-Pilot

This is my sole mate, and number one passenger. We have been together 29 1/2 yrs and married 28. She goes where I go, even if its only in my heart. We have been through allot in our lives, so she has earned the right it be my co-pilot. Who needs a GPS, she tells me where to go...lol. So its off to bed, we have a early start tomorrow.have to finish up packing and fueling up, so I'll be signing off, and will see you down the road.

Getting Ready

Well here it is Sunday the 12th, I am getting ready to take off Tuesday @ 3:30 am. I have to get to Nanaimo and B.C Ferries for the 5:45 am sailing out of Duke Point. I am a little testy today as I prepare to travel, why I am not sure. I guess I am a little apprehensive, new job and all. I have to say sorry to my wife for being a bit of a jerk ,but I did make dinner... so maybe that will help. I will be going into town tomorrow to get a oil change and front brakes on my Highlander, and a quick going over before I leave on Tuesday. Winnipeg is 1700 miles or 2736 km from home. I will be stopping in Castlegar B.C for Wednesday to get some truck driving in along the way. I'll then head down Hwy 3 (the Crows Nest Hwy) on to Lethbridge AB on Thursday. I hope you will stay on. I'll be seeing down the road, so long for now.

Going to Winnipeg

Well I start my new job April 27th 2009! I have to leave the beautiful surroundings of Vancouver Island for the prairies and Winnipeg Manitoba. "Going to Winnipeg". I start my new career as an long haul truck driver with Bison Transport. They are one of, if not the largest carrier in Canada, http://www.bisontransport.com . I am so looking forward to this. I have been in the automotive business for 26 years, I wanted..no needed a change!! I have been in need of a change for a while. I am so lucky to have a wife who is behind me in every thing I do, good or bad. I am looking forward to the 27th, to start orientation, my test drive and pre-trip inspection not to mention the drug test...hmm, I wonder how much I can do before I pass out...lol. Sorry I am listing to Ted Nugent,s "Call of the Wild" and remembering... as much as I can about my teenage years! How I ever survived I"ll never know, someone was looking after me. Thank God! Anyways I will be updating as much as I can about my day's and night's on the road. See you down the road.