RESURRECTION OF THE "SHOE TREE"



 

Since being back out on the truck, and traveling Highway 97 near the town of Shaniko, I always think about the "Shoe Tree".  I wrote about it previously here and here.  It was a sad day indeed when I saw that it had been intentionally burned down, but much to my delight, a new "Shoe Tree" has been found. 

It is located in the same general area as the original tree, but on the other side of the highway and by a large turnout area, so it is easy to stop to take a closer look at it and take some pictures.  I wasn't quite ready to part with my summer flip flops yet, or they would have found themselves joining the other foot attire that was dangling from the branches.

I really hope that this new tree catches on and that it will soon have as many shoes, boots, sneakers, and flip flops as the original tree had.  I'll be happy to check out it's growth each and every time we travel near Shaniko, OR.

And to those party poopers who burned down the original shoe tree?  Well, let's just hope they stay away from this one.  I'd love to see it grow and get fat with shoes for many years to come.

SCENIC WILLIAMETTE HIGHWAY

It's not often we get routed off our usual Interstate 5 / Highway 97 corridor, but that is exactly what happened yesterday.  We had picked up a load of Tyson Meat in Wallula, WA after we dropped the bananas in Auburn at the Safeway DC.  Looking at what hours Craig had available on is 70 hour clock, we knew we would not be able to make the delivery in Riverside at 0300 on Monday morning.  After advising dispatch of the situation, we took off south to await to hear what the plan for a swap would be.

A few hours into our drive and we were beeped with a message to swap trailers in Chemult, OR and take a load of bananas to Puyallup, WA.  With a delivery at 0500 Monday morning, and only 355 miles to drive, it fit in perfectly with the driving hours Craig had, leaving 90 minutes left to spare.  It also gave us the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful drive along the scenic Williamette Highway, also known as State Route 58.

It had been quite awhile since we have been on on this highway, and it didn't take long to start enjoying it's beauty.  The fall foliage was on display, along with many rivers, streams, waterfalls, and lakes.  Of course there is never an opportunity to pull a big rig over for a photo shoot when inspiration hits, so I did the best that I could from the front seat of the truck.

All too soon, the 87 mile connecting highway between Hwy 97 and Interstate 5 was traveled, and we drove onto the Interstate and left one of the most beautiful drives  in Oregon behind us.

A DAY OF THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving......I fear this holiday has lost it's true meaning to far too many people these days.  Instead of taking a day to enjoy family and be thankful for our many blessings, it has become the day to start camping out to get "Black Friday" specials for Christmas.  I couldn't believe I saw my first Christmas commercial on TV before Halloween!

This year, as has been the case since 2006, Craig and I will be enjoying a nice relaxing day together in the truck, traveling up Interstate 5 to stage for our delivery in Auburn, WA Friday morning.  We will take time out during the day to stop and enjoy a hot meal, along with so many other people working and/or traveling today. 

We will also be counting our blessings and giving thanks, for being able to live in the greatest Country in the world, have the freedom to choose the lifestyle we want to live, and having the opportunity to be together and create memories that are far more valuable than any "Black Friday" special that is being offered.

Where ever you find yourselves today, both Craig and I hope you are enjoy this day for what it truly is, with family and/or friends, with a hot meal, with giving thanks for all you do have, and that you leave room for that second piece of pie!

AUTUMN LEAVES

 

I've been noticing the fall colors a lot recently, since we headed back north after receiving a load of bananas in San Diego on Wednesday.  The Interstate 5 drive is one of the most scenic once you hit Redding and continue north.  We've had great weather so far, and I finally pulled out a sweatshirt the other day while in Aurora when the temperature dropped down enough for me to see my breath when walking.

We delivered the bananas to the Fred Meyer DC in Clackamas, and were immediately sent when empty to Boardman, OR to pick up a load of frozen veggies.  Can only imagine that they are needed for all of those Thankgsgiving feasts that will be consumed on Thursday.  Craig and I are trying to figure out where we might be on Thursday to have a nice meal and count our many blessings and give thanks.

 

We deliver the frozen veggie in Ontario, CA Monday morning.  With Craig's diminishing driving hours, we ended up with only 5 hours we could drive today.  We all know what that means for the next couple of days, when he starts regenerating hours........the dreaded night driving........but thankfully, it will only be two days starting out at 2am Sunday, and then 1am Monday in order to make the delivery on time.

 

With starting so early Monday morning, we are pretty confident we will be relaxing in the Company yard in Bloomington, CA the rest of the day after our delivery.  That will give us an opportunity to do some laundry and catch up on some rest.  Can't wait to know what our next assignment will be.

 

FIRST LOAD COMPLETED

As we suspected, when we were first given our dispatch, we knew the Ralph's load was going to be interesting.  What we didn't know was that when we arrived at Tyson, the powers that be added an additional stop in San Diego.  By the time the load was ready, at 5am Saturday morning, we were already behind the eight ball to even be able to complete this load.  We had 1300 miles to our first drop in San Diego at 7am Monday, and 3 more stops that day ending at Ralph's at 7pm.  The math did not compute and we advised dispatch of the situation.

But, the mantra has always been, make your first stop on time and the rest will have to be worked out.  By doing two full eleven driving days, by getting up at 2am, we made our first delivery in San Diego, but by not getting unloaded until almost 9am, that put us behind for our second drop in Los Angeles. Thankfully, it was a holiday, and traffic was much lighter than normal, and we were only an hour late. 

Problem was, it was a holiday,  and they wanted to close by 11am and not pay their employees more overtime more necessary.  Enter Tyson customer service, who convinced them to take our delivery, which was only 2 pallets, that they off loaded right off the end of the truck without so much as backing into a dock.  Sweet......and we were now an hour to the good for our third appointment which went off without any glitches what so ever.

So now we sit at 2pm, with 2 hours left on Craig's 14 hour clock, and the dreaded Ralph's load still in the back of our trailer with a 7pm appointment.  A call into Dispatch was made to see what plans they had in mind, to which we were told they were calling Ralph's to see if they would take the load early.  Both Craig and I knew that was a waste of time, but we waited for the phone call back and were happy to hear the news that we could go to the Company yard in Bloomington and drop the trailer.  They would have one of the local guys make the final delivery on our load and we could finally get a full nights sleep!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

 

On the road again -
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends.
Insisting that the world keep turning our way

And our way
is on the road again.

 

 

It has been a while since I've been on the truck full time.  A lot has happened over the past year beginning with the passing of my Mother, and now the beginning of Craig and I once again traveling together in the big green tractor.  I've enjoyed actually living in our home we've had for almost five years, but know that my "home" truly is wherever Craig is, so the passenger seat beside him will once again be occupied by me, my computer and my camera.

 

I'm looking forward to reacquainting myself with the usual shippers and receivers, and enjoying the ever changing scenery and experiences we will no doubt be sharing being out on the road again.  We packed our bags and headed out to the company yard last night, but not before stopping for a nice celebratory dinner and a shopping trip at WalMart.  Then we went about organizing the truck to accommodate both of our personal stuff, making beds, and putting away groceries.

Talk about perfect timing.  We left home just in time to miss the first snow of the season, and awoke in the company yard to a winter wonderland of whiteness.  I'm sure this will be the first of many, many days of enjoying snow while on our travels.

Our dispatch this morning was to pick up a load of meat at Tyson in Wallula, WA.  Wouldn't you know it, one of the three deliveries we will be making will be to the dreaded Ralph's in Compton, CA.  What a way to start out, but together we can do anything, even Ralph's!

 

 

 

 



THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

The countdown begins for when I will once again occupy the passenger seat of the truck.  The last nine months have been great being home.  Before this, neither one of us had spent more than a few weeks here, and I made sure to take full advantage of it.  Not only did I enjoy healthy home cooked meals, but I was able to do a few small projects around the house.

First up, was painting the inside of the entire house.  I originally was only going to paint the upstairs loft areas, but loved the color so much, that I just continued down the stairs and by the time I was done, every room was painted.  Craig and I had discussed what we wanted to do with the second loft area, and decided that it would make a great guest room.  Now the funny thing is that one, we will hardly be here to have guests, and two, in the almost five years we have lived here, we've only had three visitors, two of which have spent the night.

But the room is done for the most part and ready for any guest that would like to venture up our way when we might be home to welcome them.  I still want to think up a great window treatment for the two windows, and I do have an empty wall that is just screaming for something unique.  I'll have plenty of time to come up with something once I'm back on the truck next month, and perusing the Internet to my heart's content.  I'm going to miss being at home, but I'm going to love being with my husband even more.

WE DID IT!

The first ever "Cottage on the Hill" Sale is over, and I can pretty much guarantee that this sale will be an annual event the last weekend of September for many years to come.  Cori and I have dreamed of pulling off an event such as this for a few years, and after being vendors at the huge "Farm Chicks" show in Spokane last year,  we felt we had just enough experience, and more than enough creativity and energy to put on a sale at her Cottage.

We didn't do it alone by any means, although at times we felt like we were climbing Mt. Everest with a 100 pound pack on our backs.  Cori's husband Mike was right there along with us, busy in the garage the past couple of months, but even more so that last two weeks, when I arrived in Walla Walla ready to get my hands dirty.  Not only did I get my hands dirty, but there probably wasn't too many spots on my body that didn't have paint, stain, or an ache or pain at some point, and you know what?  At the end of the day yesterday, when the signs were taken down, those aches and pains, and stains were just a hazy memory.

From the first customer who showed up and immediately wanted sold tags put on a few pieces, to the women and men who gave us many compliments on our products, how reasonable our prices were and what a beautiful layout of items we had displayed, we can't thank you enough. Your comments recharged our souls and spirits and has inspired us to make next years event even better.

We had three other vendors who shared this experience with us and we can't be remiss in thanking them for taking the plunge with us and to be in on the building process of something we hope will be a major event in the area that will be a "must go to" on their calendar every year.  We are looking forward to adding at least 10 more vendors to share in the experience with us next year.

Finally, I think the image that will stay with me forever, was the cute young couple that ventured up the hill to the sale, long after the sale was over, and while we were enjoying a victory dinner al fresco at a table on the lawn as the full moon was rising in the sky.  We all happened to look their way as they paused from looking at what meager items we had left, turned towards the beautiful night sky illuminated by the glowing moon, and wrapped their arms around each other and just took it all in. 

That about summed up how we all felt at that moment, hoping to forever remember just how great it felt to pull off something wonderful, meet so many great and interesting people who have the same passion as we do, and know in our hearts that we will never forget just how blessed we are to have the opportunity to truly do what we love.

THE JUNK BARN SALE

Cori and I did a little intel at the "Junk Barn Sale" in Stanfield, OR Friday morning.  Little did we know what an ordeal it would be to get there.  It was approximately a 90 minute drive, which included after taking the exit off the Interstate, a five mile drive on a gravel road in the middle of nowhere.  Dodging large farm equipment, semi trucks, and the suped up pickups the cowboy were flying down the gravel road in, we finally creapt up over the last hill to finally see our oasis.

With not another home, barn, or out house within eye distance, we came upon a beautiful farm with a large cow paddy filled field to park in, which made walking in flip flops almost as exciting a seeing what was for sale.  There were approximately 30 venders all set up with their booths as we made our way to each and every one. 

With us putting on our own sale next weekend,  we figured if people will drive out in the boonies for a barn sale, surely, they will venture outside of town and up a hill for our cottage sale.  We loved how they had their refreshment table set up, and the layout of the grounds.  We will be incorporating a few of their great ideas into our own event as well.

Now any great junk/vintage sale would not be complete unless you find a perfect, unique, industrial item for one of the rooms you are fixing up, and I found it!  Take a look at this piece.  I have never seen anything like it, but fell in love with it when I first eyed it.  It will be the perfect piece to complete the guest room redo in our loft, and I'll be happy to share photos once I get home.

Cori and I are energized to take on the next 6 days and make our "Cottage on the Hill" sale a great success!

IT FEELS LIKE FALL.....BUT ONLY IN THE MORNING

The temperatures have fallen into the high 30's and low 40's in the early morning hours, and I can sense Fall is knocking at the door.........until the afternoon hits and we creep into the 80's.  This isn't what I remember about this time of year from years gone by.  Where is my sweatshirt weather, the turn on the fireplace and get cozy weather, the go for a walk and feel the cold bite your cheeks?  I'm putting my foot down here and demanding Falls arrival, but until then, I'll head south to Walla Walla, where it is even warmer.  I should have my head examined!

The great thing about Walla Walla though, is spending time with my very best friend Cori and her family, getting the creative juices flowing, being involved in the first ever "Cottage on the Hill" sale, and then being able to pick up Craig in Spokane on my way back home.  It just doesn't get much better than that, and so I'll suffer through the heat a few more weeks until Fall makes it's official appearance.

The trees by our house are changing their leaf colors, and so I thought a change of color would do our little space good as well.  This is what our shed looked like before:

And here it is after.  I do love me my dark colors, and I think it fits in much better up here in the forest with the green, rather than the white.

I've been doing other projects around the house as well, but there are still some finishing touches I need to do before I post pictures.  But as Craig always says to me....."Are you ever done decorating?"   Well it will be pretty hard to do once I'm out on the truck.  I can hear Craig counting down the days as I type.  

COTTAGE ON THE HILL SALE

As Craig and I count down the days now until I am back on the truck, I've been keeping myself busy at home getting ready for the first ever "Cottage on the Hill" sale.  This has been a an idea that Cori and I have tossed around over the past couple of years, and by golly, this year we are making it happen.  We also have four other talented women that will be joining us on this endeavor.  We are truly excited to be putting on this event, and hope that it turns into an annual event to be held in Walla Walla.

On the trucking side of the news, Craig and his team driver Justine, continue to make the trek up and down Interstate 5 from Washington to California, and often into Arizona.  Upon Craig's return to the yard after his last home time, he was assigned yet another new truck.  This will be his third brand new truck in less than 2 years.  With the amount of miles they were putting on the truck with the new Paccar engine, the warranty was going to run out long before the company wanted it to.

So we said goodbye to truck 350, and welcomed truck 393 into our lives.  I'm hoping that when Craig does go back to solo driving in December, that he will be able to keep this truck.  Craig does tell me that the ride is much smoother with the new truck, as he finds that he doesn't get tossed around as much in this truck going down I5 in California as he did in the old truck.

So that about brings us up to date on the happenings around here, in under 90 days I should be back on the truck, occupying the passenger seat again, and reporting from the road with lots of pictures.  Until then, I'm sure to find a few things to post about around home and during Craig's home times.

WE WENT EXPLORING - PART 2

After our time at Riverfront Park we sent looking for some of the historical sights in Spokane.  First up was the Garland Theatre.  When the Garland Theatre opened in November of 1945, it was the premier movie house in the west.  According to the local newspaper, "there is noting like it on the Pacific coast, even in Los Angeles."

On opening night, the lobby was filled with baskets of flowers from studio well wishers along with congratulatory telegrams from Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, Ginger Rogers and Eddie Cantor. The large auditorium featured stadium-style seating and an original capacity near 1,000.

Next up was one of the two "milk bottle" buildings that remain of the once booming Benewah Diary Company in Spokane.  This particular one is home to Mary Lou's Milk Bottle, a cafe famous for their huckleberry and lemon custard milkshakes.  Sadly, we didn't partake in a milkshake, but I wouldn't mind going back to try one sometime soon.  Dairy owner Paul Newport hoped the uniquely shaped storefronts, built in the 1930s, would help draw customers into the retail outlets and for you trivia lovers out there, one bottle had a role in the 1993 Johnny Depp movie Benny and Joon.

The Patsy Clark Mansion was a sight to see.  It was designed by Kirtland Cutter in 1897 for mining millionaire Patsy Clark.  It is located in the city's historic Brown's Addition and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The mansion's second and third floors house law offices. and the main floor is available for private catered events including receptions, small luncheons, dinner parties, and weddings.

My favorite place of the day was Felts Field.  This was the original airport for Spokane until the 1940's, and the history is evident everywhere you look.  I especially loved the old buildings and cafe, designed in the Art Deco style of the day, but what really got my heart racing was the old vintage neon sign hidden behind a tree.

This sign, is from 1943 and features a saluting gas station attendant. The letters below originally spelled out "Chevron" instead of "Welcome".   Another sign that got my attention was the Northwest Airways Inc. posted on a hanger.  I loved the look of it and would have loved to have had a smaller version of it to hang in our home.  Maybe I can make a photo copy of the photograph I took and do something with it.

We really had a lot of fun going exploring, and will be looking forward to doing it again in the future.