On the Road with Dick McCorkle

Hello everyone I am loading in Taylorsville,NC.It is a very nice day after it rained and stormed last nite.After a week of loads cancelled loads pushed back,for one thing or another I finally getting loaded for Ohio.With a load average weight of 34,000 the DD15 is getting 7.4 M.P.G. The CASCADIA is a fine truck its doing a great job.I wish all my driver buddies could drive one,I think this is the truck of the future.I think after the Louisville,Ky Truck Show drivers both women and men found this is quite a nice truck,with all the drivers looking at the CASCADIA.

I was in  New England, first time in 5 years.  I was in Boston and Concord,Mass.  Leaving Ohio and entering PA.  I was very impressed by the way Pen Dot mowed the grass and cleaned the roadside.  PA is a very beatiful state with mountains and forests.  It was a little chilly but nice in the Poconos.  On into NY state on I 84, the traffic was a little heavy but weather was nice.  This is a nice part of NY state.  On into Conneticut the traffic got a little heavy, alot of road construction in Mass.  I then went on to New Hampshire where the north woods began.  I delivered in Concord.  I then headed back to IN with the comfort of the Cascadia, achieving 7mph. The night system did a great job.  I hope everyone has a safe and nice holiday…

Dick

Well, its that time of year again, Truck Driving Championships, that is. This is going to be my last year to compete, it will be my 45th year . I had a swell time doing what we use to call the Truck Roadeo.  It was always alot of fun for me and my family.  But times have changed a lot .

I will be in five axel flatbed class . It looks to be a full two days ,starting with a written test on the first night.  Personal interview, pre trip inspection and skills test (obstacle course)  on Saturday.  Everyone starts with 300 points and then depending on how well you do, they start taking points away. This event is sponsored by Stoops Freightliner.   The Perkins CASCADIA will be on display there, at the Indiana State Fair grounds. I hope to see everyone there. 

 BE SAFE till next time.

Dick

Thursday, May 13, 2009  I visited a home school group outside of Greenfield today.  The kids were glad to see me and the Cascadia.  They were well mannered, focussed, and attentive.  Gracie loved the top bunk.  Juliana was most interested in the computer. Taylor was very inquisitive and would love to be a truck driver some day.  I was able to learn a lot about home schooling too.  Home schooling requires a time and financial committment and some personal sacrifice.  Some reasons to home school is so the parent is able to control social aspects.  The student/teacher ratio is better.  Curriculum is available for each grade level.  Each child has a DVD program they learn from, which in accelerated teaching method.  Each child was given a “Slice of Life” ink pen and brochure.  All of the children asked me to come back again.  I look forward to the next time.

Well folks its time to take care of a honey do list.See all of you next week.

Hello folks, it’s a beautiful morning  in Mississippi ,I have a job site delivery . The night system in the Cascadia is keeping it at 50  degrees, real nice .With the curtains pulled in the bunk  it is at 47 degrees,and I am not idleing the motor ,and that makes it even better not having to waste fuel running the engine.  Keeps the COST of operating down.

Till next time.

The annual C.V.S.A inspection blitz will be  June 2-4 for the U.S.A. Canada Mexico. More than 8,500 inspectors in 1850 locations,will be on the lookout for driver and mechanical violations during tye 72 hour event.During the 2008 blitz,inspectors put 5.3% of drivers out of service,an improvement from 6.2% the year before.Hours of service violations continue to be the mostcommon reasons for drivers being placed oos at roadcheck.Inspectors put 20.8 % of vehicles out of service during 2008 even,withbrakes being the most common violation.In 2007, the oos rate was 21.5%. So drivers lets make this the best year yet.

My granddaughter Tierney Edon recently made the All-Girls Cheer Squad at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. She was a Varsity Cheerleader for Greenfield Central High School for four years.

Congratulations Tier! Good Luck!
Love, Papaw.

I stopped by the Glendale, KY petro to hear some truck driving songs by Joey Holiday.  I arrived a little late. The rain shortened the show.  However, I did manage to meet Joey, and his wife Vicky.  He was a very nice, down to earth entertainer. I enjoyed talking to him, and he anwered every question I had to ask. He owns a freightliner, and wrote a song about the Cascadia. After talking with Joey, I did manage to meet a couple of drivers. I answered some questions about the Cascadia.