On the Road with Dick McCorkle

Well mom I cant be there today,but you are on my  mind. Just wanted to say Happy Birthday. Now folks this lady is in her eighties and she still cooks takes care of a house, and also takes care of me my son and   my grandson when it comes to eating.So mom have a wonderfull day.

                                     I love you Mom

                                          Dick

While on my way to Dallas Tx. From birmingham Al. I stopped at McCalla, Al The Flying J Travel Plaza for lunchI didnt know the cafe was closed.But the barbershop is open. So I decided to get a haircut,the barber, stylist is Terrie Wheat she has been at this location for 10 years. So I asked when the other company takes over are you still going tobe here.Not for sure,well I sure hope so I replied,we truckers need places to get things done for our selves as well as for our trucks.So if you get the chance stop in and see Terrie for agood haircut.Till next time be safe.

                   Dick

I am delivering a overseas load of furniture today in Birmingham,Al. Even though I have a TWIC card I am not allowed on the dock. So this gave me time to blog.This isnt the first time i have delivered a overseaas load, but my first time here in Birmingham,Al. Perkins does more of this type of loads on the east coast.Till next time be safe

                   Dick

I was in Evansville In. At the Freightliner shop today had some work done. Very friendly people a very clean shop,clean rest rooms and shower.The tech. took time to tell me what he had done,they got wright on me and didnt take all day to repair the problem.So my hat is off to Evansville Freightliner a very neat place. Till next time be safe

                       Dick

Well I washed the CASCADIA Sunday and it hasnt quite raining yet. I got theCASCADIA real dirty at the job site in Rhode Island so it got a good cleaning. So now i will have to do it all over again. I did a Wal-Mart  job site this morning, in Oxford,Nc. And load in Charlotte NC.Back to Indiana, and then I will load to Dallas, Tx.Till next time be safe

                   Dick

Well on this trip I stopped in Wytheville Va. to wait out a storm, lots of wind and rain.The Cascadia did a swell job to get me in here out of the weather. At 95,000 miles the CASCADIA is doing a great job,still looks like anew truck.  My M.P.G. 6.9with the heavy loads I have been pulling this is great Till next time be safe

                      Dick

That is what they call this West Michigan city.I have picked up loades here quite a lot,I just tookthe time to look around today. Located on Lake Michigan it has a lot to offer a person water sports, fishing, and there are alot of trucking companies here along with warehouses. It is a nice well gromed little city. Till next time be safe.

                                  Dick

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Originally uploaded by dick.mccorkle

Well folks, it’s been one year in the Slice of Life program with Freightliner and Detroit Diesel. One year in a new Cascadia with a DD15 has really been the best of experiences for me. It has been absolutely trouble free, with very little downtime. This is what trucking is all about.

I’d like to take this time to thank Freightliner, the people at Detroit Diesel (especially Melissa and Jamie) for all the hard work that has gone into this program. I know Henry and Kurt feel the same way I do about this great program.

With the program going into it’s second year, I know that all three of us are looking forward to it.

The Gat’s Show is coming up, and we hope to see everyone there.

‘Til next time, be safe…

Dick.

As a rule, I don’t run New England states, but I emptyed in Rhode Island so I took the load. As everyone knows, Boston has narrow streets, tight turns and dead end streets. With the CASCADIA it was possible to get to the shipper, not easy, but I made it. Upon arrival, I asked the man,” is there an other way out .” he said, “No there is no other way out, the big dig took all other ways  out.” I had heard about the mess  the BIG DIG caused and now I have seen it first hand. It took some doing to get back on the Mass. turnpike but I finally made it and 1315 miles later I am in Memphis,Tn. delivering will be reloading in Bruce ,Ms.

Be safe have a nice week end till next time,

                                      Dick

In the wee hours of tthis morning I was on the radio show ,Eric Harley and I talked about the Freightliner Run s\Smart Hour. The “slice of trucker life” was talked about and the CASCADIA and DD15. One big question was what would you tell someone just entering the craft.  Well thats a hard one, In this economy, If you can land a job with a carrier that has team drivers that would be good.  Get all the training you can, this is what companies are looking for . And keep your driving record clean, this is also a must. I really had a good time talking with Eric, I am looking forward to Gats in Dallas Tx. And seeing everyone .

till next time be safe

                    Dick