On the Road with Dick McCorkle

High Folks!

It is always interesting to deliver in the state of Texas. I notice yesterday the crops are way ahead of those in Indiana, I know the weather has a lot to do with the crops. The trees and flowers are so beautiful the weather is comfortable and the Cascadia is getting 7.8 m p g what more could a person ask for. At a warehouse here in Arlington, TX.  several folks have ask me about the Cascadia the colors and the reason for it. Its fun when folks notice you .

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember- ” If you want to be known as a trustworthy person,consistently back your words with actions.”

IMG_1265, a photo by dick.mccorkle on Flickr.

Hi folks,
Another busy week-end. My wife graduated from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis with her nursing degree (RN). We are very proud of her. The reception was at the nursing home where Jan’s mother is a resident. Family and friends were there to congratulate Jan. I can only imagine all the work involved in her getting her degree. It made no difference if I was leaving or coming in from the road, she would be on the end of the couch with books, pens, paper and when I went to bed she would still be up studying. This is quite an achievement.
Untill next time, be safe.
Dick
Remember: “An education is something no one can take from you”

Hi Folks! The other day while I was showing the Cascadia in Baltimore,MD. some drivers and I were talking about the companies that are gone and the trucks that are gone. I started thinking… Eastern Express was the first that I remember, then McClean, (better known as Double Diamond), Spector, Niking, Navajo (better known as the Blue Eyed Indian), just to name a few. There were a lot more here in Indiana and some of the trucks. As I remember, if you drove for UPS you would be driving a Reo. t\There were GMCs, the Cherry picker and later came the Astro. The White Trucks, called road commode were very a good tractor. A lot of companies had them. And the motors of the era were very good for the day. How about a 180 Cummins without a blower, or 238 Detroit and along came the 318, a great sounding power house. When I drove for Mason Dixon Lines, they bought a company called Yankee Lines. I think they were out of Akron, Ohio. They had Brockways tractors, some were cabovers and some were not, but these tractors would do a job. So unlike the Cascadia of today.
These are some of the things I remember.
Until next time be safe.
Dick
Remember- “If time is more valuable than money, carefully plan how you spend it. “

Hi Folks!

Here at the T/A in Baltimore,MD. Talking to drivers some from USA Truck with new Cascadias, Marten Transport,Crete and a lot of others.There are a lot of heavy haul drivers in here it has been a good couple of days talking to drivers. Some I have met at truck shows and some I know from Perkins who have went to other companys. Everyone with Cascadias love them they enjoy the extra room, and the quite ride.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember- ” The prise of a friend comes high. “

Touch A Truck Show , a photo by dick.mccorkle on Flickr.

Hi Folks!
It sure was a chilly Saturday, but depite the cold weather, folks came out to “Touch A Truck”. There were semis, farm tractors, construction equipment, REMC electric co truck, Harvestland CO-OP truck, LIfeline helecopter from IU Med Center. I really didnt get a chance to walk around and look at everthing because there were so many people looking at the Cascadia. Everyone wanted their picture with the Cascadia. The little kids loved blowing the horn, and some of the smaller kids couldnt understand why there was a bed in the truck. My daughter Rachelle was inside the truck showing the kids the TV, microwave and the refridgerator. And on the exit, she would always show them where the airhorn was, they loved to blow that horn. In talking to the other drivers and comparing notes, most of the drivers are still in the high 5,s MPG. They couldnt believe that I was getting 7.3 MPG. And then I told them Henry Albert was in the high 8′s and sometimes 9s on MPG with the DD15, some of them asked if they could upgrade to a DD15 and I told them they would have to check with the dealership for that. There was also a ‘dunktank” with cool water, and my daughter-in-law Emily, was in that tank and of course, I had to dunk her. Now folks, let me tell you, not only could I not have been in that dunk tank but I would not have done it at all. That had to be miserable. Sorry Emily for dunking you.:)

Untill next time, be safe.

Dick

Remember-” when someone tells you nothing is impossible, ask them if they ever tried to dribble a football.”

Hi Folks!
Anybody around Knightstown High School, Knightstown, Indiana tomorrow stop by. Enjoy the Truck Show from 9AM till 2PM and you can check the Cascadia out.
Until next time be safe.
Dick

Hi Folks!

I have been doing some thinking on years gone by, the roads we traveled, the folks I have met and friends I made, most of all the trucks that I have driven and seen. Lets start our trip going east from Indianapolis,Indiana. Now years ago, if you owned a truck, you were called a broker not a owner operator. If you were a broker in the Indy area you were a meat hauler leased to Transamerican Lines, loading beef from Indy or pork from Muncie. So when you got loaded you probably drove a International Emeryville or maybe a B Model Mack. Because all the Freightliners went to Consoldated Freightways. So I guess we will stop at Hap Clouds Blue and White Truck Stop on East Washington St. and get a coffee for a nickle. Lot of room for our 38 foot reefer. Well lets go on over to Greenfield, In. and eat lunch at the Cornick Truck Stop, a favorite stop for the Kroger Drivers. Heading on east lets stop and take a break at the Valley Truck Stop owned by Lilly Voris, we are going to be on US 40 for long time so set back and enjoy the ride. I dont think we will stop in Dunreith, In. at the Chat and Chew Cafe. There is a good place to eat in Straughn,IN. Thompson Cafe ands let not forget the Coffee Pot Cafe in Germantown very good. Well we are still on US40 going into Ohio, I guess everyone remembers the Sunset Truck Stop and the Heinz Truck Stop at the intersection of 127 and Us 40. We are going to check our fuel here because we only hold 50 gallions of fuel. I will be glad when they make bigger fuel tanks story has it there going to make 100 gallon tanks someday. Well it looks like we ran into some old friends here at the Sunse, t Al Robinson, driver for Quakerstate Oil, got his Jimmy on the cover of Overdrive in 1963. And Bill Driver for Hollywood Brands Candy. Old Bill sells rings and everyone buys them. Well theres Bobby, driver for Pipe Couplings Mfg. Dangerfield,Tx. Boy it was good seeing all the folks, well its time to move on. Theres not much in Springfield,Oh. There are couple of cafes in Columbus but we will stop at the Shenandoah Truck Stop, I hear they are going to build a new one when I70 comes through, if that ever happens. Moving on we will stop at The Windmill Truck Stop after the big hill in Wheeling,WV. Roadway has ther own fuel pumps here. Well its time to take a rest. Well starting out today, we will be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, after while, these rest stops are nice, I wish all roads had them. We have to stop here in Breezewood,PA. to get fuel. Here in Carlisle,PA. there is only one Truck Stop, The Flemming Travel Stop. It is small but you have room to park a few trucks. Moving on, I guess everyone that has went to Hunts Point in New York has stopped at the Sommerville Diner in Sommerville,NJ. Time to rest.

Until next time be safe

Dick

Remember- ” It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives.”

Hi Folks!

Last week I delivered in Maryland and went over the Chesaspeake Bay Bridge. To some thats no big deal but the work that went into this bridge is something. Its called the seventh wonder of the world and I can see why. And then I made my exit at the south and crossed the Chesaspeake Bridge and Tunnel twenty one miles of how in the world did they get this done. This is something to see if you get the chance to cross one or both you would enjoy it.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember-” A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality. “

Hi Folks!

I want to take time out and wish everyone a Happy Easter week end.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Jay and I., a photo by dick.mccorkle on Flickr.

Hi Folks!
Well its a long story so I will be as short as I can.Friday I had to have some work done on the new Hiner custom decal. well it was going to take longer than i had expected. So I had to take the week end off when I got home and entered the house my wife was on the phone. Well I didnt think anything of it.Then she said Dick Judy wants to talk to you. I thought what in the world.Judys son is Jason who lives in England and is in the USA on tour he play in the band KASABIAN. Well my wife and Judys Mom is in a home for eldery and Jay had some time for a visit and Judy asked me to go to Columbus, Ohio and get Jay and take him back on Saturday morning. So we did and I went to the concert on Saturday nite.And got to go back stage and meet the band. My wife and I felt very good about getting back stage and seeing what go onback stage. The band KASABIAN did a great Job It was sold out.So now I have done something that I have never dreamed of doing.
Until next time be safe.
Dick