On the Road with Dick McCorkle

HI Folks!

A funny thing happened today a charter bus stopped in a rest area where I was parked. I noticed that it was from Peoria, IL. A fter a while men started gathering around my truck,care if we get some pictures one man asked. No I dont care help yourself I didnt know at the time but most of the men were retired Army. After a while they asked me to get in the pictures so I did. They asked a lot of questions about the Cascadia and I was glad to answer them. Good luck to all the folks from Peoria, Il. on the charter bus.The rest area was around Crossville,TN. on I40 east.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember-”You cant stay mad at someone who makes you laugh.”

Hi Folks!

I unloaded in Dallas, TX. on Thursday and reloaded for Arlington, VA. in 101 degrees heat after getting reloaded I went to the T/A took a cool  shower and went to bed. The Park Smart is working  just  fine very cool inside the cab  with over 100 degrees heat now thats great. The insulation package in the Cascadias is out standing very quite. Its a great ride I am on a 32,000 pound load m.p. g. is 7.7 witch is great after all I am paid by the mile. I will deliver in Arlington, VA. on Monday.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember-”Age is a question of mind over matter. If you dont mind, it doesnt matter.”

Hi Folks!

Stopped by the Whitestown,IN. T/A Monday nite due to flooding,Tuesday morning went to breakfast started talking to a couple of drivers. They also drove cascadias we were compairing notes. We all liked the quite ride,the power of  the DD15, the other drivers liked the looks of mine.The other drivers were company drivers.I had a good time talking to these drivers and a good visit at the T/A.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember-” When you walk alone you are by yourself.”

Hi Folks!

Well folks the championships are over for another year, no I didnt place this year. But I felt like a winner just by being there this year. The written test was fairly easy. The field course was hard no guessing you had to be on or you didnt score. The drivers who won deserved it, I drove a Freightliner Classic it was a very good roadeo truck to use. I took  my CASCADIA over for show and it did show folks   were taking  pictures kids were all wanting  pictures taken beside the cascadia.That was really great. The championships were sponsored by Stoops Freightliner we drivers owe a lot to Stoops Freightliner. Also this year the Technician Championships were held at the same time this was a first time for this. We all had a great time and enjoyed a good dinner at The Marriott East.

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!

The ‘truck roadeo’ which is  OLD SCHOOL to me,is this week end. It is known as the “Truck Driving Championship” to you new people.  It is something I look forward to each year and my family always supports me. This is my 46th year in the championships, a milestone, I guess. I have seen a lot of great drivers come and go, with that being said, one comes to mind. His name was  Bob Bauer,  who I worked with a long time ago.  He would be very nervous the week before the roadeo and we practiced for the rodeo for weeks prior.  The company I worked for even had a course set up for us to use.  Another driver was Gene Chaney, he was great… won every class he was in.  We knew we wouldnt win when he was in our class. The privilege was in the competition and knowing we were “one of the best”. When I started there was no power steering, no air conditioning, and it took a full ten minutes to complete the course as the competition was hard and when you placed- you deserved it.  It would take all day long to run the event, often we just got back in time for the banquet.

We drivers in the rodeo owe a lot to the companies we represent.   And a lot to Jeff Stoops, with Stoops Freightliner, who sponsers the competition. Good luck to all.

Until next time, be safe.

Dick

Remember:  “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life”.

Hi Folks!

Just off my beaten path a little, across IL. IN. OH. 8.2 mpg across Pennsyvania in the hills and mountains 7.8 to 8.1 average speed 65 weight is about 30,000. Just have to split the top gear from 13 to 12th and not very often. This new DD15 is remarkable lots of  power and you still have  the economy and this is great. I switched from a 10 speed to a 13 speed from dual tires to singles.  I truly belive this has helped mpg.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember-”One of the secrets in life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.”

Hi Folks!

Well folks the first trip was very enjoyable I am now on my way to pick up  next  load.  I am  getting  8 mpg at the moment witch is great, this Blue Tec Technology is a great thing with economy. The DD15 with Blue Tec is just what you owner operators need to bring up your bottom line. Technology is a wonderful thing it is to our advantage to get with the program. The CASCADIA with the DD15 will make the cost go down and bring up the revenue.

Until next time be safe

Dick

Remember-”If you think you can, you can. If you think you cant, youre right.”

Hi Folks!

First trip out the CASCADIA did great with 979 miles used 136 gal. for a 7.19 miles per gal.The ride is super,quite but I expected that after being in a CASCADIA for 18 months. With no problems at all a very good ride. More latter everone have a great day.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Hi folks!

The new 2011 Cascadia is sure a beautiful truck, and a little different from the 2009 Cascadia. Its going to take some time getting use to all the new things I still cant belive it. I am on my first trip out going from Noblesville, IN. to Fort Worth, TX. I will know more about m.p.g. on my next blog but it looks real good now.

Until next time be safe

Dick

Remember-”The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of life.”

Hi folk!

Well we are drawing a lot of attention already after leaving the launch at Mooresville, NC. We stoped at truck stop there in Mooresville soon after stoping  a driver come over to the trucks. The driver started asking questions and very interested in the Cascadia and the program. Kurt and I were glad to answer the drivers questions. I made a couple of other stops and same thing.  It  was fun to be noticed just by driving in a place.So finally I got home stopped to see a friend and was asked to be in the parade on Saturday more latter.

Until next time be safe.

Dick

Remember-”Never reach out your hand unless you are willing to extend an arm.”