On the Road with Kurt Grote

Hello everyone, those of that are new to my blogs, Spencer is my traveling companion a miniature schnauzer. He is really great on the truck and an excellent copilot. We were driving across route 30 out of Utah and into Wyoming. We had just left Cokeville WY that morning. We usually take this route for many different reasons, one is just the scenery. Snow cap mountains on both sides, with the multitude of wild life from eagles to deer and elk. If you are on the lookout you can see just about any kind of wild life you can think of. Not to mention the hot springs there, I keep telling my self I will have to stop and check this stuff out next trip but as usual we are always in a hurry. At any rate we had left Cokeville that morning headed east, we came upon a road side sign that read sheep ahead. I thought ok so what. We kept rolling on down the road and went in the weigh station there but still no sheep so I kind of put it out of my mind. I should have known better Murphy’s law you know, I looked ahead and traffic was stopped on both sides, I thought oh great how long are we going to be stuck here must be an accident or something. The something was right remember the sign I said I saw about the sheep? Yep there they were all over the road a whole herd of them. I just could not believe it!! Here we are on a major US HWY and we have to stop for a herd of sheep!! Now don’t get me wrong I truly enjoyed it. That was the first time in my driving career that, that has ever happened to me. I do realize that this is not unusual for the people in this area but for Spencer and I we very much enjoyed time sitting in the middle of US HWY 30 with our flashers on waiting for the herd of sheep to pass. I know you just asked what Spencer was doing? He was just as impressed as I was. He barks when people or animals come up to the truck but not this time he was very curious about the whole thing! I hope you enjoy these pictures that we got to take of the sheep and herders. I know Spencer and I sure did!! Until the next truck stop you all be safe.

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, when I was a kid my mom told me April showers bring May flowers, but she didn’t say the showers were in the form of snow showers. Just last week I was in California looking at the sun and surf and saying how nice it was. Being able to watch the surfers catch a few waves. Now this week I’m going across Wyoming and yes back to the real world of trucking. Drivers that travel this area are not surprised of the snow showers in the mountain area, actually it is not that uncommon to see snow all the way through May. I’ll tell you this Spencer cant understand it. I will also tell you this, even with the rain and snow it’s nice not to have large amounts of air making it’s way around the door like someone just left a window open. It seems funny that I have to either look at the temp gage or open a window to see how cold or how hot it is outside. In my other trucks there was no guess work involved, you could feel around the doors and windows how cold it was outside. Not any more with the Cascadia, snug as a bug in a rug as they say. I have gotten in the habit of bringing along Spencer’s sweaters just in case, as long as I don’t forget to take them off of him. Even with the snow showers you can tell spring is just around the corner because I can see all the blooms on the tree’s. I look forward to this season of parades and truck shows. With the new trucks coming out soon it promises to be fun and existing. Until the next truck stop.

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, I hope all of you have recouped from the truck show. I know I sure have and am back to work. The starting of spring is always a little slow for the refrigerated business. It’s this time of year that we start to picking up strawberries. So today I’m on my way up from Riverside Ca. To Santa Maria Ca to do just that. I absolutely love this ride, if you haven’t taken 101 north from L.A. You really need to. Today seemed a little more special than usual, maybe the cool breeze or the very clear sky, ( which is unusual in itself for L.A.) the large waves that crash down awaiting surfers to catch them or the many motor homes parked along side the road watching. It is very hard to keep from getting distracted with a view like this. However with the large windows that my Cascadia has nothing seems to be missed. With the hills of the inland on one side and the ocean on the other it is just one of the many sites this great country has to offer. What makes this even a better ride is that it is all “FREE”. I can even see Santa Cruz Islands and all the oil platforms out in the ocean and of course the many ships making their way to one port or another. Even the smell of the ocean, the salt in the air, as I roll down the window and the sound of the waves that crash against the rocks can be heard over the passing traffic, I keep playing back in my mind and remembering all of these sites and sounds as I make my way from state to state in my Cascadia. Until the next truck stop all of you be safe.

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, here it is a week later already that “MATS” is over and in the books. I would like to thank all of you that stopped by the freightliner booth to say hello, talk, and see the new trucks. To the ones that are curious yes Spencer is a little ticked off, he has been a little unruly this week. However I’m sure he will get over it. Myself I had a great time again this year. I would like to congratulate Gina Angsten for becoming the newest member of the slice of life group I know she will make a fine addition to the program. I look forward to working with her as I know all of you will be interested in checking out her blogs as well. It is just my opinion that “MATS” was a huge success this year over last year. All the drivers that I met were very polite and courteous. Freightliner did have a ride and drive this year also and that was a big success as well. For now it’s back to the pavement and the road. Until some time in May (I’ll let you know the exact date) that we will pick up our new trucks. I cant wait to test drive that truck to see what it and how it will preform. Until next time all of you have safe travels.

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone I hope all of you had a safe and profitable week. I see by the way my computer was left that someone has used my computer, I know it couldn’t have been Spencer!! Could it Spencer?
At any rate as most of you already know, but those of you that don’t I am on my way to Louisville KY for the largest truck show “The Mid America Truck Show” or MATS if you will. Spencer is a little upset with me for not taking him along but he will get over it as soon as he sees me again. I’m not used to not having him around it’s kind of strange but at the same time refreshing. By all indications this year should be a better show than last year. I don’t know if the weather is going to cooperate but it still should be a great show. As far as Freightliner is concerned there are a lot of special events that are in the works this year. For instances the announcement of the 4th driver for the slice of life program, I know I will be excited to meet this new addition to the program, who ever it might be. Also the key presention for the new 2010 tech., trucks that Dick, Henry, and myself have spec’d out for the new up and coming program. We are also having a ride along in the new Cascadia, with drivers who want to drive one of these great trucks. Thats just a few events that are planned. Not to mention the show in it’s self. If you are at the show please stop by and say hello, I would be more than happy to talk and show you these great trucks, and as usual to answer any questions you may have. If I don’t know the answer to your question I know someone who will. In fact I encourage you to try and stump me!! I hope to see you all there. Spencer and I will be back on the road, yes together next week. Until then all of you be safe and profitable.

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, I hope all of you have been safe and profitable! This is Spencer, I finally got my chance to take over dads computer to write my own blog. However I must be quick before he catches me. I don’t know about you but I’m sick and tired of winter. First I’m in Washington state snow and rain and stuff cant find a good place to relieve myself. I hate to get wet and poor dad has got to get in it also. Our truck is a mess, we just think about washing it and before the thought leaves our mind it’s either raining or snowing so out goes the truck wash. Let me tell you about the cold!! You all have shoes and socks on try it bare foot! You think your tough? I no sooner get warm and guess what? Yep in the south where it is warmer than up north and dad forgets to take off my sweater, now it’s really warm. We have made it down to Florida this week, and look over there real green grass this is going to be fun!! I hope we can stay just for a day but probably not. I know “mats” is coming up also, which really makes me mad because I can’t go!! I don’t know why! But it ain’t fare!! Do these hotels not take dogs? I can show them how cute I am. I can also show them how well behaved I can be! Do they not have dogie day care? Anyway I had better get off of here before he returns. If any one has any suggestions I would be happy to hear from you, I would really like to go to one of these events! I know it’s to late for this year, but maybe another event. As dad says until the next truck stop you all be safe!

Spencer and dad

Hello everyone, I have one event that has come and gone. That would be the awards banquet
in Oklahoma City. This banquet is held every year to recognize drivers for their achievements thru out the past year and previous years. The awards go to 1 million mile drivers, two million mile drivers and so on. They also give company’s awards for their outstanding safety achievements thru out the year. I was fortunate enough to get an professional drivers award last year, one of only twelve are handed out each year in the state of Oklahoma. I was also nominated this year for the top honor of driver of the year for the state of Oklahoma. Unfortunately I did not receive it again this year, but the nomination means that I am doing things right as far as safety and the way I conduct my business. Once again one out of twelve is not that bad. I appreciate all the support I receive from friends and family in my quest for the top spot. I am not discouraged or am I disappointed in the out come, all it means is that I have to work harder at what I do. To be nominated two years in a row and tobe one of only twelve drivers in the entire state recognized makes me very proud of my profession. Next on my agenda is the Louisville truck show “mats” in Louisville KY. March 25th through the 27th I hope to see you all there. Until the next truck stop you all be safe.

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, I hope all of you have been well and prosperous lately! As you can tell I have been a little under the weather. I am so ready for spring!! It seems every time I wash my truck either it snows or rains or something. Such is the life of a truck driver. Now down to business. I think it’s time that I give all of you a run down of the up and coming events and dates. The first event is the mid winter conferences. This is when Oklahoma will choice their next driver of the year for Oklahoma. I am fortunate enough to have been asked to attend this years conference, in hope of receiving just a high honor. The date is February 24th of course in Oklahoma City Oklahoma. Next is the Mid America Truck Show. The 25 thru the 27 of march. Freightliner is planning on presenting us with our keys to the new trucks at that time! I also believe that we are to do something with atbs’s Kevin Rutherford as well. The next event will be the actual picking up of the trucks from the plant in Charlotte N.C. That will happen the middle to last part of April. May I think at this point is wide open for me unless I do an open house or parade of some kind, I will keep you all posted. The first part of June, the truck championships which I am hoping to attend! Are on the 4th and 5th of June! If you have a chance to be in Louisville KY please stop by the freightliner booth to say hello. I will post more dates as they come around or if you know of an event that I could attend please let me know! Until the next truck stop all of you be safe!!

Kurt and Spencer

hello everyone, I hope your week has been good and prosperous. Has you can probably tell I’m back on the road, after my little cold I was suffering with last week. Where do you think I went? Yep thats right into the northwest. You might hear me complain about this part of the world, especially this time of year however it is still my favorite place to travel. The weather can and usually is a challenge no matter what the time of year. If you are a nature lover, you would appreciate I-84. From the state line of Idaho all the way to Portland if you don’t see any wild life, well you are just not paying attention. Just in the 375 miles in the state of Oregon I was fortune enough to see the remains of an elk that just didn’t make it across the road. Herds of deer coming down cabbage. Let’s not forget coming down the Columbia river gorge!! the highlight of this drive for me was the sight of not one but two bald eagles, and two of their nest’s. How do I know it was their nest’s? Only a bald eagle could make a nest of this magnitude, with a chick in it to boot! I did not see to many boats out on the river however. Seeing the cascade locks also amazes me! The thought of holding back that much water and filling the river up stream. Those of you that drive this area I’m sure this is just business as usual, but for drivers like me that don’t do it all the time it is a pleasure. If it weren’t for the openness of the Cascadia, with it’s large windows I would have missed most of these things. What about fuel economy you ask? Well here is the run down, 76,000 lbs from Joplin Mo to Portland Or., with wind and rain and of course snow and lets not forget winter blend fuel my average, was still 6.09 mpg. Over 6 miles to the gal. With speeds of at max. 70 mph and lows of 58 mph. I think that was a money making trip. Until the next truck stop all of you be safe!

Kurt and Spencer