Trucker Tony's Trucker Buddy Blog

Happy New Year Kids!

2010-01-12T09:20:00.007-07:00

Hi Kids!

Wow...the time certainly gets by me! Again I have gone a few weeks without updating you on my travels. I have several projects going, and one of them I will point out to you in just a minute.

Since my last message to you, I have been traveling through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Yesterday I got right next to the Mexican border in Otay Mesa in California. Can you see on the map how close that is to Mexico?

We get a lot of stuff from Mexico, and we send a lot of stuff to them. This is called "trade"...we get stuff from them, and they get stuff from us. We have a driver that comes from Mexico to pick up an empty trailer from a special parking lot in the USA and then takes it back to Mexico to be loaded. Once that trailer is loaded, the driver brings it back to the USA to the special parking lot and will leave it there for us to pick up.

This load I have now is going to Las Vegas, Nevada and I will be there this morning sometime. Then on to a new adventure!

The pictures I have posted with this note to you are of me taken last month, Kristy in the snow last month and a cute picture Kasie drew for me of a ladybug.

So...back to my projects. As you know, I like to take pictures! Well, I have a new site where I have posted only my best of the best pictures. Please take a moment to take a look at them. Also, I have been updating that site about every 2 days so check back at look at my new pictures often. Here is my new photoblog of my BEST pictures. Just click on the link:

Trucker Tony's Photoblog

I still will be posting pictures here, and I REALLY need to update my Photobucket links to the left of this blog. I promise to do that soon. I have several new pics of my girls to show you. And Kristy is getting big!

I have noticed new comments from you kids and I will look at those and respond to them. I hope you have a great day! Will talk to you soon kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Working in Iowa Today

2009-12-17T20:06:00.001-07:00

Hey Kids!

Today I spent the day in Iowa. I delivered Kelloggs cereal to Sioux City, Iowa.

Can you find Sioux City, Iowa on the map?

That is my truck above as they unloaded the cereal. The sunset picture was taken the night before in Iowa also.

I am leaving tomorrow with a load going to Nebraska. I am working my way towards my house in Southern Utah for Christmas. Talk to you soon kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Paper Rolls Delivered in St. Louis

2009-12-07T06:35:00.001-07:00

Hi kids!

This is my truck parked at the receiving dock in E. St. Louis, Illinois. The other picture shows the paper rolls I delivered.

Notice that if you look at the first roll at the bottom, there is a piece of wood there. That is nailed into the floor up against the paper roll so that those heavy rolls will not move during transit. These rolls weighed over 21 tons!

Have a great day kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Gateway Arch St. Louis Missouri

2009-12-06T13:08:00.001-07:00

Hi Kids,

This is a picture of the famous St. Louis Arch, otherwise known as the Gateway Arch. It is very famous here in the United States and if you have not seen pictures of it yet, you will throughout your life. Here are some fun facts about the Arch:

-It's our tallest National Monument at 630 feet high
-Construction began Feb 2, 1963 and finished Oct 28, 1965
-The shape of the Arch is known as a catenary curve and is considered the most structurally sound arch shape
-The span of the Arch legs at ground level is 630 feet wide, the same as it's height
-There is a tram inside the Arch that can take you to the top of the Arch
-The Arch weighs 17,246 tons with 900 tons of stainless steel.
-It cost $13 million to build. The tram cost $3.5 million
-The Arch can sway 9 inches in either direction in a 150 mph wind

These and other facts can be seen at http://www.gatewayarch.com

Have a great day kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Happy Sunday

2009-12-06T09:17:00.001-07:00

This was a pretty sunset in Missouri on Saturday Dec 5th. As you know, I love sunsets.

I love driving on Sunday's like today because I listen to Christian praise music all day.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

My Computer Has Been Down!

2009-12-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Kids!

My computer has been broken for almost a month and I have been unable to write to you. However, I just figured out how to update you using my phone so let's see if this works.

Today I am in Missouri heading to St. Louis. I have 7 huge rolls of paper that weigh 42,000 pounds.

So far the weather in the mid-west is very cold, but clear. I hit some snow in El Paso, Tx, but it was just a little bit and didn't affect my driving.

Now that I have found a way to talk to you, please write me back and let me know what you are learning in school. Have a great day kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Let's Use This Site!

2009-10-06T10:20:00.007-06:00

Hey Kids!

I have decided to keep this as the main site for us to talk to each other. It is easier to use, however you can still check my other site every now and then for updates and new pics that I may not post here!

I have been very busy the past several weeks! I started out in Chicago, Illinois and then went to Toronto, Canada. The picture above is from Toronto that I took of the CN Tower there. You can click on the picture to make it bigger if you want. From there I have been to Boston, East Rutherford, Washington DC, Charlottsville, Raleigh and now I am in Atlanta, Ga. Tonight when I will head south to Tampa, Fl and from there start heading west.

Here are a few links to look at some pictures I have taken over the past few weeks. Click on the first picture in the album to make it bigger and then just click the "next" button for the next picture until you have seen all of them.

Washington DC Pictures

Atlanta, Ga Pictures

Toronto, Ontario Canada Pictures

Let me know what you kids are doing in class and what you are learning! I'll talk to you soon. Be good kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Come On Over!

2009-08-26T07:02:00.002-06:00

Please come over to my new Trucker Buddy site! Although I will keep this blog, it will be my last post to it.

My new site is located here!

Be sure to read the announcements from me in the Forum to get started.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

A Different Job - But Still Your Trucker Buddy!

2009-06-28T20:46:00.004-06:00

Hey Kids,

I want to let you know that I have changed truck companies. I no longer drive for Knight Transportation as of last week. I now work for a company called Upstaging, Inc.

I have been trying to get a job with this company for almost a year. I won't be hauling general merchandise anymore. Upstaging hauls staging and lighting for performers and bands. A few names we haul for that you may know are Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. We haul for a lot of major and well known singers.

The positive thing about this job is that I will be going to more cities and even Canada! I will be able to send you pics and video from literally all over the United States.

I will update you more soon. The pics I posted are of my new truck. This truck is really nice as it has a lot more room inside and it has a fridge! Of course I like the red. This truck is called a Peterbilt and i have always wanted to drive one.

I hope you are having a great summer! I look forward to speaking to each and every one of you in a few months! Be good kids and have fun!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

End of The Year Already?

2009-06-03T20:36:00.003-06:00

Hi Kids,

It is so hard for me to believe that the end of the school year is now here! Can you believe you have finished another year, and move up a grade? I am very excited for you, and a bit sad too :(

I want you to know how privileged I am to have had the opportunity to share my experiences and family with you. I truly feel like I know a few of you even though I have not met you. The past month has been difficult for me to keep up with you and I have missed addressing a few of your comments and I apologize for that.

I am going to keep blogging even though school is out, so when you leave school this Friday have Ms Sison give you the website address so that you can look at my blog from your home if your parents say it is okay. I will keep adding pictures too! You are ALWAYS welcome to post a comment or question to me at any time.

I am in Corning, Ca tonight and am on my way to Oregon. I will be delivering Friday morning...your last day! The pictures above are of the Famous Shoe Tree near Cold Springs, Nevada on Hwy 50. Pretty cool, huh?

So, I will miss you and all the questions and comments you had for me. I wish each of you and your families the best. Have a wonderful summer, even if you are going to summer school (summer school is cool!). It has been a pleasure to be your Trucker Buddy, and you have helped make me a better person in the process. To all the parents; thank you for allowing me to share with your children. They have truly enriched and blessed my life.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Wedding Was Wonderful!

2009-05-26T20:07:00.000-06:00

Hey Kids,

Well, the wedding was wonderful! I will send a link along soon so you can see more pictures. That's TruckerTony above all dressed up!

I will be picking up a load tomorrow in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca going to Billings, Montana. Find a map and tell me what states are next to Montana.

So I think it is getting close to school being out for the summer. When is your last day of school? I will let you know what my load is once I pick it up tomorrow. Be good kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

My Son is Getting Married!

2009-05-22T08:58:00.003-06:00

Hi Kids,

I am in Southern California for the weekend to attend my sons wedding to a wonderful girl. Her name is Laura and they met a few years ago while in chef school in Pasadena, Ca. The picture above is of the both of them on graduation day. I am so excited for them!

I will write to you again early next week to give you an update on how the wedding went...and maybe i'll show you a picture of me in a tux!

Hope you have a great weekend kids. Be good!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Hay Being Loaded

2009-05-19T12:44:00.003-06:00

This is what it looked like when I was being loaded. Pretty cool....huh?

Getting Hay Unloaded

2009-05-19T12:41:00.000-06:00

Hi Kids,

I am being unloaded of this hay as I write this. You should be able to see a short video above of what it looked liked as the loader put the hay on my trailer.

I am in Hanford, Ca which is a bit north of Bakersfield and it is around 80 degrees. I am in the middle of a dairy and took a few pictures you can see to the right on my trucking pics slide show. You can click any of those pics and it should take you to my complete album.

This load of hay was about 38,000 pounds! Okay kids, will write again soon. Have fun in school!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Home For the Weekend!

2009-05-16T21:38:00.003-06:00

Hi Kids,

Just wanted to let u know that I delivered the paper plates and cups to WalMart in Corinne, Ut. I am now at home in Cedar City, Ut.

On Monday I will be picking up a load of plastic containers and taking those to Yuma, Az for delivery Tuesday morning.

Have a great week kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Paper Rolls Delivered to Fresno

2009-05-14T11:23:00.002-06:00

Hey Kids,

These pictures show you the huge paper rolls I delivered the other day. I picked them up in Longview, WA and delivered them to Fresno, Ca. It was a very heavy load. My total weight was 78,000 pounds.

I only had 9 rolls of paper on my truck, but each of them weighed 4,900 pounds. I am not sure what they use the paper for where I delivered them...I forgot to ask :(

I have included a few pics of the warehouse where I delivered the paper, and a picture of what the paper looked like in my truck.

I have a very light load now. It is paper plates and cups going to WalMart in Corinne, Ut. Okay kids, have a great day!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Kristy's Surgery

2009-05-07T15:28:00.002-06:00

Hey Kids,

Wanted to let you know that I am headed to you with a load of plastic 5 gallon buckets going to Hayward, Ca. I am in Bakersfield now, and will deliver in Hayward Friday morning. My load is only 6,000 pounds.

I have posted some new pictures and you should be able to see them in the slide show on the right. The pics at the top of this post show Kristy today before and after her surgery. She had to have her adenoids and tonsils removed. Do you know where your tonsils and adenoids are?

Remember to look on the right, at the top, to see my Twitter updates. I update that 3-4 times a day when I am driving. Be good kids, and have a great weekend!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Cabinets, Cabinets...and More Cabinets!

2009-04-26T16:38:00.004-06:00

Hey Kids,

Can you guess what my load is? Right! Well, I gave you a big clue in the title of this post didn't I? Let me tell you i had to work on this load! This load is what they call "driver assist". Now that means that I "assist" in unloading the truck. Usually not a big problem, and I get my exercise which is good. But take a look at the picture of all the boxes on the ground! I unloaded those and there are some that are NOT in that picture that were taken the the warehouse behind in the picture. It was only 12,000 pounds of cabinets!

The picture of the boxes in my trailer are what are left after I finished with the first stop. I have two more stops on Monday; one in Fullerton, CA at 8am and the other a bit closer to you in Santa Maria, CA at 1pm.

By the way, these are cabinets that you would find in your kitchen. Some were big and others bigger...perhaps a few small ones :)

I had to maneuver my truck into a difficult position for the unloading at the first stop. I have a picture of that as well for you to see. The last picture is of the TV room at the truck stop I stayed at in Arizona over the weekend.

Have a great day kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

New Features on My Blog!

2009-04-25T11:39:00.005-06:00

Key Kids,

I have put a few things on my blog that I think you will like. I don't always get to blog like I want to due to my schedule or problems finding Internet service. Most times when I do get the chance, I have to try and catch up and I always miss stuff.

If you look to the right of my blog at the top, you will see "Twitter Update". This is real cool because I can text right from my phone and update you with what I am doing NOW instead of waiting days! The most recent comment will be posted and at the end of the comment will be a note to say how long ago I sent the message. If you want to see more Twitter updates from me, click on "follow me on Twitter" and you will see all of my recent updates.

Below Twitter Update I have placed a slide show photo album of my most recent trucking pictures. There are so many pictures that you have not seen and this is a good way for me to show all of my trucking pictures to you. If you want to see the whole album right away rather than just the small slideshow, just click on the picture itself. This album updates as I add pictures, so be sure to take a few minutes each time you visit my blog to see the new pictures in the slide show.

I hope you like the changes kids! Have Ms Sison help you if you are confused and she will explain it to you. Be good!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

45,500 lbs of Recycling Material

2009-04-20T15:57:00.002-06:00

Hey Kids,

I had over 45,000 pounds of recycling material I picked up in Las Vegas yesterday and delivered to Los Angeles this morning. I took a picture of the material in my truck, and the plant where I dropped it off. That is my trailer you see in the picture. I had to take my truck off of the trailer because the plant was small and my truck would have blocked everything if I kept it connected.

Did you know that old car tires are recycled to build roads? They cut the tires up into tiny pieces and then mix the rubber in with other materials to build many roads here in the US.

The other picture I am including is the sunset on Sunday in Barstow, CA at the Flying J truck stop. So...I have 2 questions for you;

Can you tell me what kinds of material can be recycled?

Why do you think it is important that we recycle as much as we can?

I hope you had a great Easter holiday kids! I will talk to you soon!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Just 1 More Photo

2009-04-19T19:42:00.006-06:00

Hey Kids,

Just one more photo of the girls a few weeks ago when I was home. This was at Dairy Queen. Kimi is on the left, Kaity is next with Kasie next to the window (she had a funny face). Of course that is Kristi on the right...taking a nap. She woke up later and ate everyone's french fries :)

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Kristi the Rock Star!

2009-04-19T19:33:00.005-06:00

Hey Kids,

I just had to share this photo of Kristi that my wife took a few days ago. She looks like a rock star! And look at that smile! Kristi will be 2 on July 5th.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

I'm Still Here Kids!

2009-04-16T00:10:00.002-06:00

This has been a VERY busy few weeks for me! It seemed that anytime I had a chance to update you on my travels, the Internet service where I was at was very slow or not working.

This is just a quick note to say I am sorry and that I am okay. By the time you come to school on Monday, I should have a few posts and some pics ready for you to see. I will be sure to tell you about the cool stuff I have hauled and some of my experiences over the past 3 weeks. I also have some great pictures to show you.

Be good kids. Remember to check back next week for the updates!

Blessings,
TruckerTony

International Space Station

2009-03-14T14:28:00.004-06:00

Hey Kids,

I am still in Fontana, Ca waiting for a load. Looks like I won't be leaving until monday though. However, with some of the time I have I am reading about the International Space Station. It's short name is called the ISS.

I have been fascinated with space since I was a kid. I remember watching the Apollo rockets take off with the astronauts that would explore the moon. It was also exciting to watch when the capsule would come back to earth and splash into the sea where a Navy ship would then go and get the astronauts at the end of their mission. These days, they take off and come back to earth in the same vehicle...the Space Shuttle!

Over the past several years, the United States and other countries have been building the space station. Several space shuttle missions were used, and continue to be used to build the station. Many important things happen every day on the space station...so many that I could never say them all. However, all the experiments they do will help us with medicine, technology and other things that will make our life easier here on earth.

One post I read from an astronaut told about what she saw as she took a moment to look out of the window down towards earth. I thought it was fascinating, and thought you might like to read what she saw as well. You can click here to see what she wrote.

Here are a few more links you might like to see:

So one question for you; can you guess how FAST the ISS travels around the earth? Write to me and give me your guess!

Also, let me know what kinds of things you are interested in. Perhaps what your hobbies are, or what you want to be when you grow up. Take care kids! Until next time....

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

I Am Learning About You Today!

2009-03-13T13:48:00.002-06:00

Hi Kids,

Just wanted to let you know that I have delivered that heavy load of dog food. Today I will be sitting at a truck stop in Ontario, California and hopefully I can get a load that will take me towards home tomorrow.

So guess what I am doing since I have so much time today? I am reading about what your favorite songs are, who your favorite singers are, who your best friends are, what nationalities some of you are and other neat information you have written about on your class website.

I like reading about your book reports the best though! You are reading some very nice books, and many of them I have read to my own children. It's neat when you can read to your parents...try to do that as much as you can. It makes them feel good.

So keep reading your books, and I am going to go back now and read some more of what you kids have posted on your website. I am having fun doing that! Have a great weekend kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

My Truck Broke Down - Again!

2009-03-12T09:57:00.006-06:00

Hey Kids,

Well, when I went to start my truck yesterday it would not start. I had this problem when I was in Davenport, Iowa too. So when I get back to Salt Lake City, Utah I will have to put my truck into the fix-it shop so that they can change the batteries.

Because i had that problem, the company decided not to give me the Target load to Idaho. Instead, I am picking up 43,000 pounds of dog food today and taking it to Southern California. I will be there tonight.

So since I have received so many nice comments about my family, I have decided to show you some recent pictures of my girls. That's Kasie with Ronald; Katie has the soccer ball; Kimi is the black and white picture and Kristi is playing with the kitchen toy at church. The other picture is of the truck stop I stayed at in Reno, Nevada.

Have a great day kids! I've got to get this big truck rolling towards Southern California!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Gettin' Ready to Head to Idaho

2009-03-11T11:09:00.007-06:00

Today's Pictures
Cheyenne, WY	Billion Year Old Rocks!
Rest Area Above Turnpike, IL	Stopped Train, Salt Lake City
Sunset - Fernley, NV	Rest Area - Fernley, NV
Rest Area - Fernley, NV	Truckee River - Fernley, NV

Hey Kids,

First, Ms Sison should be receiving a package from me today or tomorrow. I sent some information to you about the state of New Mexico so that you can get a better idea of what is there.

Today I am picking up at a big Target warehouse and taking part of the load to Elko, NV and the rest of the load to Twin Falls, Idaho. I will be taking anything from medicine, to toys, to big appliances and other items you would buy in a Target store.

The load will be lite, so I should not use as much fuel which is good because fuel costs a lot of money. In fact, fuel and tires cost the most when driving a truck so we do all we can to use less fuel and make our tires last longer. One easy way for our tires to last longer is to keep the proper amount of air in them. I check my tires every day before i start driving to make sure I have 100 psi (pounds per square inch) in my tires. The car your mom and dad drives has about 35 psi in those tires.

About the pictures above; i don't know if I have told you this before, but i used to drive a train just like that! I was actually a locomotive engineer for a few years driving freight trains like the one pictured and then I drove the Amtrak trains you see where you live. I used to drive through Emeryville, Sacramento, Martinez and other cities up there by where you live.

The pictures at the very top show an area close to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The marker says that the rocks in that area are over 1 billion years old!

After I deliver on Thursday morning in Twin Falls, ID I am hoping that I can go south into Utah for a couple of days off. Be sure to write to me when you can. Let me know what you think of the stuff I sent to you! Be good Kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Video Driving From Iowa Into Nebraska

2009-03-09T11:47:00.007-06:00

Hey Kids,

I thought I would show you this quick video of me driving from Iowa into Nebraska. You will see a river and right in the middle of that river is the state line. You will also see the Welcome to Nebraska sign as it passes right over me. The video is about 1 minute long. Hope you like it!

Just click on that arrow at the bottom of the video.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Chicago!

2009-03-08T17:12:00.015-06:00




Click on Picture to Make Bigger!

Hey Kids,

Wow..it's been a busy week for me so I am sorry I have not had time to post before this. I spent a lot of that time in Illinois last week, and even got close to Chicago. I have included some pictures of the Chicago skyline for you to see. Chicago is home to a very famous building. It is the tall black one with the white antennas at the top. Can you do a Google search and guess what the name of that building is?

During this trip I also got to take a quick load up to Wisconsin which is also very pretty. My load now is 28,000 pounds of blueberry muffins headed to Wal-Mart in Reno, NV which is getting very close to you! I picked that load up in Chicago on Thursday and will deliver Monday morning for a total of 1,900 miles.

I have a lot of pictures I took this time so I will be posting them over the next few posts. I will write again soon kids. Also, I am sending you something in the mail so Ms Sison should be receiving that either this coming week or the next. be good!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Pet Food to Davenport, Iowa

2009-03-01T09:56:00.002-07:00

Hey Kids,

I picked up a load of pet food in Spanish Fork, UT going to Davenport, IA. It is only 14,000 pounds which is a light load, so I made good time getting to Nestle/Purina in Iowa. When I got there, I dropped my loaded trailer at an unloading door and picked up an empty trailer they had finished unloading and left.

I have been at a few truck stops the past few days and will be leaving for Illinois today (Sunday). Actually, Davenport, IA is right on the border of Iowa and Illinois, and I only need to go about 110 miles into Illinois to where I need to be on Monday. A highlight on my trip today will be going over a very big and famous river.

Can you look at the map on the border of Iowa and Illinois and see what river I will be crossing over?

I will try and get a picture for you when I cross the river. It is really pretty and the bridges are nice too.

The pictures I have included with this post show the sign to the World's Largest Truck Stop - the Iowa 80 located in Walcott, IA. There are a few pictures of the landscape of Iowa which I think is very pretty. The picture of the freeway signs was taken just as I crossed into Iowa from Nebraska. I thought it was neat showing the different cities I could go to.

Okay kids, have a great day and be sure to ask any questions or make comments on my blog if you have time.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Happy March Kids!

2009-03-01T09:28:00.001-07:00

Hey Kids,

Well, this is my favorite month...it's my birthday on the 27th!

I wanted to show you what I have done over the past few weeks. Some of it you know about by my earlier posts on where I have been and what I have hauled. Take a look at the map above. Can you see how I almost made a big circle? That route is 3,059 miles long!

Click on the map to make it bigger and see if you can tell what states I have been in on that route.

Right now I am in Davenport, Iowa and will be leaving for Illinois this afternoon. Not sure what I will be picking up yet. Have a great day kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Load of Plastic Milk Bottles

2009-02-21T15:48:00.002-07:00

Hey Kids,

Just finished a load from Phoenix, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada of plastic milk bottles. I delivered them to Meadow Gold Dairy, and they will fill these plastic bottles up with milk and then another truck will come and pick up the full milk bottles and deliver them to your store.

Can you see how important trucks are to you and your family? If I don't deliver these plastic bottles to the dairy, then they have nothing to put their milk in, and you don't have any milk to buy at the store.

So think about what you see when you look at a plastic bottle of milk at the store. You see the bottle of course, and then you notice the delicious white milk inside of it. Well, there is also a sticker on the bottle telling you what kind of milk it is, a cap to keep the milk from falling out and a stamp to tell you how long the milk is good for.

So I just delivered the bottle that was made by a company in Phoenix. They had to have the caps delivered from another company by another truck, and the stickers were printed somewhere that had to be delivered too. Once the dairy has all of these things, they can have their machines fill the bottles, put the stickers on and stamp them. Then they are put into boxes and shipped on another truck.

One of the pictures shows my load of empty milk bottles. Another is a closer pic of me taken a few months ago and the last is of a rest stop just after sunset in Texas. Talk to you soon kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Texas Panhandle

2009-02-19T14:10:00.004-07:00

Hey Kids,

So if you look at a map of Texas, who can point out which part of Texas is called "the Panhandle"? If you look real close, you can probably guess. Well, I drove through that part of Texas a few days ago and boy did I get some good pictures of the sunset! I have included them with this post for you to see.

The Texas panhandle is fairly flat as you can see in one of the pictures. I think I saw a sign at a rest stop that said something like the "panhandle plains of Texas". The picture of my truck was taken at that rest stop just east of Amarillo, Texas. Can you find that city in the panhandle?

So just one more question; if I left Oklahoma and went into the panhandle of Texas, what was the next state I went into?

Okay kids. Have a great day and be sure to write to me about any questions or comments you have.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Oklahoma Indian Nations

2009-02-19T13:43:00.004-07:00

Hey Kids,

Sorry I have not written in a week or so. I have been very busy and did not have access to the Internet.

I wanted to talk to you a bit about some of the Indian Nations I passed through while driving in Oklahoma. Many acres of land have been given to many Indian tribes through treaties dating back to 1833 in Oklahoma by the US Government. There are also Indian reservations in many other states.

I went through the following reservations in Oklahoma: the Cherokee which has 877,229 acres; the Cheyenne and Arapaho which has the Southern Arapaho, and Northern and Southern Cheyenne tribes and at least 529,682 acres; the Kickapoo which has the Mexican Kickapoo tribe and 22,529 acres of land.

I have included some pictures of each of these Indian tribes for you. The first is of a Arapaho boy in full ceremonial dress; the next is a Cheyenne Chief; then a Cherokee medicine man and finally a Kickapoo medicine man.

Have a great day kids!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Next Trip to Flagstaff, Arizona

2009-02-11T17:04:00.003-07:00

Hey Kids,

Well, I delivered 1 day early this morning to Springfield, Missouri. One of the pictures is of my truck at that location. After i delivered, I headed back to Joplin, Missouri to spend the night there. That is where I am at as I write this to you.

On Thursday morning I am going a short distance north to a place called Webb City to get my next load and take it to Flagstaff, Arizona. It looks like I will have a little bit of snow to deal with in Arizona as I arrive on Friday. I will deliver this load sometime on Saturday.

There are 2 pictures of a rest area in Oklahoma just north of the Texas border on Interstate 35. It was a bit windy, however it was warm. You can see the flags being blown pretty good. It was a very pretty rest area with all the trees. Listening to the wind blow between the trees was cool.

So who remembers what my favorite time of day is? The last picture should be a clue. I took it of the Sunset in Oklahoma yesterday. Look at the difference between the sky ahead of me, and the beautiful colors behind me towards the sunset. Sometimes all I get is a rear view of beautiful sunsets, but it's better than nothing!

Remember you can click on the pictures to see a bigger one!

By the way, there is a saying; "the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west". So if that's the case, who can guess which direction I am driving?

Okay Kids...need to get some rest. I have had an exciting 24 hours! Be good and be sure to write me!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

What GREAT Questions!

2009-02-11T16:43:00.003-07:00

Hey Kids,

Wow! I have had a lot of great comments and questions from you on my blog! I am very impressed with what i read from you, and I am learning a lot about you, your school and your classroom.

I answer EVERY question you ask, so be sure and go back to the point where you asked that question to see if I responded. If it looks like I missed your question, just go ahead and ask again.

Please continue to write to me on my blog. If you want to send something to me in the mail, Ms Sison has my address and can help you with that. In fact, I have been doing some collecting on my own and i will be sending some things to your classroom very soon.

I hope to be able to set up a Skype session soon with you. I want to get a video ball to hook up and when that is done I will talk to Ms Sison about a good time to see you over the Internet!

Be good kids! I am really enjoying being your Trucker Buddy!

Blessings
~TruckerTony

TORNADOS In Oklahoma City!

2009-02-11T09:14:00.003-07:00

Hey Kids,

WOW! Just as I was gettin into Oklahoma City, Ok yesterday, several police cars past us on the freeway with their lights and sirens on. I just thought it was a bad accident, however when I got a few miles up the road the freeway was stopped....and guess what I saw?

A tornado passed over the freeway about 5 miles ahead of me! It was the tornado that damaged Edmond, Ok according to the news reports. I also went through Lone Grove south of Oklahoma City a few hours before the killer tornado hit there. I did not realize that I was traveling right into a very active tornado producing storm...the first of the season. By the way, this area of the country is also known as "Tornado Alley" because of the many tornados they get every year.

So now I am in Joplin, Missouri with very rainy weather...but no reports of tornados. I will be in Springfield, Mo this afternoon to deliver this small load.

No pics this time...sorry. I only had enough time to post this real quick to let you know my experience yesterday. I will also be responding to your recent comments no later than Friday I think. Thanks kids...and be good!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Phoenix, AZ - Lordsburg, NM

2009-02-07T17:09:00.004-07:00

Hey Kids,

Well, it's Saturday afternoon and I am in Lordsburg, NM at a Flying J truck stop. I have a lot of time to get to El Paso, so I have been taking it easy. Last night I stopped in a small town in Arizona called Eloy. I will leave Lordsburg early Sunday afternoon and plan on being in El Paso to drop my trailer around 4pm or so.

As you know I like to show you pictures. The first is of a nice rest stop just east of Phoenix. By the way, do you know which way East is? Your teacher can help you with that if you need a little help. The other pictures are of an area in southeast Arizona called the Texas Canyon. It is known for it's beautiful rock formations. There just happens to be a rest area there as well so I was able to get some pics for you.

By the way, a rest area is a place where cars and trucks can stop along side the road to take a quick break from driving. Most of them have restrooms and vending machines if you need a drink or snack to hold you over until you get to a city. Thats it for now. Be good and learn lots!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Goin to Springfield, Missouri!

2009-02-07T16:54:00.003-07:00

Hey Kids,

Well, I got a little bit of work after all. I am picking up here in Phoenix, Az and delivering to El Paso, Tx on Sunday night. Monday morning I will pick up my trailer from the same location I delivered it to and take a load to Springfield, Mo for Thursday morning delivery. They unload what i took to them and re-load the same trailer. Looks like 22,000 pounds of office supplies going to El Paso.

I have included a map that will show you the route I will be taking from Phoenix to Springfield. You can see I will be driving in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and finally Missouri on this trip. Some of the big cities I will be going through are Tucson, AZ; Las Cruces, NM; El Paso, TX (right on the Mexican border); and Tulsa, OK. Can you find these places on the map? Remember you can click on the map to make it bigger!

Thats it for now kids. Have a great day!

Blessings
~TruckerTony

Delivered Paint Cans!

2009-02-05T12:17:00.004-07:00

Hey Kids,

This load turned out to be 17,000 lbs of 1 gallon paint cans that I delivered to Dunn Edwards in Phoenix. Dunn Edwards is a store that sells paint, wallpaper and other decorative items for your home.

One of the pictures shows the warehouse that actually makes the cans. You can see them stacked up, ready to load onto trucks. At the bottom of that picture you can see a big metal plate. That plate raises up and stretches out to my truck so that the loaders can use a forklift and put the cans on my truck. I'll send you a picture of a forklift when I can.

When I deliver these cans, Dunn Edwards will fill them with paint, put a sticker on the can that will tell what color and what type of paint it is, and then put it in the store to sell. Next time you see paint for sale, you can say your Trucker Buddy delivers those cans!

I also have a picture of what my truck looks like completely loaded. Usually, my loads don't stretch all the way back to the doors like this load does, but this load was pretty light. Remember I can load up to about 43,000 lbs in my truck!

The last picture is of a plane landing at the Phoenix airport. It is right next to the freeway and the planes come right over the freeway only a few hundred feet above. Its pretty cool to watch, especially since I want to get my pilots license someday.

Okay kids, thats it for now. Just so you know, I am stuck in Phoenix for a few days because there are 85 trucks ahead of me looking for loads. I might not be in touch with you again until next week. Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Pastry Flour Delivered!

2009-02-04T11:58:00.004-07:00

Hey Kids,

I'm sitting at a truck stop in Ontario, Ca after delivering 42,500 pounds of pastry flour yesterday morning in Irvine, Ca. One of the pictures you see is of the truck stop I took last night. Another shows Las Vegas, Nv as I passed through. The other picture was taken on the California/Nevada border on Interstate 15 heading south at sunset. Sunset and the few hours preceding it is my favorite time of day.

By the way, I am uploading smaller pictures, but if you click on them they will get bigger.

Today I am picking up a load in Fontana, Ca and taking it to Tempe, Az for delivery tomorrow morning. I am not sure what I am picking up, but I will let you know in my next post. Have a great day Kids! Gots to get back to truckin.

Blessings,
~TruckerTony

Jan. 26th - Feb 1st

2009-02-01T22:05:00.002-07:00

Hey Kids!

This week got off to a slow start. As you can see by the pictures, it was a bit hard for me to drive with all of the snow on my window and the road! I decided to stay home in Cedar City, UT for a few days while the weather cleared out. Once I did decided to get moving, it took 6 sets of tire chains to get me out of that snow bank...and a lot of sweat!

My first load was from Hurricane, UT to Salt Lake City, UT. Then I went to Boise, Id. From Boise, i went back to Twin Falls, Id. Not sure what I was hauling though because the trailers were already loaded. The next load was from Hazelton, Id to Idaho Falls, Id. That load was seeds and rice. From Idaho Falls I drove to Ogden, Ut to load flour that I currently have and will be delivering in Irvine, Ca on Tuesday morning at a bakery. The flour I have is specially made for cakes.

In the future, I will try and let you know exactly what each load is, how heavy it is and how far I drive. I will also take some pictures of the loads so you can see how a truck is loaded.

Be good! Got to get back to truckin!

~TruckerTony

Some Trucking Pics

2009-01-25T16:33:00.005-07:00

Here are a few photos that I picked out to show you.

1. Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado - Over 1 mile long inside the mountain!

2-4. California Winds and Wild Fires 2007 - Notice in the 4th picture that the fire was right next to the freeway on the left. When I passed that area, the fire jumped over my truck and started a fire on the right side too!

5. The "Shoe" Tree - Located in Northern Nevada, this tree is famous because people throw their shoes in it!

6. Sunrise in Cedar City, UT - This is the town I live in.

~TruckerTony

My Truck!

2009-01-25T15:07:00.005-07:00

So i thought i would show you what my truck looks like. I have included pictures of both the outside and inside. When I am driving, I can be away from home for 2 or 3 weeks so I need a place to sleep, a place to keep some clean clothes and a place to keep some food. One of the pictures shows what my bed looks like. It is right behind the drivers seat. I have a small table there as well where I keep my magazines and put my computer on. There is also a closet that you cannot see in these pictures for my clothes and cabinets for other stuff that I carry on the truck.

I included a picture of what it looks like from behind the drivers seat looking out the window. I keep stuff that I need while driving on the big dash in front of me. Can you name some of the stuff in that picture and guess what it is and how I might use it while driving?

My truck has the power of 425 horses...that's a lot of power! In fact, i can pull over 80,000 pounds down the highway!

~TruckerTony

Welcome!

2009-01-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Hey kids!

First let me say how excited i am to be able to have you as my new Trucker Buddy class! I hope that you find my travels exciting and I look forward to your questions and comments. I will also be posting a lot of pictures and maybe a few videos. I will also be working on setting up a video camera so that we can talk to each other.

Check back here often for new comments on my travels and new pictures. Have a great day!

~TruckerTony