The one thing I have learned over the years is that I’m not like a lot of the drivers out on the roads today. Granted, there are still a lot of drivers with my love and respect for trucking, but it seems these days we are further and fewer in between. Today it seems, these so called truck drivers are out here to make a quick buck or it was the last thing they could do to survive.
My Grandfather and I
I wasn’t raised that way. I’m here because I love trucking and I love trucks to the bone. I’ve been around them my whole life, and I could both blame my grandfather and thank him at the same time for where I am today. He was one hell of trucker and I just wish he was around today… I started this post just for my grandfather. But, when I looked at my family as a whole, I could not, not include my father, uncle and husband…
Grandpa in Washington State
Grandpa and his ’75 F Model Mack that he bought brand new. He was leased to Admiral Merchants special Commodities division.
My Dad
I have my father to thank for where I am today as well… Or maybe he blames himself!? My dad made me who I am out here although I know he NEVER intended for his daughter to be a truck driver. If it wasn’t for all of the teaching he did with me, I know I wouldn’t be the driver I am today. Mad as I was, as a kid, my dad made me back our pick-up for miles using only mirrors when everyone else’s parents were giving them car keys and letting them go on their merry way. I was made to help change oil, do break jobs on my pick up with him, and he taught me to have respect for vehicles. I wouldn’t have the truck I have today or be where I am if it wasn’t for my father. And I wouldn’t change any of that for the world!!
This was my uncle Chris’ first truck. It was a 1968 Freightliner. He told me that my grandpa had stole his truck from him to move this house one weekend so he wouldn’t hurt his own, which sounds like something my grandpa would do…
My Uncle Chris
My Uncle Chris has always been there for me too. He is someone whom I have always looked up to, have a huge amount of respect for, and I consider myself lucky to have him.
And lastly I can’t leave out my hubs, whom I have a very unique partnership with. We have matching his and her Peterbilts, which I think is quite unique in this industry and although we don’t work together on a daily basis we are always there for each other. He and I help each other out with working on trucks, billing, paperwork, and everything in between.
When we are both home you can usually find us working on one truck or the other it seems…
Lulu-bell and Rosie
About Bethany
I really enjoyed your photos and stories of your family (and their trucks). With a solid foundation like that, I see where you come by your love of trucking and just being a good human being.
I know this will sound rather cliche, but A Family that Trucks together, Stays Together. I love Lulu-Bell and Rosie, side by side.
This sounds really silly, from a 4-wheeler, but I feel about my little Blazer the way you feel about your Peterbuilts'. She is old now, but doesn't owe me a thing. I will be sad when the day comes that I have to get rid of her. An inamimate object, that I have given a soul to.
Have a great day, hope it's doing more there than raining, which is what we have here today.
I love your site. I found out about you through the Daily Coyote. You have my utmost respect. I live on a state highway and see truckers pass my house/farm every day. Be safe out there.
Fantastic photos! You remind me of how much I can relate to much of this. We are lucky for the men who chose, along the way, to teach us some important lessons. Thank goodness!
Hallo
Collander Head here! Have a super day!
I didn’t know you had roots back up here in Washington!! You have a great linage, family history in the trucking industry. My Dad made me take a Girls Gas Engines class my Junior year of High School, an the summer between my Junior an Senior year was spent sitting on the fenders of either my mom car, or on the fenders of my Dad’s Ford Pick-Up truck, doing tune-ups, replacing brakes, you name it. There’s one person you left off, you, Bethany!
Awesome history!!!! I wish you safe travels. It was cool to see these pics and see where it all started with you. Great website…I’ll be back to visit some more!
Love those old F models even though with the camel back suspension…they would jar your teeth out. The 237 maxidyne engine was a real workhorse. I would say you have trucking in your genes. Good story.
This is a very refreshing post you have here. I enjoyed seeing the evolution from where your family started to where you are now… More than how your family run the business, the fact that it was a common interest that bonds you together made it more significant and equally successful.
Thanks for sharing!
I enjoy the older pictures, guess they remind me of my own heritage. Thank you for sharing!
Enjoyed the story and pictures very much. My husband enjoyed the pictures too and laughed at your grandpa “stealing” your uncle’s truck to move the house!
I drove an FR700 with a 320 maxidyne was a big truck in her day especialy as most of its work was hauling relocatable portabale accomadation at ten foot wide and only 3 ton .
also drove a cab over 112 freightliner still aint driven a peterbilt but am workin on it looks like i stuck with me little western star for a while yet.
I really enjoy the videos, I married a trucker and in 2002 I went on the road for the whole year with him, quit my job, I loved it. but he moved on to greener pastures,so to speak, I miss the trucking ,but I don’t miss him… Maybe if my nephew starts driving, which he really wants to so much,still young, i can go on a trip with him. I really miss it.. I thought about driving, but my eyes would not pass the test.. lazy eye growing up.. but I can see good, but not by their standards.. happy trucking
Hi Deb thanks for the comment! I hope I’m able to bring you on a few more rides and I hope you get to go back out on the road!
I really enjoyed to hear about your families history. My Father and my 3 other uncles are truck drivers. When I was younger I spent my Christmas break with my father at work sense he has his own logging business. It seemed like when I was about 14 I started to share the love of trucks & equipment with my father. Now you could say that I am obsessed with trucks (Peterbilts)! I truly believe that this is in my genes