Duane is doing Orientation for new drivers...

I am back in training and Duane is doing his new driver orientation. He will find out by Thursday who his Mentor/Trainer for the next 6 weeks will be. I will be here (provided I pass the back up test by Friday) for the next 2 weeks. We met this great family named Travis and Brie Bartschi at church on Sunday. She taught the adult class, and we enjoyed her class so much. She invited us to come to their home for dinner on Monday night. We had so much fun with them, and it was so enjoyable to be with their children as well. They are such a great family, and have invited us back to hang out while we're here in Lewiston. They both grew up in Idaho Falls, and he's a dentist here in Lewiston. We're meeting some really great people on our adventure so far. We sure miss all of family and friends. The week home for me was mostly spent hanging out with Henry and canning pickles with Yvette and visiting with the Shuey family....my life is always fun, so many great people in my life!

this is the training truck and trailer...53 foot long trailer... I love driving

Roz failed her skills test...

I did say that I'd keep this blog "real"...I failed my 90 degree backing test on Friday. So, I have to leave the school for 1 week and return the following week to join the new class that is starting this coming Monday the 20th of Sept. So, I will go home for a week while Duane finishes his CDL this week. Swift is very strict and follows the rules to the letter. That means they turn out very safe drivers. I will look for a truck to practice on this week while I am home. The test I failed is very difficult, but it is one I need to pass for the Idaho State Test. I have practiced so much I inflamed a problem that I already had with my left knee. Oh, well, right? The thing that is crazy is I can do this 90 degree back, but was so rattled by having someone stand there and test me! I will pass next time.

Duane will now be a week ahead of me with his orientation and training with the company. That is fine as things are flexible in that area. I think that will be good for him to get going on the road. The bright side is I get to go home and visit with all my family, play with my grandson, Henry and catch up on all of our mail etc.... The funny thing is having been with Duane 24/7 I am going to feel lonely. Weird, we've already adjusted to this new lifestyle. Life has so many surprises in store for us, doesn't it? Thank goodness for that, or I guess we'd all be drones!

I hope I can go visit Mrs. Stansell's 2nd Grade class out in Marsing! I am drivng home today, and will be back up here on Friday to pick Duane up!

Roz drives the Big Rig...safe and sound..Big Cat lookout- we are coming!

we are driving...

truck driving

Learning to back up ...

Learning how to shift...

Okay, I thought that I knew how to drive a stick shift, and that would help to learn the shifting on the Semi-truck...wrong! It is so different, and it's like learning how to drive all over again. You have to get your rpms up to down shift, and you must double clutch to just to get it in gear. Also, you need to remember not to put the accelerator down to go into a higher gear....AYE,YI, Yi, I feel so ignorant! I will have to say my "hat" is off to all of those hard working truckers out there....so when you buy something, anything, remember a truck driver got it there for you! I am not kidding, this is not for sissies! I feel like a sissie right now, that is for sure. I come back to the motel with my "tail" dragging everyday...I thought that I would get to read a few books in my spare time-Ha, Ha, Ha...what spare time. We have studying and are just to tired to do anything entertaining. Even food has taken a "survival" meaning- eating just so we get through the day. I am keeping a smile on my face, and Duane says he still loves me, so not much more to ask, Right? hugs to all....Roz and Duane

We passed some of our tests!

Sorry I haven't written lately...I have been more tired than I've been in years. This is far more difficult than I thought! What an ordeal, and yet it's been so fun. I finally passed my 88 part inspection test on the Rig...wow, that was too much memorization for me...now I know how to do a Pre-trip inspection for the Idaho final test. Now they had us learn how to back up from a 90 degree angle. Mrs. Stansell will have to draw that on the board for her 2nd graders... Now we are learning about the unhook and hooking up of the trailer to the semi-truck...I will post a video later...

2nd day of training...

We passed our DOT physicals! I wasn't too worried, until I was in the exam room with the Doctor. It became very serious, and all business...Duane was in another room, kind of scary for a minute. But all is well, and thankful Duane and I live a fairly tame life. No regrets there, that's for sure. Learned all about keeping our Log books, and let me tell you it's no picnic. There is so much to remember, and if you forget to do something you can have major fines and even go to jail! So, I take this very seriously, and will do my best, that's for sure. We came back to our room and I started dinner. We have our little camping stove here, and I made a little pasta dish with some Albacore and a green sauce that Duane likes. We don't have to eat like we're camping out, even if we are! Tomorrow I am leaving dinner in a crockpot and hope the chicken casserole will be done when we get back. I know Duane thought I was bringing way too much with us, but now he's enjoying the meals...
I have to learn the pre-trip inspection by heart, and I want you to know it's crazy. Once we have it down it should only take about an hour to get the inspection done each time we change drivers. Once I've actually practiced it on a truck I will remember it better, but I have to know it by heart to recite and explain to an inspector with the DMV for my final CDL test. Lots of prayer needed here people! Cannot do this alone. Thank you to all of you that are cheering us on, we really appreciate it...WE LOVE YOU ALL! Hope to be back tomorrow.

First day of training...

It was far too early this morning when the alarm went off at 4am! We did make it to bed early, about 11pm here in Lewiston...but not early enough for that wake up call! Today was full of filling out paperwork, learning new terminology, and just the fight to stay awake... Our trainer is an interesting woman, and very experienced in CDL driving. We will be in the "rigs" this week, and I think I'm looking forward to it. The hotel/motel we're in is not one we would normally try out on our own. It's a very basic type property, and has a different type crowd staying here. Having said that, they have just done a remodel and have done a very nice job. The beds are new and are very comfortable, which really suprised us. We drove up and thought we'd give it one night, and then maybe look for another hotel. We slept well, and it was quiet - can't ask for much more than that under the circumstances...Just finished studying and doing our homework...of course I cooked dinner here in our room and we watched Boise State pull out a win in the last minute of the game. It got to be a real nail biter there. I will send some pictures tomorrow, hope to get caught up with myself....

We are on our way to training class! It was so hard to say goodbye to our Ashley girl. A new chapter has begun... it is so beautiful driving through Montana.