Road Tales: Five Stories of Courage, Camaraderie, and Adventure from Truckers

Post Date - May 17, 2024

Every mile traveled on the open road holds a story—and for truckers, these tales are often full of camaraderie, bravery, and special moments. The road becomes a place where stories unfold and impact people from all walks of life. Here are five stories from life on the road, offering a glimpse into the world of courage, adventure, and resilience that exists on the open road.

1. A Keebler Cookie Driver's Deadpan Wit on the CB Radio

Let’s start out with a bit of humor and good fun. One man shared a memorable story about his dad’s time as a Keebler cookie driver who found himself at the center of some good-natured ribbing on the CB radio. Other drivers bombarded him with questions like, "Do elves really make the cookies?" and "Are you an elf?" His response? In a deadpan voice, he said, "I only drive this truck for the paycheck. I don't ask any questions. I just back the truck up to the tree, and they fill it."

2. Heroes of the Highway: An Act of Bravery and Kindness

This story shows the true bravery, courage, and selflessness truck drivers show on the road every day. This woman recounted a situation from her childhood where the bravery and kindness of truck drivers saved lives. When she was a young girl, she was involved in a frightening car accident with her grandparents on I-80 in Pennsylvania. While she was asleep in the back seat, their car swerved off the road, rolled over, and left all of them injured. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved. Three men from three different trucks rushed over to help. One provided a cloth to stop the grandfather's bleeding, another comforted the trapped grandmother, and a third stayed with the young girl as she sat in shock. What touched her the most was that these truckers took the time to gather all of her colored pencils from the road.

3. Finding Beauty in the Small Moments

While there are many big events that happen on the road, one truck driver shared that sometimes, it’s the little moments that stick with you. Like driving through hilly terrain and witnessing the stunning sight of fog filling the valleys, watching beautiful sunsets from all across the country, or joining a caravan where fellow professional drivers take turns leading to keep everyone safer and make the journey less lonely. These experiences create a sense of camaraderie and make the journey memorable.

4. Crossing Borders, Finding Love

Sometimes, the journey of the open road leads people to right where they need to be. One man shared stories about his grandfather, who was a truck driver originally from Mexico. At the start of his career, he would take merchandise from Mexico to the US. These travels were what made him fall in love with America and its classic landmarks. Once back in Mexico, he took farm equipment from the city to the smaller towns. On one of these trips, he met his future wife.

5. Generations Behind the Wheel

For some, truck driving has been in their family for years. One driver shared his experience growing up in a 1995 Peterbilt. His father worked as a Safeway store driver for 22 years, while their family also owned Denver Pallet Co. Growing up, both himself and his younger brother spent plenty of time in the Peterbilt. Raised with a strong work ethic by their old Wyoming cowboy father, they began working in the pallet business when they were young. The experience also served as their introduction to truck driving, as they both learned to operate the old Peterbilt. It featured a 220 Cummins engine, 5-foot by 3-foot transmission, 255-inch wheelbase, and spring ride suspension—classic features from that era of trucking. Their fondness for the truck came from the memories of watching their father drive it and the lessons learned around it. To them, it wasn't just a truck—it was a member of their family.

From these stories, it's clear that truck driving is more than just a job; it's a place where drivers can forge extraordinary careers filled with unforgettable experiences. We're reminded that the road is not just a path from point A to point B—it's a journey where bonds are created, and memories are made, shaping lives in ways both big and small. For a career like this, explore the opportunities available at Cheeseman Trucking today.

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