Unusual or Memorable Loads as a Long-Haul Trucker

Long-haul trucking is more than just driving from point A to point B. It's a world of adventures, challenges, and some truly memorable experiences. One such tale involves hauling unusual items such as obsolete computer terminals and even a mysterious glowing entity. This story, though a trucker's tale, has a touch of the unexplainable, making it both thrilling and unforgettable.

A Technical Class Restored

Several years ago, my mission was to drive south from Minneapolis to Dallas to teach a technical class. A previous visit to the classroom a month earlier had exposed the deplorable condition of the space. Determined to make the space usable, I spent a considerable amount of time cleaning and organizing. A Zippo lighter fluid from a local smoke shop and a set of new markers helped restore the whiteboard, despite the lack of computer terminals. Staff had taken a few from offices, but not enough for the class. This was a significant challenge, but one that I was willing to face.

Bringing the Terminals

My idea was to drive instead of fly and haul six older terminals that were being replaced by workstations for the class. The drive was longer than a flight and rather boring, but my determination kept me going. At 5:00 AM, I started my journey on leg two. As the early dawn broke through a light overcast in the Flint Hills, I caught a glimpse of something peculiar. It was a cyclops-like entity resembling a being from science fiction, with five of its comrades reflecting the light from behind me. The sound of the terms 'ET' popped into my mind, and the image of the 'ETs' seat-belted in the van became a vivid memory.

Installing and Success

Many hours later, we arrived at the site, and I successfully installed the terminals. The class was a resounding success, and I left the place alone, no longer seeing the 'ETs'. My journey continued, with a 30-mile detour in Missouri to visit the Pony Express Eastern Terminal stable Museum in St. Joseph. After returning, the property manager greeted me with a surprise. 'Do you know how much paperwork a zero-asset transfer takes to process?', he asked. That was the end of hauling old terminals, and I learned a valuable lesson about bureaucracy and paperwork.

Reflection and Legacy

This experience not only showcased the practical challenges of managing and transporting unusual items but also the unexpected and mysterious aspects of long-haul trucking. Hauling something as mundane as six old computer terminals turned into a memorable adventure. The terminals, similar to the one in the image from eBay, brought a tangible piece of history with them. The visit to the Pony Express Museum, just a short drive away from the stable, was a tribute to a bygone era of communication and transportation.

The offices of my employer in Dallas, shown in the image, were the hub from where these adventures began and ended. Every long-haul trucker has stories, and this one stands out as a testament to the unique experiences one can have while traveling the highways and byways.