August 7, 2015
Packed and Leaving!
Oh my goodness, what a whirlwind these last several weeks have been! Nothing really exciting just lots of things to get done. Amazing how many body parts one has that can ache! …hurting feet, aching hands, even elbows! All that and a dozen rolls of tape later, we packed up our entire house (the things we want to keep forever and ever) in a 45 foot semi trailer. Let me give a bit of advice…..PURGE REGULARLY!! For everything you buy get rid of three! We had not really ever done that in the 24+ years we have been together. Holy smokes we had a lot of ‘treasures’! Sure Grant would call it something different, a few choice words you might say. So we had a couple of garage sales, gave away much stuff, and met some pretty cool people in our last week in the Springs. We packed our car with things we are taking with us, packed our suburban with things we are going to come back for once we complete training, and got it all over to Salida. Now that the household is squared away we have time to refocus.
Endorcements!!! With much trepidation we headed down to the local DMV (small mountain town office, only open Tues and Thurs, with one clerk) to take all of the tests to become fully licensed, able to haul doubles/triples, tankers, and hazmat. The hazmat test is feared by many and passed by few the first time. We have been told by no less than a dozen people that the test is challenging and thorough in its content. Another note regarding the hazmat endorsement…many companies pay extra per mile to those that possess the endorsement. So it is not just a matter of pride, it is also a pay raise.
With our feverish schedule of sorting, purging and packing, there has been very little opportunity for studying. Needless to say, we were quite concerned when we sat down to take the test. Being that this was a tiny office, there was only one computer station for testing. My test anxiety was elevated and my brain went back the the high school mindset of if I could study for just a few more minutes…. Well foolisly I didn’t look at the big picture, and encouraged Grant to go first. Now if you remember back, first was a pretty big deal. Well as it goes…Grant passed with flying colors….his first time! He now has bragging rights to being fully endorsed first, however never forget that I was CDL licensed first!
Now the pressure is on, full force, it’s my turn at the computer! Sitting down, taking a deep breath, touch the start button. Doubles and triples first. Ok I got this, pretty comfortable with this one. Yup! Check off first one – passed! Continuing on, tankers next. I feel even more confident on this one. Check off second one….passed! Feeling giddy and proud! Now for the doozy – hazmat. Oh my, starting to sweat, taking big breaths, concentrating, reading questions and all answers twice before choosing (CMCA forever in my blood 😉 ) one by one, reading and selecting answers. Oh my goodness!! I really got this! Wooohoo! Check third one off….passed!!! I did it, first try!! ??
Once we got out of the office I was so excited I had to do a little jig and let out a whoop, all before I noticed all the people sitting at the outdoor eatery next door. Eh, no worry…was way to happy to care!
Now we find ourselves on our way to our new career and adventure! We are very excited to make our way to Richmond, Virginia to become part of the Abilene Motor Express family!
We cruising on I-70, so if you see a black Mercedes, with us two waving at you, feel free to honk your horn and say “hi”!
~Hooper and Whistle
