An Educational Breakfast Meet-up

Above, Wellington "Bill" Wilson and his truck at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today has to go into the "you learn something new everyday file".

This morning, an old friend from junior high school in Hawthorne, Wellington "Bill" Wilson, was passing through along Interstate 40 from Albuquerque and we met up at the Denny's in the Flying J travel center.

Above, we both enjoyed our breakfast at Denny's. 

The last couple of times we've met up were during funerals, so this was a much better circumstance.

We had breakfast at the Denny's and caught up on things an reminisced about funny incidents and people from years ago.

Afterward, Bill gave me a tour of his Kenworth truck out in the truckstop section of the Flying J.

To say that I was amazed would be an understatement. I had no idea that the "sleeper cabs" of semi-trucks have become so elaborate over the years. They have gone from just a little bed with (if they're lucky) a hot plate to a virtual home (actually, it looks like a RV inside).

Above, Bill in front of the sleeping area. The dinette converts to a bed and a
bunk bed can be lowered from above (with a motor). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Bill's truck living area includes two beds, dinette, bathroom (with toilet and shower facilities), refrigerator/freezer, convection stove, microwave, counter space (a lot more than my RV has) and plenty of cabinets/cupboards. He told me that one trucker he knows has a longer living area with a washer and dryer.

Above, the microwave oven and refrigerator/freezer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nothing like traveling around in a RV-like vehicle and getting paid for it. If this kind of arrangement were available 30-40 years ago, I could have been easily enticed into getting into trucking. On top of that, his truck has an automatic transmission! I had no idea that semis came with automatics, so this was new to me. I felt like I was asking questions like Huell Howser.

Above, the sink and counter space. A convection stove is stored in a cabinet below when not in use. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

He was going to retire, but he was given an offer that include a new and larger truck that he just couldn't pass up. It will be built and ready in October.

Above, Bill outside and next to the living module (to use NASA terminology). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the tour, Bill headed off west to his next delivery and I headed up the hill to home. I have to admit that I got some interesting education today.

Above, the front of Bill's truck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.