Last night I got a message that said: “I’m sure you don’t get the recognition you deserve for the top shelf photos you take. I just wanted to say thank you and keep doing what you’re doing. There’s tons of us out here that you impact.” I get these kinds of notes occasionally, but often enough that it reminds me it’s my duty to help keep the “spirit” up, out here. Well, here comes another picture/story from the road. I had just met Patrick Becker at Mintu Pandher’s truck stop in Laramie, WY when I realized how important these little roadside (or truck stop) meetings are. They are a big part of our social life on the road, and they help make our days memorable. These memories will last forever and will be the basis for the stories we tell when we are an “old timer” out here. You don’t know when there will be another opportunity to get to know someone, so do it while you can. Well, I just tested this theory and asked Patrick Becker how he met Mintu Pandher – a Sikh immigrant who moved to the Wild West of Laramie. Well, Patrick had heard about Mintu and one day just walked from the fuel pump to where he was dropping fuel from a tanker and introduced himself, and then they had a little chat. This is how you get admitted to the West or Midwest. That’s all it takes – a little chat. Everyone here is hoping that the new guy will become a friend and be a good man. Everyone still starves for good ol’ camaraderie – especially in this line of work. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it’s about who you are. It’s all about that first chat. Let us not forget the power of words. God Bless America!”
