Words of Wisdom from SharLeigh

THANK YOU 10-4 MAGAZINE

As I sit here at my computer, I think back to a decade ago when my phone rang. It was Jean Sieben, my dear friend. We chatted for a few moments and then she popped the question: would I like to write for 10-4 Magazine? It took me back because I wondered what I could write for truckers. I am the type of woman that knows where the key fits into the car ignition, and when the car starts I drive it, but that’s it. Jean explained to me about how trucker’s have a lot of downtime out there, and how they like to read while waiting - so whatever I wrote, would be appreciated. I thought about it for a few seconds and then asked if I could just write about interesting stuff I found on the Internet. She said sure, so I agreed to take on the task. Afterwards I thought, “How am I going to find enough subjects for a month-to-month magazine?” I talked it over with my close friend John and he was very enthusiastic about my writing for the magazine. I thought, “Okay, it is worth a shot.”

My first article appeared in the November 1997 issue of 10-4. It was about Thanksgiving. In those days, John was my armchair editor before I turned the article over to the big guns of 10-4’s editor Dan Linss. As each deadline approached, it became more of a joy than a task. A decade and 120 articles later we have covered some very interesting ground, but the most rewarding part of my decade has been just writing for all you truckers; the life-blood of this great nation. You are responsible for moving freight over the approximately 46,837 miles of Interstate Highways. Wherever one goes, they see the trucks and truckers hauling the goods. Without your diligence and conscientious task-oriented job attitude, this nation would grind to a halt.

Did you know that you have some good people in your corner as a reader and/or advertiser of 10-4 Magazine? People like Erik – Director of Sales; Jean – Office Manager; Shannon – Distribution Manager; and Dan – Editor/Art Director. These people (see picture) are working for you by publishing 10-4 Magazine each and every month. These caring and dedicated people make sure you get the best!

It has been my privilege to write for the magazine, and I wish to share a special article that I selected to celebrate my 10th Anniversary at 10-4. It is the “Midnight Express” – which was first published in the October 2000 edition of 10-4 Magazine. Enjoy!

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (from October 2000)

I will never forget one night I was deadheading to Reno to pick up a load. The desert wind was soft and a big harvest moon was lighting up the sky. I was 50 miles out of Tonopah on Route 95. Some folks say it is the loneliest highway, but the beauty of the desert begins to grow on you. Traveling the “95” at night brings a sense of peacefulness - just the long ribbon of highway ahead of you and the quiet of the desert. A person gets to thinking on such a night. The holidays were just around the corner and, being an independent trucker, it was always touch and go to make ends meet. This load would put me in the black - no more robbing Peter to pay Paul. Suddenly the silence of the desert was broken by the sound of my rig coming to a grinding halt on the shoulder of the road and my thoughts turned from dreaming of being in the black, to the reality of existing in the red!

None too happy, I climbed out of the cab, standing there for a minute, not believing my turn of luck. I just took a deep breath (this was no time to get agitated). In the distance I saw two headlights coming from the direction of Tonopah. As the vehicle approached, I noticed that it was quite a rig - all black with shiny chrome. On the door was written “Midnight Express” and under that was the name Joe - no last name or trucking firm - just Joe. The trailer had an airbrushed picture of the rig hauling through the desert. As I walked toward the truck, a man was getting out of the cab; he seemed friendly enough, stuck out his hand and said, “Call me Joe.”

Both of us surveyed my truck, and after checking it over we both agreed this baby was not going anywhere that night. Joe suggested that he take me back to Tonopah; come morning I could get a tow, but for now, a good meal and a night’s sleep would sure make it easier. I agreed with Joe and we headed back toward Tonopah. On the way, Joe asked me about myself and I informed him that I had been on the road for five years and still was not able to get ahead of the game. Joe just shook his head in agreement. He had been on the road for 40 years and enjoyed the feeling of independence and traveling the open road. The last 10 years he had traveled the “95”. While talking with Joe, I realized I was looking at a true “Good Samaritan”!

Tonopah was perched on a craggy mountaintop; the town had the look of the real Wild West. Joe dropped me off at a diner; he refused an invite for some coffee, said he had to gas up and be on his way. His last words were “tell them Joe sent you.” Seated at the diner and checking out the menu, I could see Joe gassing up. A man came up to me to take my order. I just said, “Joe sent me.” The man’s faced turned ashen. I pointed out the window to show him the “Midnight Express” but there was no rig in sight. It was then that I found out that 10 years prior (to the day) Joe had been driving the “Midnight Express” and had a fatal accident about 50 miles out of Tonopah. Each October 31st, for the last 10 years, Joe and the “Midnight Express” have been spotted on “95” crossing the desert. I was not the first he had assisted, nor would I be the last. Was Joe a ghost? Was he an angel? Or was he just Joe?

~ I hope you enjoyed this reprint. Thank you all for being such faithful readers of 10-4. May you be blessed as you travel the highways and byways of this nation and may we all enjoy another 10 years of 10-4 Magazine together!