I d i t i f e n c e

Stan is in the lead and almost to Padre Island, waiver aside, he did enter as a

snowplow(an attachment he lost back in Arizona). He is now just as any beat up pickup

along the border-sorry-a disqualification as I see it. At left is RangerBill showing off for

the Alamo sweeties on the right. Thank goodness for the mules-upper right. They got me through tough country like Big Bend(upper left). They didn't even spook at the sidewinders.

Heidi and daughter have not been seen since Walmart in El Paso. Will they reappear on Padre Island?

I d i t i r a q

Just some sites as seen during the race.

Where is Willy?

Now that I goofed and sent an Iditifence to the wrong destination let's see I can get this right.

I d i t i r a q

Hoorah, the British were released. Now for the race up date.

Barbara S leads by a nose. Rosie is still in the rear-a big rear.

One scratch-San Fran Nan either thought her ride was not comfy enough

or had an appointment in Syria. Hence forth she shall be known as

Damascus Nan or Nancy Chamberlain Pelosi. Has Ben Murtha

is neck and neck with Charlie Rangel(trying to ride in each others draft no doubt)

Sean ( I am a human shield) Penn knows the way and is breaking trail.

Jane Hanoi Fonda with trying her best to catch up.

I D I T I F E N C E

just a few scenes from race hq

Some of our southern friends headed North - you would think a tractor would leave an

easy trail for the Border Patrol to follow. Fences vary in quality as you can see.

A photo of my long eared buddy as well.

I D I T I F E N C E

Many have expressed that me and my ass might be out of the race already-let

me show you the view from where I am .

You see that stock trailer that was damaged by rampaging

elephants was repaired. I just hopped on I8 and leap

frogged to better trails

i d i t i r a q

when you are pushing Rosie O in a

wheelbarrow the view never changes

Naval Intelligence Memo

In regards to Iran and their Navy-what are we up against?

They are much the persian pussycat we visualize. The Naval air forces they muster

are a bit clumsy. The main propulsion is the hot air from their leader-Almond Joy.

I believe these modified one man boats can easily blockade their pitful ports.

Come and Get It Iran!!

I D I T I F E N C E

And don't forget the other race that kicked off today.

I D I T I R A Q

Entrants are off from the start line on the Syrian border headed Southward to Kuwait.

Alot of dangerous country to cross but thanks to our forces doing a great job over there, I am confident that all will make it safely into Kuwaitii territory. There were no takers for some bids.

No one wanted to haul Rosie O's heavy arse around. A stout draftee got the short straw. She was last off the starting line-seems she was peeking under the burquas trying to find a new "friend".

Cindy S was bid away but to a person with long handles on his wheelbarrow-he won't have to listen to her conversation . Charlie R, rep of New York packed along alot of throat losenges in case the Iraqi crud took it's toll on his otherwise perfect voice. Code Pink got pink wheelbarrows.

SanFranNan got a larger wheelbarrow and a pilot with stamina. Harry Reid will be carrying

the battle flag of the Dem Party-thats right-it's all white.

Where is Willy?

In Montrose, that is where. Spike and I taking a few days off.

Let this picture be a lesson why you must never overload your trailer before hitching up to

your load. Just think what the DOT will say when he crosses a wiegh station.

I was really facinated when I found these results of my search for a hot rod wheelchair(for the

upcoming Iditifence posting) Check these out. Then I found another out of work person who might be interested in helping out around the campground.

I D I T I F E N C E

April 1, 2007

rember that most of this is purely fiction and a product of having too much time on my hands to think of

strange things.

Entrants are ready at the starting line for this dash down the border of the U.S./Mexico.

1,950 miles from San Ysidro, CA to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. I found that granting one

waiver led to another and at last things were totally out my control. I think you will see this for yourself as you follow this virtual fantasy from start to finish. You will all notice one familiar snow plow.

I D I T I R A Q

THANKS TO THE IMAGINATION, THE MAGIC OF THE INTERNET AND THE LICENSE OF GOOD FICTION THE RACES, IDITIRAQ AND IDITIFENCE CAN RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY. SO HERE WE GO. REMEMBER THIS IS JUST FICTION, ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL INDIVIDUALS IS ACCIDENTAL EXCEPT WHERE INTENDED AND THEN PURELY PARODY.

.

Teams are complete for the first running of the I D I T I R A Q. This endurance feat is not so much about winning as it is about finishing alive. Each entrant must push a wheelbarrow from Turkey to Kuwait. You guessed it-across Iraq. The only other stipulation is that the wheelbarrow must carry one passenger-specifically one war protestor.

Protestors were assigned on a bid process. For those that were not bidded away-the draft was utilized.

Rosie O.; Sean P.; Jane Hanoi Fonda; Yentyl; Madam Speaker; Members of Code Pink;

Alan C.; The distinguished congressman from New York-C.R.; Shrillery; B.O.; the esteemed senator from Nebraska-Mr. H. ; who was that man from Vermont that wanted to be President-

Oh yes, H.D.; (i regret that more members of congress and senate could not be made available but they will be busy re-drafting legislation to fund our troops without the side dish of pork and strings.) Cindy S.

Remember you may modify your wheelbarrow with longer handles if you prefer-afterall you want sufficient distance that you don't have to endure conversation with these passengers.

And of course the unexpected advantage is that your passenger will arrive at the IED's before you do-longer handles will give you some buffer. Feel free to up armor your wheelbarrow-or NOT.

Where's Willy?

A new way of reporting from the road, that I have just discovered. To correct a few

embellishments about who I drive for-I include a picture of who I drive for. Looks just like my

rig. And to give you an idea of my progress-I've added my location. And of course I send my

duty status should the DOT be monitoring this site.

I D I T I R A Q

DON'T FORGET THE OTHER GREAT ENDURANCE RACE COMING

SOON TO THE DESERT OVER THERE

push a war protester in a wheelbarrow from

Turkey to Kuwait

I D I T I F E N C E

an endurance race along the US/Mexican border

Official start April 1, 2007

1,950 miles of the toughest desert terrain

legions of border patrolmen, minutemen, military

drug runners, coyotes, migrating laborers, tourists,

flora, fauna, (snakes, spiders, scorpions)

The following is one of my free verse poems. Considering the recent weather in Alaska, I thought it appropriate.

A Slower Pace

The land lies at the Western end

Of roads that can be driven.

The people are of a hearty sourdough breed.

Living on perimeter's rim.

Their backs are to the mountains

Their faces to the sea,

But their eyes are fastened to the Aurora.

Their pace perfectly matched to the elements.

That nature throws their way.

It's no use to get worked up

Say if the plane is a little late, they say-

"better take life easy, friend

It is the Alaskan way"

"We have all winter to get there

Thats our Northern creed

Besides it's cozy to wait shoulder to shoulder

In the warmth and company of good friends."

The outsider is easily spotted.

They are of the Cheechako blood.

Their anxious eyes peer into the swirling whiteout.

Willing landing lights to magically appear.

The Cheechako pace is worried

Frantic by the Sourdough standard

"Relax pup" the old timers seem to say

"Nothing is so important it can't wait...

For Spring Thaw"

Could this be me headed to Beaver, UT

You guess what and where it is, no prize.

I am proposing here first my new endurance race to known as the Iditifence.
I will keep everyone informed as to race rules, facts and lore but in a nutshell-
this endurance race will start on the US-Mexican border near San Diego and rull all the
way to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas.

Rule 1- participants must run the course within 5 miles of the actual Mexican border but only
on the American side.
Rule 2- non motorized methods only and it must be in contact with Terra Firma-no hang gliders, no rubber rafts(upon the Rio Grande -silly).
Rule 3- only bicycles with the old fashioned single sprocket and coaster brakes are allowed.
No mountain bikes-these have been proven dangerous by our President.

Consider pitting the human competitive spirit against the perils of mother nature.The desert,
the hot sun, absence of water, and then the other treachery as well-Mexican Mafia, drug smugglers, coyotes, migrating workers in pursuit of full American assimilation, U.S. Border Patrol, fence construction crews, our own military, Banditos, wildlife.

At times you won't know if its immigrants or contestants that are running through the
Cholla, the mesquite, the greasewood and other cactus. Or maybe it is pursuing Border Patrolmen. Me-I'll be riding my mule-getting my ass up the pass and toward the finish line.
This should be fun if we all don't get arrested or detained for invading sovereign Mexican territory.

LOCKED IN

Locked in from Fall to Spring

By Winter's icy grasp

An Arctic night and a wind so chill

That it seems to make you gasp.

But never shrinking from the cold

That can snap the strongest steel.

Overcoming Winter's wrath and fury

In a season that causes oil to congeal.

Tis the land that tests the best

To see if you've got the grit

It tests, teases, mocks you

To see if you're worth a shit.

And if you pass the test

And if you make the grade.

The land will deliver up it's bounty

For that is how you're paid.

Mountain top Perspective

The vastness is full not empty

As some flatlander would have thought

Against the backdrop of this beauty

Your existence is barely a dot.

It's plumb full of silence

A Silence that roars in your head

I've been there and I heard it

And I know what the old timers said.

It's clear as some passing memory

Of the coldness and the blanket of snow

It's as close as the chill that has numbed me

But helped me to discover and grow

The mountains demand you remember your lessons

They are stern when they give you your grade

They require lifelong commitment

And character improvement is how you are paid

The reward lies in the lands beauty

And the silence locked up until Spring

I sit and ponder it's mystery

And wonder what Spring winds will bring.

With Spring will come snow melt

As the mountains unleash the force

My life, my hope, and my future

These mountains, the Rockies, my source

My source of all inspiration

I worship in their stillness at last

In this, God's greatest cathedral

At the top of some mountain pass.

Of course my blog site name is a knock off variation of the esteemed sled dog race, the Iditarod.
My love for and facination with endurance sled dog racing is strong. I have admiration for all
of those who make it possible-contestants past and current, organizers, volunteers. As an over the road truck driver I will not forget that freight used to be hauled by dog sled-they are an earlier form of the modern day truck driver. As I post the leaders have progressed to the
town and checkpoint of Ophir, AK. Ophir marks the point at which the mushers turn off onto the Southern route done on odd numbered years.

I have had the honor of meeting Mr. Reddington, father of the Iditarod. Furthermore the
race has inspired me to write a poem some time ago which I now share.

It's there, I can see it.
My fingers trace it's route.
I close my eyes, the trail comes alive,
I hear the dogs barking, I hear the mushers shout.

And I'm there, but for a brief piece of time.
Not in body, but in spirit and in kin.
I follow this adventure on my computer screen map
Oh God I wish I was there once again.

The red line represents a trail
Leading from Anchorage to Nome.
Over mountain passes, down river gorges
Through the land the Sourdough calls home.

It's a race that demands a commitment.
A good team, conditioned and ready to race
A deposit of grit and the will to finish
And a knowledge of what you will face.

It's a living commemorative of that race for life
Tis a tribute to great dogs and men
To those brave mushers who carried the serum to Nome
And possessed the will to win.

Tis the Iditarod, I pen these words about
A thousand mile race across the 49th state.
It beckons men and women to match wits with hardship
To finish the course and strive to be great.

So I humbly follow their advance
From the snug comfort of my den
In awe, envy and with great respect
I wonder-What makes them do this again.

Isn't it interesting that the Anna Nicole will names her son as sole heir and Stern as executor.
Then the heir dies leaving no heir. How conveeeeenient. I predict that Stern will sink to
level to give us all reason to by cynical of lawyers.

A load of pepsi cans out of LA took me to Phoenix. That short run led to the current load.
I picked up this mysterious white powder(40+thousand pounds) in Superior, AZ. Down
through the San Carlos Apache Rez, then New Mexico and now Texas. A few more of the Southern
states to go to reach my destination near Atlanta, GA. I really do not know what I am hauling
but I assure everyone that the load did not come with straws. Bloggin near Ft. Worth. If
stopped, it'll be near Ft. Leavenworth.

Yukon Quest-yest it kicked off without much media attention at all on Saturday Feb 10.
Kickoff was in Whitehorse. They are off for Fairbanks. I just checked, leaders are out
of Stevens Point I believe.

And of Nancy-our last greatest hope if GW and VP Cheney should falter. Should she get
the plane? NOOOOO. I wonder about a person that makes such a ado about her succession prospects.
Have your food tasted Mr. President. Evidently for Nan, Granny MiMi, size matters as does
stamina. It must go non stop to California-buy some depends MiMi and fly the lear.

And now a fighter escort? I think a broom placed in her parking space in DC would be fitting.
A broom for the WW of the West.

Will the insanity ever stop? Trekking around the country listening to the minute by minute
coverage of Anna Nicole Smith and also of the Astronut in Didees. By now the list of those
claiming to be fathers is growing to one to rival opening day at Toys are Us when the latest
Nintendo system is released. Sadly none of these seem to have cared for the baby till the
fortune was put into play. Zza Zza Gabor ought divorce her cheating duke leaving him without
either nest eggs. I imagine Bill Clinton at the end of the line saying "I think I had sex with
THIS woman". I would hope the judge who is ruling on the outstanding paternity suit jails
the lawyer/hopeful father for contempt of court. Anna and he were in the US without the baby
in an attempt to prevent legal due process. I'd jail him till the baby is delivered for proper DNA
testing. Anyone who is present at two untimely deaths has alot of explaining to do. Gee
Mr. Stearn-why do we keep meeting under such circumstances. Anna left quite a mess behind
and that poor baby will have to pay the price.

Here I am in LA area. Delivered an hour and half early after the 1000 mile dash from Denver.
Mtn passes, winter weather and plenty of traffic. Pulling my heavy load nearly grossing me
at 80,000. The recieving warehouse rewards my effort by detaining me for 2 and half hours
just to get to the dock. Total time including unloading 4 and half hours which killed what
remained of my allowed 14 hour day. They would not allow me to park there and sleep, so
I scouted out a underused Walmart parking lot. Two hours into some sleep a mountie for hire
tapped on my window saying I had to leave his parking lot. 10 minutes later he knocked again with
the same message-I explained to him I had to at least dress, warm up the truck, I got out to scout
a way past all the decorative planters when he knocked again. Aside from harrassment of a tired
driver he added to his sins by impersonating a real policeman.

I violated my log and hour of service rules in seeking out the one remaining parking space 40 miles
away.

According to the US DOT in 1997 there were 1,100,000 trucks of the 60,000 to 80,000 size.
Also according to the DOT there are only 31,249 parking spaces at our rest areas in this country
with 450 of those in Alaska. There are 284,000 truck stops parking spaces -now you do the math
where do you park. Do the remaining trucks orbit, do laps till spaces open up. How can you
possibly comply with HOS rules. By the way the number of truck stop spaces in Alaska is zero
per the US DOT. Maybe a truck stop is a good business idea-located in Anchorage.

I am looking for some old road music. Specifically some music by "Jimmy Simpson and the
Oilfield Boys". He has such hits as the "ALASKA STATEHOOD SONG" "LONGEST RUN"
ALCAN RUN" "OILFIELD BLUES"" PIPELINER BLUES" "LAST FRONTIER WALTZ" and the
"ALASKA EARTHQUAKE " Good $ could be offered.

It's a long way from Grand Prairie(Dallas), TX to Auburn(Seattle), WA especially when the route
is under the gun of a winter storm of such magnitude. I camped for the night in Nacona, TX.
When i got going early the temp was comfy 50 degrees. In first 100 miles the temp dropped nearly
30 degrees. By the time I made Amarillo the temp was 20 something and raining and that was
freezing on contact. I never made it out of the 20 degree weather till I got closer to Albuquerque.
I narrowly escaped a sleet shower at Clines Corner, NM. I awoke under cold but starry skies and
set out for Gallup. The temp rose briefly to the 40's in Albuquerque. Back to the 20's soon thereafter
under partly sunny skies. Up accross the Navajo Nation into Cortez, CO. Snowpacked roads until
I arrived at the UT state line. Utah does a great job clearing it's roads but then they do have tons of road
salt. Good dry roads from Monticello to Green River, UT. No -Beaver was not on route this time
except as a alternate in case weather made Soldier's Summit impassable. The next day I tackled Soldiers
Summit. At times I could not tell if I was driving on snow, ice or salt. I concluded since I was not
sliding at 65mph it must have been salt. A cold trip up through SLC and into Idaho. Camped at
Truckers Oasis-Twin Fall, ID. My final push to Seattle was great. Sunny skies when I got to Boise adn
into Oregon. Turned ugly cloudy as I reached the Columbia River crossing at Hermiston, OR. I was fine
however all the way to Yakima. Spent night there then tackled last 200 miles next day. Snowing on me
from Yakima to Ellensburg as challenged the three nasty wenches. Fueled in Ellensburg and then headed
up Snoqualmie. Was making good progress past the wiegh station at Cle Elum, WA then traffice came to
an abrupt halt. The mother of all traffic backups. Hundreds of big rigs and thousands of cars shut down
after a multiple vehicle accident closed I90. By the time the WDOT got the road cleared the snow cover
adn ice made it nescessary to chain up . Less than 160 miles in 6 hours. Delivered one day late.
Following delivery the next day, I discovered Mocha GIrls-but what happens in Seattle stays in Seattle.

Picked up current load in Everett(toilet paper) and I now blog from Ontario, CA

The news that yet another staatement made by JOHN COUEY, the alleged murderer/rapist of
little Jessica Lunsford , has been thrown out by a Florida judge, just sickens me Our
system of justice is too good for the likes of this monster. There is a solution - Tom Horn had
system thaat would not fail. But unfortunately Tom belonged to another day and is not
handy to deal with such perverts as these-or is he?

Yesterday Miami port agencies responded to container truck whose driver was acting suspiciously.
I heard the driver was 20 and based in Dearborn, MI. That means he was an interstate truck
driver and underr the requirement to have a CDL, however he would have been too young
to have one-more than suspicious-hope they didn't let him go free.

So it's an Iraqi burial of Saddam. That might not be a bad idea, watch the site carefully, those who visit the
site and do not defecate upon it might be insurgents-or would that be profiling?
Think of Jeff Foxworthy and how he so cleverly brought us to an understanding of redneck profiles.

If you have several vehicles that barely run and lots of plastique explosive-you might be an insurgent.
If your vest goes tick tick tick, you might be an insurgent.
If you visit Saddam's grave and weep-you might be an insurgent.
If you want flight lessons but not landing lessons-you might be a terrorist.
If you want to drive trucks but not how to back up-you might be a terrorist.
If the only endorsement you want on your CDL is hazmat-you might be a terrorist.
If you board a plane and keep repeating Alla Akbar-you might be a terrorist(or an imam)

The past couple weeks leading up to and through and after Christmas found me in my favorite areas
of the country. Just after I left Leah in Stillwater I delivered a load to Palestine TX. That set me up for
a run to Alabama. The next run from Alabama to Houston. Following my delivery in Houston I found
time to drive to the Texas Gulf coast and the other hamlet by the sea-Surfside Village, TX. Spike and I
played on the beach. A run from Texas took me to Kansas. My run from Kansas to California is covered
in my comments on my last blog. Needless to say that California run was my Christmas run. I visited
Kurt Hawk while laying over in Williams, AZ. My Christmas traditions were carried out with a steak dinner
at Beto Jct, KS on Christmas eve. I splurged for a motel that evening so Santa would have a chance of catching
up with me. Dispite several losses of deer due to roadkill, I think Santa was still able to complete his
run. I have it on good authority that Santa drives an eighteen wheeler.
Interstate updates will continue after the New Year. Happy Holidays everyone.

Iditiroad
Eisenhower, as a young officer was given the duty to consider how to go from coast to coast with a military convoy at a time when roads were mostly unimproved. It proved an adventure but it planted seeds of thought in the mind of Ike. World War II gave Ike a chance to evaluate the autobahn and to copy it's design to his vision. How did the 101st airborne arrive for the Battle of the Bulge-By truck.

The U.S. highway however must be given it's due as it served the nation before the Interstate system. The likes of highway 50 going pretty much coast to coast and passing through Montrose, CO, Washington D.C.. Don't forget 30 linking the NW to the eastern seaboard. 101 that they prefer trucks stay off of but giving views of the Pacific ocean unequalled.
And who can forget 66 linking So Cal to Chicago. Get your kicks on 66
captured the wanderlust of the nation. Clinton is attributed to making it a historical icon. Don't forget the devils highway-666 which has been renamed because of it's negative connotations. These highways were mostly two lane, passed through the towns versus the bypasses. But keep in mind, they are still a kick to drive and interstates are for sissies.
In future blogs I'll take you along with me on some of these.

Iditiroad

Iditiroad
Made it through the great Midwest storm. Kept having to stop for road closures. My mere 2000 pounds didn't help in the high velocity winds of Indiana and Illinois. I70 was closed at St. Louis forcing a layover on Cherry Street. The next day dawned bright sunny and cold so Spike and I headed down I44 to Oklahoma stopping for more snow removal just shy of Joplin. A mechanical delay at Big Cabin, OK ate hours and I rolled into Stillwater, OK at night. 7 miles before Stillwater, Bliztzen decided to ram my sleeper as I cruised the hammer lane swerving for snow drifts and frozen armadillos. With minimal damage and no sign of Santa's wheel deer I visited that night with Leah and then onward through sunshine through Amarillo, TX to TX/NM state line. Next day to Flagstaff, AZ. Next to Chiriacco Summit, CA and finally into Redlands, CA. Loaded now with 40, 000 of batteries. It seems that personal pleasuring devices in Mass are running low on juice and my load must go through in time for the great Orgasm for Peace day. I blog from Beaver, UT once again.

Iditiroad
As I have said, Eisenhower, gave us the modern Interstate system. To appreciate what we have you have to go back to the time when our country had no road systems at all. Washington, thats George, saw the need for a national road and being a surveyor himself set things in motion to transform Indian trails into roadways linking our states for the purpose of common defense and commerce These roadways were first travelled by wagon and on horseback. The most famous of wagons and a version of the modern truck-trailer was the Conestoga. The conestoga drivers were our first truck drivers and they smoked cigars hence the name-Stogey
The wagons gave birth to the bycycle. The bycycle industry gave rise and technology to the automobile.

Our nation was well underway to what we almost take for granted but we had a long way to travel.

Poised tonight in Omaha, NE to dash over to Indiana at daylight . Bloggin to you later

As a new feature on this blog I am going to attempt to challenge those who visit this site.
In keeping with the name I shall offer trivia of geographical interest and pose some homework
type questions that may require you to find a good road atlas. As well, I will keep you posted on
my travels and trevails . I will try to avoid any editorial comments. But before I do I have one
last comment regarding the electoral outcome we are now facing. The voters have done it,
we made our wishes known. Unfortunately I think we have voted for two years of political and legislative
gridlock. Hopefully the new majority will not waste time and dollars trying to impeach the
President . Hopefully we will complete what we started in Iraq otherwise I would predict that
we will be back there 20 years from now. I hope the next reminder that the war on terror wages
onward is not as costly as on September 11, 'but make no mistake those who wish us harm
have not called off the jihad against us. Having San Fran Nan third in line for the Presidency really
scares me more than Carter did. More than Clinton ever did. Let us hope Bush continues to have his
and Cheney's food tasted before consumption. President Pelosi is not a headline I ever want to
wake up to.

I make my living driving the Interstate highway system. There are 42,795 miles of Interstate highways.
These are spread amongst 62 super-highways. 27 are numbered with even numbers. 35 with odd.
In addition to these there are 261 beltways. What we truckers like about the interstate is the consistency
in design. At least two lanes going in each direction, each 12 feet wide. Wide shoulders and breakdown
lanes. Minimum clearances sufficient to allow standard rigs passage without low clearance concerns.
Designs to allow faster speed and routing to avoid transitting towns and cities. All this gets the good
to market faster, safer. Ground for this engineering marvel was broken in 1956. We have a republican
to thank for it. Eisenhower was the one credited with the Interstate Highway system.

Q-what was the original purpose of this highway system?
Q-what direction do even numbered interstate highways run?
Q-what direction do odd numbered interstate highways run?
Q-Only three run from coast to coast-which ones?
Q-Only three run from our Southern to our Northern border-name them.

I have been blessed to miss storm systems and to remain out West. I've been through Montrose
and visited with Dorothy. Final bonus Q-this current run picked up in El Paso, TX and delivers to
1)Vista, CA-which interstates did I drive to get there?