Loaded Up and Truckin'

Between cattle shows, sheep shows, and horse trail rides, I've seen thousands and thousands of miles of blacktop through the windshield of a truck and trailer. But it wasn't until yesterday, that I saw 200 of those miles from the driver's seat! Sure I've hauled some cows to the other farm...one mile away...but I've never been behind the wheel all by myself, on the highways and interstate, through town, in the morning fog, passing cars, with precious cargo in the stock trailer...until my trek yesterday. And it was a liberating experience! I knew I could do it, but I was still a bit nervous because it was a long drive for the first time all by myself. (And Mom admitted last night that as she saw the running lights turn out onto the blacktop from the lane, she was a bit nervous that she let me go alone!) My friend Lisa wanted to go to a big trail ride in northern Iowa, but my regular chauffeur and riding partner (Mom) had to stay home since they were combining beans. And since there wasn't room for me and my horse in Lisa's trailer, the question was...to go (and drive the truck and trailer for the first time) or not to go (and sit home thinking about what a pansy you are and wishing you were riding). So...I was loaded up and truckin'!

It's hard to believe with the life I've lived that I just now had this experience. But I guess it's because there has always been a mutual allowance for me to do things...but with little risk. I think back to so many things we did growing up...mowing a yard only after it was struck out, raking hay or cutting stalks only after the first few rounds were made, leading calves only after they were basically broke, etc. I'm really glad my parents protected me, but I also think I probably should have pushed the issue from time to time so that I learned to do things without a safety net. I'm thinking that "first times" are a lot easier when you're young and foolish!