For miles he smiles

Okay we left off sat in a TA truckstop in New Jersey, contemplating taking a 53 foot trailer onto the streets of New York City......................

Well it was an early start, i checked the truck over at 04:00 and pointed 2148 East towards the Big Apple. The first thing i noticed was the banter on the radio (CB). Lots of people were calling other people alot of naughty names and it sounded like everyone wanted to kick everyone elses asses. Very nice, i thought, welcome to New York.

So its right what they say about New Yorkers, best be on my guard, especially since i was going into the Bronx.

My first obstacle was the George Washington bridge, 2 levels and more lanes than you could shake a stick at. It was surprisingly easy especially using TomTom although once in the City it was one eye on TomTom, one eye on the road signs. Anyway i trundled towards the toll boothes, paid my $40 and made the crossing. It took me about another 20 mins to get to the Bronx and scooted down the off ramp and into the mayhem.

I tried to follow the truck route but it seemed to be taking me away from where i wanted to be and i dived down a side street, got on course and made my way to the customer. At the customer i paid another $25 to get into the place (this is insane) parked up and went to find the shipping.

Here is the big surprise, everyone was so friendly and helpfull, and soon i was actually laughing and joking with the guys on the deck, and it was about the usual thing, my accent. Most people thought i was Australian and as usual i was greeted with "Throw another shrimp on the barbie".

It seems the only obusive (to each other) people i encountered were the driveres going in and out of the city, it seemed to be the New York drivers against the non-New York drivers.

I was away from there in about 30 mins and dived back onto the Interstate just as the New York rush hour (???) was building up. The trip north was simple enough and pretty soon i was seeing less concrete and more green. Before long i had crossed into Connecticut and into Massachusetts for fuel then up into New Hampshire for my second delivery.

As i pulled into the customer's yard the computer beeped and my next job came thru. I was so pleased it was into Maine and the load was going to Montreal. This was great news as i could add another 4 states to the list, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, wow i love New England.