By the time you read this, you’ll have less than a month until the ATHS (American Truck Historical Society) hosts their giant national convention and antique truck show in Salem, Oregon. Held every year at a different venue, they alternate between locations out west, in the Midwest, and back east. This year, the event is being held May 26-28 at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center. The last time it was held out west it was in Yakima, WA in 2013. I live only three hours away from there, so I was able to attend that show – and I was in absolute heaven! So, as you might expect, I’m super excited to make it to this show in Salem. Back in 2013, in Yakima, I met so many new friends and reunited with people I’ve known for years. Perhaps, most memorable, would be sweet little Gigi and Barry, from way out in New York, who I hope to meet again, as well as so many others this year, too. The trucks were so plentiful and various in Yakima, that I’m not even sure I saw them all in the three days I was there. At the Yakima show, I brought my ‘81 Freightliner cabover when it was still in its original white wardrobe. This year, I will bring the same truck, in its recently-painted brown gown, which has been beautifully depicted on the 10-4 Magazine t-shirts for the past year (see picture). And, I will also be dragging its new best friend behind it – a very appropriately painted Matlock trailer that some may recognize from many years ago in show truck history. A rare find, indeed, I plan to display it in its current faded glory, for any other truck nuts like myself to remember and enjoy. If you happen to see my wife Alicia and/or myself at the show, please come and introduce yourself. Let’s share some trucker-tales, jokes, and meet lots of folks (and pray for beautiful weather). I call this poem “Salem-Bound” in honor of the upcoming antique show there, and I hope to see many of you there, as well!
SALEM-BOUND
By Trevor Hardwick
The truck is clean, the rags are down,
I guess we better, head to town.
I fire it up, the smoke is thick,
I dump the clutch, and grab the stick.
I wave at all, the passer-bys,
And feel the way, this diesel flies.
Roll, truck roll, and giddy-up go,
I’m headed to, the old truck show!
Antique trucks, from far and wide,
Driven with, a common pride.
Trucks weren’t built, to sit or stand,
They’re built to roam, upon this land.
In Salem, Oregon, by the way,
This very month, at the end of May.
A thousand trucks, will congregate,
From darn-near every, single state.
If you like trucker tales, and jokes,
And you like painted, Dayton spokes.
If you like diesel, in the air,
And you like rigs, from everywhere.
If you like faded paint, and dust,
And if you like battle scars, and rust.
If you like polished, paint and chrome,
And you like rigs, that feel like home.
If you’re like me, you love them all,
And you’ll show up, and have a ball.
You’ll drive a truck, or pay a fare,
And if you do, then I’ll see you there!