Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

Just when you’re feeling abandoned, ignored and unappreciated, along comes a story like this to make you feel somebody, at least, has a warm, fuzzy feeling toward us truckers!

The owners of Johnson’s Corner Truck Stop near Loveland, Colorado are concerned about the truckers who become stranded on I-70 eastbound due to the typical winter road closures at Vail Pass. The existing holding lot for trucks is equipped with porta-johns and not much else. It’s miles from such niceties as food and water. Although their facility is many miles away from the holding lot near Glenwood Springs, they consider the stranded truckers at the lot part of their trucking family and wanted to make their stay there a little more comfortable.

As reported in Landline email updates, Chauncy Taylor, owner of Johnson’s Corner, put together a group of concerned officers from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the State Motor Carriers Association. Together, they solicited donations from vendors such as Pepsi and US Foods for items to fill survival bags with such things as jerky, pudding, crackers, granola bars and various flavored waters. They plan to haul the bags up to the lot to be ready for the next road closing. That’s what you call dedication to your clientele; the holding lot is a full 150 plus miles away from their truck stop!

What? You Didn’t Pack Your Lunch??

Most experienced truckers carry at least some emergency supplies of food and water in their trucks. I carry enough to likely survive a month, but then, I’m a little compulsive that way. I’m always amazed when I run into a trucker who braves the winter highways armed only with some cash or a credit card and tells me, “I don’t eat in my truck!” One of those no-planning free-spirits traded me a full twelve-pack of soda for a hot can of Beefaroni one cold night in Sidney Nebraska-he just never imagined not being able to find a 24-hour restaurant anyplace he ended up. He also couldn’t believe other truckers were willing to help each other out for nothing. I had to take the soda to shut him up! He got a free lecture from Mamma here about never, ever running the West without food and water. Still, lots of rookies can’t imagine truck stops being that few and far between, something they should teach in truck school. For folks like that, Taylor of Johnsons Corner can be a lifesaver when caught in a three day storm. I have no idea of the setup for the emergency supplies, but given that Johnson and his crew are native Coloradans, I’m sure they’ve thought through all of the angles.

Such thoughtfulness and generosity should be rewarded. And the best way we can reward Johnson’s Corner is patronize their truck stop. Johnson’s is an AmBest affiliate, with a real restaurant and all the amenities. One of the old time truck stops where you can get real food and a clean shower without having some gum snapping bored teenager treat you like you’re ruining their day when they wait on you. In a world where we are being taken over by fast food and uncaring truck stop staff, Johnson’s Corner is remodeling and has a reputation for home baked goods and great food. Located on I-25 between Cheyenne and Denver, you’ll find them at exit 254, the Johnstown exit. I have no idea if they’re running a kitty to pay for refill for the survival bags, but it sure wouldn’t hurt to ask if you can drop $5 in the fund and suggest to your friends that they do the same.

And the next time you find yourself visiting with the Colorado DOT or Motor Carrier (you will, just try running through with a hazmat placard!), give them a verbal thumbs up on their assistance in keeping these survival bags supplied. Everyone likes to hear their good deeds are seen and appreciated.

And, don’t neglect packing along plenty of water, a few extra canned goods and a couple of military-issue can openers too-you never know when you’ll find an inexperienced trucker in need. There’s always room for another Road Angel!