Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/34944
roadside attractions After near miss, a direct hit Ozark Mountain Leasing driver Todd Arnold and his wife, Jamie, missed by hours the tornado that devastated the Glade Spring, Va., TA Petro on I-81 this spring only to take a direct hit in their Freightliner Cascadia in Joplin, Mo., weeks later. The Cascadia emerged as one of just five or six rigs at the Pilot Flying J on I-44 that could be driven out, which was not the case for the rigs in these pictures, taken by Todd Arnold in the storm’s aftermath. No serious injuries were reported at the truck stop, Arnold says. Read his harrowing account and related reporting in the May 23 and 24 entries to the Channel 19 blog, which links to organizations in local recovery efforts. Truckers say no to human freight Coinciding with the Mexican bust of two trailer-loads of would-be migrants to the U.S. in early May, Truckers Against Trafficking announced an initiative that shows headway made on the international issue of human smuggling. Chapter 61 Ministries, which formed the TAT group and also operates mobile chapels (pictured) via the Transport for Christ effort, is expanding its educational outreach. Training materials are being provided to TravelCenters of America to educate its workforce and help raise awareness about TAT’s key issues. Find links to the organization’s website and more about the initiative in the May 20 blog post. That’s no CB you hear squawking A flock of geese has been grabbing the attention of drivers stopping at the Ft. Bridger, Wyo., TA on I-80. This photo, taken by Robinson Transport driver Bob McGilvray, was sent to sister mag ’ monthly photo challenge in December. Another, taken three months later, was a runner-up in March’s challenge. The photographer, Yvonne Allen, runs with her husband, leased to Landstar Ranger. “I’ve seen birds begging for food at truck stops before, but these geese were a first,” she said. “They were not afraid of the big trucks or the noise.” of “summer.” Find links to the magazine’s Flickr.com group, where it hosts the contests, in the May 19 entry on the blog. For more of the interesting and odd parts of trucking, visit Senior Editor Todd Dills’ CHANNEL 19 BLOG at OverdriveOnline.com/channel19. ’ challenge this month asks for driver photos on the theme REDUCE STRESS WITH MEDITATION Meditation isn’t a complicated practice mastered only by a few. Approached methodically, meditation can reduce stress and increase a sense of well-being for anyone, says Elizabeth Harper, a nurse, yoga instructor and author of “Wishing: How to Fulfill Your Heart’s Desires.” Meditation can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, pain and depression. It also can improve concentration, sleep and immunity to infection. Try integrating meditation into your pre-driving routine, and repeat whenever possible: 1 and into your belly. Hold this breath for a few seconds and then breathe out through your mouth. Deep breathing will help you relax and go deeper into meditation. 2 3 10 OVERDRIVE JULY 2011 Focus on a sound or on your breath. Your breathing should normalize as you begin to feel a sense of peace. Sit upright in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Empty your lungs, then take a deep breath through your nose CHANNEL 19 Tr Ov er driv e u c k e r s News T r ucker s News