Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/472327
Voices 10 | Overdrive | March 2015 Jeff Barker has a passion for food. Not just any food, mind you – Barker seeks out dining at the dwindling mom-and-pop truck stops. "I don't know when you grew up," he says, "but when I was a kid in the '70s and traveling with my family, the indepen- dent truck stops were the best places to eat." Born a diabetic, Barker has to be careful about what he takes in. He sees the fast-food chains at the big stops offering few choices and fewer healthy options. "Cooking in the truck is great, but you have to get out once in a while," he says. "You can't spend every min- ute in the cab. Getting out to have a meal allows you to walk away from the job for a few minutes." Barker, with Debra Miller and Todd Ramey, heads up the "Support Better Independent Truck Stops" group on Facebook with hopes of providing a forum for drivers who frequent the small places to share the locations and their observations. Many posts include pictures and detailed directions to places a little off the beaten path. It's a great source of information for the driver who may be looking for a different experience altogether when it comes to truck stops. — Wendy Parker Celebrating mom-and-pop truck stop dining In October, says Barbara Trout of Al- bany, Ohio, a diagnosis of inoperable stage IV pancreatic cancer stopped her owner-operator husband's 30-plus-year trucking career "dead in its tracks." On Jan. 25, truckers from around the community showed 53-year-old Dave Trout that he continues to be a meaningful part of their trucking lin- eage with a convoy of more than 100 trucks led by the Ohio Highway Patrol "by our home to display their respect, love and support," Barbara says. The Dave Trout Convoy of Compassion for was designed to "show our support for him on his journey with terminal cancer," as ran the note on the event's Facebook page. "All are amazed at the truckers' brotherhood," Barbara says. "What a wonderful way to show your love and respect for a legend of trucking in our small community." Dave started driving at 17 and be- came an owner-operator in his early 20s, Barbara says. "He hauled logs, lumber, chips and sawdust, mostly," and has been known for "always helping his fellow truckers. A lot of young men that idolized him are now owner-operators or drivers." Barbara says she's hopeful that the convoy "shows all truckers out there that they still have a strong brotherhood." Search Dave's name at OverdriveOnline.com to catch a video of the dozens of trucks, as well as further photos. Convoy honors Ohio trucking legend Courtesy of Barbara Trout "A lot of young men that idolized him are now owner-operators or drivers," says Barbara Trout of her husband, Dave Trout. Courtesy of Jeff Barker Hood's Family Restaurant/truck stop in Bois D'Arc, Mo., has been featured on the "Support Better Independent Truck Stops" Facebook group. Barker reports that Hood's has a separate dining room for smokers.