<![CDATA[FrenchDiaz Family Homepage - Western Region]]>Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:08:03 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Remembering the "Western Region"]]>Sat, 15 Sep 2012 18:39:41 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/remembering-the-western-regionI've been transcribing my journals from my old website to my new one.  I could have just added the coding, but I wanted to change the format and layout while I was going along.

When I first started with Schneider National, Inc. as a Western Region driver, I didn't know that the "Western Region" consisted of California and "some other states."  I spent most of my time on the west coast, with the occasional foray into the other neighboring states.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to post some more of the pictures that I took as a Western Region driver.  I have a section of Road photos, but these are a bit more personal to me.
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This was actually taken in 2003. They came to help me load the truck with supplies (bottled water, canned goods, etc) to keep me alive on the road.
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Same date as the other photos was taken. We're loading bottled water into the truck, in preparation for my departure again.
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One of the first things I purchased on the road was Burton Stove To Go. It looked like an old lunch box, the kind where the thermos clipped into the lid.

All you needed to do was keep a supply of bread loaf sized aluminum pans to put your food in, and it would heat it right up.

Because of this, and routine stops at grocery stores, eating at truck stop diners and fast food joints became a "treat," as opposed to a necessity.

My stove finally gave up the ghost in 2008.  It might be time to invest in a new one.
]]><![CDATA[All Done]]>Sun, 24 Aug 2003 18:20:26 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/all-doneTurned in my truck at the Phoenix Drop Lot yesterday. Starting tomorrow I am going on the CSK Dedicated account here in Phoenix. System was an interesting learning experience, but I won't miss those California speed limits. The only problem? CSK uses white trucks. How am I going to adapt? 
]]><![CDATA[Last Trip!]]>Fri, 22 Aug 2003 18:19:35 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/last-tripOne last trip to Fontana before I go onto the CSK account! 

Running a load out to Commerce and then picking up a return from Proctor and Gamble in Oxnard, headed back to the Valley of the Sun. 

Good Bye Western Region!!! Hello Phoenix Dedicated and being home almost every night! 
]]><![CDATA[Home Again!]]>Fri, 15 Aug 2003 18:18:29 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/home-againI can't believe I'm actually home. I've been on the road since July 15th and finally arrived back home yesterday. Other than a three day trip to Utah and back, all of that time has been spent in California, Oregon and Washington.
These three states have split speed limits. It is exactly what it sounds like. One speed limit for cars and one for trucks. Scary to try and get around in traffic when the cars are flying by you at 20+mph above what you can legally do.


I've been totally overloaded with California politics over the last 4 weeks. I don't care who wins the recall election, as long as it stops being THE NEWS ITEM OF THE CENTURY! soon.

]]><![CDATA[Getting Old]]>Tue, 12 Aug 2003 18:17:35 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/getting-oldBack down into Southern CA again. Drove up to a place called Napavine, WA and then back down to the LA Area. 

Right now I'm at the TA Truckstop in Wheeler Ridge, CA. That's at the northern base of the Grapevine. 

Headed to Oxnard and a Procter & Gamble load headed for Phoenix and home! Been on the road a long time! 
]]><![CDATA[Oregon Again]]>Thu, 07 Aug 2003 18:15:19 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/oregon-againI'm sitting on Willamette Pass, in Oregon. I rode the tram to the top of the mountain and back. Beautiful scenery. I snapped a couple of pictures while I was up there, too. Hope they turn out! 
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Chipmunk along the trail back to the Main Lodge.
On this trip, I stopped at the Willamette Pass Ski Area.  They run their ski lift year around.  I took the gondola to the top of the lift, and then made the mistake of hiking my way back down to the main lodge, and my truck.

That's a LONG hike at high altitude.  Whew.  I was exhausted by the time I made it back down.

In the photo on the right, you can see my truck through the trees. Look for the orange trailer. 
]]><![CDATA[I feel like a yo-yo]]>Tue, 05 Aug 2003 18:12:54 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/i-feel-like-a-yo-yoFontana to Sacramento to Los Angles to Delano and then on up to Seattle to a Sears store right downtown. I don't know if I'm coming or going.

This store is located in the Starbucks building! Too bad I don't like coffee. 
]]><![CDATA[Back to Fontana]]>Wed, 30 Jul 2003 18:11:57 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/back-to-fontanaI made my delivery appointment in WA and now I'm back in Fontana. This running up and down I-5 is getting real old! The one saving grace about going through Oregon is I get to stop at McCredie Springs, just off route 58. Natural Hot Springs and some beautiful scenery. I try and stop most times I go by. 
]]><![CDATA[Illness]]>Sat, 26 Jul 2003 18:07:57 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/illnessOh, I'm so sick. 

I've been in the Lost Hills Pilot all night and most of the day now. I think I picked up some sort of stomach sickness. I'm going to have to start main-lining Pepto-Bismo here soon if I'm going to be able to drive in a couple of hours. 

I have to be in Washington in two days. 
]]><![CDATA[Utah to Cali]]>Tue, 22 Jul 2003 18:07:03 GMThttps://www.frenchdiaz.com/western-region/utah-to-caliPicture
North central Nevada, along
Interstate 80.
Greetings from Central Utah!

I unloaded my pallets of soup in Salt Lake, ran up by the Idaho border for a load of plastic parts, and am headed back to sunny LA again.

Tonight I'm staying at my mom's place. It's on the way. 
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