Awesome writing Cubdriver, felt like I was there with you in that Freightliner. Even smelled the BO and heard the Bob Segar playing. Or maybe the bad smell was me, I'm dogsitting at my sister's place and forgot to bring my deodorant.
I have been across Donner Pass once, but in a "four wheeler".
Again, thanks for doing what you did out there when you were a trucker, an underappreciated group of people in my opinion.

Gauley Pilot- I apologize if I've covered old ground, but have seen no mention of truck driving forums here or the website referenced in my first post. Did find mention of truck driving school in a search before I posted. Regardless, I thought the trucking website, and reading some of the stuff there was interesting, and thought maybe others would too.