Nick Reinhardt’s Dream Come True
Last week I experienced a day of dreams coming true. I had a real Australian call me “mate,” I got to snowboard on an actual super pipe, just like my role model Shaun White and, finally, I had the opportunity to ride in a big rig, 18 wheeler, a real actual truck cab. I’ve always been interested in cars and motor vehicles in general. But I’ve always had a unique interest in anything having to do with trucks.
I can remember waking up two hours early and heading outside 20 minutes before the Grumpy Pete was scheduled to arrive. I heard it coming before I actually saw it. From just outside our neighborhood came the low, unmistakable grumble of a truck. I knew it was Pete because what other truck would be driving in a private neighborhood at 7:50 a.m. in the morning. When it finally came into view, I realized just how big trucks really are. The Grumpy Pete looked like a monster, towering over the tiny little convertible driving in front of it. Engine screaming, Pete came closer and closer, growing bigger and bigger, until it stopped right next to me. As I was seeing it up close for the first time, my jaw dropped. Out of my wide open mouth came three words “Oh…..my….gosh!”
For most of the journey up to New Hampshire, I either rode in front with Dean – or I rode with Harry and Ethan in the back of the cab. In the back I was able to relax on one of two bunk beds and took a quick cat nap. When riding shotgun, Dean taught me a lot about the Grumpy Pete and trucks in general. He taught me about the engine, the brakes, and lot of other truck info. He told me what every single switch, button and gauge on the dash is, what its importance is, and how it works. Dean also let me change gears, steer for a second, and he let me talk on his C.B. radio. Once I actually got a response (which had never happened in the Grumpy Pete before then!) I think what I’ll remember most about the Grumpy Pete is the difference in size between the Grumpy Pete and the rest of the traffic. It was hard getting used to looking down at the passing cars through a window on the bottom of the door. I will also never forget how Dean always went out of his way to take up as many spots as possible in the parking lot. I always laughed when I came out of the cab and saw Pete taking up 5 parking spots right in front of a pizzeria. Riding in the Grumpy Pet is an experience I will remember forever.
If riding in the Grumpy Pete wasn’t enough – the next day I got to wash him. I saw the massive engine, polished the chrome, and I had the opportunity to clean the dash. Finally, I got to wipe down all the leather in the truck…and trust me, there is a lot of leather in that truck!