
Truck Drivers are some of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals one could come across. The work they do keeps shelves full of products that we all can enjoy. Although it can be a thankless job, at times there are those who honor the drivers of this nation. Every year a truck stop in Idaho shows its thankfulness to truck drivers with a free Thanksgiving meal for two.
Being a truck driver can mean being away from family and friends during the holidays. Truckers take to the roads of America delivering the goods the rest of us desire while sacrificing a normal work schedule and time off for the holidays.
The Boise Stage Truck Stop welcomes drivers on Thursday, November 24, 2016, for a Driver Appreciation Day. The celebration includes a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings (yes even pie) for a driver as well as one guest. Just show them your CDL and bring your appetite! The event will also include prizes.
A standout among independent truck stops, The Boise Stage Stop was ranked by Trucker Path users as the #1 truck stop in Idaho.
The Boise Stage Stop is located on: 23801 S Orchard Access Rd, Boise, ID 83716
For more info visit The Boise State Stop.





Trucker Spotlight - Kangaroo Trucker <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Jim</strong>, who recently picked up a vlogging hobby on Youtube. His channel, "The Adventures of Kangaroo Trucker”, is where he shares his adventures, both good and bad, while out over the road. He recently just started driving trucks and was heavily influenced by his brothers. Let's get to know more about Jim and his adventures.
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<h3><strong>How long have you been trucking?</strong></h3>
I started my trucking career in 2019. I went to a local CDL school but wasted my money so I invested again with a large carrier and went to their school and drove OTR with them for about a year to get some experience. I left them and went with a smaller trucking firm (about 300 trucks) out of Pennsylvania. I got some good experience driving in the upper north east of U.S., but the communication with their drivers and the constant sitting and driving in the worst places caused me to look elsewhere. I was referred to a medium size company (about 1600 truck fleet). It’s a much better fit for me. I go out 4-5 weeks at a time and get home time with no problem. They send me all over lower 48 states.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
I got into trucking because my younger brother is a Truck Driver and my older brother, who passed in 2015, was an owner operator and owner a couple of trucks. I must have had a mid life crisis or something but I was drawn to go out to get my CDL and see what it was like to walk in his shoes. It’s been a journey. I’m glad I did it and I encourage everyone to follow their passion. It’s not just a job to me. It feeds my family, yes, but I like the daily challenges and I am amazed on how complex this logistical puzzle ever gets accomplished with the many moving parts. It is a miracle to me, at times, it all seems to work out just to get something from point A to point B. It really takes some good attitude and a great deal of patience, but working together with everyone is really what makes this whole process work.
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<h3><strong>What made you start Youtube vlogging?</strong></h3>
I was hoping create videos to either entertain seasoned truckers as they watch me struggle getting my experience or for those new to trucking eager to learn from others who have made their mistakes so that all of us can learn from it.
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<h3><strong>What's the story of you becoming "Kangaroo Trucker"? Do you also have a name for your truck?</strong></h3>
I own a gymnastics business in Atlanta area and have a competitive Trampoline and Tumbling team. The gyms logo is a Kangaroo so that’s why I call myself Kangaroo Trucker.
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<h3><strong>How did Trucker Path help you in your day to day trucking?</strong></h3>
I will say that early on I found the <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/">Trucker Path app</a> to be a really large part of my daily arsenal to help me navigate this great country. I never realized how truckers had to constantly trip plan and we’re constantly looking for a place to shut down for their 10 hour break. TruckerPath is just one of those tools a trucker uses to help find a safe place to shut down, or see if a weigh station is open. The thing I like the most is that it is a Trucker Community driven app. It’s a good feeling to look for a truck stop and to find other truckers have updated the status so someone like me can feel safe in knowing there’s likely a good chance I’ll find a spot to shut down. Equally, I’m happy to update all locations I visit so I can return the favor. So if you use it, I encourage you to update often. If you don’t use TruckerPath app, I’d recommend giving it a try. Especially if you are new. Not all of us have the years of experience to know all the exits by memory of our favorite places like the veteran drivers out there.
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<h3><strong>Where can we watch your videos?</strong></h3>
You can find me on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9x-LgYMaepeyXCApHfCQOg">Kangaroo Trucker</a>.
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I’ll keep on trucking as long as I can. It’s a great feeling to be contributing to America's supply chain and doing my part to help.
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Cheers!
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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Truck Driver Tips [p]Whether you're a new driver or have logged over one million miles, we've compiled a list of truck driver tips from fellow truckers to ensure your time on the road is not only efficient but safe.[/p]
[h2] Truck Driver Tips [/h2]
[p] Whether you're starting your first week as a new truck driver or you've logged over one million miles on the road, driving an 18-wheeler presents many challenges. We've compiled a list of five truck driver tips from fellow truckers to ensure your time on the road is not only efficient but safe. [/p]
[h2]1. Rest up[/h2]
[p]As a [a href="http://m.onelink.me/cceb1f59"]truck driver[/a], being alert is one of the most critical parts of the job. Most of the time it isn't the things you do but rather what is going on around you that can cause a serious accident. Your life and safety comes first and getting the proper rest will ensure you are ready to take the day on in peak performance. While every person's sleep schedule is different, try for 7-8 hours of shut-eye each night.[/p]
[h2]2. Stay hydrated[/h2]
[p]Being alert isn't just about proper rest. Hydration is a key factor in maintaining proper brain function. [a href="http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00363/full"]Studies[/a] have shown that being dehydrated is directly correlated to a lack of focus and slowed reaction times. Both of these can be extremely detrimental to a truck driver. Doctors recommend a daily intake of 2 liters or eight 8-ounce glasses of water to remain hydrated. Just when you think you've had enough, fill up another cup! It could make all the difference.[/p]
[h2]3. Lay a flashlight on dock lines when backing a trailer at night[/h2]
[p]Some receiving docks are poorly lit, making it difficult for drivers to back a load in. Try laying a flashlight on the ground shining towards your truck to illuminate the lines and provide you with the necessary light to back in your trailer into the dock. (Credit: Jon Jones-Facebook).[/p]
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[h2]4. If you don't know, ask![/h2]
[p]One truck driver trip you should never overlook is to not be afraid to not know. It's nearly impossible for anyone to know everything without some sort of assistance. Don't risk it to chance. If you are unsure of something, ask. There is a community of drivers who not only share the road but can share valuable lessons from experience too.[/p]
[h2]5. Keep a bag of salt in your truck for snowy conditions[/h2]
[p]Sure, [i]Ice Road Truckers[/i] on the History Channel makes traveling on icy roads look easy but it's not. Having a large bag of salt can help you get out of a bind during those winter month full of slick roads. Salt not only lowers the freezing point and melts snow, it also provides traction for your tires after the ice melts.[/p]
[h2]6. Don't rush. Use common sense[/h2]
[p]This truck driver tip should go without saying but we will anyway. Please do not rush yourself or drive recklessly. Keep your eyes on the road and give yourself plenty of distance to break or maneuver.[/p]
[h2]7. Plan ahead with Trucker Path[/h2]
[p][a href="https://truckerpath.com/truckerpath/"]Truck Path[/a] is an indispensable tool for drivers that is used and updated by over 450,000 truckers. Whether you want to find available truck parking to rest up, check to see if a weigh station is open or compare diesel fuel prices, we can help make your life easier on the road and get you back home quicker to the ones you care about most. [/p]
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[button-green href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/"]Learn More About Trucker Path[/button-green]