Thursday, May 28

The morning clouds were beautiful when we left the house at 6 AM.

The eastern sky

This was one of the first trucks we saw when we entered York Expo Center, York, PA.

The lettering about the sign says “Worlds Longest Semi-Tractor.

Cerwin, Glenn, and Jake took the chapel to the expo center the day before, so there was no setup necessary when the show opened on Thursday morning.

We had a fabulous spot – just inside the truck entrance – which means we could sit under the canopy and watch trucks arriving.

Our first visitors were from Mars Hill, Maine. They were surprised that I knew where it is because it’s a very small town. They were even more surprised when I told them we stopped in their town two weeks earlier – for our son-in-law to visit a relator friend – when we went to our grandson’s graduation in Presque Isle, Maine. They knew the realtor – because there is only one in town. 🙂

We made sure there were plenty of chairs under the canopy – inviting other drivers to join us for the view – or to just sit and talk.

Our view of the three registration lines.

The parking staff were kept busy.

After coffee and a breakfast sandwich, I went for a walk to see trucks. These pretty, tiny flowers were not far from the chapel.

There were trucks from across the USA – and people from many countries.

Back at the chapel to watch the registration lines and visit with drivers and other visitors

Watching trucks arrive

I like the heart-shaped windows in the sleeper.

By the time the show was over on Saturday, I met this guy several times – pulling four different wagons – always wearing the umbrella hat.

These people wanted to see inside the chapel.

By early afternoon I was ready for a walk around the air conditioned Utz Building which was filled with vendors and old trucks.

It was also where people could get an autograph and photo taken with Alex Debogorski – The Original Ice Road Trucker.

His area was quite popular between 2 and 5 PM.

Outside again

We had two special visitors after the show closed for the day and the other chaplains had gone home – Dave and Candy Richards from Ohio.

They were vendors in the Utz Building. Even though I had been there earlier in the afternoon, I missed seeing their spot.

We learned to know them years ago when their company donated tires for a TFC chapel. It was delightful to see them again.

From the Internet: A family owned business since 1962, making us the oldest Bandag^TM dealer in Ohio.

• Canton Bandag Co., located in Canton Ohio, offers sales and service of Tires and Semi Truck Aluminum Wheel Polishing.

• We sell a wide selection of new tire brands and sizes, including those by Toyo, Yokahama, Kumho, and most other brands.

• We also specialize in retread tires, using the Bandag process on industrial tires, including tires for medium trucks, skid steers, forklifts, and light OTR’s.

• Our staff uses years of experience to give you the highest value in quality products and services.

After they left for their motel, we walked around the fairgrounds.

By this time there were 800 trucks registered.

We saw several tailgate parties – and were invited to one, but we had already eaten supper.

One of our retired chapel tractors.

A neighbor’s truck

The sun was setting when we headed back to the chapel.

We often sleep in the bunks of the tractor when we deliver a new chapel because the chapel part is not set up until they are in place, but this time we had the mobile chapel, which is fully furnished, so we slept on the bed in the living quarters.

Come back tomorrow night to see what happened at the show on Friday.