Dirty Dan the Double Trucker, A CB Experience from the 70s

Back in the days of CB radio popularity, my “handle” was the Rhymer. There were a number of little ditties I would use, depending on the situation and the needed response. Those CBs came in handy at times, particularly on longer treks. Truckers would keep listeners informed about the location of “bears” (police). In the meantime, they could make better time than the law would allow....speed.

While coming home from a Eureka Springs honeymoon in 1977, I wasn't looking forward to the long drive home and catching up on paperwork at the dealership. We had my 454 GMC Suburban demo loaded down with antique stuff we purchased for our house. There were occasional tables, 4 chairs, a couple of lamps and some art, some original, some numbered prints. Just as I drove down the ramp from Highway 65 to Interstate 44, I turned on the CB to channel 19 and said to my wife, "If could find a fast trucker, it would make this trip a lot shorter." Just then, it was like sparks were coming from the CB and one voice powered over all others. "This is Dirty Dan the Double Trucker and if there's a line to OKC, I'll be at the front." While Dirty Dan was waiting for responses, I said to my wife, "Boy, now that would the guy to follow." Just then, as I attempted to merge from the ramp to the highway, my whole truck was shaking as a big tandem rig blew by. I was a Peterbilt and it had a beautifully painted oversized sleeper cab with a pretty picture on the door. It featured stainless trailers and chrome wheels and was soooo clean. No doubt an independent trucker. I had to slow a bit; but, as he blew by, I could read his back bumper. "Dirty Dan the Double Trucker".

There is a God! There were stretches between Springfield and Joplin where we were doing 110 miles per hour up and down the hills....no exaggeration. I was about a quarter mile back and glad my Suburban had the optional 40 gallon tank. At that speed, I would have to stop for gas before we got back to Norman. Going through Tulsa cross-town going-home traffic, we slowed dramatically; but at 80 mph he would pull the chain on that air horn and the cars ahead would part like the Red Sea. I followed at an UNSAFE distance behind to take advantage of the openings. Once we got on the Tulsa Turnpike, I had to wait for Dan to get up a head of steam; but soon he was haulin' ass. As we neared Sapulpa, almost the halfway point to Oklahoma City, we could see a black wall in the sky....big storm moving our way. We were doing about 95 and he was one hill ahead of me when the rains came. Big drops...in sheets...with winds. He didn't seem to care. My wife was getting very antsy. I slowed immediately when, at the top of one hill, we saw his whole rig kinda wiggle like a snake all over both lanes of the road. Three blinks of his brake lights pierced the darkness, then he disappeared into the night. It was black and raining very hard and we almost expected to see his rig on the side of the road or in a ditch along the way; but by the time we arrived at the toll booth, Dirty Dan’s rig was in a waiting area....inside the gate. I asked the lady why he was pulled over. She said "Honey, he made it just a little too fast." She smiled and looked at my ticket. "And you made mighty good time too. Drive carefully." There was a waiting area outside the turnpike entry, so we waited for Dirty Dan to be released, then followed him to a large truck stop on I35 in north OKC. It was difficult for me to find a place to park a regular vehicle. I went in, looked around and yelled, "Dirty Dan!" A big guy who was just getting situated at the counter, turned and smiled and said, "You must be the black Suburban," I shook his hand and said, "Yes, Sir. You sure made it a short trip for us. You scared the Hell outa me at the top of that hill outside Sapulpa.” “Yeah, I scared myself some too.” "Other drivers must know you, 'cause they all kept you informed and kept out of the way." "I've been coast to coast for years," he smiled. I shook his hand again and said, “Well, thanks again. Thanks very much." I took out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to the waitress. "Take care of this guy. He deserves special service tonight." "I will," she smiled.

What a trip!

Thanks Dirty Dan.....

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