I Finally Got What ‘Teddy Bear’ Always Wanted, A Ride In A Big Rig

I even had my family join me in the big truck. My wife Lorlane, my son Mark Jr. and I took part in The 10th Annual SD Convoy in Sioux Falls. It's Known as the "World's Largest Truck Convoy" for Special Olympics South Dakota.

This year was the largest on record with 98 screaming trucks lined up. We were in truck number 3 in the line riding and waving at the spectators that lined up along Russell Street and Minnesota Avenue to watch the beautiful sight roll by.

With my son on my lap and wife sitting on the edge of the bed in the sleeper area, veteran truck driver Keith Harmon was at the controls of this diesel blazing monster. The showpiece blue truck with the custom flame paint job was a proud ride.

Truck drivers from across our great state gather with their rigs in Sioux Falls every September for this event. It is held to passionately raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics.

We were proud to be a part of the event and all three of us were trilled to get our first ride in a truck. I had to ask Keith where he had driven his truck all to. He said: "Every state except Hawaii".

As near as I can tell, the only way to keep a good truck driver down, is to not have a road!