It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you all that the Freebird II is no longer my number one lady. On Friday morning, at about 0100, I left the Colonial Heights truck stop (sorry Lone Wolf, but those midnight starts were killing me - next time brother) and slid across a state highway to I295. As I was on the cloverleaf, I looked in my mirrors and saw smoke boiling out from under her. I pulled to the shoulder as quickly as I could, jumped out and saw the back end just slathered in gear oil and the front differential smoking. I called for a tow truck and when it finally arrived, was towed to the Freightliner dealer in Chester, VA. On Monday, I arrived back at the dealer to clean out my gear and put it all in another company truck that is only a temporary ride. The front differential was toasted and is being replaced. My gal is getting a hip replacement. For 2-1/2 years and 353,000 miles she has been my mother, my wife, my protector. She was my home, kitchen, and office. She was my door to this beautiful land we all call home. She and I traveled through 44 states and every kind of nasty weather - hail, sandstorms, high winds, monsoon type rain, blistering heat, bitter cold, snow, and mud. And through it all, she protected me and I protected her. She was a good truck, and I will miss her.
I am in a similar truck right now, but, like I said, it is only a temporary ride. In a week or so, I will be in a brand new Freightliner and she will be the Freebird III. So, stayed tuned to this channel for the continuing adventures of the Freebird and Concrete Cowboy.
I leave you all with a few pictures of my lovely lady:
![](http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee424/tuxedojunction/DSCF0010-1.jpg)
Showing all her sexy curves
![](http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee424/tuxedojunction/DSCF0012-1.jpg)
Every well dressed lady needs a hat
![](http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee424/tuxedojunction/Truck2906-2.jpg)
She is even more beautiful at night.
Take care old gal - may your next driver enjoy you as much as I did, and protect him the way you did me. Vaya con Dios, querida.