CHASING THE WIND - Clifford Ewing

CHASING THE WIND

Legend Nominee: Clifford Ewing

For this Legend article, our featured driver began his trucking career nearly half a century ago. During the early 70’s, professional truck drivers were highly regarded as our highway heroes; as an up and coming trucker, young and completely new to the scene, he modeled his work ethic based on the respected veterans before him.

Oklahoma native, Clifford Ewing is the youngest of four children, born and raised in the beautiful city of Shawnee. Curious by nature and an outdoors enthusiast, he discovered a passion for farming at the age of 10. Under the wing of a local farmer, Clifford worked as a farm-hand running tractors and learning the process of growing crops. His fascination evolved from operating large equipment to vehicles such as, semi-trucks… and the rest is history.

“Cliff comes from a kind-hearted generation, back then it was a different world. But he is still old school, even with all the new technology. Meaning, he still pulls over to help someone change a tire or offer a stranger a ride. He’ll buy a new driver a cup of coffee or something to eat. There’s very few and far between, but Cliff strives to represent the true image of a professional truck driver. And I think he does it well.”

-Eileen Ewing, Clifford’s wife

Clifford has accumulated an impressive 6-million miles throughout his career, with experience pulling grain hoppers, refrigerated and flatbed trailers, to drop deck and tanker. His resume extends to bull wagons and hauling cars but notes that transporting livestock was his biggest challenge. The precision and safety entailed in the line of work for a bull hauler is extremely delicate; an intricate lane of its own.

Clifford’s big break came at age 17, his mother’s company was shorthanded a delivery man. He jumped at the opportunity. It was local work driving a straight truck with a refrigerated unit. His first 3 years on the road proved the most beneficial. It was the unfamiliar exposure he was introduced to that continued to lure him in, along with the sense of reality that forced his hand to go for broke. Despite never escaping the Texas state line, venturing away from home allowed him a sneak peak passed the well-known. Even now, the open scenery of Wyoming and the rugged mountain ranges never cease to catch his breath.

Clifford landed with a trucking company running over-the-road pulling dry van, covering all 48 states. He typically ran 2 to 3 weeks at a time, returning home for a couple of days, but easily ready to leave out again. The following years he focused his attention on maintaining good habits, implementing knowledge gained along the way, and developing an overall feel for his talent. Through repetition and discipline, Clifford was able to uncover the secret to his job.

“When you fully appreciate what you do for a living, it’s no longer a job because you enjoy doing it. It’s not really work if you love doing what you get paid to do, is it? That’s what driving a truck is for me every day. I love it! I get to explore the country, see different things, and meet new people. I get to live life to its fullest. It don’t get much better than that.”

First, was learning how to be a trucker. Next, he wanted to make his mark but needed to find out how or where he fit in – which avenue of drivers best suited him. He decided to try his hand at running team for a few years. Clifford was paired with another driver at a company transporting refrigerated freight. He says, comparing the environment inside a big rig as a solo driver versus team presents two entirely different worlds. As a team driver, safety in numbers offers reassurance. Also, having a companion to interact with helps lessen the quiet and boredom of a long day on the road. “Whether or not running team is for every driver depends on the driver’s communication skills and amount of patience he or she is working with. It’s not for everyone, but neither is trucking in general. That’s why it’s important to find your own way in the business so that you can enjoy it,” he adds.

Research; Clifford’s single slice of wisdom that he ensures will lead to the whole feast of pie. Stating, explore your options as a driver before putting down roots with a particular company. Look into what they offer, consult with other drivers on how they have been treated, read reviews, listen to what’s been said (positive and negative). A little digging can provide answers you never knew you were looking for. Once you have discovered the place that best fits your needs and lifestyle, then you’ve done your homework.

In 1985, Clifford met his wife through a mutual friend. The couple settled down in California and Clifford switched back to driving solo, running strictly local work pulling tanker, hauling fuel and chemicals. The constant routine of remaining home every night ran its course just shy of 9 months. Clifford’s journey led to no particular destination; since he was a tiny kid his eyes envisioned trucks and travel – in that exact order. He was destined to chase the wind.

This time Eileen and their first-born joined him on the road. Together, his little family traveled from one coast to the opposite, up until their son turned two. Eileen came off the road to raise the children, another boy followed by two girls. The Ewing’s made their way up north to live closer to Eileen’s family in Nebraska. Clifford continued supporting his growing family running long-haul, although his primary regional area was unlike the warmer states he was familiar navigating. He says, “We bought a house in Lincoln near Eileen’s sister, it was nice for her to have family around while I was away on the road. But the winters up there weren’t what I was accustomed to.” Ice, lots of it. They resided in the Cornhusker State for 5 years before bee-lining home to Texas.

Clifford had sacrificed enough time away from his loved ones, he transitioned into local work and spending quality time at home nicely. His priorities had shifted, but he never ventured out of the trucking industry. His means of income was trucking, there was no backup plan. Eileen adds, “That’s why I believe he is so good at what he does, because he loves it. Even when he is not in the truck it’s all I hear about. He has been doing it so long, it’s just who he is.”

As a truck driver, work schedules fluctuate frequently. Many years before wireless carriers bridged the gap in communication, Eileen and Clifford relied on pay phones to stay in touch and up-to-date with the children. Clifford’s life quest to unveil his own identity as an over-the-road trucker had led him to a brand-new time and place that allowed his passion for driving to provide a good life for his family.

Being married to a truck driver is no easy position to fill. For Eileen, the lifestyle enabled a comfortable balance she was familiar with. Her father served in the military and was gone often, leaving her mother to live independently. She inherited her parents’ work ethic and confidence to live self-sufficiently. A key quality Clifford respects, and claims is equally important for most relationships to withstand the strains of the business.

“It’s because of my wife’s support that I have been able to do this for so long. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know if I’d be out here now. In the beginning, driving a truck was my world. Now, my family and my wife are. Trucking has provided the life that I needed to become who I am today. In a way, it’s given me my life… and it’s still treating me well.”

Their sons have carried on the trucking legacy as second-generation drivers. All the kids grew up in a truck and have joined their father on several trips. The family has extended to 7 grandkids, who occupy their off-time when they’re home. Eileen is back on the road with Clifford full-time, along with their two furry babies, Sissy and Nanukb.

Eileen describes her husband as super friendly, knowledgeable, and a good family man. His safety awareness and sheer grit have both aided him in achieving the remarkable driving career he currently upholds. With zero at-fault accidents over the course of 45 years, Clifford’s story is one to learn from. What one should expect from a driving career in trucking is what that individual makes of it. For Clifford, it’s not just the experiences, but the beautiful process in-between:

The unexpected road trips and surprising adventures.

Picture-perfect views and epic sunrises/sunsets.

Waking up in an unfamiliar place, different faces, fresh scents, a new beginning to another day.

Lastly, the freedom of an open road helps reset your body – traveling is healing; relieving of stress.

When the simplicities of life’s beauty captivates your heart, you’re liable to have a personality similar to Clifford’s. Warm, genuine, and real. His hope is to change the misperception that the general public has placed on today’s truck driver. The dynamics of the business have greatly advanced, but at the heart of all drivers will always be the trucker’s code: We are family – a brotherhood. These drivers are fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters, spouses and siblings who sacrifice time spent with their loved ones, often weeks or months at a time, to provide for our daily needs. Clifford takes pride in his profession and what he represents as an old school trucker.

“I’m loyal to what I do for a living. The same goes for helping people out, I have to believe that’s what we’re here for, to look after each other. As a truck driver, I always hear drivers claim to be so courteous or complain that we need to be more courteous to one another, but we all have bad days. We’re human! But treating people equally one day at a time can make a world of difference, especially in our line of work. And if you’re not a trucker, the same rule of thumb applies. Do your best at what you do and be the best version of yourself… and don’t forget to enjoy the ride.”