Last trip with the hockey team tonight

[lostagain]

Tonight is the last road game in regular season. They're not going into play offs this year. The remaining games are all home games in Feb.  This is our local Junior B Hockey team, the Columbia Valley Rockies out of Invermere, BC. They play in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Southern BC and there is a team in Spokane, WA.

I wrote a letter of resignation before Christmas telling them I would not do it after the end of this season.

As much as I have enjoyed it in a lot of ways, it takes way too much time. At least 3 to 400 hrs/year between driving and maintaining and fixing the bus.

I started about 20 years ago when they found out I had experience and the driver's license. I would only drive occasionally if they really pleaded, because I was working full time then and had to get up early. For years the bus was a '79 Prevost 8V71/6speed manual.

Then 5 years ago (I was more or less retired), they asked if I could keep the bus at my place and look after it and drive it. It was a new bus, a '95 MCI 102D3 S60/7speed Eaton-Fuller. I said OK. I've been doing it full time since, as a volunteer. We do charters with it all year round. It helps a lot with expenses.

It has been really rewarding. Volunteer work in the community is great if you have the time, for whatever cause.

I have learned a lot about maintaining and fixing the D series MCI, asked me anything (almost, LOL) about it.

Driving it has been great. In good weather and  lots of bad weather, and snowy roads.

What has got to me is all the time away from home. Several road trips (2, 3 days away). Some charters are away several days too. And driving home late at night after the game is the hardest. I find it harder to stay awake now any time after 1 AM. Also dodging deer and elk is no fun. There isn't a trip that I don't have to break hard for one. I have hit a deer and an elk over the years. Lots of practice not swerving while breaking! LOL.

I will miss the driving to the games in daylight. I will miss the kids, you get attached to them. There is a certain relationship that develops on the bus that would be hard to describe.

Anyway, I have put in my time, someone else's turn now. They have other drivers I have trained.

I would recommend to any of you, if you like driving and or wrenching, go and look after some sports team or church bus for some time. It is very rewarding, and you will get lots of practice.

JC

[buswarrior]

Excellent report!

You will be an invaluable resource as the D model coaches come online for busnuts.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Gary W]

JC it looks like you put your time in as a volunteer. Hope to see you at the May rally.

Gary

[lostagain]

Thanks, we're hoping to be there.

JC

[Gary '79 5C]

LostAgain,

I will bet you will be sorely missed by the organization and players !! You come across as quite a caring individual and I am sure quite a personality.

I still remember Ernie, the team bus driver we had while I was playing basketball, 40 years ago.

May you have a blessed retirement !

[lostagain]

Each player thank me and shook my hand as they got off the bus last night. Emotional... That means more to me than anything the board of directors does for me at the banquet in a couple of weeks.

I'll be down to 2 buses in the yard now. 1 to go!

JC

[Chopper Scott]

A very special night for you JC. Thanks for sharing it with us.