Rhonda and Kevin Miller are leading the convoy in a black Ford dualie pick-up truck with escort flashers. Monday, as the convoy left Little Rock and headed toward West Memphis,lights from the big rigs on the highway trailed over eight miles.

   The convoy, organized by National Owner-Operator Truckers Association (N.O.O.T.A.) left Ontario, California on March 11 and will arrive in Washington D.C. March 16. The convoy is calling attention to the rising prices of fuel, tolls, and fees, which are driving the independent
 trucker out of business.

   Monday night, Elmer Thomas, a truck driver under-load from Pine Bluff, Arkansas to New York City called on his cell phone. "It is amazing. I have been driving and have yet to see the end of this line." He was explaining the site as the convoy headed Eastbound on I-40.

  Later, as the convoy stopped in West Memphis at their schedule layover, I had a chance to talk with Rhonda Miller. She said, "We were fed-up, but not just about fuel. These people are hurting. We were hurting too, but we have been out here for some time now (as drivers)  and we felt it was our time to do something about it.""

  Kevin Miller has been driving for 15 years and Rhonda for seven. Air horns trumpeted in the  night air as she talked to me via cell phone in the truck stop parking lot. "The horns are  blaring, cause we got that spirit goin'," she exclaimed.

  Although the convoy left Ontario with only seven trucks, when passing through Little Rock there were drivers waiting on the on ramps to join the convoy.

   Sandy Hall, whose step dad drove with the convoy on Monday said, "The majority of the convoy is peaceful and is behaving rather well. They are running around 55mph and staying legal."

  Tuesday, the convoy continued on its peaceful protest. "I have never seen so many truck  drivers get along together. The CB is even civil," said Elmer Thomas.

    Police escorts lead the convoy, numbering over 300 trucks, through Nashville while news helicopters hovered overhead taking aerial footage. The convoy paraded around Knoxville and then lay over for the night. Knoxville television stations interviewed drivers who lined up
to be heard at the TA truck stop.

 This is NOOTA's second convoy to Washington D.C. The first convoy visited our Nation's capital on February 22. During that convoy, only Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.)  came out meet with drivers. Some driver's stood with signs reading, "Will Work for Fuel."

 The convoy includes company drivers and owner operators, those with trailers and those bob-tailing. Four wheelers even joined the convoy, honking their horns in support. Those four-wheelers are also feeling the impact of fuel and gas hikes.

   Some truck driver's can only stay with the convoy so long and then must continue on their way. They are torn between delivering America's good and supporting those in the trucking  industry. Many owner operators have parked their trucks, if they can afford to. Those with
  truck payments struggle as best they can, praying against breakdowns and tire blowouts. Profit margins are often too narrow to account for both the high price of fuel and truck and  trailer maintenance.

    Wednesday the convoy departs Knoxville, Tennessee and will layover in Raphine, Virginia at Whites Truck Stop, The following morning, March 16, this convoy will meet up with others in Washington DC.