From my trucking diaries Sept 13th 2001.

I was driving my way up north from Florida hauling a load of citrus and I had nothing to report as all was going well. In fact this trip was really a breeze, no stress to speak of and my log book had clocked perfectly. Without any delays and ahead of schedule, I was able to afford an overnight stop at the Flying J in Elkton Maryland  just south of Dover Delaware. 

My alarm was set for 6am on the 11th and I snoozed for a solid 20 minutes. Yeah that's me who sleeps very well in my comfortable bunk. And I don't like stepping out of my truck barely awake so I stretched, rubbed my eyes and the daylight was clear and crystal bright. I began my usual routine by grabbing my gear to get a shower and had my paperwork to file in advance for clearing customs at the border while I would have my breakfast served by a kind waitress. 

I figured I did not need to rush as I usually try to avoid rush hours around the big cities and made a few calls which was a way to stay in touch with my friends back home. From Dover the road ahead was likely to take about 3 hours and I would reach 20 miles north of NYC by 10:30am to crossover NY state. 

I left and pulled onto the highway at 7:30am sharp, there was a steady flow of traffic but the speed was pleasant.

Listening to the local radio station, I also had my CB on for tips on traffic, tips about any speed trap when drivers would signal ''Yogi bear spotted''.

But at around 9am the CB began spitting out information about something unusual, a possible plane crash in NYC ? So many drivers were talking at the same time and the reception of many messages was unclear, and the noise on the airwaves was getting really intense. 

I had never heard such a commotion on my CB and on so many channels all at once.   I thought to myself this is really crazy and I tuned into a New-York radio station as I was getting closer to New jersey and about 30 minutes away from the Apple. 

Traffic began to really slow down drastically. I was hearing the reports at that point that a 2nd plane had hit the Twin Towers... Still the whole thing did not quite register in my mind until my dispatch sent me a satellite message warning me to change route and head west. 

I couldn't figure out why and by then the interstate was jam packed and we were barely moving. I decided I would exit asap and would take the time to gather accurate news by calling back my dispatcher. But by then my cell phone rang, it was my mother wanting to know where I was. I told her not to worry, that I was fine and asked her what the hell was going on with more clarity. 

I could not believe what she was saying and I asked to repeat again. She told me 2 big planes struck each tower.... and I said ''let me call you back I am pulling over''. 

I was able to exit the interstate but I had a very hard time finding a secure area to stop. I kept driving until I saw a church parking lot. I pulled the maxi brakes on and left some room for a fellow truck driver to park as well. He rolled downed his window as if he was gasping for fresh air and by the look on his face I could tell he was not doing well. 

I asked him if he needed help but he signaled no and was wiping his eyes... The radio announced at that very same moment that the Pentagon had been attacked. 

Hearing all of this madness happening felt like an out of body experience. I reached into my bunk and grabbed my small tv set. As I switched it on I became a witness of the unbelievable. I was alone, in total shock. My eyes were glued to the small screen and soon after a million thoughts went through my head... and I felt my heart sinking into an unspeakable sadness. 

As insane as I thought the whole thing was, the first tower crumbled into dust taking the lives of people I knew who worked in these towers. You see, prior to being a trucker I was a 20 year veteran banker and I was speaking on a daily basis with collegues who were bankers and money brokers. These people were regular folks like me who went to work on that morning like I used to when I was a banker working in a famous Montreal landmark building.

My cell phone rang again, and mom was really worried for my safety. And frankly how was I suppose to comfort her ? So as best as I could, I told her I would stay in touch with her and then the cell line went dead. Silent. No available signal. 

I got out of my cab and went to talk to the fellow driver parked next to me. He told me his wife worked at the trade center and he could not stop crying. All I could do standing on the steps of his cab was to reach for his hand and told him I had his back... we became friends on that faithful day. 

My state of mind was in such disbelief with my own grief. 

The only thing I could think of was to find the closest truck stop and if I was in any luck I would park there and wait...

Waiting for the unknown, waiting on a bit a good news, waiting for some humanity to show it's face again, waiting for the sky to clear. Waiting to go home to my precious family and friends.....