12:00 p.m.

Dandridge, Tenn.

$3.87- unleaded

$4.35 - diesel

So far, Clara Belle has been the drama. She is trying to go everywhere, and Sheila is worried she is going to hurt her back more. We have stopped three times to tie Clara Belle up. At one stop we saw a family hanging around a station wagon packed full of stuff with a sign that read "selling everything for gas money." They looked so sad, but Shiela thought it might be a scam.

3:00 p.m.

Truckers say there aren't enough rest areas in the country. By 8 p.m., most of them are full with semis. We have passed a few along the route so far. Shiela said they are great places to let Clara Belle get out and play in the grass, but she doesn't like to sleep at them. Local prostitutes knock on your door all night, she said. Late night dealings at truck stops and rest areas keep Sheila from leaving her cab at night.

4:00 p.m.

Unlike four-wheelers, drivers such as Sheila notice things along the road. Yellowing grass has grown high along the Virginia interstate and Sheila said she hasn't seen mowers out for over a month. It could be another result of rising gas prices, she thinks.

One more interesting fact: Trucking companies make deals with truck stops for fuel. They pay one dollar or more less than what is advertised on the signs.

4:15 p.m.

It is really hard to see cars behind us. The only way you can tell a car has gotten too close is if you see a shadow cast across the road.

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