This year, we took our show on the road to the Carlin, Nevada Truck Rodeo, and let me tell you, it was a comedy of errors and triumphs. There’s so much to share,and it all comes back to one thing: connecting with people and making a real difference.

We were there to teach railroad safety, and with the help of two absolute legends, Rich and Chad, we built a crossing so realistic it could have fooled a freight train. We’re talking a working signal with an ENS sign, and chalk-drawn tracks so good you’d swear a train had just rumbled over them. We even had a stop bar and a yellow yield sign, you know, for the second set of invisible tracks.

The best part? We became the props. We held signs above our heads that said “WE ARE A VEHICLE,” which, I’m pretty sure, is the most profound performance art I’ve ever participated in. It was our way of saying,

“Hey truckers, here’s what to do when your giant, multi-ton vehicle is about to be a pancake.”

We ran through all the classic scenarios, like, “Oops, my rig is stalled on the tracks, what now?”

The whole thing was fun and educational, but the real fun began when they handed us the keys to a semi-truck with two trailers attached. Yes, you read that right. We, a bunch of railroad nerds, got to drive a big rig. With a trainer, of course, because nobody wants to see that on the evening news. It was a beautiful, terrifying dance around the lot, and somehow, we managed not to take out any cones.

But the real highlight was what they called “The Egg Challenge.” Now, I’m not at liberty to discuss the specifics of this highly classified mission, but let’s just sayit involved an egg, a semi-truck, and a whole lot of prayer. If you ever see Chad, ask him about it. He’ll either laugh or cry, I’m not sure which.

Honestly, it was a blast. We got to do what we love and make some new friends along the way. Who knew that teaching safety could be so much fun?

This experience reminded me that when we do what we love and reach out to others, we can make real connections and, most importantly, help save lives. It was an amazing reminder of why we do what we do.

By Marcella Hohman