For twenty plus years semi-truck drivers and owners have merged onto the streets of St Ignace in the middle of September to participate in a competition of cleaning like I’ve seen no man clean before! Attention is paid to the smallest of light bulbs and to the top of the every smoke stack, every bug must be gone and no streaks! They come from California and Canada and the life style of each vary from being home every night to perhaps on the edge of a vagrant life.
Years ago at one of the first St Ignace shows Andy and I attended there was a semi with the named The Gambler. The name itself did not make it memorable to me but their attention to detail and offer to let Andy sit in the cab and assist getting him there did.
He wore a black and white striped shirt with a thin back tie, vest and, black arm band. She completed the fantasy with her black heeled shoes, fish net stockings and the layers of ruffles on the short and low cut dress, representative of a saloon dress as portrayed in the westerns. The costumes invited conversation and a closer look at the truck, and we accepted. Mr Gambler offered to let Andy and I to sit in the Cab. As I sat in the driver seat I marveled at the details of the interior, everything coordinated even the colors and design of the working slot machine! That completed the Gambler experience!
When Mr Gambler offered to let Andy sit in the cab I had to explain how the transition for the ground to that high up seat is challenging for Andy. He loves the rides but panic takes over when trying to help him navigate the steps and he physically can’t cooperate. I have discovered the best way is to have a couple a strong men who are not afraid of “shoving” him in. They may get a hair pulling in the process as Andy grabs for anything to hold on to! Mr Gambler was up to the challenge and found a willing aide to complete the task.
A working slot machine, costumes to match the theme of the decked out semi and not being afraid to help Andy are what made the Gambler memorable!