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Transitioning from Full-time Parenting to New Adventures
Transitioning from being a full-time mom and facing an empty nest can be challenging. Fortunately, Kathy Wolter and her husband, Jeff, discovered a common passion that has fueled their new journey.
A New Chapter in Life
“Our experience of raising children came to an end. With the empty nest, it opened our eyes to an opportunity for a new adventure,” Kathy shared, noting that they have been involved in the trucking industry for over a decade now.
Exploring Their Options
“We both felt a need for something different—something more thrilling,” she added. “We have a beautiful property by the river on 20 acres, and we wanted to make sure we could enjoy our lives here.” It was during conversations about their future that the idea of trucking surfaced.
Inspiration from Family
“Both of us had uncles who drove trucks in the ’70s, which appealed to us. Their influence left a mark on us as kids,” Kathy recounted. “My husband experienced some runs with his uncle while I was left envious of not going along. My uncle always told me that the road wasn’t a place for girls.”
Taking the First Steps
After deciding to pursue trucking, the couple began researching what was necessary to become professional drivers. They scoured the internet, visited a local weigh station to speak with drivers, and reached out to their logging community. Additionally, they sent about 50 inquiries to various driving schools for advice.
From Family Life to the Road
Married for 40 years and parents to two children, Adam, 31, and Donata, 32, Kathy and Jeff met in high school and wed in 1980. Jeff had served in the Air Force during the initial years of their marriage. For their 30th wedding anniversary, instead of a trip, they chose to invest that money into driving school, which cost around $5,000 each.
A Rewarding Journey
After obtaining their commercial driver’s licenses, they began their careers as flatbed truckers from Spokane, Washington. Later, they transitioned to hauling high-security loads, inspired by their military connections. For the past five years, they have operated as owner-operators.
“Being part of this industry and supporting the military has been both a surprise and a bonus for us. I feel a strong sense of gratitude for their service,” Kathy expressed. “We enjoy using our roles to support those who protect our country.”
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