I just happened upon the name "Cliff Bishop" on facebook yesterday. He replied to some post on some truck page. I thought "no- it couldn't be THAT Cliff Bishop"- but it was! He wrote the book "18 Wheels North to Alaska", which I have mentioned several times here. It is really a great book, i've had two copies, and i'm gonna order more to help Cliff out. Tells the story of the big Mack trucks on the great arctic expedition, the story of the famous Letourneau "snow train", and much, much more. Just a great read. He also wrote a children's coloring book, I think i'll order a few of them too, to give for Christmas presents. He was in his 80's when he wrote that book, and still doing some trucking.
And oddly enough, for some reason, I thought about him last week, wondering if he was still alive. And not only is he still alive, he was still doing a little trucking up until a few weeks ago, but he said he was done now. I sent him a friend request on facebook, and he accepted it. I just feel humbled to know-kinda- this man, like Old Bill.
But anyhow, here is a post from his face book page-
This is a post to all who know me or have heard the name Cliff Bishop in Alaska or the south 48. I'm doing this to explain my unique situation. I'm a WW-2 Veteran and long time Alaskan, I worked and owned both Trucking Companies and Oil Business's in Alaska and also wrote the book Eighteen Wheels North to Alaska and a kids coloring book, Kenny Worth the Big Red Truck, I'm 95 years old and will turn 96 in 24 days. Now I'm pretty certain that most everyone in planning their retirement do so with the thought that they will live to.be 80 or maybe 85, my investment's ran out when I reached about age 90, as most of you know I renewed my CDL this year at age 95 And went to Naknek, Alaska to work, well it was a great idea, however even though I drove side dumps, end dumps, and tankers there was no continuity to any of it and I ended up spending more than I made for the three plus months I was there. I have had a couple of my close friends offer me financial help knowing that I'm trying to survive on my Social Security which with my wife's amounts to approx $1600 per month, now I have never asked for help or tried to get food stamps etc., It is not in my makeup to do so and I'm not asking that now, what I do have is both of my books mentioned above, what I'm offering is the book 18 Wheels North to Alaska which usually sells for $19.95 for $15.00 postage included and the kids coloring book for $10.00 postage included. Now I know many of you have already bought these books but just maybe you have friends, grandkids or relatives who would enjoy them? I might add that it would probably be three or four weeks before I could get them delivered. How about just in time for Christmas? Contact me by text at 360 990 1201, or by email at bishopsr@hotmail,com. I want to thank you for even considering doing this and in my personal thanks to each and everyone. Sincerely, Cliff.