Two weeks, 21 cities, 1,500 miles.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Winter Caravan rolled on, making stops in Somerset, Wheeling, W.Va., Uniontown, Erie, Latrobe, Franklin, among other stops, from Jan. 13 through Jan. 24.

And Butler resident Frank Shoemaker was at the wheel of the bus throughout.

"It can be a pretty hectic schedule,"Shoemaker admitted. "There's some 16-hour days in there and sometimes we're dealing with snow or whiteout conditions."

Shoemaker, employed by Lenzner Coach Lines in Sewickley as a bus driver, has been driving the Pirates Caravan bus for five years.

"They used to get around in cars and vans, nothing real organized,"Shoemaker said. "Five years ago, they decided to go for a bus and they contacted our bus company.

"The Pirates lease the bus during the caravan tour. I got the opportunity to drive it and I've been doing so ever since."

Shoemaker normally is a tour bus driver and has taken passengers to Nova Scotia, to national parks out west and to Orlando, Fla., among other places.

He estimates being home with his wife and family only 100 days a year.

"My schedule's arranged so I can drive the caravan bus every year,"Shoemaker said. "I don't accept any other tours during that time.

"(The caravan) can be tiring. We've gone to Maryland, to Parkersburg (W.Va.) and Marietta (Ohio). I just pace myself and stay sharp."

Shoemaker has met numerous Pirates players over the years. He's engaged in lengthy conversations with them on the bus and sat down to lunch and dinner with them.

While players carry the image of million-dollar athletes, Shoemaker views them in a different light.

"The Pirate players I've met and traveled with are really down-to-earth people," he said. They're just like everybody else.

"I've gotten to be with them during their down time. They're a good bunch of people."

Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson has been part of the caravan for seven straight years, including the five years Shoemaker has driven the bus.

"He's been doing it for so long, he's like the leader of the thing,"Shoemaker said. "Jack keeps things rolling and lets the other players know what to expect at some of the stops."

Pitcher Zach Duke and former Pirates relief ace Kent Tekulve also are among Shoemaker's caravan favorites.

All of the Pirates who have ridden his bus have a term of endearment for him.

"They call me Frank the Tank because I don't let anything delay us,"Shoemaker said. "I just plow through and make sure we get to the next site on time.

"I can't recall ever having a caravan stop postponed or canceled because of weather."

Shoemaker's favorite part of driving the caravan bus?

"Just seeing the excitement at every stop, how many people care about seeing and meeting the players," he said. "We just got a phone call from the event in Butler, about how a kid was so excited that the Pirates came to his school and made it the best day he's ever had.

"That kind of thing makes me feel good, that I'm bringing that type of joy to different communities."