Who would have ever thought that John Schneider and Tom Wopat would trade in their General Lee for an 18-wheeler? Well in this 1987 made-for-TV Christmas movie that’s exactly what they do. For a good cause, of course.

As it turns out, Al (played by Hoyt Axton) used to live in Willow Creek, Alaska, a town that has fallen on hard times since the cannery closed down. Most of the townspeople worked there and now have no jobs. Just as Al is ready to leave California for Willow Creek to deliver a truck full of needed goodies, he has a heart attack. Enter his pals Pete (Wopat) and Ray (Schneider), two truck-driving brothers who have been feuding over a woman (Ray’s pregnant wife Jessie–played by Kim Delaney). Apparently she used to have a relationship with Pete before she married Ray. To add to the complications, we have Pete’s ornery teen son Michael (played by Zachary Ansley) who is angry at his father for being on the road so much. Ray, Pete and Michael take off from California for Willow Creek . Along the way they pick up Jessie as well.

So now you have two feuding brothers, a bratty teen and a very pregnant lady in an 18-wheeler on its way to Alaska. Then a blizzard hits. And Jessie gives birth. Ray and Pete make up and all is well when they arrive in Willow Creek.

This movie was a favorite of mine as a teen. I’ve seen it many times and even own the DVD. I won’t give away the ending because if you haven’t seen this film, you really should. But I will tell you it is a happy ending for everyone. And it has to do with Ray and chili.