FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Kingdom City, Missouri)
Middle of the holiday slow down time. I am at “Just a Truckstop” here in Kingdom City and don't deliver this load until Tuesday in Indianapolis. This is the best place to kill time at so I will spend another day here. Spent time in cab writing and reading. Laid down after dark for a nap that will hopefully yet me drive after midnight.
About Me
- The Protraveller...
- Starting as a preschooler, I remember my Grandfather bringing me rocks from his trips he took after he retired. Each rock had a story to tell. In the sixth grade, I watched a freeway be built and then wondered where all the trucks would go. I remember in high school looking at the mountains and wanting to travel. I did many jobs BEFORE trucking but I always wondered what driving would by like. I really wanted to see things and drive a big truck. So after almost finishing nursing school, a divorce and three cute little kids, I became a truck driver. While earning a living, I found myself enjoying North America and seeing the land and people. NO ONE ENJOYED TRAVELING MORE THAN ME. There are two things I have enjoyed in this life and they are traveling and writing. I use to call myself "Protourist" but my Mother-in-law and Wife would become upset with me as they know I really love THE "travel" and not THE stopping to see things. I now call myself "protraveller"(I like it with a double "L") and my Mother-in-law and Wife are now happy!!! I love to write and this blog gives me the opportunity to share my past and thoughts with the public.
December 31, 2009
December 30, 2009
December 30, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Kingdom City, Missouri)
Middle of the holiday slow down time. I am at "Just a Truckstop” here in Kingdom City and don't deliver this load until Tuesday in Indianapolis. This is the best place to kill time at so I will spend another day here. Ate goodies and watched movies in the movie room.
Middle of the holiday slow down time. I am at "Just a Truckstop” here in Kingdom City and don't deliver this load until Tuesday in Indianapolis. This is the best place to kill time at so I will spend another day here. Ate goodies and watched movies in the movie room.
December 29, 2009
December 29, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Remember that we are in the middle of the holiday slow down period. I was woken up by dispatch knocking on the side of my sleeper about 10 AM wanting to know if I wanted a run to Indianapolis, Indiana for January 2nd. I said yes as it was the only thing there was. I got up and decided to go get the load in Slater, Missouri. I figured to kind of play around since I have a good three days to do a one day job. I got my empty trailer and headed east on I-70: then going north on Hwy 65. When I got to Marshall, Missouri, I had to follow the signs to Slater. Got to Slater and found the shipper very easily. They were waiting for me and loaded me up real fast. The load was of different kinds of paper filters and the whole load only weighed a little over 4,000 lbs. Signed the paper work and headed for I-70 east and stopped in Kingdom City, Missouri at the “All Right Truckstop.” Called about seeing the children tomorrow and everyone was busy. I called the family I stay with when “home” and told them I would treat them to dinner here at the truckstop. They all said yes and we had dinner together and a real nice visit. After they left, I watched movies in the Trucker's movie room for awhile and them went out and to bed. January 4, 1990....saw something that I have never forgotten!!!!
Remember that we are in the middle of the holiday slow down period. I was woken up by dispatch knocking on the side of my sleeper about 10 AM wanting to know if I wanted a run to Indianapolis, Indiana for January 2nd. I said yes as it was the only thing there was. I got up and decided to go get the load in Slater, Missouri. I figured to kind of play around since I have a good three days to do a one day job. I got my empty trailer and headed east on I-70: then going north on Hwy 65. When I got to Marshall, Missouri, I had to follow the signs to Slater. Got to Slater and found the shipper very easily. They were waiting for me and loaded me up real fast. The load was of different kinds of paper filters and the whole load only weighed a little over 4,000 lbs. Signed the paper work and headed for I-70 east and stopped in Kingdom City, Missouri at the “All Right Truckstop.” Called about seeing the children tomorrow and everyone was busy. I called the family I stay with when “home” and told them I would treat them to dinner here at the truckstop. They all said yes and we had dinner together and a real nice visit. After they left, I watched movies in the Trucker's movie room for awhile and them went out and to bed. January 4, 1990....saw something that I have never forgotten!!!!
December 28, 2009
December 28, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Kansas City, Missouri)
In the middle of the holiday slow down period. I had to spend the day at the Kansas City terminal as there wasn't any loads for me. Hoping I get out tomorrow, Side note...I didn't fill my tanks with fuel even though I had all day; I don't know how heavy my next load will be and/or if I will need to run on partially filled tanks to conserve weight...
In the middle of the holiday slow down period. I had to spend the day at the Kansas City terminal as there wasn't any loads for me. Hoping I get out tomorrow, Side note...I didn't fill my tanks with fuel even though I had all day; I don't know how heavy my next load will be and/or if I will need to run on partially filled tanks to conserve weight...
December 27, 2009
December 27, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Had my alarm set for 7 AM and when I was ready to go to my delivery drop, I left. Went into Kansas and had a little trouble finding the drop off location. Found it finally and also found that I had a 1 PM appointment to unload. When I said “unload” I meant unload as this was “Driver unload”. I was upset so I called dispatch. Dispatch said they would try and get someone to unload my trailer but I don't think they even tried. I unloaded the trailer and then went back to the Kansas City terminal(Missouri). I watched TV with the other drivers and stayed waiting for a load. Remember that we are in the HOLIDAY SLOWDOWN.
Had my alarm set for 7 AM and when I was ready to go to my delivery drop, I left. Went into Kansas and had a little trouble finding the drop off location. Found it finally and also found that I had a 1 PM appointment to unload. When I said “unload” I meant unload as this was “Driver unload”. I was upset so I called dispatch. Dispatch said they would try and get someone to unload my trailer but I don't think they even tried. I unloaded the trailer and then went back to the Kansas City terminal(Missouri). I watched TV with the other drivers and stayed waiting for a load. Remember that we are in the HOLIDAY SLOWDOWN.
December 26, 1989, 2009
Woke up at 4:30 AM by my alarm clock. Since I didn't know exactly where I am to make the pickup, I got up early to give me more time. I left the truck stop at 5:00 AM and headed for Chicago. I took I-94 west and hooked into I-90 west. When I-90 got close to O'Hara Airport I took I-190 and found my pickup on the airport south side. I had to wait for the company to open at 8 AM. They had me back up to the dock and then loaded me. I was fully loaded with paper goods for a big name fast food outfit and the load only weighed 14,500 lbs. I left for Kansas City, Kansas at 9 AM where the load in to end up. I decided to hurry down to Kingdom City, Missouri where I might be able to talk with my children. Took I-55 south to I-270 west. When I got to I-70 I went west. Got to Kingdom City at around 4:15 PM . I talked with my kids and then it was off to our Kansas City terminal(Missouri). I got to the terminal around 7:00 PM and decided to call it a day. Parked and went to bed...
December 25, 2009
December 25, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:((Monday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan)
Right in the heart of the Holiday slowdown. Got up around noon and checked in with dispatch. They had a load I needed to take an empty trailer to get in Chicago, Illinois. I was given an empty trailer to take and I hooked up to it. Did my paperwork and vehicle inspection and I was off west on I-94. Stop for the night at "Just A Truckstop" in Lake Station.
Right in the heart of the Holiday slowdown. Got up around noon and checked in with dispatch. They had a load I needed to take an empty trailer to get in Chicago, Illinois. I was given an empty trailer to take and I hooked up to it. Did my paperwork and vehicle inspection and I was off west on I-94. Stop for the night at "Just A Truckstop" in Lake Station.
December 24, 2009
December 24, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:((Sunday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan))
Christmas Eve and no big deal for me. Yesterday I bought me enough goodies for the whole day so I wouldn't have to go out to eat. The evening came and I went into the drivers lounge. Saw all the first three Star Wars movies...one after the other. Worked on my cassette tapes and occasionally watched John-from two days ago-talk with some guy and gal. John came over to me after the two others left and we talked until about 2:30 AM....
Christmas Eve and no big deal for me. Yesterday I bought me enough goodies for the whole day so I wouldn't have to go out to eat. The evening came and I went into the drivers lounge. Saw all the first three Star Wars movies...one after the other. Worked on my cassette tapes and occasionally watched John-from two days ago-talk with some guy and gal. John came over to me after the two others left and we talked until about 2:30 AM....
December 23, 2009
December 23, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:((Saturday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan))
Right in the middle of the holiday slowdown. Went to the big department store and spent alot of the day looking around. Had dinner at a ready good buffet and then back to the terminal. Watched TV in the drivers' lounge and then went to my tractor and to sleep.
Right in the middle of the holiday slowdown. Went to the big department store and spent alot of the day looking around. Had dinner at a ready good buffet and then back to the terminal. Watched TV in the drivers' lounge and then went to my tractor and to sleep.
December 22, 2009
December 22, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:((Friday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan))
After waking up and looking out my windows, I saw two huge tour buses sitting in our parking lot. Turns out that our company has buses going from each terminal to other terminals delivering drivers to their home terminals for Christmas. I am not involved with the buses as I am not going home for the holidays. After the buses left, a driver I had been talking to was asked to go to Lansing, Michigan and bring back a trailer. I asked John, the driver, if he wanted company and he said yes. We had a good chit chat back and forth from Lansing. We stopped for dinner and then went back to the yard...talked for awhile and then went to my tractor for the night...
After waking up and looking out my windows, I saw two huge tour buses sitting in our parking lot. Turns out that our company has buses going from each terminal to other terminals delivering drivers to their home terminals for Christmas. I am not involved with the buses as I am not going home for the holidays. After the buses left, a driver I had been talking to was asked to go to Lansing, Michigan and bring back a trailer. I asked John, the driver, if he wanted company and he said yes. We had a good chit chat back and forth from Lansing. We stopped for dinner and then went back to the yard...talked for awhile and then went to my tractor for the night...
December 21, 2009
December 21, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Got up and had breakfast at the restaurant. Did a fast vehicle inspection and then headed east on I-80. Stayed with I-94 when it hooked up with I-80. Followed I-94 east into Michigan where I took a short break at the first rest area. After the break, I headed east to I-275 around the west side of Detroit, Michigan. Went south to exit 15 and then east to our Detroit Terminal. Dropped my trailer in the yard and checked in with dispatch. Told I would be here for awhile. No problem as my logbook hours are just about gone. Watched TV in the truckers lounge and talk to all the truckers. There were alot of drivers...Why? Explained tomorrow.
Got up and had breakfast at the restaurant. Did a fast vehicle inspection and then headed east on I-80. Stayed with I-94 when it hooked up with I-80. Followed I-94 east into Michigan where I took a short break at the first rest area. After the break, I headed east to I-275 around the west side of Detroit, Michigan. Went south to exit 15 and then east to our Detroit Terminal. Dropped my trailer in the yard and checked in with dispatch. Told I would be here for awhile. No problem as my logbook hours are just about gone. Watched TV in the truckers lounge and talk to all the truckers. There were alot of drivers...Why? Explained tomorrow.
December 20, 2009
December 20, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Big Springs, Nebraska)
Filled my tanks(106 gallons) and did vehicle inspection. Things good and so I took off east on I-80.
Drove straight through to Williamsburg, Iowa with a short break in the rest areas outside York, Nebraska and Casey Iowa. Had dinner in Williamsburg and then back to the tractor for some sleep by 7:30 PM. Set my alarm for 4 AM and went to sleep.
Filled my tanks(106 gallons) and did vehicle inspection. Things good and so I took off east on I-80.
Drove straight through to Williamsburg, Iowa with a short break in the rest areas outside York, Nebraska and Casey Iowa. Had dinner in Williamsburg and then back to the tractor for some sleep by 7:30 PM. Set my alarm for 4 AM and went to sleep.
December 19, 2009
December 19, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Ogden, Utah)
Had one drop of tires left here in Ogden. Got to the store before they opened and I parked next to the building where we unload. Got them unloaded and called dispatch. I have to go out to Rock Springs, Wyoming. I filled my fuel tanks and headed east on I-84 to I-80. I found the pickup but it was a chemical mine northeast of “Little America” Truckstop(exit 66 of of I-80 in Wyoming). I was loaded with 37,000lbs of some chemical going to be used in the dying of Easter Eggs. I have to take it to our Taylor(our Detroit Terminal), Michigan yard and drop it. I headed east on I-80. Thought about stopping in Rawlins, Wyoming at the truckstop but I would like to get to Big Springs, Nebraska as soon as possible. Stopped for a short break in Laramie, Wyoming and then headed east again. Crossed into Nebraska and kept moving. Boy, this western Nebraska is interesting...very green and very few people. Got to Big Springs as the day was ending. Parked and went to sleep!!!
Had one drop of tires left here in Ogden. Got to the store before they opened and I parked next to the building where we unload. Got them unloaded and called dispatch. I have to go out to Rock Springs, Wyoming. I filled my fuel tanks and headed east on I-84 to I-80. I found the pickup but it was a chemical mine northeast of “Little America” Truckstop(exit 66 of of I-80 in Wyoming). I was loaded with 37,000lbs of some chemical going to be used in the dying of Easter Eggs. I have to take it to our Taylor(our Detroit Terminal), Michigan yard and drop it. I headed east on I-80. Thought about stopping in Rawlins, Wyoming at the truckstop but I would like to get to Big Springs, Nebraska as soon as possible. Stopped for a short break in Laramie, Wyoming and then headed east again. Crossed into Nebraska and kept moving. Boy, this western Nebraska is interesting...very green and very few people. Got to Big Springs as the day was ending. Parked and went to sleep!!!
December 18, 2009
December 18, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Provo, Utah)
Got up at 6 AM and got ready to deliver my tires. I usually have to deliver to the Provo and Orem stores but NOT this time. Headed for the Sandy store. I got to the store after they had opened their doors but I didn't have trouble backing into the back of the store. Got their tires off and then I was off the “Van Winkle” store off of the southern loop of I-215. Got backed up to their side door and unloaded. Off I went to the Kearns, Utah store and got backed in from the busy street. Unloaded and off to the downtown Salt Lake City store. Got them off and it was off to the Bountiful store. This store we pull into and then maneuver the truck around so we can back up to the door. Got their tires off and it was off to the Roy, Utah store. Backed in from the busy street and got their tires off. This was the last one off for the day. I still have the Ogden, Utah store to do. It will be the first and only drop tomorrow. Went to the “All Right Truckstop” outside Ogden and spent the night there. I did eat there but I watched the TV in my truck as I don't care for their TV area.
Got up at 6 AM and got ready to deliver my tires. I usually have to deliver to the Provo and Orem stores but NOT this time. Headed for the Sandy store. I got to the store after they had opened their doors but I didn't have trouble backing into the back of the store. Got their tires off and then I was off the “Van Winkle” store off of the southern loop of I-215. Got backed up to their side door and unloaded. Off I went to the Kearns, Utah store and got backed in from the busy street. Unloaded and off to the downtown Salt Lake City store. Got them off and it was off to the Bountiful store. This store we pull into and then maneuver the truck around so we can back up to the door. Got their tires off and it was off to the Roy, Utah store. Backed in from the busy street and got their tires off. This was the last one off for the day. I still have the Ogden, Utah store to do. It will be the first and only drop tomorrow. Went to the “All Right Truckstop” outside Ogden and spent the night there. I did eat there but I watched the TV in my truck as I don't care for their TV area.
December 17, 2009
December 17, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Bloomfield, New Mexico)
Wasn't sleeping well so I got up at 1 AM and was on the road by 1:15 AM. Headed west on Hwy 64 until I got to Shiprock, New Mexico where I picked up Hwy 666 north. Pulled through the Colorado weigh scales in Cortez and had to take my permit book in for the scale master to look at. Left Cortez around 3:30 AM and headed for Utah. The Utah weigh scale was closed and I got to Monticello, Utah around 5 AM. Stopped for a break and get some goodies at a convenient store on the main road. Was there about 30 minutes and then headed north on Hwy 191. Followed Hwy 191 through Moab, Utah and to where it hooked up with I-70. Took I-70 west to Green River, Utah where I stopped around 8 AM for a break. The convenient store/truckstop I stopped at usually has really cheap hotdogs-3 for $100-not none out this Sunday AM. Didn't get anything and was gone, heading for Provo, by 8:30 AM. Traveled through the flat upper dessert on Hwy 6 until I got to Price and Helper, Utah where I started climbing into the mountains. Went over Soldier Summit and then started down into Utah Valley where Provo, Utah is found. Got to the Motel in Provo that I stay at at noon. Checked in and rested the rest of the day. I usually have Provo and Orem discount tires but tomorrow these two stops I have no tires for. That's fine: I start at the Sandy, Utah store tomorrow AM.
Wasn't sleeping well so I got up at 1 AM and was on the road by 1:15 AM. Headed west on Hwy 64 until I got to Shiprock, New Mexico where I picked up Hwy 666 north. Pulled through the Colorado weigh scales in Cortez and had to take my permit book in for the scale master to look at. Left Cortez around 3:30 AM and headed for Utah. The Utah weigh scale was closed and I got to Monticello, Utah around 5 AM. Stopped for a break and get some goodies at a convenient store on the main road. Was there about 30 minutes and then headed north on Hwy 191. Followed Hwy 191 through Moab, Utah and to where it hooked up with I-70. Took I-70 west to Green River, Utah where I stopped around 8 AM for a break. The convenient store/truckstop I stopped at usually has really cheap hotdogs-3 for $100-not none out this Sunday AM. Didn't get anything and was gone, heading for Provo, by 8:30 AM. Traveled through the flat upper dessert on Hwy 6 until I got to Price and Helper, Utah where I started climbing into the mountains. Went over Soldier Summit and then started down into Utah Valley where Provo, Utah is found. Got to the Motel in Provo that I stay at at noon. Checked in and rested the rest of the day. I usually have Provo and Orem discount tires but tomorrow these two stops I have no tires for. That's fine: I start at the Sandy, Utah store tomorrow AM.
December 16, 2009
December 16, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Amarillo, Texas)
Left Amarillo when it was snowing at 9 AM. By the time I got to New Mexico the snow had stopped but the sky was cloudy. Got to Albuquerque about 1:30 PM but didn't stop. Went north on I-25 to Hwy 44(or 550) where I climbed into to mountains onto the Navajo Indian reservation. Continued to Cuba, New Mexico where I took to short break. Continued on to Bloomfield, New Mexico where I stayed for the night.
Left Amarillo when it was snowing at 9 AM. By the time I got to New Mexico the snow had stopped but the sky was cloudy. Got to Albuquerque about 1:30 PM but didn't stop. Went north on I-25 to Hwy 44(or 550) where I climbed into to mountains onto the Navajo Indian reservation. Continued to Cuba, New Mexico where I took to short break. Continued on to Bloomfield, New Mexico where I stayed for the night.
December 15, 2009
December 15, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Fort Worth, Texas)
Just a I was awaking, the night guard walked out and told me to back up to dock W7. He signed for my seal(verification the load hadn't been played with) and I opened the doors and backed into the assigned dock. I was met at the dock by Donna and Mary who were there to help me unload. Donna helped in the trailer while Mary did the pallets, forklift and counting. We had a whole bunch of pallets sitting around after we got the trailer empty. Everything was there that was suppose to be so she signed the paperwork and I was done there. I called Dallas dispatch(office in Red Oak, Texas) and was told to go to Carrollton(Texas) and exchange my trailer for a loaded trailer. I was told to bring the loaded trailer to Red Oak(Texas) and switch it for a Utah load of tires. I did it and got hooked up to my Utah load. I got my logbook caught up and did a complete vehicle inspection and found everything in good shape. I went in and talked to dispatch for awhile....After a lot of chit-chat, I went to my tractor and looked at the routing. I decided to go through Amarillo and Albuquerque again. I left Red Oak(Texas) around 1 PM and headed for Amarillo(Texas). I got on I-35E going north to I-20 going west. Just about to Fort Worth I caught Hwy 287 north through downtown Fort Worth and onto Amarillo(Texas). Got up through Wichita Falls before I was feeling the need for a short break. I did not take a break; I kept going until I reached Childress, Texas about 6:30 PM. Pulled into the small truckstop and took about 30 minutes. After logbook updating and a trailer walk around, I headed on. Finally got to my goal for the night, "Just A Truckstop" in Amarillo, Texas. Called it "quits" for the night. Went into the truckstop and had the buffet. I went to the movie room but didn't see anything I was interested in. Went to my truck and went to sleep.
Just a I was awaking, the night guard walked out and told me to back up to dock W7. He signed for my seal(verification the load hadn't been played with) and I opened the doors and backed into the assigned dock. I was met at the dock by Donna and Mary who were there to help me unload. Donna helped in the trailer while Mary did the pallets, forklift and counting. We had a whole bunch of pallets sitting around after we got the trailer empty. Everything was there that was suppose to be so she signed the paperwork and I was done there. I called Dallas dispatch(office in Red Oak, Texas) and was told to go to Carrollton(Texas) and exchange my trailer for a loaded trailer. I was told to bring the loaded trailer to Red Oak(Texas) and switch it for a Utah load of tires. I did it and got hooked up to my Utah load. I got my logbook caught up and did a complete vehicle inspection and found everything in good shape. I went in and talked to dispatch for awhile....After a lot of chit-chat, I went to my tractor and looked at the routing. I decided to go through Amarillo and Albuquerque again. I left Red Oak(Texas) around 1 PM and headed for Amarillo(Texas). I got on I-35E going north to I-20 going west. Just about to Fort Worth I caught Hwy 287 north through downtown Fort Worth and onto Amarillo(Texas). Got up through Wichita Falls before I was feeling the need for a short break. I did not take a break; I kept going until I reached Childress, Texas about 6:30 PM. Pulled into the small truckstop and took about 30 minutes. After logbook updating and a trailer walk around, I headed on. Finally got to my goal for the night, "Just A Truckstop" in Amarillo, Texas. Called it "quits" for the night. Went into the truckstop and had the buffet. I went to the movie room but didn't see anything I was interested in. Went to my truck and went to sleep.
December 14, 2009
December 14, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas slowdown...Woke up in my motel room and called dispatch. They told me that I would be leaving Laredo this afternoon. I checked out of the motel and was at the terminal by 10:30 AM. Talking to the other drivers, 4 of us decided to go to a good hamburger place in town. I rode over with Keith. When we gave them our order, we had to give them our name so that they can call us when the order was ready. Since I was in a heavily Latin surroundings, I gave the name "Diego". They called it and I got my order. Went back to the terminal and waited until about 3PM before my trailer came over the bounder. Another load of toys for Ft. Worth, Texas. The yard maintenance guy had to put some lights on the trailer as the Mexicans had "borrowed" a couple of them. Got hooked up and did a complete vehicle inspection. Everything looked good so I was on my way at 4:15 PM. Took I-35 to San Antonio, Texas where I stopped at "Just A Truckstop" for fuel (58 gallons); nothing more. Continued up I-35 through San Marcos, Austin, Temple, and Waco. Got to the I-35 split and I took I-35 W. I got to I-30 and took it east to Hwy 360. At Hwy 360, I went north to Trinity Road where I went east the the toy warehouse. Checked in with the guard and he said to just bed down until about 6:45 AM. I was bedded down by midnight.
Christmas slowdown...Woke up in my motel room and called dispatch. They told me that I would be leaving Laredo this afternoon. I checked out of the motel and was at the terminal by 10:30 AM. Talking to the other drivers, 4 of us decided to go to a good hamburger place in town. I rode over with Keith. When we gave them our order, we had to give them our name so that they can call us when the order was ready. Since I was in a heavily Latin surroundings, I gave the name "Diego". They called it and I got my order. Went back to the terminal and waited until about 3PM before my trailer came over the bounder. Another load of toys for Ft. Worth, Texas. The yard maintenance guy had to put some lights on the trailer as the Mexicans had "borrowed" a couple of them. Got hooked up and did a complete vehicle inspection. Everything looked good so I was on my way at 4:15 PM. Took I-35 to San Antonio, Texas where I stopped at "Just A Truckstop" for fuel (58 gallons); nothing more. Continued up I-35 through San Marcos, Austin, Temple, and Waco. Got to the I-35 split and I took I-35 W. I got to I-30 and took it east to Hwy 360. At Hwy 360, I went north to Trinity Road where I went east the the toy warehouse. Checked in with the guard and he said to just bed down until about 6:45 AM. I was bedded down by midnight.
December 13, 2009
December 13, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas slowdown...Nothing exciting today. Talked with other drivers and did a little shopping. Didn't even update my logbook or work on hobbies. Stayed at motel again tonight..
Note: I do get a load out tomorrow...
Trucker Helpful Hint: (check the numbers...)
Always double check the trailer you are picking up with the paperwork you have. I can remember twice when I hooked up to the wrong trailer, only to catch the mistake by a double checking. The worst case of picking up the wrong trailer was a driver picking one up in Laredo, Texas. He drove it to Lake Charles, Louisiana before he realized it. The company had him drive back to Houston, Texas where he had to meet another driver with the right trailer. They swapped trailers and the driver that brought the correct trailer took the wrong trailer to it's destination west. Taking the wrong trailer can not only by costly but it is also embarrassing because this mistake can be bypassed by less than a minute double check...
Christmas slowdown...Nothing exciting today. Talked with other drivers and did a little shopping. Didn't even update my logbook or work on hobbies. Stayed at motel again tonight..
Note: I do get a load out tomorrow...
Trucker Helpful Hint: (check the numbers...)
Always double check the trailer you are picking up with the paperwork you have. I can remember twice when I hooked up to the wrong trailer, only to catch the mistake by a double checking. The worst case of picking up the wrong trailer was a driver picking one up in Laredo, Texas. He drove it to Lake Charles, Louisiana before he realized it. The company had him drive back to Houston, Texas where he had to meet another driver with the right trailer. They swapped trailers and the driver that brought the correct trailer took the wrong trailer to it's destination west. Taking the wrong trailer can not only by costly but it is also embarrassing because this mistake can be bypassed by less than a minute double check...
December 12, 2009
December 12, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas slowdown...Called dispatch today and was told there was no way I would be going out. I went to Wal-Mart and got some “hobby” stuff to play with and went back to my room. I had picked up a couple old pizza boxes so I decided to perfect my "fiberglass pizza". I spread out on my room's table like I did before (September 8, 1989) but I didn't have the visitors I did then. I had to leave the room for a short time while the room clearer did her thing. As I was working on the “pizza” I started thinking about a desk for my tractor. I thought about the desk and when I got done with the “pizza” I went out and got measurements. I didn't get the materials for the desk; I just did the “thinking” part. Afterward, I went to the pool and talked with a couple other drivers. This, and the other motel we use, looked like a terminal parking lot with all our tractors sitting around. Went to sleep watching the TV.
SECOND 5 YEARS: (the cost of not following directions...)
I was in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to do a pick up with other company trucks. There were four docks to back up to and I got the far right dock. I backed up to the dock and went to my sleeper for awhile. When I went to my sleeper, the only open dock was the far left one. Next to that dock was a BIG sign telling drivers to do a “straight back” docking. That meant that the driver needs to pull straight forward in front of the dock and back straight into the dock. There was plenty of room. Well, the reason for this was that next to this far left dock was a large gravel pit containing pipes covered by the gravel. While I was busy in my sleeper I noticed activity out in front of me. The truck that was to back into the far left dock had not done a straight backing. He had driven into the pit and his steering tires had sunk into the gravel. Things would have been OK if a vertical pipe hadn't ripped a small whole in his driver side fuel tank. He had to drop his trailer and put his tractor in an area designed for leaking tanks..Before it was over, all kinds of company(shipper) and government people were standing around talking while others were dumping powders and dirt on the leaking fuel. Of course there was yellow tape all around. When the fuel stopped leaking, there where shovelers and front loaders picking up the dirt and powder and sealing it in 55 gallons drums. I don't remember if the tractor had to be towed or not(no fuel left in tank) after this ordeal, but this mistake could not have been cheap.
Christmas slowdown...Called dispatch today and was told there was no way I would be going out. I went to Wal-Mart and got some “hobby” stuff to play with and went back to my room. I had picked up a couple old pizza boxes so I decided to perfect my "fiberglass pizza". I spread out on my room's table like I did before (September 8, 1989) but I didn't have the visitors I did then. I had to leave the room for a short time while the room clearer did her thing. As I was working on the “pizza” I started thinking about a desk for my tractor. I thought about the desk and when I got done with the “pizza” I went out and got measurements. I didn't get the materials for the desk; I just did the “thinking” part. Afterward, I went to the pool and talked with a couple other drivers. This, and the other motel we use, looked like a terminal parking lot with all our tractors sitting around. Went to sleep watching the TV.
SECOND 5 YEARS: (the cost of not following directions...)
I was in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to do a pick up with other company trucks. There were four docks to back up to and I got the far right dock. I backed up to the dock and went to my sleeper for awhile. When I went to my sleeper, the only open dock was the far left one. Next to that dock was a BIG sign telling drivers to do a “straight back” docking. That meant that the driver needs to pull straight forward in front of the dock and back straight into the dock. There was plenty of room. Well, the reason for this was that next to this far left dock was a large gravel pit containing pipes covered by the gravel. While I was busy in my sleeper I noticed activity out in front of me. The truck that was to back into the far left dock had not done a straight backing. He had driven into the pit and his steering tires had sunk into the gravel. Things would have been OK if a vertical pipe hadn't ripped a small whole in his driver side fuel tank. He had to drop his trailer and put his tractor in an area designed for leaking tanks..Before it was over, all kinds of company(shipper) and government people were standing around talking while others were dumping powders and dirt on the leaking fuel. Of course there was yellow tape all around. When the fuel stopped leaking, there where shovelers and front loaders picking up the dirt and powder and sealing it in 55 gallons drums. I don't remember if the tractor had to be towed or not(no fuel left in tank) after this ordeal, but this mistake could not have been cheap.
December 11, 2009
December 11, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas Slowdown....Am in Laredo where the motel has a pool and it is warm enough to use it. Slept in tractor last night and decided to get a room for tonight. Really didn't do much today. Went to eat and shop. Talked to some drivers at the terminal and then a couple drivers sitting around the motel pool. Uneventful....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(out of coolant????!!!!)
I had a Georgia load going to Mt Pleasant, Iowa and had parked at the truckstop in Paducah, Kentucky for my 8+ hours break. It was late and I went to bed. Had a good night and when I got up, I sat in the driver's seat and got all my paperwork caught up. I then started to go to the truckstop store and I noticed the ground looked wet. Looking around, I noticed a clear liquid coming out of my radiator overflow. Smelling it, I determined it was diesel fuel. I looked at my radiator overflow bottle and it was full of diesel fuel; I saw no coolant. I checked my gauges and found nothing out of the normal-temperature was fine. I called dispatch and they put me to the maintenance shop. The shop told me to drive it to the dealer out of St. Louis, Missouri for whatever repairs it needed. Dispatch canceled my unloading appointment for the next morning as we didn't know what the problem could be. The shop said to just watch the temperature which I did for the 3+ hour drive. The truck made it to St Louis with no problem. The engine temperature never varied. What I thought was going to be a major problem turned out to be nothing more than a broken “O” ring near an injector. I got to the dealer about 4 PM and they had me out of the place before midnight. The big problem was that dispatch couldn't get me another unload appointment until Thursday(original was Tuesday AM). I had two days to do about a 3 hour drive!!!!! Frustration???
Side Note: I ran diesel fuel as coolant for about 3 hours with no problem. If you should need coolant, DON'T use your diesel fuel without the OK of your maintenance shop or a place that will be willing to take responsibility if something negative happens. For "GAS" engines???DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT..I wouldn't even use gas if I got the OK!!! Gas and diesel fuel are two totally different substances and work in engines differently. I can't emphasize enough how dangerous the use of gas would be...
Tomorrow: The BIG cost of fuel leaks...
Christmas Slowdown....Am in Laredo where the motel has a pool and it is warm enough to use it. Slept in tractor last night and decided to get a room for tonight. Really didn't do much today. Went to eat and shop. Talked to some drivers at the terminal and then a couple drivers sitting around the motel pool. Uneventful....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(out of coolant????!!!!)
I had a Georgia load going to Mt Pleasant, Iowa and had parked at the truckstop in Paducah, Kentucky for my 8+ hours break. It was late and I went to bed. Had a good night and when I got up, I sat in the driver's seat and got all my paperwork caught up. I then started to go to the truckstop store and I noticed the ground looked wet. Looking around, I noticed a clear liquid coming out of my radiator overflow. Smelling it, I determined it was diesel fuel. I looked at my radiator overflow bottle and it was full of diesel fuel; I saw no coolant. I checked my gauges and found nothing out of the normal-temperature was fine. I called dispatch and they put me to the maintenance shop. The shop told me to drive it to the dealer out of St. Louis, Missouri for whatever repairs it needed. Dispatch canceled my unloading appointment for the next morning as we didn't know what the problem could be. The shop said to just watch the temperature which I did for the 3+ hour drive. The truck made it to St Louis with no problem. The engine temperature never varied. What I thought was going to be a major problem turned out to be nothing more than a broken “O” ring near an injector. I got to the dealer about 4 PM and they had me out of the place before midnight. The big problem was that dispatch couldn't get me another unload appointment until Thursday(original was Tuesday AM). I had two days to do about a 3 hour drive!!!!! Frustration???
Side Note: I ran diesel fuel as coolant for about 3 hours with no problem. If you should need coolant, DON'T use your diesel fuel without the OK of your maintenance shop or a place that will be willing to take responsibility if something negative happens. For "GAS" engines???DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT..I wouldn't even use gas if I got the OK!!! Gas and diesel fuel are two totally different substances and work in engines differently. I can't emphasize enough how dangerous the use of gas would be...
Tomorrow: The BIG cost of fuel leaks...
December 10, 2009
December 10, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-entering Oklahoma)
2AM found me rolling into the “Just A Truckstop” in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Parking my truck had to be done far from the truck store/restaurant as there were many trucks. I just parked and went to bed. Woke up at 9 AM and moved my truck up to being close to the store/restaurant doors. Went in and had breakfast and them came out, fueled(60 gallons), did vehicle inspection and got my paperwork work caught up. By 11 AM I was on I-35 heading south again. Nice day for driving. Following the flow of traffic at around 70 miles per hour. Down into Texas. It is interesting how the grasslands of eastern Kansas changed as I moved south to a less “green” color. Now in Texas the grass is more brown...greenish but more brown. Following I-35 south, I come to where I-35 splits into I-35E (goes through Dallas) and I-35 W (goes through Ft Worth). I am taking I-35 W south past Ft. Worth. I stopped for a break at the rest area outside Mansfield, Texas. By 3 PM I am back in the truck heading south. Come to the southern junction of I-35E and I-35 W and am on just I-35 south again. Pushing hard as I will stay the night in San Antonio and get to Laredo tomorrow. Pulling into the “Just A Truckstop” in San Antonio, Texas at 7:15 PM. I found a good parking spot and parked. I went in and enjoyed my dinner with several other truckers in the restaurant. Shoot! I have the urge to get the load to Laredo. I don't want to but those inner voices tell me to keep it moving. I fueled(76 gallons) and left by 8:45 PM. Beautiful night to be traveling!!! Radio is picking up several stations from far away; times are great! Pulling into the Laredo, Texas terminal at 11:15 PM. Checked with dispatch about what to do with the trailer and he said to just drop it in the yard and turn the paperwork over to him. This I did. I checked about getting out of Laredo and was told I would be here for a couple days....OH BOY!?! Watched my TV and went to sleep.
Tomorrow: Using diesel fuel as engine coolant????
2AM found me rolling into the “Just A Truckstop” in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Parking my truck had to be done far from the truck store/restaurant as there were many trucks. I just parked and went to bed. Woke up at 9 AM and moved my truck up to being close to the store/restaurant doors. Went in and had breakfast and them came out, fueled(60 gallons), did vehicle inspection and got my paperwork work caught up. By 11 AM I was on I-35 heading south again. Nice day for driving. Following the flow of traffic at around 70 miles per hour. Down into Texas. It is interesting how the grasslands of eastern Kansas changed as I moved south to a less “green” color. Now in Texas the grass is more brown...greenish but more brown. Following I-35 south, I come to where I-35 splits into I-35E (goes through Dallas) and I-35 W (goes through Ft Worth). I am taking I-35 W south past Ft. Worth. I stopped for a break at the rest area outside Mansfield, Texas. By 3 PM I am back in the truck heading south. Come to the southern junction of I-35E and I-35 W and am on just I-35 south again. Pushing hard as I will stay the night in San Antonio and get to Laredo tomorrow. Pulling into the “Just A Truckstop” in San Antonio, Texas at 7:15 PM. I found a good parking spot and parked. I went in and enjoyed my dinner with several other truckers in the restaurant. Shoot! I have the urge to get the load to Laredo. I don't want to but those inner voices tell me to keep it moving. I fueled(76 gallons) and left by 8:45 PM. Beautiful night to be traveling!!! Radio is picking up several stations from far away; times are great! Pulling into the Laredo, Texas terminal at 11:15 PM. Checked with dispatch about what to do with the trailer and he said to just drop it in the yard and turn the paperwork over to him. This I did. I checked about getting out of Laredo and was told I would be here for a couple days....OH BOY!?! Watched my TV and went to sleep.
Tomorrow: Using diesel fuel as engine coolant????
December 9, 2009
December 9, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Took my sweet time getting up today as it's the weekend and I don't pickup until 3PM. I went into the restaurant and had the “Steak & Egg” breakfast. Headed toward Newton at 10 AM and was there, sitting outside their docks at 11 AM. I went to the shipping office and found that they had my trailer ready to go. They had me drop my trailer at the docks and then checked my new trailer after I hooked up. (Side Note; Never be insulted because a company wants to check trailer and/or paperwork before you leave their yard. They just verify you have the right stuff...If you make a mistake, you will wish they had. They do it only because there have been mistakes). Left for Laredo, Texas by 12:30 PM. Looking forward to this trip as will get to see “ranch” land and not just “farm” land. Got started by taking I-80 west to Des Moines, Iowa and hooked into I-35 south. Followed I-35 south into Missouri and continued to our Kansas City, Missouri terminal. I need to fuel and get this trailer I picked up cleaned. I pulled into the terminal around 4 PM and went right to the fuel island. Fueled (145 gallons) and rushed to get my unit washed but the wash bay was closing for the day. Found an old friend “Sundance” sitting in the drivers' lounge. We decided to go to dinner together and we did. I was back and headed for I-35 south by 8 PM. OH GREAT! I am going past “ranch” land in the dark. My luck. I just kept on it into Kansas down I-35 south. Got to the Kansas turnpike and headed south. The end of my calendar day finds me traveling into Oklahoma, having left the Kansas Turnpike...Rain falling.
Took my sweet time getting up today as it's the weekend and I don't pickup until 3PM. I went into the restaurant and had the “Steak & Egg” breakfast. Headed toward Newton at 10 AM and was there, sitting outside their docks at 11 AM. I went to the shipping office and found that they had my trailer ready to go. They had me drop my trailer at the docks and then checked my new trailer after I hooked up. (Side Note; Never be insulted because a company wants to check trailer and/or paperwork before you leave their yard. They just verify you have the right stuff...If you make a mistake, you will wish they had. They do it only because there have been mistakes). Left for Laredo, Texas by 12:30 PM. Looking forward to this trip as will get to see “ranch” land and not just “farm” land. Got started by taking I-80 west to Des Moines, Iowa and hooked into I-35 south. Followed I-35 south into Missouri and continued to our Kansas City, Missouri terminal. I need to fuel and get this trailer I picked up cleaned. I pulled into the terminal around 4 PM and went right to the fuel island. Fueled (145 gallons) and rushed to get my unit washed but the wash bay was closing for the day. Found an old friend “Sundance” sitting in the drivers' lounge. We decided to go to dinner together and we did. I was back and headed for I-35 south by 8 PM. OH GREAT! I am going past “ranch” land in the dark. My luck. I just kept on it into Kansas down I-35 south. Got to the Kansas turnpike and headed south. The end of my calendar day finds me traveling into Oklahoma, having left the Kansas Turnpike...Rain falling.
December 8, 2009
December 8, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Bridgeton, Missouri)
Woke up about 6 AM and just waited for Carl to open his warehouse. He showed up around 7 AM and I went in and made a call to dispatch. I was told to go to Newton, Iowa and pick up a load of refrigerators for Laredo, Texas. The problem....they would not be ready until tomorrow afternoon. I feel I just did this routing a couple weeks ago. I decided to hustle on up to Williamsburg for dinner and movies and wait for tomorrow. Talked with Carl for a short time and then off I was at 8:30 AM.. Headed west on I-70 to Hwy 61 and went north. By 10:30 AM I was up sitting in the small Hannibal, Missouri truckstop. I got me a big soda and some munchies and I was headed north again. I stayed on Hwy 61 until I got close to the Iowa border. I took Hwy 394 over the toll bridge over the Iowa River. Followed it to Hwy 218 north and followed it to Iowa City, Iowa where I caught I-80 west. I was sitting in at the restaurant I wanted to be at in Williamsburg, Iowa by 3:00 PM. I did all my paperwork and had my steak dinner and watched four full movies before I went out to bed. Most the time I was the only driver in the movie room. Ended my day and went to bed....
Woke up about 6 AM and just waited for Carl to open his warehouse. He showed up around 7 AM and I went in and made a call to dispatch. I was told to go to Newton, Iowa and pick up a load of refrigerators for Laredo, Texas. The problem....they would not be ready until tomorrow afternoon. I feel I just did this routing a couple weeks ago. I decided to hustle on up to Williamsburg for dinner and movies and wait for tomorrow. Talked with Carl for a short time and then off I was at 8:30 AM.. Headed west on I-70 to Hwy 61 and went north. By 10:30 AM I was up sitting in the small Hannibal, Missouri truckstop. I got me a big soda and some munchies and I was headed north again. I stayed on Hwy 61 until I got close to the Iowa border. I took Hwy 394 over the toll bridge over the Iowa River. Followed it to Hwy 218 north and followed it to Iowa City, Iowa where I caught I-80 west. I was sitting in at the restaurant I wanted to be at in Williamsburg, Iowa by 3:00 PM. I did all my paperwork and had my steak dinner and watched four full movies before I went out to bed. Most the time I was the only driver in the movie room. Ended my day and went to bed....
December 7, 2009
December 7, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Kansas City, Missouri)
After a boring but relaxing day yesterday, I was wanting to get going. Checked with dispatch and was told that I would be out by noon. Went to breakfast with 3 other drivers. Came back to yard and found dispatch looking for me. They had a few different loads and I picked the one to Bridgeton, Missouri. This way I may see my kids this evening and I can visit my friend at his food warehouse in Bridgeton tomorrow. Hooked up to trailer, did vehicle inspection, got logbook caught up and fueled(116 gallons). Load weight: 12,430 lbs. Took off east on I-70 at noon and pulled up to the Fulton Post Office at 2:30 PM. I checked my mail and called my kid's Mom to see if I could see them. They were busy tonight so I went on to Bridgeton, Missouri. Went on to customer who was open and happy to unload me. I won't argue about that. Got unloaded and went over to my friends warehouse and parked for the night. Walked down the road to a restaurant and had dinner. Came back to my truck, caught up paperwork and watched TV.
After a boring but relaxing day yesterday, I was wanting to get going. Checked with dispatch and was told that I would be out by noon. Went to breakfast with 3 other drivers. Came back to yard and found dispatch looking for me. They had a few different loads and I picked the one to Bridgeton, Missouri. This way I may see my kids this evening and I can visit my friend at his food warehouse in Bridgeton tomorrow. Hooked up to trailer, did vehicle inspection, got logbook caught up and fueled(116 gallons). Load weight: 12,430 lbs. Took off east on I-70 at noon and pulled up to the Fulton Post Office at 2:30 PM. I checked my mail and called my kid's Mom to see if I could see them. They were busy tonight so I went on to Bridgeton, Missouri. Went on to customer who was open and happy to unload me. I won't argue about that. Got unloaded and went over to my friends warehouse and parked for the night. Walked down the road to a restaurant and had dinner. Came back to my truck, caught up paperwork and watched TV.
December 6, 2009
December 6, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Pretty much a day off. No loads for me so I just talked with other drivers, watched TV in the TV room, and got my tractor washed. That was it for this day...
Pretty much a day off. No loads for me so I just talked with other drivers, watched TV in the TV room, and got my tractor washed. That was it for this day...
December 5, 2009
December 5, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Paducah, Kentucky)
1:30 AM and my alarm goes off. I get up and do the wake up thing. I go into the truckstop and get me some goodies. Am gone at 2 AM. Over the Ohio River and into Illinois on I-24 to I-57 north. I-57 to I-64 west and into St. Louis. Over the Mississippi into Missouri on I-70 where I followed it to Kingdom City, Missouri(exit 148). I went down to Fulton, Missouri to check my mail. It is now 6:30 AM and traffic is kicking up. By 7:30 AM I was headed west on I-70 again. Found myself pulling into the Kansas City yard at 9:45AM. Checked with dispatch and the load isn't due until Thursday so I was told to just drop my trailer in the yard, which I did. There wasn't any loads for me so I went to the restaurant and then came back to the yard and took me a 3 hour nap. Didn't really do much the rest of day.....
1:30 AM and my alarm goes off. I get up and do the wake up thing. I go into the truckstop and get me some goodies. Am gone at 2 AM. Over the Ohio River and into Illinois on I-24 to I-57 north. I-57 to I-64 west and into St. Louis. Over the Mississippi into Missouri on I-70 where I followed it to Kingdom City, Missouri(exit 148). I went down to Fulton, Missouri to check my mail. It is now 6:30 AM and traffic is kicking up. By 7:30 AM I was headed west on I-70 again. Found myself pulling into the Kansas City yard at 9:45AM. Checked with dispatch and the load isn't due until Thursday so I was told to just drop my trailer in the yard, which I did. There wasn't any loads for me so I went to the restaurant and then came back to the yard and took me a 3 hour nap. Didn't really do much the rest of day.....
December 4, 2009
December 4, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-La Grange, Georgia)
Dreaming away when I felt the tractor start rocking. The shipper had started loading me and it was a little after 8 AM. I was loaded and away from the dock by 8:45 AM. Got paperwork and the weight of the load was 22,000 lbs; no problem at all. They sealed the trailer and had me sign the paperwork. I reviewed the routing and decided to go back up to Chattanooga, Tennessee. I left on I-85 north and took the west side of I-285 north(Atlanta Loop) to I-75 north. At Chattanooga, Tennessee I took I-24 west and started climbing into the mountains, stopping at Monteagle(Tennessee) at 12:30 PM. My fuel is running low so I refueled(178 gallons). Only here for ½ hour as I don't really like this truckstop. Headed west to Nashville(Tennessee) and did not stop. Stayed on I-24 into Kentucky and stopped at exit 16 in Paducah(Kentucky). I love the restaurant at this truckstop so I stopped for dinner-best fried chicken-and then decided to stay for about 9 hours for my long break.. This I did.
Dreaming away when I felt the tractor start rocking. The shipper had started loading me and it was a little after 8 AM. I was loaded and away from the dock by 8:45 AM. Got paperwork and the weight of the load was 22,000 lbs; no problem at all. They sealed the trailer and had me sign the paperwork. I reviewed the routing and decided to go back up to Chattanooga, Tennessee. I left on I-85 north and took the west side of I-285 north(Atlanta Loop) to I-75 north. At Chattanooga, Tennessee I took I-24 west and started climbing into the mountains, stopping at Monteagle(Tennessee) at 12:30 PM. My fuel is running low so I refueled(178 gallons). Only here for ½ hour as I don't really like this truckstop. Headed west to Nashville(Tennessee) and did not stop. Stayed on I-24 into Kentucky and stopped at exit 16 in Paducah(Kentucky). I love the restaurant at this truckstop so I stopped for dinner-best fried chicken-and then decided to stay for about 9 hours for my long break.. This I did.
December 3, 2009
December 3, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Knoxville, Tennessee)
Woke up from a good night's sleep around 6:30 AM. Only have a 3 ½ hour drive today so I decided to take my time and have the breakfast buffet. I did and looked around the truckstops trucker store. Boy, are things expensive. Luckily the spare parts(light, fuses etc) I need occasionally, our maintenance shop provides use with. Went out to my tractor and got all my paperwork work done. Pulled out on I-75 south and headed for Atlanta, Georgia. This I-75 south in Tennessee looks so peaceful and quiet but I delivered along Hwy 11 east of this interstate earlier this year and found it very active. All kinds of businesses in and out off of the trees. Traveled passed Cleveland(Tennessee) and into Chattanooga, Tennessee. Never stopped until I entered Georgia. I stopped at the first Georgia rest area as I have time and it is a very nice place the take a break. Took a ½ hour break and walked around, threw a couple rocks into the woods, and enjoyed the myself. The place I am going isn't more than five blocks from the “ALL Right Truckstop” off the south part of the loop around Atlanta. Sunday Afternoon and as I entered the Atlanta loop on the west side, I felt I was entering a raceway; not as a watcher, but as a participant. I was in the slow lane and doing 55 miles per hour. Vehicles were passing me like I was standing still. I was sitting outside the customer's building at 3:30 PM and they were open. I talked to the guard at the front gate and he said I would have to wait until tomorrow to get unloaded but that I could stay where I was until then. I said thanks and went back to my truck. It was about an hour later that the guard came out to me and said that they would unload me now. I asked why and was told they needed now what I have on my trailer. NO PROBLEM. They had me unloaded by 5 PM (EST) and I called dispatch that I was empty. Dispatch told me to go to La Grange, Georgia tomorrow and pick up an auto parts load to Kansas City. I have time and don't really like it at this truckstop, so I headed out on I-285 westward to I-85 south. I found the customer in La Grange about 7 PM and they were open also. Gave the guard my pickup number and he told me to open my doors, back up to door three, caulk (special blocks that keep tires from moving)my tires and go to bed. I said thanks and did what he said. They will load me in the morning...
Woke up from a good night's sleep around 6:30 AM. Only have a 3 ½ hour drive today so I decided to take my time and have the breakfast buffet. I did and looked around the truckstops trucker store. Boy, are things expensive. Luckily the spare parts(light, fuses etc) I need occasionally, our maintenance shop provides use with. Went out to my tractor and got all my paperwork work done. Pulled out on I-75 south and headed for Atlanta, Georgia. This I-75 south in Tennessee looks so peaceful and quiet but I delivered along Hwy 11 east of this interstate earlier this year and found it very active. All kinds of businesses in and out off of the trees. Traveled passed Cleveland(Tennessee) and into Chattanooga, Tennessee. Never stopped until I entered Georgia. I stopped at the first Georgia rest area as I have time and it is a very nice place the take a break. Took a ½ hour break and walked around, threw a couple rocks into the woods, and enjoyed the myself. The place I am going isn't more than five blocks from the “ALL Right Truckstop” off the south part of the loop around Atlanta. Sunday Afternoon and as I entered the Atlanta loop on the west side, I felt I was entering a raceway; not as a watcher, but as a participant. I was in the slow lane and doing 55 miles per hour. Vehicles were passing me like I was standing still. I was sitting outside the customer's building at 3:30 PM and they were open. I talked to the guard at the front gate and he said I would have to wait until tomorrow to get unloaded but that I could stay where I was until then. I said thanks and went back to my truck. It was about an hour later that the guard came out to me and said that they would unload me now. I asked why and was told they needed now what I have on my trailer. NO PROBLEM. They had me unloaded by 5 PM (EST) and I called dispatch that I was empty. Dispatch told me to go to La Grange, Georgia tomorrow and pick up an auto parts load to Kansas City. I have time and don't really like it at this truckstop, so I headed out on I-285 westward to I-85 south. I found the customer in La Grange about 7 PM and they were open also. Gave the guard my pickup number and he told me to open my doors, back up to door three, caulk (special blocks that keep tires from moving)my tires and go to bed. I said thanks and did what he said. They will load me in the morning...
December 2, 2009
December 2, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Taylor, Michigan)
Woken up at 7 AM by a light knocking on my tractor. It was dispatch wanting me to drop my Canada load and take a “hot”(a load needing to go badly) load to Atlanta, Georgia for Monday. I said yes and I was dispatched on the load by 7:30 AM. Got trailer hooked up, did a complete vehicle inspection, got my logbook caught up and fueled; put in 130 gallons. My load weight, according to the paperwork, was only 5740 lbs. Took off south on I-75. After getting through Dayton(Ohio) I stopped for a 30 minute break at the rest area. I took a little extra time as there was a driver that I knew....so we talked a few minutes. Back on the road and stayed on I-75 through Lexington(Kentucky). After Lexington-land of beautiful scenery and horses-the land was pretty flat for awhile, then the mountains started. These mountain roads seemed steep at points but the truckstop didn't seem to slow much on them. I passed into Tennessee with the town of Jellico on the west side... a town I would like to visit...just sounds good. I was in the mountains now and went down into Knoxville(Tennessee); the city itself in the mountains. I stopped for the night at “Just A Truckstop” for the night...I went in and had dinner and watched movies until about 10 PM....To bed I went and watched TV until I fell asleep.
Trucking Student Question:
What do you do when you find a brake pod hanging(broken off) with air line not leaking? With air line leaking?
Woken up at 7 AM by a light knocking on my tractor. It was dispatch wanting me to drop my Canada load and take a “hot”(a load needing to go badly) load to Atlanta, Georgia for Monday. I said yes and I was dispatched on the load by 7:30 AM. Got trailer hooked up, did a complete vehicle inspection, got my logbook caught up and fueled; put in 130 gallons. My load weight, according to the paperwork, was only 5740 lbs. Took off south on I-75. After getting through Dayton(Ohio) I stopped for a 30 minute break at the rest area. I took a little extra time as there was a driver that I knew....so we talked a few minutes. Back on the road and stayed on I-75 through Lexington(Kentucky). After Lexington-land of beautiful scenery and horses-the land was pretty flat for awhile, then the mountains started. These mountain roads seemed steep at points but the truckstop didn't seem to slow much on them. I passed into Tennessee with the town of Jellico on the west side... a town I would like to visit...just sounds good. I was in the mountains now and went down into Knoxville(Tennessee); the city itself in the mountains. I stopped for the night at “Just A Truckstop” for the night...I went in and had dinner and watched movies until about 10 PM....To bed I went and watched TV until I fell asleep.
Trucking Student Question:
What do you do when you find a brake pod hanging(broken off) with air line not leaking? With air line leaking?
December 1, 2009
December 1, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Kingston Springs, Tennessee)
Took off for the Ford Glass Plant at 6 AM and was parked in line for loading. While in line, I checked in with the shipper and was told that my load was canceled. I called dispatch and told them of the cancellation. I was given a load to St. Thomas, Ontario(Canada) that needs to be up there before Monday. I was loaded with a weight of 38,570 lbs. It should be OK but I took it to the “All Right Truckstop” and got an actual total weight. No problem. I had lunch there with a couple drivers that I knew. I said bye to the other drivers and I headed north on I-65. The Tennessee and Kentucky coupes(state truck weigh stations) were open and they were less than 10 minutes from each other. No problem with either of them. Continued north past the Corvette plant in Bowling Green(Kentucky) and onto Louisville(Kentucky). I decided to go through downtown Louisville instead of going around the bypasses as I like this downtown and the Friday going home traffic should not have started yet. Nice downtown experience and I caught I-71 north as I got close to the Ohio River. Followed I-71 toward I-75 where the two joints. I could not follow I-71/I-75 over the Ohio River due to a steep hill down to the river and a law that says,”NO BIG TRUCKS”. I took I-275 east on the Kentucky side to I-471 north over into Ohio. Then I took I-71 south to I-75 north. When I crossed over the Ohio River, I saw the Christmas decorations on the Cincinnati(Ohio) river beaches. They were fantastic. I continued up I-75 past to the first rest area where I stopped for a little break. I only took 15 minutes ans I was headed north. Dayton(Ohio) was passed as well as Lima, Findley and Toledo(Ohio). Went into Michigan and, of course, their coupe(state truck weigh station) was open.(no problem). Onto Taylor, Michigan terminal (our Detroit terminal) where I spent the night. Weather says snow for Sunday...what to do....stay here until Sunday or run load up tomorrow and get it off before Sunday???
Took off for the Ford Glass Plant at 6 AM and was parked in line for loading. While in line, I checked in with the shipper and was told that my load was canceled. I called dispatch and told them of the cancellation. I was given a load to St. Thomas, Ontario(Canada) that needs to be up there before Monday. I was loaded with a weight of 38,570 lbs. It should be OK but I took it to the “All Right Truckstop” and got an actual total weight. No problem. I had lunch there with a couple drivers that I knew. I said bye to the other drivers and I headed north on I-65. The Tennessee and Kentucky coupes(state truck weigh stations) were open and they were less than 10 minutes from each other. No problem with either of them. Continued north past the Corvette plant in Bowling Green(Kentucky) and onto Louisville(Kentucky). I decided to go through downtown Louisville instead of going around the bypasses as I like this downtown and the Friday going home traffic should not have started yet. Nice downtown experience and I caught I-71 north as I got close to the Ohio River. Followed I-71 toward I-75 where the two joints. I could not follow I-71/I-75 over the Ohio River due to a steep hill down to the river and a law that says,”NO BIG TRUCKS”. I took I-275 east on the Kentucky side to I-471 north over into Ohio. Then I took I-71 south to I-75 north. When I crossed over the Ohio River, I saw the Christmas decorations on the Cincinnati(Ohio) river beaches. They were fantastic. I continued up I-75 past to the first rest area where I stopped for a little break. I only took 15 minutes ans I was headed north. Dayton(Ohio) was passed as well as Lima, Findley and Toledo(Ohio). Went into Michigan and, of course, their coupe(state truck weigh station) was open.(no problem). Onto Taylor, Michigan terminal (our Detroit terminal) where I spent the night. Weather says snow for Sunday...what to do....stay here until Sunday or run load up tomorrow and get it off before Sunday???
November 30, 2009
November 30, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Memphis, Tennessee)
Awoke at 6 AM and was pulling out of the yard at 6:15 AM . Was at the customers at 6:30 AM waiting for them load me. They got to me around 8 AM and they told me that they would unload me where I was sitting. They told me to open my trailer doors and when I did I could heard that they where not happy, They where going to just drive them off onto a flat trailer until they saw the one sideways fork truck in the end of the trailer. They tried several ways to get it out but all failed. They finally brought their big fork truck out and picked it up and took it out. The rest they drove out with one gas tank. After I got done with them, I called dispatch and they said to deadhead(go empty) to Nashville(Tennessee) and then call in. Took off for Nashville east on I-40. I got to our fuel stop at Kingston Springs(Tennessee) and called in as it is close to Nashville. Dispatch told me to go to the Ford Glass Plant tomorrow for a load to Toledo, Ohio. The plant wasn't too far from where I was, so I decided to stay here in Kingdom Springs for the night. Watched my truck TV as I got Nashville TV stations. Set my alarm clock for 6 AM tomorrow morning.
--tomorrow, things change and you can't get upset about it. You have to go with the flow!!!--
Trucker Helpful Hint: (The early trucker gets the best load???)
I learned from my trainer-when I started driving-that when sent deadhead(with empty trailer), try to call in before you actually get to where you are told. This could put you higher on the "ready board" for a load with your company. OR it could actually put you closer to your pickup as it did with me in today's blog. NOW, THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE WHEN YOUR TRAILER IS EMPTY!!!! I HAVE HAD TOO MANY TIMES WHEN I HAD LOADS THAT SEEMED LIKE THEY WOULD BE EASY "UNLOADS" BUT ENDED UP WITH PROBLEMS. These problems took extra time...one I remember(problem with customs) took about 7 hours. Your company does not want you to tell them you are ready when you are not! They could have something that needs your immediate attention.
Awoke at 6 AM and was pulling out of the yard at 6:15 AM . Was at the customers at 6:30 AM waiting for them load me. They got to me around 8 AM and they told me that they would unload me where I was sitting. They told me to open my trailer doors and when I did I could heard that they where not happy, They where going to just drive them off onto a flat trailer until they saw the one sideways fork truck in the end of the trailer. They tried several ways to get it out but all failed. They finally brought their big fork truck out and picked it up and took it out. The rest they drove out with one gas tank. After I got done with them, I called dispatch and they said to deadhead(go empty) to Nashville(Tennessee) and then call in. Took off for Nashville east on I-40. I got to our fuel stop at Kingston Springs(Tennessee) and called in as it is close to Nashville. Dispatch told me to go to the Ford Glass Plant tomorrow for a load to Toledo, Ohio. The plant wasn't too far from where I was, so I decided to stay here in Kingdom Springs for the night. Watched my truck TV as I got Nashville TV stations. Set my alarm clock for 6 AM tomorrow morning.
--tomorrow, things change and you can't get upset about it. You have to go with the flow!!!--
Trucker Helpful Hint: (The early trucker gets the best load???)
I learned from my trainer-when I started driving-that when sent deadhead(with empty trailer), try to call in before you actually get to where you are told. This could put you higher on the "ready board" for a load with your company. OR it could actually put you closer to your pickup as it did with me in today's blog. NOW, THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE WHEN YOUR TRAILER IS EMPTY!!!! I HAVE HAD TOO MANY TIMES WHEN I HAD LOADS THAT SEEMED LIKE THEY WOULD BE EASY "UNLOADS" BUT ENDED UP WITH PROBLEMS. These problems took extra time...one I remember(problem with customs) took about 7 hours. Your company does not want you to tell them you are ready when you are not! They could have something that needs your immediate attention.
November 29, 2009
November 29, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Lexington, Kentucky)
The shipper this morning was in the northwest corner of Lexington. I was told to back up to the dock to be loaded. I got 9 gas engine fork trucks which I watched loaded. They would drive each of the first 8 fork trucks into the trailer, then take the gas tank off. The last one was put on the back of the trailer sideways(It was put in by a much larger fork truck). I was loaded by 9:30 AM and on my way by 9:45 AM. I was just south of Hwy 60 which I took west to the, BluegrassParkway. I love the green "color" of the scenery in this part of the country...it is different. Anyway, went on down to Elizabethtown(Kentucky) where I caught I-65 south. I stopped for a short break at the rest area by Plum Springs(Kentucky) around noon. I spent 30 minutes here as I just wanted to be standing up a little longer. I got moving again about 12:30 PM. Big Drive!!! I pulled into the Nashville(Tennessee) "All Right Truckstop" an hour later(about 1:30 PM) I was going to fill my tanks but decided to wait as I have enough to get me to Memphis(Tennessee)terminal. I went into the restaurant and had the buffet lunch. After eating I pulled out on I-65 took it to I-40 east, and headed for Memphis. Pulled into our Memphis, Tennessee terminal at 6:45 PM. I could have gone to the customers but I decided that I would sleep at the terminal tonight and go to the customers real early. I filled my tanks went I got to the terminal and I took 185 gallons. I went to eat with two other drivers and then came back to the truck and went to sleep...
The shipper this morning was in the northwest corner of Lexington. I was told to back up to the dock to be loaded. I got 9 gas engine fork trucks which I watched loaded. They would drive each of the first 8 fork trucks into the trailer, then take the gas tank off. The last one was put on the back of the trailer sideways(It was put in by a much larger fork truck). I was loaded by 9:30 AM and on my way by 9:45 AM. I was just south of Hwy 60 which I took west to the, BluegrassParkway. I love the green "color" of the scenery in this part of the country...it is different. Anyway, went on down to Elizabethtown(Kentucky) where I caught I-65 south. I stopped for a short break at the rest area by Plum Springs(Kentucky) around noon. I spent 30 minutes here as I just wanted to be standing up a little longer. I got moving again about 12:30 PM. Big Drive!!! I pulled into the Nashville(Tennessee) "All Right Truckstop" an hour later(about 1:30 PM) I was going to fill my tanks but decided to wait as I have enough to get me to Memphis(Tennessee)terminal. I went into the restaurant and had the buffet lunch. After eating I pulled out on I-65 took it to I-40 east, and headed for Memphis. Pulled into our Memphis, Tennessee terminal at 6:45 PM. I could have gone to the customers but I decided that I would sleep at the terminal tonight and go to the customers real early. I filled my tanks went I got to the terminal and I took 185 gallons. I went to eat with two other drivers and then came back to the truck and went to sleep...
November 28, 2009
November 28, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Wright City, Missouri)
Woke up another 8 AM as I wasn't in a hurry to get involved in the “going to work” traffic around St. Louis, Missouri. Was heading east by 8:30 AM with traffic not too bad. The ride on I-70 over the Missouri river wasn't bad. After crossing the Mississippi River, I followed I-64 east. The state truck weigh stations were open in Missouri & Illinois but I wasn't concerned with a load weight of 19,000 lbs. I was having a kind of negative day so I stopped in Mt Vernon(Illinois) at a good truckstop. I like their chef salad so I went in and had one. Back to heading east and slipped into Indiana. Got past Dale, Indiana where the mountains start. Yes, mountains in the middle west. In fact, these mountains have skiing and a town called Santa Claus(Indiana). Got through the mountains and descended down to the Ohio Valley where I crossed the Ohio River into the city of Louisville, Kentucky. I went to the east end of Louisville by taking I-71 north to I-265 south. I found the plant far far from entering I-265. I got to the guard shack and was told to check with receiving. I did and they just had me drop the trailer in the yard. I got me another trailer and called dispatch. They told me to go to the western side of Lexington(Kentucky) for a load of fork trucks tomorrow. I found the shipper and could not spend the night on their property so I went to a shopping center and bunked in for the night.....
Woke up another 8 AM as I wasn't in a hurry to get involved in the “going to work” traffic around St. Louis, Missouri. Was heading east by 8:30 AM with traffic not too bad. The ride on I-70 over the Missouri river wasn't bad. After crossing the Mississippi River, I followed I-64 east. The state truck weigh stations were open in Missouri & Illinois but I wasn't concerned with a load weight of 19,000 lbs. I was having a kind of negative day so I stopped in Mt Vernon(Illinois) at a good truckstop. I like their chef salad so I went in and had one. Back to heading east and slipped into Indiana. Got past Dale, Indiana where the mountains start. Yes, mountains in the middle west. In fact, these mountains have skiing and a town called Santa Claus(Indiana). Got through the mountains and descended down to the Ohio Valley where I crossed the Ohio River into the city of Louisville, Kentucky. I went to the east end of Louisville by taking I-71 north to I-265 south. I found the plant far far from entering I-265. I got to the guard shack and was told to check with receiving. I did and they just had me drop the trailer in the yard. I got me another trailer and called dispatch. They told me to go to the western side of Lexington(Kentucky) for a load of fork trucks tomorrow. I found the shipper and could not spend the night on their property so I went to a shopping center and bunked in for the night.....
November 27, 2009
November 27, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Casey, Iowa)
Was awake before the sun came up. Walked around the rest area and enjoyed the pre-dawn. Studied my routing to Shenandoah, Iowa and decided to go to Hwy 59 and take it south. I did that and saw a lot of farm land in my 1 3/4 hours to the pick up. Found the place with no problem. Was backed up to the dock bu 10 AM. and loaded by noon. This load was going to the Louisville(Kentucky) Truck assembly plant. I took Hwy 59 into Missouri and onto I-29 south. I was talking to a driver from another company when I crossed over into Missouri. Boy, did he have to trucker tale(see below). I continued to our Kansas City Terminal where I fueled (166 gallons). I hung around the terminal until 4 PM when I took off; I wanted to get out of Kansas City, Missouri before the rush hour. I drove to Fulton, Missouri and checked my mail and called the kids. They were all busy so I couldn't see them. I went back up to I-70 and headed east. Stopped for the night(8 PM) at the rest area right before Wright City, Missouri.
A Trucker's Tale: (crushing...)
This driver I was running with told me that he had to do as many miles as he could as he had to pay his lawyer. It seems that he was at a truckstop and a lot lizard(prostitute) had jumped on his passenger side door steps. She appeared drunk and so told her to go away. He looked away from the window and then back at it...the lot lizard was gone. He then pulled out and went on down the road. It wasn't long and he was stopped by a couple cars worth of county sheriffs. Then more police showed up. They arrested him and charged him with “assault with a deadly weapon”...his truck. The lot lizard was drugged out and fall off his truck. When the truck moved forward, one of it's tires rounded over her leg. He didn't know it. Her girl friend called the authorities for her. He was released as his storied sat well with the authorities and she was “stoned” when the police got to her. She did not loose her leg he said as his load was real light and she fell onto fine gravel. I don't know if the charges were dropped or not but he still had a lawyer handling the case....Watch out at all times!!!
Was awake before the sun came up. Walked around the rest area and enjoyed the pre-dawn. Studied my routing to Shenandoah, Iowa and decided to go to Hwy 59 and take it south. I did that and saw a lot of farm land in my 1 3/4 hours to the pick up. Found the place with no problem. Was backed up to the dock bu 10 AM. and loaded by noon. This load was going to the Louisville(Kentucky) Truck assembly plant. I took Hwy 59 into Missouri and onto I-29 south. I was talking to a driver from another company when I crossed over into Missouri. Boy, did he have to trucker tale(see below). I continued to our Kansas City Terminal where I fueled (166 gallons). I hung around the terminal until 4 PM when I took off; I wanted to get out of Kansas City, Missouri before the rush hour. I drove to Fulton, Missouri and checked my mail and called the kids. They were all busy so I couldn't see them. I went back up to I-70 and headed east. Stopped for the night(8 PM) at the rest area right before Wright City, Missouri.
A Trucker's Tale: (crushing...)
This driver I was running with told me that he had to do as many miles as he could as he had to pay his lawyer. It seems that he was at a truckstop and a lot lizard(prostitute) had jumped on his passenger side door steps. She appeared drunk and so told her to go away. He looked away from the window and then back at it...the lot lizard was gone. He then pulled out and went on down the road. It wasn't long and he was stopped by a couple cars worth of county sheriffs. Then more police showed up. They arrested him and charged him with “assault with a deadly weapon”...his truck. The lot lizard was drugged out and fall off his truck. When the truck moved forward, one of it's tires rounded over her leg. He didn't know it. Her girl friend called the authorities for her. He was released as his storied sat well with the authorities and she was “stoned” when the police got to her. She did not loose her leg he said as his load was real light and she fell onto fine gravel. I don't know if the charges were dropped or not but he still had a lawyer handling the case....Watch out at all times!!!
November 26, 2009
November 26, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Urbandale, Iowa)
Got up around 9 AM and got my logbook all caught up. Not excited about sitting at this truckstop all day. Went in and watched movies until I had the lunch buffet; then went back to movies until about 4:30 PM. I decided to go and sent the night at the rest area west of Casey, Iowa. I did and was able to caught a couple TV stations on my TV. Watched TV and went to sleep.
A Trucker's Tale: (dancing in Jamaica...)
While I was filling my tractor tanks in Olathe, Kansas, I started talking with a mid aged redheaded female driver from Canada filling up also. We talked and found that we both were going to be going east on I-70 and decided to run together. I was only going to exit 121 in Columbia, Missouri but in that distance she told me two tales that I never forgot. Her company did some special trucking jobs. She claimed she once picked up a load in some town in upper Quebec (Canada). As they loaded her, two black conservative looking cars pulled up. They talked with her and told her that one would follow her and she was to follow the other all the way to southern Florida. They went on to say that she was not to stop at any weigh stations or customs anywhere along the way. She was given the route they were going to take. All her stops were told to her. They would not tell her what she was hauling. When she got loaded they all moved out. They followed the route and she never stopped at scales or customs. Her meals were all paid for as she had to stop were planned. She had all her legal breaks. They got to the docks in southern Florida and she drove the truck onto a ship. She was to stay with her truck all the way to Jamaica even with a couple of the guys watching the truck all the time. She was given a gun and told to use it if anyone came near the truck-no one did. When the ship got to Jamaica, she followed the cars to a building and was unloaded. When unloaded, the men in the trucks checked her into a motel until the ship was to return to America. They asked if she had a dress to go dancing in and she said NO. A couple of the men took her shopping for a dress and they all went out to eat and dance that night. She said that they really had a good evening. The next day, the ship took her back to the states and she never saw the men again. She never really knew what she was hauling but she never had to put placards on the trailer. She felt she had been hauling flaked gold but wasn't sure.
Got up around 9 AM and got my logbook all caught up. Not excited about sitting at this truckstop all day. Went in and watched movies until I had the lunch buffet; then went back to movies until about 4:30 PM. I decided to go and sent the night at the rest area west of Casey, Iowa. I did and was able to caught a couple TV stations on my TV. Watched TV and went to sleep.
A Trucker's Tale: (dancing in Jamaica...)
While I was filling my tractor tanks in Olathe, Kansas, I started talking with a mid aged redheaded female driver from Canada filling up also. We talked and found that we both were going to be going east on I-70 and decided to run together. I was only going to exit 121 in Columbia, Missouri but in that distance she told me two tales that I never forgot. Her company did some special trucking jobs. She claimed she once picked up a load in some town in upper Quebec (Canada). As they loaded her, two black conservative looking cars pulled up. They talked with her and told her that one would follow her and she was to follow the other all the way to southern Florida. They went on to say that she was not to stop at any weigh stations or customs anywhere along the way. She was given the route they were going to take. All her stops were told to her. They would not tell her what she was hauling. When she got loaded they all moved out. They followed the route and she never stopped at scales or customs. Her meals were all paid for as she had to stop were planned. She had all her legal breaks. They got to the docks in southern Florida and she drove the truck onto a ship. She was to stay with her truck all the way to Jamaica even with a couple of the guys watching the truck all the time. She was given a gun and told to use it if anyone came near the truck-no one did. When the ship got to Jamaica, she followed the cars to a building and was unloaded. When unloaded, the men in the trucks checked her into a motel until the ship was to return to America. They asked if she had a dress to go dancing in and she said NO. A couple of the men took her shopping for a dress and they all went out to eat and dance that night. She said that they really had a good evening. The next day, the ship took her back to the states and she never saw the men again. She never really knew what she was hauling but she never had to put placards on the trailer. She felt she had been hauling flaked gold but wasn't sure.
November 25, 2009
November 25, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Was up at 8 AM and wanted the truckstop breakfast before I left. I had the one pound streak and eggs breakfast and then headed west by 9:30 AM. Got to the big truckstop at Altoona, Iowa around 10:30 AM. I asked dispatch if they could call the receiver and see if I could get unloaded. They gave me the number to call. I called and was told to bring the load in and get unloaded. I did and was unloaded by 1 PM. I called dispatch and told them I was empty and they gave me a load to pickup in Shenandoah, Iowa Monday afternoon. I then went to the truckstop off of I-80/I-35 in Urbandale, Iowa and stayed there the night. I head the “really poor” buffet for dinner and then watched movies in the movie room until about midnight. Went out to my tractor and went to bed.
SECOND 5 YEARS:(Backyard mechanic???)
I had a load that needed to be delivered to the Jacksonville, Florida shore line for transport by boat. I got the trailer there and was given a place to put it and I did. I needed to pickup an empty trailer and so I looked around for one. I could only find one and so I went to hook up to it. Got the fifth wheel and air lines hooked up OK but the electrical socket was all broken up. I took the trailer outside the gate of the company and called dispatch. They tuned me over to the shop and they told me to wait right there. I did. About twenty minutes later the repair van I was waiting for drove up. He told me we would have to go down the road a ways to a city park for repairs as this company was a UNION company and he wasn't. I followed him to the city park and there he replaced the trailers electrical socket. I was on my way in less that an hour for my next load in South Carolina.
Was up at 8 AM and wanted the truckstop breakfast before I left. I had the one pound streak and eggs breakfast and then headed west by 9:30 AM. Got to the big truckstop at Altoona, Iowa around 10:30 AM. I asked dispatch if they could call the receiver and see if I could get unloaded. They gave me the number to call. I called and was told to bring the load in and get unloaded. I did and was unloaded by 1 PM. I called dispatch and told them I was empty and they gave me a load to pickup in Shenandoah, Iowa Monday afternoon. I then went to the truckstop off of I-80/I-35 in Urbandale, Iowa and stayed there the night. I head the “really poor” buffet for dinner and then watched movies in the movie room until about midnight. Went out to my tractor and went to bed.
SECOND 5 YEARS:(Backyard mechanic???)
I had a load that needed to be delivered to the Jacksonville, Florida shore line for transport by boat. I got the trailer there and was given a place to put it and I did. I needed to pickup an empty trailer and so I looked around for one. I could only find one and so I went to hook up to it. Got the fifth wheel and air lines hooked up OK but the electrical socket was all broken up. I took the trailer outside the gate of the company and called dispatch. They tuned me over to the shop and they told me to wait right there. I did. About twenty minutes later the repair van I was waiting for drove up. He told me we would have to go down the road a ways to a city park for repairs as this company was a UNION company and he wasn't. I followed him to the city park and there he replaced the trailers electrical socket. I was on my way in less that an hour for my next load in South Carolina.
November 24, 2009
November 24, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Hannibal, Missouri)
Woke up and looked over the routing to Des Moines, Iowa. Studied several possibilities and decided on going up to Iowa City, Iowa and them going west to Des Moines. Headed north on Hwy 61. I remembered that the bridge into Iowa, on Hwy 61, was closed to big trucks. I started asking truckers how they handled the crossing. Well, there is a small toll bridge that I followed a driver to. The toll was $1.00. I got to it by taking Hwy 61 to Hwy 394 north. On the Iowa side, Hwy 394 hooks up with Hwy 218 that goes to Iowa City, Iowa. I stopped at the truckstop in Mt Pleasant, Iowa for a break. I liked the restaurant so I sat down and had a hamburger and fries. Followed Hwy 218 to Iowa City and them west to Exit 220, Williamsburg, Iowa where I stopped. I had dinner here and then watched movies with other drivers until midnight. Slept here....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(rejected...)
I had not been a meat hauler very long when I got a 42,000 lb load of hamburger to a store warehouse in Elloree, South Carolina. I had a couple interesting experiences in this town but I am only concerned with the meat now. I hired a lumper(person who loads/unloads trailer) and when he got done there was one box of hamburger rejected. All the boxes I had on this load were 80 lbs...8 ten pound plastic tubes. One box had been damaged with 2 tubes ripped opened(not bad). The warehouse rejected the box and I called it in. My dispatch told me to throw it away per the meat company. Another truck driver told me he would buy me a cooler, since I didn't have one, and give me $20 for 3 good tubes and one bad tube of meat. That left me with the same. I said OK and carried the hamburger with me until I got it home(1 1/2 days). Over the almost 4 years of hauling meat, I had only a few loads where the meat was rejected and I got it.
Woke up and looked over the routing to Des Moines, Iowa. Studied several possibilities and decided on going up to Iowa City, Iowa and them going west to Des Moines. Headed north on Hwy 61. I remembered that the bridge into Iowa, on Hwy 61, was closed to big trucks. I started asking truckers how they handled the crossing. Well, there is a small toll bridge that I followed a driver to. The toll was $1.00. I got to it by taking Hwy 61 to Hwy 394 north. On the Iowa side, Hwy 394 hooks up with Hwy 218 that goes to Iowa City, Iowa. I stopped at the truckstop in Mt Pleasant, Iowa for a break. I liked the restaurant so I sat down and had a hamburger and fries. Followed Hwy 218 to Iowa City and them west to Exit 220, Williamsburg, Iowa where I stopped. I had dinner here and then watched movies with other drivers until midnight. Slept here....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(rejected...)
I had not been a meat hauler very long when I got a 42,000 lb load of hamburger to a store warehouse in Elloree, South Carolina. I had a couple interesting experiences in this town but I am only concerned with the meat now. I hired a lumper(person who loads/unloads trailer) and when he got done there was one box of hamburger rejected. All the boxes I had on this load were 80 lbs...8 ten pound plastic tubes. One box had been damaged with 2 tubes ripped opened(not bad). The warehouse rejected the box and I called it in. My dispatch told me to throw it away per the meat company. Another truck driver told me he would buy me a cooler, since I didn't have one, and give me $20 for 3 good tubes and one bad tube of meat. That left me with the same. I said OK and carried the hamburger with me until I got it home(1 1/2 days). Over the almost 4 years of hauling meat, I had only a few loads where the meat was rejected and I got it.
November 23, 2009
November 23, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-Stringtown, Oklahoma)
Thanksgiving Day...Kept on going as no one to spend day with. Woke a little after 7 AM and was headed toward Joplin, Missouri by 7:30. I stopped in McAlester, Oklahoma around 8:15 AM and went to the Wal-Mart store. Closed. Wanted some munchies so went to truckstop across street and then got back on the road. By noon I was rolling into our terminal in Joplin, Missouri. I had a drive wheel seal leaking on my new tractor and so I parked my empty trailer. Went back to the maintenance guys who got hopping on fixing my tractor. While they where working on the seal, I went to dispatch and was given a load to Maryland Heights, Missouri(outside St. Louis) that was due in the morning. I fueled and weighed my load. I took 108 gallons of fuel and under the hood checked out fine. The load, according to the paperwork was only 23,560 lbs. I was ready to go by 2:30 PM and I took off up I-44 east. The state coupe(weigh station) was open but it was no problem. Stopped at the 100 mile marker at one of my favorite restaurants. Had the buffet of ribs, salad, potatoes and corn. Filled my tank and continued east on I-44. The ride to I-270 was uneventful. The conversations I had on the CB radio were so so. The state weigh station near Sullivan, Missouri was closed and the most exciting part of the trip was my 15 minute break at the rest area just past Stanton, Missouri. Went up I-270 to Dorsett Road and went east. Found the receiver real easily and they were open. Checked in and they unloaded me within the hour. My logbook still has 2 hours to drive before I needed a break and I was feeling pretty good. Dispatch was happy to hear that I was unloaded as they had a load in Bridgeton, Missouri to pick up. I went to Bridgeton(about 15 minutes) and swapped trailers. This load was going to Des Moines, Iowa for Monday morning. Headed west on I-70 to Hwy 61 and went north. Weather was nice and clear. I got to Hannibal, Missouri and found a parking place at the small truckstop. I stopped there for the night.
Thanksgiving Day...Kept on going as no one to spend day with. Woke a little after 7 AM and was headed toward Joplin, Missouri by 7:30. I stopped in McAlester, Oklahoma around 8:15 AM and went to the Wal-Mart store. Closed. Wanted some munchies so went to truckstop across street and then got back on the road. By noon I was rolling into our terminal in Joplin, Missouri. I had a drive wheel seal leaking on my new tractor and so I parked my empty trailer. Went back to the maintenance guys who got hopping on fixing my tractor. While they where working on the seal, I went to dispatch and was given a load to Maryland Heights, Missouri(outside St. Louis) that was due in the morning. I fueled and weighed my load. I took 108 gallons of fuel and under the hood checked out fine. The load, according to the paperwork was only 23,560 lbs. I was ready to go by 2:30 PM and I took off up I-44 east. The state coupe(weigh station) was open but it was no problem. Stopped at the 100 mile marker at one of my favorite restaurants. Had the buffet of ribs, salad, potatoes and corn. Filled my tank and continued east on I-44. The ride to I-270 was uneventful. The conversations I had on the CB radio were so so. The state weigh station near Sullivan, Missouri was closed and the most exciting part of the trip was my 15 minute break at the rest area just past Stanton, Missouri. Went up I-270 to Dorsett Road and went east. Found the receiver real easily and they were open. Checked in and they unloaded me within the hour. My logbook still has 2 hours to drive before I needed a break and I was feeling pretty good. Dispatch was happy to hear that I was unloaded as they had a load in Bridgeton, Missouri to pick up. I went to Bridgeton(about 15 minutes) and swapped trailers. This load was going to Des Moines, Iowa for Monday morning. Headed west on I-70 to Hwy 61 and went north. Weather was nice and clear. I got to Hannibal, Missouri and found a parking place at the small truckstop. I stopped there for the night.
November 22, 2009
November 22, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Laredo, Texas)
Slept in my tractor at the terminal last night as I hoped that I would get a load out. (see helpful trucker hint below). Stayed up until about 2:30 AM swapping truck stories with the other drivers. Interesting or important stories? NO, just stories. Woke up at 10 AM and checked with dispatch as I saw trucks(full semis) pulling out of the yard as I got my logbook caught up. I was deadheaded (sent with empty trailer) to Joplin, Missouri to get a load. I like Laredo but only at a couple days at a time. I grabbed my empty assigned trailer, hooked up, did a vehicle inspection, caught my logbook caught up and headed out. I was running by myself even though there were about twenty of us going up to Joplin. I drove to San Antonio(Texas) and stopped at the "Just A Truckstop" for lunch and fuel. Did both and headed north on I-35. Took the lower lever of the interstate dual level structure through Austin(Texas). Continued north past many of the population centers of Texas. Took 35 E to our Red Oak, Texas terminal where I stopped just before they closed for the day(6 PM). Found they had a load to Salt Lake City, Utah but they could not give it to me. I was programed to go to Joplin. Left Red Oak and caught Hwy 75 north. Hooked up with Hwy 69 and after going over the Red River into Oklahoma lost Hwy 75. Stopped about 10:00 PM at the medium sized truckstop in Stringtown, Oklahoma for the night.
Trucker Helpful Hint: (go where others don't want to go...)
I learned shortly after becoming a driver that often you can get out of an area(get paid miles) where there are alot of drivers waiting for loads if you are willing to go where they don't want to go. An example: Out of Laredo, Texas I was at the terminal one night with about 60 drivers in front of me. A driver went to the dispatch window and started complaining about the load he was going to get. I asked about the complaint and dispatch had a short run for Houston, Texas. I was a new driver and dispatch told me drivers don't like waiting for days for these short runs. He said that they give these shortys away to anyone who wants them if they can. I took the load for that driver-driver and dispatch were happy- and left. The thing about this load was that I got unloaded in Houston and then got deadheaded(sent empty) to the Red Oak(Texas)Terminal where I got a load to Laredo. I was back in Laredo, Texas before I would have gotten out of there if I wouldn't have taken the Houston, Texas load. If I didn't want to stay on the "READY BOARD"(LIST OF DRIVERS IN AN AREA NEEDING LOADS), I often asked for the crappy loads. Yes, they were not worth much, but they could put you in a place where you wouldn't have to wait long for something out that might be really good. This happened many times over 10 years.
Slept in my tractor at the terminal last night as I hoped that I would get a load out. (see helpful trucker hint below). Stayed up until about 2:30 AM swapping truck stories with the other drivers. Interesting or important stories? NO, just stories. Woke up at 10 AM and checked with dispatch as I saw trucks(full semis) pulling out of the yard as I got my logbook caught up. I was deadheaded (sent with empty trailer) to Joplin, Missouri to get a load. I like Laredo but only at a couple days at a time. I grabbed my empty assigned trailer, hooked up, did a vehicle inspection, caught my logbook caught up and headed out. I was running by myself even though there were about twenty of us going up to Joplin. I drove to San Antonio(Texas) and stopped at the "Just A Truckstop" for lunch and fuel. Did both and headed north on I-35. Took the lower lever of the interstate dual level structure through Austin(Texas). Continued north past many of the population centers of Texas. Took 35 E to our Red Oak, Texas terminal where I stopped just before they closed for the day(6 PM). Found they had a load to Salt Lake City, Utah but they could not give it to me. I was programed to go to Joplin. Left Red Oak and caught Hwy 75 north. Hooked up with Hwy 69 and after going over the Red River into Oklahoma lost Hwy 75. Stopped about 10:00 PM at the medium sized truckstop in Stringtown, Oklahoma for the night.
Trucker Helpful Hint: (go where others don't want to go...)
I learned shortly after becoming a driver that often you can get out of an area(get paid miles) where there are alot of drivers waiting for loads if you are willing to go where they don't want to go. An example: Out of Laredo, Texas I was at the terminal one night with about 60 drivers in front of me. A driver went to the dispatch window and started complaining about the load he was going to get. I asked about the complaint and dispatch had a short run for Houston, Texas. I was a new driver and dispatch told me drivers don't like waiting for days for these short runs. He said that they give these shortys away to anyone who wants them if they can. I took the load for that driver-driver and dispatch were happy- and left. The thing about this load was that I got unloaded in Houston and then got deadheaded(sent empty) to the Red Oak(Texas)Terminal where I got a load to Laredo. I was back in Laredo, Texas before I would have gotten out of there if I wouldn't have taken the Houston, Texas load. If I didn't want to stay on the "READY BOARD"(LIST OF DRIVERS IN AN AREA NEEDING LOADS), I often asked for the crappy loads. Yes, they were not worth much, but they could put you in a place where you wouldn't have to wait long for something out that might be really good. This happened many times over 10 years.
November 21, 2009
November 21, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Laredo, Texas)
Sure hoping to get out of here today. Talked with a couple older drivers and they said that the holiday freight always slows down. I am wanting to get out and they said to just stay “cool”. I will try but I didn't become a driver to “vacation”. Washed laundry at the terminal and talked with the dispatcher for a couple hours. I stayed at the terminal tonight and talked with other drivers after my calender day ended. Planning on sleeping in my tractor tonight.
SECOND 5 YEARS:(too sick to drive...)
I can remember twice when I felt too sick to drive. The first time was in San Antonio, Texas at the “Just A Truckstop”. I had finished with my load and was at the truckstop waiting for a load. I hadn't been feeling well but I could drive. While I was sicking there, the effects of what I had hit me hard. I was able to get to a phone and call dispatch. I told them to take me off the waiting list and I would call back the next day if I could. It took two days. The second time I was waiting for a meat load at Ft Morgan, Colorado and I hadn't been feeling well. I got the load and headed east with it. I remember getting past Goodland, Kansas and really stating to feel sick. Every little bunk became unbearable and I pulled into the west bound rest area near Park, Kansas. I had satellite so I typed in that I was too sick to drive. Later that day, I had a team pick up my load and give me theirs that delivered 24 hours later. Dispatch them sent me a message that if that wasn't good enough, that they would arrange a later delivery date for me. I just slept the rest of the day and was able to drive around noon the next day....Remember that if you can't drive, don't. You don't have total control of your vehicle when you push yourself too far.
Sure hoping to get out of here today. Talked with a couple older drivers and they said that the holiday freight always slows down. I am wanting to get out and they said to just stay “cool”. I will try but I didn't become a driver to “vacation”. Washed laundry at the terminal and talked with the dispatcher for a couple hours. I stayed at the terminal tonight and talked with other drivers after my calender day ended. Planning on sleeping in my tractor tonight.
SECOND 5 YEARS:(too sick to drive...)
I can remember twice when I felt too sick to drive. The first time was in San Antonio, Texas at the “Just A Truckstop”. I had finished with my load and was at the truckstop waiting for a load. I hadn't been feeling well but I could drive. While I was sicking there, the effects of what I had hit me hard. I was able to get to a phone and call dispatch. I told them to take me off the waiting list and I would call back the next day if I could. It took two days. The second time I was waiting for a meat load at Ft Morgan, Colorado and I hadn't been feeling well. I got the load and headed east with it. I remember getting past Goodland, Kansas and really stating to feel sick. Every little bunk became unbearable and I pulled into the west bound rest area near Park, Kansas. I had satellite so I typed in that I was too sick to drive. Later that day, I had a team pick up my load and give me theirs that delivered 24 hours later. Dispatch them sent me a message that if that wasn't good enough, that they would arrange a later delivery date for me. I just slept the rest of the day and was able to drive around noon the next day....Remember that if you can't drive, don't. You don't have total control of your vehicle when you push yourself too far.
November 20, 2009
November 20, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Laredo, Texas)
Woke up again in Laredo and called dispatch!!! Was informed not to get rid of room as not many loads coming over border today. This is getting FRUSTRATING. The town is starting to look like a parking lot for our tractors. Did same as other days...Ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant, talked with the waiter(as much as I could), went to Wal-Mart, got munchies for rest of day, went to motel, checked swimming pool for known drivers and then watched TV for rest of day/night.
A Trucker's Tale: (Kissing and driving don't mix...)
This tale is from me as I was the trucker involved. I and another one of our company's reefer (refrigerated trailer) unit drivers had just finished delivering our loads to the Wal-Mart warehouse in Loveland, Colorado. We both got deadheaded(sent "empty") to Holcomb, Kansas to the slaughter house for meat loads. I loved this deadhead as it is many easy going "paid" miles off the main interstates. The other driver hadn't been to this meat plant before so I said just to follow me. We took off down I-25 to I-70 east. Just past Limon, Colorado we took Hwy 287 south; we are off the main routes now. I always stopped at Hugo, Colorado for a big cold drink and a logbook break. We stopped and then headed out again. We followed Hwy 287 past Kit Carson(Colorado) to Eads(Colorado) where we caught Hwy 96 to Sheridan Lake, Colorado. At Sheridan Lake, we took Hwy 285 south to Hwy 50 east. We took this route around Lamar, Colorado just to bypass the state weigh station. We continued into Kansas where we went through the towns of Coolidge and Syracuse. The speed limit on these two lane roads is 65 miles/hour. Well, we had been out of Syracuse for awhile and I was running "front door"(first one of two drivers running along together). I saw in the road ahead a tractor trailer with it flashers blinking. I told the driver behind me that I didn't like to see this. We got to the rig and found that the accident had just happened. The road was shut down!!! No "person" was seriously injured!!! What happened? There are many details for this tale!!! A man going west bound had hit 5 full grown cows that were on the road. The truck he hit them with was sitting on two of them(one cow was lightly moaning), two were laying along the road(one of them was moaning) and one was walking along the fence(it fall over a few minutes later from bleeding to death). This was not OPEN RANGE and the cows were to be behind fencing. The sheriff or deputy got there and shot the two moaning cows. We all pushed the pickup truck off the two cows it was sitting on, pushed the pickup off the road and pulled the cows to the side of the road. This opened the road and traffic started moving again. The cause??? The man that had hit the cows had just, that day, finished restoring the mid 60's pickup truck and was taking his wife for a ride in it. He claimed to have been doing the speed limit when he went and kissed his wife. When he looked back at the road, it was too late. He killed 5 cows, totaled out a beautifully restored "uninsured"(hadn't insured it yet) pickup truck and stopped traffic for a good hour all for a kiss......The pickup truck had been finished being totally restored and destroyed the same day . At least he and his wife were wearing their seat belts. After all this excitement, we went onto Holcomb, Kansas where we had to wait for our loads...
Woke up again in Laredo and called dispatch!!! Was informed not to get rid of room as not many loads coming over border today. This is getting FRUSTRATING. The town is starting to look like a parking lot for our tractors. Did same as other days...Ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant, talked with the waiter(as much as I could), went to Wal-Mart, got munchies for rest of day, went to motel, checked swimming pool for known drivers and then watched TV for rest of day/night.
A Trucker's Tale: (Kissing and driving don't mix...)
This tale is from me as I was the trucker involved. I and another one of our company's reefer (refrigerated trailer) unit drivers had just finished delivering our loads to the Wal-Mart warehouse in Loveland, Colorado. We both got deadheaded(sent "empty") to Holcomb, Kansas to the slaughter house for meat loads. I loved this deadhead as it is many easy going "paid" miles off the main interstates. The other driver hadn't been to this meat plant before so I said just to follow me. We took off down I-25 to I-70 east. Just past Limon, Colorado we took Hwy 287 south; we are off the main routes now. I always stopped at Hugo, Colorado for a big cold drink and a logbook break. We stopped and then headed out again. We followed Hwy 287 past Kit Carson(Colorado) to Eads(Colorado) where we caught Hwy 96 to Sheridan Lake, Colorado. At Sheridan Lake, we took Hwy 285 south to Hwy 50 east. We took this route around Lamar, Colorado just to bypass the state weigh station. We continued into Kansas where we went through the towns of Coolidge and Syracuse. The speed limit on these two lane roads is 65 miles/hour. Well, we had been out of Syracuse for awhile and I was running "front door"(first one of two drivers running along together). I saw in the road ahead a tractor trailer with it flashers blinking. I told the driver behind me that I didn't like to see this. We got to the rig and found that the accident had just happened. The road was shut down!!! No "person" was seriously injured!!! What happened? There are many details for this tale!!! A man going west bound had hit 5 full grown cows that were on the road. The truck he hit them with was sitting on two of them(one cow was lightly moaning), two were laying along the road(one of them was moaning) and one was walking along the fence(it fall over a few minutes later from bleeding to death). This was not OPEN RANGE and the cows were to be behind fencing. The sheriff or deputy got there and shot the two moaning cows. We all pushed the pickup truck off the two cows it was sitting on, pushed the pickup off the road and pulled the cows to the side of the road. This opened the road and traffic started moving again. The cause??? The man that had hit the cows had just, that day, finished restoring the mid 60's pickup truck and was taking his wife for a ride in it. He claimed to have been doing the speed limit when he went and kissed his wife. When he looked back at the road, it was too late. He killed 5 cows, totaled out a beautifully restored "uninsured"(hadn't insured it yet) pickup truck and stopped traffic for a good hour all for a kiss......The pickup truck had been finished being totally restored and destroyed the same day . At least he and his wife were wearing their seat belts. After all this excitement, we went onto Holcomb, Kansas where we had to wait for our loads...
November 19, 2009
November 19, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Laredo, Texas)
Called dispatch this morning and was told that there wouldn't be anything for me today so I need to keep the room. I did. Went to church today and then to the store for munchies for the rest of day. Went back to the motel and watched TV until dark. Went to the pool and found some drivers I knew so I sat down. Chit-chatted for about an hour and then back to motel.
A Trucker's Tale: (Chuck's “touch” with religion...)
Chuck, my former boss at the truck school I taught at, told me of the time he felt the “touch” of religion. He had a load and was getting close to Cleveland, Ohio with it . The traffic was starting to get heavy and he was alert of the possibility that he may have to slow down quickly. He was a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him when the time came to do a swift slow down. He began to slow down with no fear until a car changed lanes and ended up in the space in front of him. The car was TOO close and he hit it in the trunk and it hit the car in front of it. That car hit the one in front of it. Turned out that three cars were involved with his truck. The car that had pulled in front of him had Catholic Nuns in it. No one was injured but he received a citation for following too close....even though he wasn't. Since he had a good record with his company, his employment did not suffer. Watch it...This has happened to many a truck driver...If you have a space in front of you, always expect someone to pull into it...stay alert...
Called dispatch this morning and was told that there wouldn't be anything for me today so I need to keep the room. I did. Went to church today and then to the store for munchies for the rest of day. Went back to the motel and watched TV until dark. Went to the pool and found some drivers I knew so I sat down. Chit-chatted for about an hour and then back to motel.
A Trucker's Tale: (Chuck's “touch” with religion...)
Chuck, my former boss at the truck school I taught at, told me of the time he felt the “touch” of religion. He had a load and was getting close to Cleveland, Ohio with it . The traffic was starting to get heavy and he was alert of the possibility that he may have to slow down quickly. He was a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him when the time came to do a swift slow down. He began to slow down with no fear until a car changed lanes and ended up in the space in front of him. The car was TOO close and he hit it in the trunk and it hit the car in front of it. That car hit the one in front of it. Turned out that three cars were involved with his truck. The car that had pulled in front of him had Catholic Nuns in it. No one was injured but he received a citation for following too close....even though he wasn't. Since he had a good record with his company, his employment did not suffer. Watch it...This has happened to many a truck driver...If you have a space in front of you, always expect someone to pull into it...stay alert...
November 18, 2009
November 18, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Georgetown, Texas)
Woke at the sun was coming up but I think I beat it up. Walked into truckstop and got some munchies to eat(didn't eat them until today) and talked to the clerk about Georgetown. Got log book caught up and headed out for Laredo. Got to where they have a double decked interstate freeway through Austin, Texas. I took the upper level as the traffic was very mild on top. Being Saturday, the lower level was mild also most likely. Just before San Antonio I slowed down for the know speed trap through Selma, Texas. The speed trap no longer exists as the highway was redone and the places the policeman sat were done away with. Stopped at “Just a Truckstop” east of the I-10 & I-410 intersection east of San Antonio(Texas). Filled my tanks(took 44 gallons) as there is no good fuel stop for us in Laredo, Texas. This stretch between San Antonio and Laredo usually has several broken cars around the road. This is a long quiet drive if you are running by yourself. The towns you encounter are very small and off the road one side or the other. Got to our terminal in Laredo,Texas and found that they wanted me to deliver the load to the custom broker's(the company that takes care of the trailer going across the border) yard. I delivered the load and then bobtailed(no trailer) to our yard. No load out and was told it would be awhile and to get a motel room(our company paid $20.00/day for us to get a motel room).
Trucker helpful hint: (watch yourself...)
For refrigerated(reefer) trailer drivers....I ran across a driver with the company I was driving for, that had a story that we all can learn from. He claimed that he stopped for the night at the southbound rest area on the West Virginia Turnpike. He had left his reefer unit running and went to sleep. He woke up during the night and the reefer unit was NOT running. He got out to check it and as he was looking at it, a person stuck a gun in his back and robbed him of $400+. He had been saving that money for his daughter's Christmas present. Possible suggestion... 1-blow your air horn before getting out of your tractor. You will irritate other drivers, but may scare a thief away. 2-get up and drive your rig down the road before checking the reefer unit. 3-keep any large amount of money hidden and always keep a small amount of money easily available. Truckers are believed to be carrying good amounts of money as they often have fees to pay. Be careful...
Woke at the sun was coming up but I think I beat it up. Walked into truckstop and got some munchies to eat(didn't eat them until today) and talked to the clerk about Georgetown. Got log book caught up and headed out for Laredo. Got to where they have a double decked interstate freeway through Austin, Texas. I took the upper level as the traffic was very mild on top. Being Saturday, the lower level was mild also most likely. Just before San Antonio I slowed down for the know speed trap through Selma, Texas. The speed trap no longer exists as the highway was redone and the places the policeman sat were done away with. Stopped at “Just a Truckstop” east of the I-10 & I-410 intersection east of San Antonio(Texas). Filled my tanks(took 44 gallons) as there is no good fuel stop for us in Laredo, Texas. This stretch between San Antonio and Laredo usually has several broken cars around the road. This is a long quiet drive if you are running by yourself. The towns you encounter are very small and off the road one side or the other. Got to our terminal in Laredo,Texas and found that they wanted me to deliver the load to the custom broker's(the company that takes care of the trailer going across the border) yard. I delivered the load and then bobtailed(no trailer) to our yard. No load out and was told it would be awhile and to get a motel room(our company paid $20.00/day for us to get a motel room).
Trucker helpful hint: (watch yourself...)
For refrigerated(reefer) trailer drivers....I ran across a driver with the company I was driving for, that had a story that we all can learn from. He claimed that he stopped for the night at the southbound rest area on the West Virginia Turnpike. He had left his reefer unit running and went to sleep. He woke up during the night and the reefer unit was NOT running. He got out to check it and as he was looking at it, a person stuck a gun in his back and robbed him of $400+. He had been saving that money for his daughter's Christmas present. Possible suggestion... 1-blow your air horn before getting out of your tractor. You will irritate other drivers, but may scare a thief away. 2-get up and drive your rig down the road before checking the reefer unit. 3-keep any large amount of money hidden and always keep a small amount of money easily available. Truckers are believed to be carrying good amounts of money as they often have fees to pay. Be careful...
November 17, 2009
November 17, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Joplin, Missouri)
Had a wake up call at the motel I was at for 7 AM. I went to the terminal and checked on my load. The trailer was sitting in the yard and dispatch gave me the paperwork. I went out to my new tractor and drove it around the yard for awhile. My previous tractor was a cabover and I felt like I wasn't going to be able to keep the tractor in the proper position in the travel lane. Anyway, I filled my tanks with my knew fuel cards and hooked up to my trailer, weighed load(whole truck: 57,260lbs) and started moving toward Laredo, Texas. Wouldn't you know it, the I-44 Missouri couple(weigh station), before going into Oklahoma, was open. I still wasn't comfortable with where I was in the lane. Now I have to pull onto the scale. I did it very carefully and successfully. On to Big Cabin, Oklahoma where I will get on Hwy 69 south. Those road signs advertising the buffalo farms; I really need to stop and see them one of these days. I got to Wagoner(Oklahoma) and felt I needed a break so I stopped at Wal-Mart department stores. I walked around the store just looking at people and things. Saw nothing exceptional...bought some stationary supplies. Went back to the truck and headed south. Drove through Muskogee, Oklahoma. Just after passing I-40 we get into the hill country which ends with a good downgrade into McAlester, Oklahoma. Got to Stringtown, Oklahoma (interesting history) and slowed down for the well known speed trap(in1989) and then back up to a decent speed and hooked up with Hwy 75. Took Hwy 75 over the Red River into Texas and then down into Dallas. Went through downtown Dallas and hooked up with I-35E to our Red Oak Terminal(Texas) Filled with fuel to see how my knew tractor is doing with fuel. I got 5.89 mpg and I guess the engine still is tight. Continued to where I-35E and I-35W merge into I-35 and then kept going. Stopped at a truckstop at Georgetown, Texas for the night. I had plenty of time to get to Laredo, Texas.
Trucking Student Question: My rig(18 wheeler) weighs 57,260 lbs. My steering has 11,060 lbs on it, my tractor drives 28,800 lbs. What is the weight on my trailer tandems??? Even though I am legal, what would I have to do if I wanted my trailer tandems and tractor drives closer in weight(my fifth wheel doesn't move)???
Had a wake up call at the motel I was at for 7 AM. I went to the terminal and checked on my load. The trailer was sitting in the yard and dispatch gave me the paperwork. I went out to my new tractor and drove it around the yard for awhile. My previous tractor was a cabover and I felt like I wasn't going to be able to keep the tractor in the proper position in the travel lane. Anyway, I filled my tanks with my knew fuel cards and hooked up to my trailer, weighed load(whole truck: 57,260lbs) and started moving toward Laredo, Texas. Wouldn't you know it, the I-44 Missouri couple(weigh station), before going into Oklahoma, was open. I still wasn't comfortable with where I was in the lane. Now I have to pull onto the scale. I did it very carefully and successfully. On to Big Cabin, Oklahoma where I will get on Hwy 69 south. Those road signs advertising the buffalo farms; I really need to stop and see them one of these days. I got to Wagoner(Oklahoma) and felt I needed a break so I stopped at Wal-Mart department stores. I walked around the store just looking at people and things. Saw nothing exceptional...bought some stationary supplies. Went back to the truck and headed south. Drove through Muskogee, Oklahoma. Just after passing I-40 we get into the hill country which ends with a good downgrade into McAlester, Oklahoma. Got to Stringtown, Oklahoma (interesting history) and slowed down for the well known speed trap(in1989) and then back up to a decent speed and hooked up with Hwy 75. Took Hwy 75 over the Red River into Texas and then down into Dallas. Went through downtown Dallas and hooked up with I-35E to our Red Oak Terminal(Texas) Filled with fuel to see how my knew tractor is doing with fuel. I got 5.89 mpg and I guess the engine still is tight. Continued to where I-35E and I-35W merge into I-35 and then kept going. Stopped at a truckstop at Georgetown, Texas for the night. I had plenty of time to get to Laredo, Texas.
Trucking Student Question: My rig(18 wheeler) weighs 57,260 lbs. My steering has 11,060 lbs on it, my tractor drives 28,800 lbs. What is the weight on my trailer tandems??? Even though I am legal, what would I have to do if I wanted my trailer tandems and tractor drives closer in weight(my fifth wheel doesn't move)???
November 16, 2009
November 16, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-Joplin, Missouri)
Got new tractor late yesterday so today I finished moving into it. Had to get dispatch to move me on the computer to my new tractor number 5948 and then get my permit book from the permit department. This I did and then I requested a load to Laredo, Texas. Dispatch had one coming in but it would be here early in the morning. I had dispatch assign it to me and then went to the motel for the rest of the day and evening.
I am sick today(11-16-09)so this is it for today...Sorry....PT
Got new tractor late yesterday so today I finished moving into it. Had to get dispatch to move me on the computer to my new tractor number 5948 and then get my permit book from the permit department. This I did and then I requested a load to Laredo, Texas. Dispatch had one coming in but it would be here early in the morning. I had dispatch assign it to me and then went to the motel for the rest of the day and evening.
I am sick today(11-16-09)so this is it for today...Sorry....PT
November 15, 2009
November 15, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Woke in Tulsa where I went into the truckstop for some munchies. Came out and got my logbook all legal and headed for Sand Springs, Okl,ahoma for a glass load. Got to the shipper and had to wait until around 11 AM before they loaded me. I got out of there around noon and headed toward Joplin(Missouri). I was in the company yard around 2:15 PM and I was asking for my new tractor. I had to drop my trailer and check in with dispatch. Dispatch told me to check with maintenance for my new tractor which I did. I parked the new and the old one next to each other and spent the rest of the day moving things from the old to the new. Tomorrow I will need to get my permits.
A Trucker's Tale: (the trucking joys of Quebec...)
I had been in Quebec several times and never had any trouble with the Quebec Department of Transportation or Highway Patrol(Provincial Police). One of our training drivers came into our Detroit, Michigan terminal with his student. They had just come from Quebec. They had been stopped by a Quebec officer when the officer pulled over several trucks. The trainer than said the officer, in his very clean outfit and out of his fully equipped white van(even had a dispenser for his gloves), proceeded to do a vehicle inspection. The driver said that this officer couldn't find anything wrong with the unit except for an outdated “company” sticker. This outdated sticker meant nothing to any government entity!!! This officer then fined the company $550 US dollars for that sticker. The driver then said this officer had a wireless FAX and setup for importing US “ComChek”s(checks that give truckers easy access to money). The company had to send this officer the $550 before he would release the truck. The company did send the money. The officer then went to the other trucks....After I heard this, I tried to avoid the Quebec law enforcement altogether--Ontario law enforcement???I never had trouble with them all the many times I was up there and I never heard other than "normal" stories about them...
Woke in Tulsa where I went into the truckstop for some munchies. Came out and got my logbook all legal and headed for Sand Springs, Okl,ahoma for a glass load. Got to the shipper and had to wait until around 11 AM before they loaded me. I got out of there around noon and headed toward Joplin(Missouri). I was in the company yard around 2:15 PM and I was asking for my new tractor. I had to drop my trailer and check in with dispatch. Dispatch told me to check with maintenance for my new tractor which I did. I parked the new and the old one next to each other and spent the rest of the day moving things from the old to the new. Tomorrow I will need to get my permits.
A Trucker's Tale: (the trucking joys of Quebec...)
I had been in Quebec several times and never had any trouble with the Quebec Department of Transportation or Highway Patrol(Provincial Police). One of our training drivers came into our Detroit, Michigan terminal with his student. They had just come from Quebec. They had been stopped by a Quebec officer when the officer pulled over several trucks. The trainer than said the officer, in his very clean outfit and out of his fully equipped white van(even had a dispenser for his gloves), proceeded to do a vehicle inspection. The driver said that this officer couldn't find anything wrong with the unit except for an outdated “company” sticker. This outdated sticker meant nothing to any government entity!!! This officer then fined the company $550 US dollars for that sticker. The driver then said this officer had a wireless FAX and setup for importing US “ComChek”s(checks that give truckers easy access to money). The company had to send this officer the $550 before he would release the truck. The company did send the money. The officer then went to the other trucks....After I heard this, I tried to avoid the Quebec law enforcement altogether--Ontario law enforcement???I never had trouble with them all the many times I was up there and I never heard other than "normal" stories about them...
November 14, 2009
November 14, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Troy, Illinois)
Was woken up at 6 AM by a company driver who was told to swap his trailer with me. I swapped it with him and called dispatch. This load was set up and I wasn't told of it. Anyway, I had this load that was to go to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma car plant. Left Troy and headed for Joplin(Missouri) first. Went I-70 west to I-255 south and which changed to I-270 north. Kept on I-270 until I got on I-44 west. This routing kept me out of the morning traffic. Got to the restaurant at Marshfield, Missouri that I simply enjoy...great salad bar, fried chicken and ribs...The lunch buffet was just getting started so I helped myself. After lunch, I headed for our yard in Joplin(Missouri). Got there and found that they had gotten in a few new tractors. I requested one but was told to go ahead and take my load to Oklahoma City. I did and around 7 PM I had dropped my trailer at the car plant east of Oklahoma City. Went to our yard in Oklahoma City and called into dispatch. Was told to pick up a load of glass tomorrow in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, just west of Tulsa(Oklahoma) and take it to the Joplin yard where I was scheduled to get my new tractor. I went to Tulsa and parked for the night at the truckstop just entering Tulsa.
SECOND 5 YEARS: (I don't understand...just do what I am told...)
I once picked up a full load of frozen whip cream in midstate New York and took it to the caves around Kansas City, Missouri. While I was being unloaded, a truck from my company was being loaded with the same frozen whip cream to New Jersey. Why couldn't I just have taken my load to New Jersey? I saw this once in awhile with different companies. I once picked a load of glass up in Sand Springs, Oklahoma to Columbus, Ohio. After I was unloaded, I was sent to Zanesville, Ohio for a load of glass to Dallas, Texas. I get paid to do it, not to ask questions...
Was woken up at 6 AM by a company driver who was told to swap his trailer with me. I swapped it with him and called dispatch. This load was set up and I wasn't told of it. Anyway, I had this load that was to go to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma car plant. Left Troy and headed for Joplin(Missouri) first. Went I-70 west to I-255 south and which changed to I-270 north. Kept on I-270 until I got on I-44 west. This routing kept me out of the morning traffic. Got to the restaurant at Marshfield, Missouri that I simply enjoy...great salad bar, fried chicken and ribs...The lunch buffet was just getting started so I helped myself. After lunch, I headed for our yard in Joplin(Missouri). Got there and found that they had gotten in a few new tractors. I requested one but was told to go ahead and take my load to Oklahoma City. I did and around 7 PM I had dropped my trailer at the car plant east of Oklahoma City. Went to our yard in Oklahoma City and called into dispatch. Was told to pick up a load of glass tomorrow in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, just west of Tulsa(Oklahoma) and take it to the Joplin yard where I was scheduled to get my new tractor. I went to Tulsa and parked for the night at the truckstop just entering Tulsa.
SECOND 5 YEARS: (I don't understand...just do what I am told...)
I once picked up a full load of frozen whip cream in midstate New York and took it to the caves around Kansas City, Missouri. While I was being unloaded, a truck from my company was being loaded with the same frozen whip cream to New Jersey. Why couldn't I just have taken my load to New Jersey? I saw this once in awhile with different companies. I once picked a load of glass up in Sand Springs, Oklahoma to Columbus, Ohio. After I was unloaded, I was sent to Zanesville, Ohio for a load of glass to Dallas, Texas. I get paid to do it, not to ask questions...
November 13, 2009
November 13, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Marshall, Michigan)
Woke up at the truckstop here in Marshall about 7 AM. I immediately got to cleaning the trailer out of that horrible dark purple natural asphalt I had been carrying. I swept out a little of the stuff but it still was on the floor and I was tracking it around with my shoes. I went into the store and bought paper towels and some cleaner spray and went back to the trailer. I got on my knees and hand wiped the whole floor and it still looked dark purple. I decided that I had done what I could so that was it!!! I called dispatch and was told to pick up a load of auto parts in Battle Creek, Michigan and take it to Troy, Illinois for a relay. I got to the pickup in Battle Creek at 10:30 AM(CST) and was told to back up to the dock. They started to load me as soon as I did. I watched the fork truck load me with dark purple tire tracks as they exited my trailer. The dock was clean. I was headed for Troy, Illinois by 11:45 (CST). I went I-94west to I-80 west to I-55 south. Stopped at Funk's Grove, Illinois rest area off of I-55 for a short break(I love writing Funks Grove in my log book) and then I was on my way again. Got to the truckstop at Troy, Illinois at 6:30 PM my time and traded loads. I was told I would get a relay in the morning. Backed under the other drivers trailer he traded with me and went into the truckstop and watched TV until about 10 PM. Went to bed...
SECOND 5 YEARS: (difference between receiving companies)
One time I received a meat load from Colorado to two companies in Kentucky. I decided to unload the meat myself. The first stop, I was given a powered pallet jack, pallets and told to "GO FOR IT". Before lunch in Kentucky, I was at my second stop. This second drop, I was told that I was to palletize the boxes of meat and the dock employees would take the pallets out. Well, the employees went to lunch and I had gone as far as I could with the palletizing. I went and got a powered pallet jack and was moving the pallets out. An employee came onto the dock, saw me using the pallet jack and started yelling at me to not use their equipment. Luckily I got enough out of the trailer to finish stacking my meat load before they all came back from lunch.
Woke up at the truckstop here in Marshall about 7 AM. I immediately got to cleaning the trailer out of that horrible dark purple natural asphalt I had been carrying. I swept out a little of the stuff but it still was on the floor and I was tracking it around with my shoes. I went into the store and bought paper towels and some cleaner spray and went back to the trailer. I got on my knees and hand wiped the whole floor and it still looked dark purple. I decided that I had done what I could so that was it!!! I called dispatch and was told to pick up a load of auto parts in Battle Creek, Michigan and take it to Troy, Illinois for a relay. I got to the pickup in Battle Creek at 10:30 AM(CST) and was told to back up to the dock. They started to load me as soon as I did. I watched the fork truck load me with dark purple tire tracks as they exited my trailer. The dock was clean. I was headed for Troy, Illinois by 11:45 (CST). I went I-94west to I-80 west to I-55 south. Stopped at Funk's Grove, Illinois rest area off of I-55 for a short break(I love writing Funks Grove in my log book) and then I was on my way again. Got to the truckstop at Troy, Illinois at 6:30 PM my time and traded loads. I was told I would get a relay in the morning. Backed under the other drivers trailer he traded with me and went into the truckstop and watched TV until about 10 PM. Went to bed...
SECOND 5 YEARS: (difference between receiving companies)
One time I received a meat load from Colorado to two companies in Kentucky. I decided to unload the meat myself. The first stop, I was given a powered pallet jack, pallets and told to "GO FOR IT". Before lunch in Kentucky, I was at my second stop. This second drop, I was told that I was to palletize the boxes of meat and the dock employees would take the pallets out. Well, the employees went to lunch and I had gone as far as I could with the palletizing. I went and got a powered pallet jack and was moving the pallets out. An employee came onto the dock, saw me using the pallet jack and started yelling at me to not use their equipment. Luckily I got enough out of the trailer to finish stacking my meat load before they all came back from lunch.
November 12, 2009
November 12, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Woke up at 7 AM and the gal (Sugar Plum) I had been running with was up at her steering wheel. I asked if she had plans for breakfast and she said she was thinking about it. We went back into the restaurant. She had a simple breakfast and I had the steak breakfast(1 lbs steak with potatoes and 3 eggs). We then headed east on I-80. She wanted to stop at the truckstop at Walcott, Iowa for some reason, so I pulled in also. A female in the parking lot signaled for me to stop so I did. She told me that one of “MY COMPANY “ drivers had told her that if she would spend the night with him, that he would take her with him. Well, she did and he kicked her out of the truck and took off. Because I worked for the same company, I owed her a ride. I told her that I didn't think so and to get lost. She did. Sugar Plum was really to go by the time I was done with that gal wanting a ride. We continued east into Illinois and then into Indiana where we split up at Lake Station(Indiana). She continued east and I stopped for fuel at “Just A Truckstop. I took 136 gallons. I didn't need to be in Marshall, Michigan until tomorrow so I stopped to eat and watch a movie. I was about 6 PM went I left Lake Station. Traffic was heavy but flowing at a good speed. Crossed into Michigan about 7 PM and was just enjoying the evening. I passed a small truckstop when I got to Marshall at 9(CST) and found the company had just opened for the week. I told them what I had on from where and they said to just back up to the dock and they would unload it, which they did. I watched them unload the trailer and found out that one of the 4500 ten pound bags had broken open. I looked in the trailer to find this dark purple power over the entire floor. I decided to clean it in the morning....OR AT LEAST TRY TO!!!! I was back to the Marshall, Michigan truckstop before my calendar day was over. Went to sleep....
A Trucker's Tale: (The danger of tire pressure)
I was sitting in a tuckstop between Cincinnati and Dayton(Ohio) when I heard this one....We must realize that truck tires, when inflated correctly, hold 100 to 125 lbs of pressure. Well, at one time, according to the tale, one trucker's girl friend left and this trucker (call him Pete) found her with another driver and they were in the second driver's tractor. Pete started arguing with the second driver and the female. When he realized he wasn't going to win this argument, he took his pocket knife out and stuck it into the driver's tire. The blade penetrated the side wall(It had to be a "mean" pocket knife to do this on one blow) and the blade broke off. The air pressure shot the blade out hitting Pete in the throat. He started bleeding badly. There was a male driver watching all this that was registered nurse, but he didn't want to get involved. Before the medical help got there , Pete bleed to death...
Woke up at 7 AM and the gal (Sugar Plum) I had been running with was up at her steering wheel. I asked if she had plans for breakfast and she said she was thinking about it. We went back into the restaurant. She had a simple breakfast and I had the steak breakfast(1 lbs steak with potatoes and 3 eggs). We then headed east on I-80. She wanted to stop at the truckstop at Walcott, Iowa for some reason, so I pulled in also. A female in the parking lot signaled for me to stop so I did. She told me that one of “MY COMPANY “ drivers had told her that if she would spend the night with him, that he would take her with him. Well, she did and he kicked her out of the truck and took off. Because I worked for the same company, I owed her a ride. I told her that I didn't think so and to get lost. She did. Sugar Plum was really to go by the time I was done with that gal wanting a ride. We continued east into Illinois and then into Indiana where we split up at Lake Station(Indiana). She continued east and I stopped for fuel at “Just A Truckstop. I took 136 gallons. I didn't need to be in Marshall, Michigan until tomorrow so I stopped to eat and watch a movie. I was about 6 PM went I left Lake Station. Traffic was heavy but flowing at a good speed. Crossed into Michigan about 7 PM and was just enjoying the evening. I passed a small truckstop when I got to Marshall at 9(CST) and found the company had just opened for the week. I told them what I had on from where and they said to just back up to the dock and they would unload it, which they did. I watched them unload the trailer and found out that one of the 4500 ten pound bags had broken open. I looked in the trailer to find this dark purple power over the entire floor. I decided to clean it in the morning....OR AT LEAST TRY TO!!!! I was back to the Marshall, Michigan truckstop before my calendar day was over. Went to sleep....
A Trucker's Tale: (The danger of tire pressure)
I was sitting in a tuckstop between Cincinnati and Dayton(Ohio) when I heard this one....We must realize that truck tires, when inflated correctly, hold 100 to 125 lbs of pressure. Well, at one time, according to the tale, one trucker's girl friend left and this trucker (call him Pete) found her with another driver and they were in the second driver's tractor. Pete started arguing with the second driver and the female. When he realized he wasn't going to win this argument, he took his pocket knife out and stuck it into the driver's tire. The blade penetrated the side wall(It had to be a "mean" pocket knife to do this on one blow) and the blade broke off. The air pressure shot the blade out hitting Pete in the throat. He started bleeding badly. There was a male driver watching all this that was registered nurse, but he didn't want to get involved. Before the medical help got there , Pete bleed to death...
November 11, 2009
November 11, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-crossing border into Nebraska)
I started the day off under a logbook violation as I will get to my goal of Big Springs, Nebraska about 1:30 AM which I did. I parked and went to sleep. Got up at 9 AM, fueled my truck(only put on 130 gallons because of my weight), had some breakfast and got my logbook caught up. Took off for Michigan. Had a goal tonight of getting to Williamsburg, Iowa where I will have a steak dinner and go to the movie room and hopefully watch Crocodile Dundee 2(never have seen it). Took off east... I was nearing North Platte, Nebraska when I picked up a female driver on the CB radio really getting a mouthful of garbage from the male drivers. I talked with her and we went to channel 26 and talked for a long time. She called herself “Sugar Plum” and seemed like a nice gal. We stopped at “Just A Truckstop” at York, Nebraska where she had to fuel. We continue on into Iowa and stopped at Williamsburg, Iowa for the night. Sugar Plum went in and had a steak dinner also but she said she would like to go back to her truck and talk some more. I had plans so I said I would see her at 8 AM and I went to the movie room. I was the only one down there so I saw Crocodile Dundee 2. Went to my bed about 11 PM and sawed some logs...
I started the day off under a logbook violation as I will get to my goal of Big Springs, Nebraska about 1:30 AM which I did. I parked and went to sleep. Got up at 9 AM, fueled my truck(only put on 130 gallons because of my weight), had some breakfast and got my logbook caught up. Took off for Michigan. Had a goal tonight of getting to Williamsburg, Iowa where I will have a steak dinner and go to the movie room and hopefully watch Crocodile Dundee 2(never have seen it). Took off east... I was nearing North Platte, Nebraska when I picked up a female driver on the CB radio really getting a mouthful of garbage from the male drivers. I talked with her and we went to channel 26 and talked for a long time. She called herself “Sugar Plum” and seemed like a nice gal. We stopped at “Just A Truckstop” at York, Nebraska where she had to fuel. We continue on into Iowa and stopped at Williamsburg, Iowa for the night. Sugar Plum went in and had a steak dinner also but she said she would like to go back to her truck and talk some more. I had plans so I said I would see her at 8 AM and I went to the movie room. I was the only one down there so I saw Crocodile Dundee 2. Went to my bed about 11 PM and sawed some logs...
November 10, 2009
NOVEMBER 10, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Little Bonanza, Utah)
Awoke at 6 AM Utah time so I would be up when the crew got here. I found a moving van sitting next to me with the driver sitting at it's wheel. I talked to the driver(Dan was his name) and he had gotten this loud from a broker(Brokers find loads for trucks and get part of the pay). I forgot where his load was going. The crew finally drives in in a bus. I found out that they are all bussed in from Vernal, Utah. The residence are all bussed in??!!! After everyone got to there work stations and down to work, we(the moving van and I) were escorted to docks away from the main buildings and over a hill. We both opened our doors and backed to the docks. The guys working the dock were all covered in masks and wore throw away white suits with shoe covers. All these pieces of covering are taped together. I and Dan asked why all the covering. They said this stuff is really messy. It is called Gilsonite(natural asphalt) and it has a really dark purple color. Dan decided to pick up his blankets as they were laying throughout his trailer. I helped him pick up and store his blankets and he gave me a bland new heavy one. It took till about 1 PM to get me loaded and longer to get the paperwork ready. They had a truck scale and I asked them to weigh my truck with the load of 45,000 lbs. Since the scale couldn't be trusted-(probably never saw someone to certify it), I just got it so it weighed about the same on the trailer tandems(trailer double axles) and my tractor tandems(tractor's double drive axles). I also checked to see how it read on my steering wheels. Things are close but I will be OK. Took my mileage as when I fill with fuel, I don't want to put in anymore than I burn. Will figure my fuel at 6.5 mpg. The manager showed me a road that's not on the map and will save me about 45 miles he claims. I took that road and left at 2 PM (MST). Caught Hwy 64 north to Dinosaur, Colorado. I stopped at the post office and mailed 3 postcards to my kids with the Dinosaur post office stamp on it. Left east of Hwy 40 and got a lot a frustrating up and down driving. Yeah, the weight of the load stops one from keeping the speed up going up a hills and them trying to keep it within the speed limit going down a hill. Got into Steamboat Springs, Colorado and I just fell in love with this town...”Love at first sight” even if it is 6:30 and after dark. Didn't stop and shortly hit a very steep grade. No runs at this grade as it was steep before you get to the steep part. How steep??? How about 4th gear in low range for about 20 to 30 minutes. I was working my way over “Rabbit Ears Pass”. Finally over it and caught Hwy 14 north to Walden, Colorado. Caught Hwy 125 north where I descended a 6 % graded for 6 miles. With this weight on, special attention had to be paid to my downhill decent. Took Hwy 230 into Wyoming and then into Laramie where I stopped for a break at 10 PM. I finished my calendar day off by crossing the border into Nebraska....
Awoke at 6 AM Utah time so I would be up when the crew got here. I found a moving van sitting next to me with the driver sitting at it's wheel. I talked to the driver(Dan was his name) and he had gotten this loud from a broker(Brokers find loads for trucks and get part of the pay). I forgot where his load was going. The crew finally drives in in a bus. I found out that they are all bussed in from Vernal, Utah. The residence are all bussed in??!!! After everyone got to there work stations and down to work, we(the moving van and I) were escorted to docks away from the main buildings and over a hill. We both opened our doors and backed to the docks. The guys working the dock were all covered in masks and wore throw away white suits with shoe covers. All these pieces of covering are taped together. I and Dan asked why all the covering. They said this stuff is really messy. It is called Gilsonite(natural asphalt) and it has a really dark purple color. Dan decided to pick up his blankets as they were laying throughout his trailer. I helped him pick up and store his blankets and he gave me a bland new heavy one. It took till about 1 PM to get me loaded and longer to get the paperwork ready. They had a truck scale and I asked them to weigh my truck with the load of 45,000 lbs. Since the scale couldn't be trusted-(probably never saw someone to certify it), I just got it so it weighed about the same on the trailer tandems(trailer double axles) and my tractor tandems(tractor's double drive axles). I also checked to see how it read on my steering wheels. Things are close but I will be OK. Took my mileage as when I fill with fuel, I don't want to put in anymore than I burn. Will figure my fuel at 6.5 mpg. The manager showed me a road that's not on the map and will save me about 45 miles he claims. I took that road and left at 2 PM (MST). Caught Hwy 64 north to Dinosaur, Colorado. I stopped at the post office and mailed 3 postcards to my kids with the Dinosaur post office stamp on it. Left east of Hwy 40 and got a lot a frustrating up and down driving. Yeah, the weight of the load stops one from keeping the speed up going up a hills and them trying to keep it within the speed limit going down a hill. Got into Steamboat Springs, Colorado and I just fell in love with this town...”Love at first sight” even if it is 6:30 and after dark. Didn't stop and shortly hit a very steep grade. No runs at this grade as it was steep before you get to the steep part. How steep??? How about 4th gear in low range for about 20 to 30 minutes. I was working my way over “Rabbit Ears Pass”. Finally over it and caught Hwy 14 north to Walden, Colorado. Caught Hwy 125 north where I descended a 6 % graded for 6 miles. With this weight on, special attention had to be paid to my downhill decent. Took Hwy 230 into Wyoming and then into Laramie where I stopped for a break at 10 PM. I finished my calendar day off by crossing the border into Nebraska....
November 9, 2009
November 9, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-Ogden, Utah)
Woke at the truckstop at 6 AM (MST) and went into the truckstop and had breakfast. After breakfast, I drove to the Ogden tire store and parked on the side road where I will have to unload off of. After the store got opened, two workers came out and helped me get the trailer emptied. After my paperwork was signed, I drove back to the “No Big Deal” Truckstop, filled my fuel tanks(164 gallons) and got my logbook all caught up. Called dispatch and was told to go to Bonanza, Utah for a load to Marshal, Michigan. I took the truck back down to Bountiful (Utah) where I parked it next to a K-Mart store and behind a convenient store with other trucks. My Mom didn't live too far from there so I took her to lunch. After lunch, said, “Bye” and headed for Bonanza about 1 PM(MST). I went South on I-15 until I caught I-80 east. Did the steep climb out of Salt Lake City to Park City(Utah). Shortly after Park City, I took Hwy 40 south and east. Shortly after Heber City, Utah I was climbing toward “Daniel's Pass”. This whole area was so beautiful and I felt I was driving on the top of the world. I loved it!!!! This type of scenery makes driving great!!! When I got to Roosevelt, Utah, I found a grocery store with a parking lot that could take the truck. I stopped and bought some bottles of water and a lot of munchies which turned out to be a wise move. I left Roosevelt around 4:30 PM (MST) and started running along with two “lime” haulers who where hauling lime to the huge power plant north of Bonanza, They said to follow them as the sign to Hwy 45 and onto Bonanza was really small and hard to see. We chit-chatted through Vernal, Utah and then south toward Bonanza. These two drivers claimed to have never been to Bonanza but pointed me to it when they cut off for the plant. It was now dark out and I came upon a factory on my right side but no town. I kept going and no town. I finally went down a long grade with a sign at the bottom reading, “End of State Maintenance”. I had missed the town!!! I stopped my rig and got out and examined the desert dirt. I had to turn this rig around and part of it was going off the road and into this dirt. I decided to back the lighter trailer onto the dirt, keeping my whole tractor on the pavement. I did it!!! I was up the grade in a couple minutes and pulled into the plant that I had past. I talked to a fellow walking around and told him who I was picking up for. I told him I had missed Bonanza and he said no I hadn't. Bonanza consisted of 9 houses behind this plant. He said that I needed “Little Bonanza” which was off the road a couple miles back toward Vernal. There was a small, rusted out sign pointing the direction. I traveled over the small asphalted road a couple miles to Little Bonanza; I found "the town" and the company I was looking for. It was now long after dark and I didn't see anyone around. I parked in front of the building that looked like the head building. The parking area was a huge dirt field with a few small buildings circling it. One light was on for the whole area but the moon helped me see what was going on. The night was clear and cool as I walked a short distance from the truck. It was really nice outside for November. I went back to the tractor and tried to pick sometime up on the radio. I listened to a station out of San Antonio, Texas that faded in and out all night. Got logbook caught up, read, ate munchies and listened to the radio. Went to sleep early...
Woke at the truckstop at 6 AM (MST) and went into the truckstop and had breakfast. After breakfast, I drove to the Ogden tire store and parked on the side road where I will have to unload off of. After the store got opened, two workers came out and helped me get the trailer emptied. After my paperwork was signed, I drove back to the “No Big Deal” Truckstop, filled my fuel tanks(164 gallons) and got my logbook all caught up. Called dispatch and was told to go to Bonanza, Utah for a load to Marshal, Michigan. I took the truck back down to Bountiful (Utah) where I parked it next to a K-Mart store and behind a convenient store with other trucks. My Mom didn't live too far from there so I took her to lunch. After lunch, said, “Bye” and headed for Bonanza about 1 PM(MST). I went South on I-15 until I caught I-80 east. Did the steep climb out of Salt Lake City to Park City(Utah). Shortly after Park City, I took Hwy 40 south and east. Shortly after Heber City, Utah I was climbing toward “Daniel's Pass”. This whole area was so beautiful and I felt I was driving on the top of the world. I loved it!!!! This type of scenery makes driving great!!! When I got to Roosevelt, Utah, I found a grocery store with a parking lot that could take the truck. I stopped and bought some bottles of water and a lot of munchies which turned out to be a wise move. I left Roosevelt around 4:30 PM (MST) and started running along with two “lime” haulers who where hauling lime to the huge power plant north of Bonanza, They said to follow them as the sign to Hwy 45 and onto Bonanza was really small and hard to see. We chit-chatted through Vernal, Utah and then south toward Bonanza. These two drivers claimed to have never been to Bonanza but pointed me to it when they cut off for the plant. It was now dark out and I came upon a factory on my right side but no town. I kept going and no town. I finally went down a long grade with a sign at the bottom reading, “End of State Maintenance”. I had missed the town!!! I stopped my rig and got out and examined the desert dirt. I had to turn this rig around and part of it was going off the road and into this dirt. I decided to back the lighter trailer onto the dirt, keeping my whole tractor on the pavement. I did it!!! I was up the grade in a couple minutes and pulled into the plant that I had past. I talked to a fellow walking around and told him who I was picking up for. I told him I had missed Bonanza and he said no I hadn't. Bonanza consisted of 9 houses behind this plant. He said that I needed “Little Bonanza” which was off the road a couple miles back toward Vernal. There was a small, rusted out sign pointing the direction. I traveled over the small asphalted road a couple miles to Little Bonanza; I found "the town" and the company I was looking for. It was now long after dark and I didn't see anyone around. I parked in front of the building that looked like the head building. The parking area was a huge dirt field with a few small buildings circling it. One light was on for the whole area but the moon helped me see what was going on. The night was clear and cool as I walked a short distance from the truck. It was really nice outside for November. I went back to the tractor and tried to pick sometime up on the radio. I listened to a station out of San Antonio, Texas that faded in and out all night. Got logbook caught up, read, ate munchies and listened to the radio. Went to sleep early...
GAD! THE HORRIBLE STUFF (Gilsonite-natural asphalt) I AM ABOUT TO PUT IN THE TRAILER!!!!
November 8, 2009
November 8, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Provo, Utah)
Woke up at 4 AM and decided I would head for Sandy(Utah) for the third delivery on this load; the first two drops having been made yesterday. Got up and ready for the day. Had some leftover munchies and I was off to Sandy. Got to the tire store about 5 AM (MST) and had to back in from the street. The street had very light traffic at this time of day. Backed to the back of the truck store and parked the truck were the employees cars could get around me. Then I waited for them. The first employees show up at 6:30 AM and I just sat there until they were ready for me. They had me back up to the unloading door and I got their tires off. Headed for The “Van Winkle” tire store and unloaded their tires there. The "Van Winkle" store called the Kearns(Utah)store and let them know I was coming. Headed west and then north on I-215. Just as I started north, I got off at 5400 South St. and went west to Kearns. Got to the store and parked in the street medium as there was a small truck unloading in my place. It wasn't long before they were done and I was told to back in to the unload door. This is the first store of the list of deliveries for this load where I have to roll the tires out of the trailer "uphill". Got the tires out and most got to the end of the trailer without hitting the trailer sides. Done here; it was off to the downtown Salt Lake City store. Got back on I-215 north to I-80 east. Ended up on State St. at the downtown store. I love this town as the streets are wide. It is said that Brigham Young laid the streets out by having a wagon be able to turn around (180 degrees) anywhere on that street. Got backed up to the door for unloading and had two fellows helping me get the tires off. It is now about 11 AM and I am off to their Bountiful (Utah) store which is a real pain if their cars on the lot aren't parked right. I asked if the downtown store manager could call the Bountiful store and he said he would. Continued up I-15 to Bountiful, Utah where I drove into their parking lot. The parked cars were OK so I was able to maneuver around easily and get backed up to their unloading door. This store also requires tires to be rolled out of the trailer "uphill"-worse than the Kearns(Utah) store. Was done with this days work by 1 PM. I asked if I could talk with the Roy, Utah store, my next stop and I could. The Roy store said to bring them on!!! By 3 PM I was in Roy, Utah and only have one more drop and that will be tomorrows job. Went to the "No Big Deal" truckstop in Ogden(Utah) where I will spend the night and where the last drop for this load is only two miles away.
Woke up at 4 AM and decided I would head for Sandy(Utah) for the third delivery on this load; the first two drops having been made yesterday. Got up and ready for the day. Had some leftover munchies and I was off to Sandy. Got to the tire store about 5 AM (MST) and had to back in from the street. The street had very light traffic at this time of day. Backed to the back of the truck store and parked the truck were the employees cars could get around me. Then I waited for them. The first employees show up at 6:30 AM and I just sat there until they were ready for me. They had me back up to the unloading door and I got their tires off. Headed for The “Van Winkle” tire store and unloaded their tires there. The "Van Winkle" store called the Kearns(Utah)store and let them know I was coming. Headed west and then north on I-215. Just as I started north, I got off at 5400 South St. and went west to Kearns. Got to the store and parked in the street medium as there was a small truck unloading in my place. It wasn't long before they were done and I was told to back in to the unload door. This is the first store of the list of deliveries for this load where I have to roll the tires out of the trailer "uphill". Got the tires out and most got to the end of the trailer without hitting the trailer sides. Done here; it was off to the downtown Salt Lake City store. Got back on I-215 north to I-80 east. Ended up on State St. at the downtown store. I love this town as the streets are wide. It is said that Brigham Young laid the streets out by having a wagon be able to turn around (180 degrees) anywhere on that street. Got backed up to the door for unloading and had two fellows helping me get the tires off. It is now about 11 AM and I am off to their Bountiful (Utah) store which is a real pain if their cars on the lot aren't parked right. I asked if the downtown store manager could call the Bountiful store and he said he would. Continued up I-15 to Bountiful, Utah where I drove into their parking lot. The parked cars were OK so I was able to maneuver around easily and get backed up to their unloading door. This store also requires tires to be rolled out of the trailer "uphill"-worse than the Kearns(Utah) store. Was done with this days work by 1 PM. I asked if I could talk with the Roy, Utah store, my next stop and I could. The Roy store said to bring them on!!! By 3 PM I was in Roy, Utah and only have one more drop and that will be tomorrows job. Went to the "No Big Deal" truckstop in Ogden(Utah) where I will spend the night and where the last drop for this load is only two miles away.
November 7, 2009
November 7, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Provo, Utah)
Woke up in the motel room again. Walked outside and looked at the mountains and thought about their beauty...What a place to be struck I thought. Just took it easy through the morning. Toward the end of the morning hours, I dropped my trailer to drive over to the tire store. I talked to the manager and he said that 1 PM would be fine. The Provo store manager then called the Orem(Utah) store manager and asked, for me, if I could deliver the tires to them after I finished in Provo. That manager said YES. So I delivered these two stores this afternoon. My third drop I will be at early in the AM as they are a bit of a challenge to back off the street. After the first two loads were off, I went back to the motel room and went back to the buffet restaurant and “filled” my tank! Got logbooks caught up-logging these drops- and watched TV until I fell asleep. Set my alarm for 3 AM (4 AM Utah Time) so I come get am early start tomorrow.
Woke up in the motel room again. Walked outside and looked at the mountains and thought about their beauty...What a place to be struck I thought. Just took it easy through the morning. Toward the end of the morning hours, I dropped my trailer to drive over to the tire store. I talked to the manager and he said that 1 PM would be fine. The Provo store manager then called the Orem(Utah) store manager and asked, for me, if I could deliver the tires to them after I finished in Provo. That manager said YES. So I delivered these two stores this afternoon. My third drop I will be at early in the AM as they are a bit of a challenge to back off the street. After the first two loads were off, I went back to the motel room and went back to the buffet restaurant and “filled” my tank! Got logbooks caught up-logging these drops- and watched TV until I fell asleep. Set my alarm for 3 AM (4 AM Utah Time) so I come get am early start tomorrow.
SECOND 5 YEARS: (too many flies)
I picked up meat loads at a meat plant in Nebraska that just made me question the brain power of upper management. In the trailer holding yard were old trailers broken down, trailers that had blood dripping out of them and the guard house had several hanging fly catchers with a lot of flies stuck to them. When we had to wait for the our meat loads, the flies would sit on our windshields and side windows in black masses. I had one truck driver come up to my tractor to ask me an important. I didn't want to open my window but I did and let in many flies. I asked the guards at the guard shack why they don't take care of all the flies? They said that management didn't want the sprays hurting the meat quality. With the crap these flies come from, I would think they might cause the meat problems as they can't help coming in contact with the meat...
November 6, 2009
November 6, 1989, 2009
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Provo, Utah)
Had the whole day off. Walked out my door and saw those mountains. Just beautiful; and the day was great also. I enjoy taking walks and the Provo tire store isn't that far from me so I walked to it. I talked with the manager and told him that I was fine with a Wednesday delivery, but I could delivery earlier if he wanted. He said they had a load coming in tomorrow's AM but tomorrow after I PM should be fine. I said I would call him late tomorrow AM to make sure it was still OK. I finished the walk and came back to the restaurant across the street and had the lunch buffet. The waitress asked what I did as I told her I was just passing through but would be here for a couple days. I told her that I was a professional tourist and that is all I said. Ate and went back to my room and watched TV the rest of the day. Bought munchies for dinner...
SECOND 5 YEARS:(empty trailer, mountains, rain, snow and a lot more snow-Part 2...Part 1 on November 5, 1989, 2009)
I woke after sunup and the roads were in good share with plenty of travel. Got all legal and checked to see that my brakes weren't frozen and then I was gone. Went through Burlington, Vermont shortly after getting going. I decided to stay on I-89 through St Albans, Vermont and get off it at Swanton(Vermont). Caught Hwy 78 to Hwy 2 to Champlain, New York. I am now only a couple miles from Quebec, which I've been in several times. At Champlain, I took Hwy 87 south to Plattsburgh (New York) where I was to pick up my load. The shipper had been notified I would be late. I got there around noon with all great driving this AM. The shipper loaded me quite fast and very light(17,450 lbs). I was taking it to Olathe, Kansas. Looking at the routing, the best way was to go past Buffalo, New York and Erie, Pennsylvania. The weather reports I got from the radio and other drivers said different. From Rochester and Buffalo(New York) through Erie, Pennsylvania there were roads closed with snow and the three mentioned cities had numerous feet of lake effect snow. I choose to go I-87 to Albany, New York where I caught I-88 to Binghamton, New York. I then took I-81 through Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania down to I-80. There I took I-80 west to our fuel stop in Milton, Pennsylvania. As I drove down the steep grade of the Interstate off ramp, my engine acted like it was out of fuel...I took 195 gallons. I had two 110 gallon tanks.
Had the whole day off. Walked out my door and saw those mountains. Just beautiful; and the day was great also. I enjoy taking walks and the Provo tire store isn't that far from me so I walked to it. I talked with the manager and told him that I was fine with a Wednesday delivery, but I could delivery earlier if he wanted. He said they had a load coming in tomorrow's AM but tomorrow after I PM should be fine. I said I would call him late tomorrow AM to make sure it was still OK. I finished the walk and came back to the restaurant across the street and had the lunch buffet. The waitress asked what I did as I told her I was just passing through but would be here for a couple days. I told her that I was a professional tourist and that is all I said. Ate and went back to my room and watched TV the rest of the day. Bought munchies for dinner...
SECOND 5 YEARS:(empty trailer, mountains, rain, snow and a lot more snow-Part 2...Part 1 on November 5, 1989, 2009)
I woke after sunup and the roads were in good share with plenty of travel. Got all legal and checked to see that my brakes weren't frozen and then I was gone. Went through Burlington, Vermont shortly after getting going. I decided to stay on I-89 through St Albans, Vermont and get off it at Swanton(Vermont). Caught Hwy 78 to Hwy 2 to Champlain, New York. I am now only a couple miles from Quebec, which I've been in several times. At Champlain, I took Hwy 87 south to Plattsburgh (New York) where I was to pick up my load. The shipper had been notified I would be late. I got there around noon with all great driving this AM. The shipper loaded me quite fast and very light(17,450 lbs). I was taking it to Olathe, Kansas. Looking at the routing, the best way was to go past Buffalo, New York and Erie, Pennsylvania. The weather reports I got from the radio and other drivers said different. From Rochester and Buffalo(New York) through Erie, Pennsylvania there were roads closed with snow and the three mentioned cities had numerous feet of lake effect snow. I choose to go I-87 to Albany, New York where I caught I-88 to Binghamton, New York. I then took I-81 through Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania down to I-80. There I took I-80 west to our fuel stop in Milton, Pennsylvania. As I drove down the steep grade of the Interstate off ramp, my engine acted like it was out of fuel...I took 195 gallons. I had two 110 gallon tanks.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)