September 30, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday)
In an Indiana rest area on I-74 when I was woken by my alarm clock. Sun won't be up for awhile so why so early? The scenery is best sometimes at night...This part of Indiana and all of Illinois I will be going through is farmland...Would rather go through western Kansas. Yes, I know, farmland has trees! Yep, but they mostly are wind breaks. I am not scheduled for unloading until later in the afternoon, but I still want to get their as soon as possible as I may get unloaded early. I followed I-74 west to the where it links up with I-80 near the Quad Cities(Iowa/Illinois) . With that long drive, I only made one stop at a truck stop in Bloomington (Illinois). The Quad Cities area has three ways to truck through it on the interstates but all ways will hit an Illinois scale house. The only decent way around the scale houses is to use 23rd ave/42nd Ave/Colona Rd. through Moline(Illinois). Anyway, I took I-74 west to I-280 west. Got off the interstate system at Hwy 92, just before going over the Mississippi River. I could have gone this trip better(I think now) if I would have got off of I-280 on the Iowa side, but... I followed Hwy 92 west, just south of the Mississippi River. The scenery was nice but the roads, though legal for me, were quite small for two lanes. Crossed the Mississippi River on a decent bridge where I ended up in Muscatine, Iowa. I found the factory I was to deliver my load of jars to and the time was 10 AM. I checked in at the receiving docks and they told me to come back at 6:30 pm as that was my appointment time. Their docks were quite busy so I was not bothered to come back later. The front of the plant had a place where I could park the truck if I wanted to. NOTE: This waiting time to get loaded or unloaded is often a point of irritation as it is down time for drivers who want to keep moving. It is really irritating when the shipper/receiver isn't doing anything but won't let you load/unload until an appointment time; especially if the unloading/loading will be pushed onto the next shift. This wasn't the case here, as I could see that appointments were needed due to the heavy use of the receiving/shipping docks. I took my rig back to a (some kind of food) Hut and filled "my" tank again. I had time so I stayed at my table, eating through the lunch buffet period and writing. When I stay at a table for more time than needed to eat, I leave a sizable tip as my time at that table probably took away from some of the waitresses tips. Went back to the "condiment" factory and waited until around 6:15 PM. While I was waiting, I watched several open trailers on the other side of the plant. Each trailer had a blackish cloud over it. These trailers were filled with tomatoes used in the making of the condiment here. These trailers would work like a dump truck and dump their contents into the factory. I asked what happened to the Blackish Cloud(flies swarming) when these trailers were dumped. I was told that the yard trucks(the tractors that move the trailers around) were suppose to shake the trailers before dumping the tomatoes. What happened to all the flies that weren't shaken off(had to be in the 1000's) and was told that after all the contents were crushed, it was filtered. Germs? The cooking process would take care of that. The crushed stuff had to have bug parts in it! Yes, but the government regulations OK so many bug parts per unit...What about the microscopic bug parts and "juices"....no problem, they are cooked!!! Now, have I eaten this product, not ketchup but made like it, since I saw all this??? Sure have and will continue. I know it sounds really gross to many, but look what people eat around the world. Look what our special military forces have to learn to eat to survive...Was unloaded at the dock right after 6:30 pm, as scheduled. Called dispatch and was given a load of auto parts going to Laredo, Texas to pick up in Iowa City(Iowa) Monday morning at 11 AM. That means I have a day off to help get time on my logbook. I knew there was a small truck stop in Iowa City but knew the "Just a Truck Stop" at at Walcott(Iowa) would have room; I went there. Sat in the movie room, talked "trucker tales" and watched movies as my day ended...

September 29, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Berkshire, Ohio)
Daylight was just filling the sky when I awoke at "All Right Truckstop" in Berkshire, Ohio. Had to drive to Zanesville(Ohio) for my load. Since my rig was empty, I decided to do back roads. Took Hwy 37 through the back roads to I-70 at Buckeye Lake, Ohio. Really enjoyed the scenery. At Buckeye Lake I stopped at my "best fast food burger" restaurants(not mentioning it-they're not paying for an AD and I got not cut in price). Picked up a four burgers to go and headed for Zanesville, Ohio. Got to the bottle company and got loaded. Started west on I-70 and stopped again in Buckeye Lake. This time I topped off my fuel tanks and got another couple burgers and a couple large fries(Love "junk" food-don't think of it as junk, just yummy). Continued west on I-70 to the "Just a Truckstop" on the Ohio/Indiana border. Just went for the buffet and filled me up. The two burgers I got at Buckeye Lake were in my cooler as I enjoy cold burgers. The fries I got were long gone!!! After "topping" my tank, it was off for Muscatine, Iowa. In Indianapolis I left I-70 for I-65 north, then I-465 south to I-74 west. Got to the rest area on I-74 just past exit 58 and bedded down. Sun was still up but I was tired and needed a logbook break...
Tomorrow: Do you want flies with that burger???

SECOND 5 YEARS: ( The Purple Cow)
Memories just keep coming. I remember stopping at one of my "best fast food burger" restaurants while heading for Georgia. While sitting in my tractor eating my four burgers, I was watching the cows graze. There was a "purple" cow in the group. It was a calf that looked like it was partially covered with some kind of purple stuff. Dye, debugger?? I don't know. I remembered the poem I heard in my childhood:

I have never seen a purple cow;
I never hope to see one.
I can tell you one thing though,
I 'd rather see one than be one.

Septembter 28, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-New Paris, Ohio) Woke up in New Paris, Ohio at the "Just A Truckstop", and shortly headed for Cleveland, Ohio. Often I will take the roads through Plain City and Delaware(both OHIO) and then hook into I-71 north but his AM I decided to go through downtown Columbus(OHIO). The traffic should (and was) be minimal. Just took I-70 east to I-71 north. Since my truck weight wasn't close to being 80, 000 lbs (It was around 49,000 lbs), I decided to fill my tanks in Berkshire(Ohio), take a break and then continue to Cleveland. Found the customer real easy as instructions were "right on". Cleveland, Ohio morning traffic was a lot of FUN!!! My unload time wasn't until the afternoon. There was a small shopping center a couple blocks from my drop off point so I pulled into it-plenty of parking. Called my customer and they said to "Come on in" and they would get their mattress material unloaded. I wasn't unloaded until 3:30 PM and back to the shopping center parking lot by 3:45 PM. Had called dispatch and was told to wait a bit. Was sitting in my driver's seat getting my logbook caught up when a friendly Cleveland "cop" walked up to my door. My first thought was that he was going to tell me to move on, but he didn't. He was stationed there to walk around the shopping center and he just wanted to talk. I believe he said that the shopping center paid Cleveland for the "extra" protection of having an officer walk around. We got talking about trucking and the law-obviously I am an expect with less than a year trucking. I jokingly (inside me I wasn't joking) told him how so many truckers(in 1989!! in 2009???) didn't like the Ohio High Patrol as they were far too strict with the 55 mph speed limit when all states-except Pennsylvania(even they did later )-had risen their speed limits. His reply really surprised me as he said that he and some of his fellow officers didn't like them either!!! He even said that they(OHP) had been known to pull over Cleveland police cars that were speeding without their RED/WARNING lights on. HOPEFULLY these patrol cars were unmarked; he didn't say!!! My conversation was a nice one as I enjoy meeting new people and hearing some of THEIR stories. I called in about 5 PM EST and was told to pick up a load of jars in Zanesville, Ohio, tomorrow. The load of glass jars was going to Muscatine, Iowa. Took off for Zanesville and headed for the "ALL RIGHT TRUCKSTOP"off of I-71 where I just bedded down for the night. ---Saturday...Would you like some flies with that Ketchup???

September 27, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Joplin, Missouri)
Woke around 3 AM here in the Joplin(Missouri) yard and went into dispatch to see what they had. They gave me a load of bedding stuff that was to be in Cleveland tomorrow. Hooked up to the trailer and off I was east on I-44 . I like driving nights so the drive was pretty nice for about 2 hours. The third to fourth hours were bad as the sun was right in my face. Close to the fourth hour on I-44 I passed Six Flags-St. Louis on the north side of the highway. I passed I-270 and got to the "roller coaster" of I-44. The road is just fun through St. Louis until we get to I-55. Went over the Mississippi River on I-70 and then stopped at the truck stop in Troy, Illinois for a break. After a little time out of the truck, I was heading for Cleveland. Enjoyed the ride on I-70 through Indianapolis, Indiana. Drove straight through to New Paris, Ohio (Ohio/Indiana border) and my favor truck stop chain, "Just a Truckstop", on I-70. Fueled(took 105 gallons), ate(ribs buffet) and took a break until tomorrow AM. (Tomorrow I tell you what a Cleveland Policeman said to me-believe it or not!!!).

A Trucker's Tale: (ripped off at "Just A Truckstop")
Why do I call one of my favorite truck chains "Just a Truckstop". Well, I did not call them this until I was in San Antonio at "Just A Truckstop". I had been sick for a few days and had just felt well enough to eat a little something but not much. A cheeseburger sounded good so I went over to the fuel island's little store and food stand and bought a wrapped "double" cheeseburger. I paid for it and then went to warm it up and put stuff on it. I opened it to find one hamburger and two pieces of cheese. I took it back to the lady and explained I wanted a double cheeseburger only to get ,"You got two pieces of cheese didn't you?" and "You got what you paid for!!" She wasn't joking with me. I was not a happy camper!

September 26, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday)
Got to our Joplin(Missouri) yard a little after 1AM and dropped my trailer. I was really tired so I parked my tractor and went to sleep. It was almost noon before I felt like getting up. I had told dispatch that I didn't want a load today so I walked to the shopping area where I shopped and ate. Came back to my tractor and just watched TV until I went to sleep again.

SECOND 5 YEARS: ( a trucker want-to-be...really)
I was parked at a mall waiting for a load one day. I was walking around my rig just doing a vehicle like inspection when a police car pulled up. The police officer asked if I had a few minutes to talk. I didn't have anything happening so I said yes. He then told me that he was quitting the police force and wanted to know about trucking. I asked him why he was quitting. He was only about 30 years old and was by himself in the car. He had been a "cop" for seven years and felt that after being chewed out for not chasing frogs from under a little bridge(they were bothering an older lady) one night when they were choking, he had had enough. Yes, he told the woman that he wasn't there to chase frogs and she reported him...and he got his %$#&^ chewed out. He also said that one night he was on patrol and there was a terrible accident. He, along with other officers, were attending to the injured or taking care of the situation. He decided that a man with a ripped open arm was low priority and went to help others. He turned to look at the man with the ripped open arm when he saw an older lady trying to help. She had got her needle and tread out and was sewing the man's arm up!!! Trying to be humorous, I asked what color tread. He said he didn't remember, and I could see he wasn't really being funny. He told me a couple more strange stories but they would probably insult some of us heavier people. I told him what I liked about trucking and what I didn't. I also told him that I knew a Missouri Highway Patrolman in Kansas City(MO) that told me that he wished he had the "GUTS" to change. I also had a friend on a city police force that I would stop and see in the early AM if he was on patrol. My friend loved to sit in my driver's seat, play like a trucker(yes, a policeman), toot on my air horn and play with my CB radio. He said he'd like to be a trucker after he retired(he was close to it) but his wife said, "Over my dead body!"when he asked her. The policeman and I parted; me being happy again to be a trucker.

September 25,1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday)
Woke up in Troy, Illinois and hassled to Hazelwood, Missouri to deliver by load of empty racks. Found the auto factory and was told to just drop my trailer and get an empty one. Before I left the auto factory, I called dispatch and they assigned me a load of beer to pick up around 5:30PM. I went over to a friend's who was the head of a food warehouse. Spent a good couple hours there. He told me that I was welcome to stay on his property whenever I needed to. After visiting, I went to get the beer load. I got to the sign in place and found I had a good three hours to wait so I called a female friend in the St. Louis area. Talked for about 30 minutes. When it came time for my load, I got it....When I was assigned this load, I was told that I would be bringing it to the Joplin(Missouri) company yard, which I did. After getting the load I just took I-44 west to Joplin. As midnight came, I was traveling past Mt Vernon, Missouri.

September 24, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday)
I thought when I awoke about all the fun and excitement that I could have while sitting here in Effingham, Illinois all day. "OH Boy" is what I was thinking to myself until time came to do something. I went into the restaurant and found some more drivers from my company. Had the breakfast buffet and had my favorite, sausage sandwiches made with heavily buttered Texas toast. Well, it was looking like breakfast was going to be the highlight of my day. I decided to move on toward Hazelwood (Missouri) so that tomorrow I would have more hours on my logbook to run. That I did. I drove to Troy, Illinois where there is a nice truck stop where we even have a little movie theater for truckers. Was there by lunch so I parked my unit and took it easy the rest of the day; I really couldn't go any further.

SECOND 5 YEARS: ( thought I was caught???)
Some days one just has to wonder where their mind is at. I had a meat load from Dakota City, Nebraska going east. It was mid morning and I was feeling pretty good. I had crossed into Iowa at Sioux City and was proceeding south on I-29. I got to I-680 as I was getting close to Omaha and Council Bluffs. Took I-680 to I-80 East and hammered down(fast as I could go) which was about 72 miles per hour in this truck. The speed limit was 65 mph but I was feeling good with nothing bothering me. I remember passing the rest area near Casey(Iowa) when ahead of me was another truck with a car behind it. I was hammer down and those two vehicles were getting closer. I moved over to the fast lane, never slowing down, and started to pass the car. The car then looked strange to me; It was a full grown smoky(highway patrol car with all lights and stickers). I was looking right into the Smokey's eyes. My first thought was to slow down as I knew I was pedal to the metal(hammer down), but I had already got caught, I thought, so I just kept going. I got past the other semi and pulled back into the slow lane when the state trooper pulled around the truck also. He also pulled back into the slow lane when he passed that truck thus putting him behind me a decent distance. I hadn't slowed down as he had me dead to rights, but he pulled off the Interstate at the next exit he came to!!! Go Figure!!! See October 1, 1989, 2009

September 23, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday)
Dispatch in our Detroit office gave me a load of empty racks from Canada, going to Hazelwood, Missouri. The trailer is not scheduled to be there until Monday so I decided to get the trailer and head for Effingham, Illinois for today and tomorrow. Got hooked up when a couple drivers asked if I wanted to go to breakfast with then. I did. Afterward, I headed south toward Toledo, Ohio, on I-75. Took I-475 around the west side until I got to Hwy 24 where I went west. Hwy 24 is another two lane road that I find interesting and don't know why. As I approach Antwerp(Ohio), I start to get anxious as the town has only three stoplights & I have never got through all three without having to stop. The spotlight on the east end of town is totally worthless!!!TOTALLY!!!
Anyway, I cross into Indiana where on the south side of this two lane highway, in the middle of a corn field half the year, there is one huge tire plant????? I stop for a break at a New Heaven (Indiana) east side small truck stop. I like this place for a bunch reasons. Stopping here I often get to see the Amish and their buggies. Also the way the trucks stop in the parking lot. I usually will stop and get some chips and drip to eat while sitting on large concrete slabs. After New Haven it is through Fort Wayne(Indiana) until we get to I-69 going south. Munching on my chips and dip, I happily head south toward Indianapolis stopping at a rest area about 25 minutes before Indy. This is the last stop I make before getting to Effingham, Illinois. Pulled into the companies truck stop(the one we 're contacted with) and park for the night. I went into the restaurant and find other driver from my company so I sit, eat and tell trucker tales like them...

September 22, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday)
The shipper in Keokuk, Iowa got me loaded by 7:30 am and the loads weight according to my paperwork was 16,500 lbs, making me and the load weigh about 50, 000 lbs. Around 8 AM I was off across Hwy 136 eastward through much more farmland(would take Kansas over this any day!). After enough back roads I got to I-55 north which I took. About 1:30 I got to one of the many branches of my favorite truck stop, "Just A Truckstop", in Lake Station, Indiana off of I-94. All that farmland land is behind me and now "green" lays ahead most the way to Detroit. Ate at the truckstop and then it was off again. Took I-94 east into Michigan and drove straight to our Detroit terminal. Was told to drop trailer in our yard. Parked tractor and bedded in for the night as I was tired.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (Miracles-I still can't believe it)
A truly honest mistake nearly cost me dearly and to this day I don't know how I got away with it. I had been dispatched to pick up a load in Concord, New Hampshire which, when I got there , was canceled. Called dispatch and they told me to find a place to park for the night-it was just early afternoon. South of Concord I found an interesting truck stop where I parked the truck and went in and looked around. Nice place!! Later in the day I was outside my truck, having logged "out of duty" in my logbook, talking to another driver who was familiar with this spot. It was past dinner time so we wondered in for something to eat. We got out food, which was good and the service was great. Our waitress was really funny and the other waitress was funny also. Our waitress may have had some mental problems as she was too free with her words(not "dirty" ones) and thoughts while being funny. After a fun evening, I bunked in with no messages on my satellite box. Next morning I was deadheaded(sent with empty trailer) to Waterbury, Connecticut to pick up a load. I got up and got something to eat. Then headed through Massachusetts with no problems. Got into Connecticut where I had to enter a scale house. The inspectors were out in full force. I was in no hurry and got the sign that diverted me to the scales and inspection area. No big deal as I thought that I was legal. I had to wait a good 20 minutes before an officer asked to see my paperwork and logbook. While a couple inspectors looked around my truck my logbook was being examined-didn't have paperwork as I was empty. He handed me back my logbook and told me to have a good day. I was off. I reached Hartford when my satellite box beeped and the light came on. I pulled over to a phone and called in. They had canceled the Waterbury load and given me a New Haven (Connecticut) load. No problem. Since I was stopped, I decided to get my logbook caught up. I got it out and to my horror-yes horror-I found out that I hadn't updated it since I shut down yesterday in New Hampshire. I was driving through the most strict states for obeying the laws with my logbook showing me off duty in NH. Don't know how I got away with it!!!

Setember 21,1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday)
Awoke before day break in McLean, Illinois and legalized my paperwork. Took off north on I-55 toward Chicago. Over the years I somehow developed a liking for the highway system through Chicago; don't know why, just did. Took I-55 to I-294(toll road)north to I-94 to Milwaukee. This trip around Chicago was uneventful. Not too many miles into Wisconsin, I started noticing cheese stores along the west side of Interstate; none on the east side. I wanted to stop but didn't. As I closed in on Milwaukee, Wisconsin the Interstate seemed to elevate. Looking off to the west I could see the housetops which all seemed a weak "A" frame design. The roofs are so uniformed that they appeared the tops of a world war one tent city. Found the delivery point and the customer told me to back up and they would unload all their roofing material. It is amazing that such a little amount can weigh so much.
After the unloading, called dispatch was was told to go to Keokuk, Iowa for a load of car parts for Detroit, Michigan. Knowing the scenery I wood be seeing(Farmland and more farmland) , I left Milwaukee and headed south on I-43 to Beloit (Wisconsin). At Beloit, I fueled my tractor(86 gallons) and then parked the rig. I walked over to Wal-Mart(a different store front than I was use to seeing)and bought a number of food items for the truck, including "goodies" for this afternoons run. Got back into the tractor and got caught up on my logbook. Legal again!!! Broke out a big bag of raffled plain potato chips and a large container of onion dip and was headed south on I-39. As soon as I entered Illinois the toll road started. I-90 runs with I-39 just east of Rockford(Illinois) and where I-90 turns southeast to Chicago, I stayed on I-39 south. Not too far south I took I-88(toll road) west to the quad cities. East side of the quad cities, I hooked into I-74 going south. By now my chips and dip were gone and so I decided to wait until Keokuk, Iowa to see what else I would eat. At Galesburg(Illinois) I took Hwy 34 and ended up where I wanted to go, Burlington, Iowa. Thought about stopping and walking around but I was anxious to get to my pickup site for tomorrow. Took Hwy 61 south through some beautiful scenery along the Mississippi River. Got to the shipper in Keokuk, Iowa just after dark. They told me to back up to the dock, with my doors open, and wait until morning. The neighborhood wasn't too interesting but I decided to walk around anyway...

September 20, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Stringtown, Oklahoma)
Woke up while being parked at the speed trap of Hwy 69 , Stringtown, Oklahoma. Continued up highway 69 passed Adair(Oklahoma) where the highway bill boards start advertising a domestic buffalo herd. Onto Joplin via I-44. Got to the terminal and thought I needed a good laugh so I walked up to our Safety Department. Looking at them just made me depressed so I went back to dispatch and told his to get me out of there. He said that he had a load to Milwaukee, Wisconsin but the trailer wouldn't be in for about another half hour. I told his I will take it. I went out to the fuel islands but decided to fill up after I get my trailer. I stayed by the fuel islands and cleaned out all the trash I had been saving. I emptied out the trash even though it wasn't a rainy day. Funny thing, there was a tractor parked over by the fence that seemed to be rocking back and forth...probably was maintenance on the other side of the yard idling the tractor on this side in case it blew up. Sometimes these tractor have a bad cylinder.. ??? Why would they take a chance on it blowing up over here by the fuel islands???Never have figured this one out. Got trailer and weighed my whole unit. With the roofing material I was carrying, my unit weighed 79,920 lbs (Max was 80,000). Happy I hadn't put any fuel in as it would have just added more weight. I had plenty of fuel to get me to my goal for the day: McLean, Illinois. I traveled east on I-44 toward St.Louis. This stretch of highway has it good points and it's bad(see "Second 5 Years" below). As we are going east we go down a little hill that goes over BIG Piney Creek and then we go over a big, big hill(requires at least two down shifts in gears) that goes over Little Piney Creek. Then when I would pass I-270 it would seem like a fun roller coaster until I get to I-55. I had stopped at the rest area just past Stanton(Missouri) to take a short break. Then I headed for my I-44 roller coaster. Past over the Mississippi River and onto Mclean for a sleep break and fuel. Got there and fueled, parked the rig and went in and had a Chef's salad(they were pre-made but I really enjoyed them. Bedded down afterward.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (I once had a BIG Truck)
The meat hauling company I was driving for had given me a really nice looking purple Kenworth to drive. About two weeks after I got it, I had it in the shop and told maintenance that it would occasionally blow black smoke. They checked the records and it had had it fuel/air ratio turned up to take care of a problem it had. It was running fine so they said to just run with it. Well, three times I had picked up "homemade" biscuits, for a fast food chain, from Joplin. Twice I took them to New Jersey and once to Atlanta. Well, all three times I was loaded at almost maximum weight(80,000 lbs) and I pulled that BIG, BIG hill over Little Piney Creek without one single down shift. I sure hated it when they took it away from me and gave me the choice of the new Freightliners that had just come in.

September 19, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday)
Arose from my motel bed to fine another day awaiting me. With nothing special planned, I called dispatch with hopes of a load . NO load but I was dispatched to bobtail(go with no trailer) to Joplin, Missouri. At least I am going. Checked out of the motel and hopped(yes, hopped) into my tractor and was off up Interstate 35. As I left Laredo(Texas), I put a cassette of oldies music in my radio I had made. I really prefer listening to radio stations but there just aren't any I enjoy around Laredo. Stopped in San Antonio(Texas) at the "Just A Truckstop" I like, and had lunch. I know this place is trying to get to my wallet but I like the food-at all it's branches-and atmosphere. Continued north on I-35 and my next stop was all the way to our Dallas terminal in Red Oak off of I-35E. They had a load of tires going to Salt Lake City(Utah) but Joplin-the main office-said that they needed me up in Joplin. Off I went. I decided to go through Dallas, even though I don't care for the highway system. Caught Hwy 75 and aimed myself toward Oklahoma. Even though I was breaking the logbook laws, I decided to go up to Stringtown, Oklahoma(speed trap) and drive eleven hours. Bedded down at the small Stringtown truck stop.

September 18, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Laredo, Texas)
Woke up...Funny, it is the same place yesterday that I went to sleep at night. I checked with dispatch and was told to check back tomorrow as there wasn't a load for me. Went to Wal-mart, HEB(supermarket) and Radio Shack to look around. No hobbies today. I am on the second level of the motel looking south and can see the top of the Wal-Mart I visited earlier. Between Wal-Mart and me is an old closed down drive-in theater that looks really bad. I went down to ground level so I could look into the parking area through a couple of fallen wall panels. Started talking with another driver from the company I work for and he is stuck here to maybe Tuesday as he just got in and got his room. His handle(nickname) is "Toadhopper" and before becoming a truck driver, he was an operation room charge nurse at an Oklahoma City hospital. Anyway, Toadhopper and I looked into the old drive-in parking lot and saw junk all scattered around. There was a sign out front that read of a Saturday(every week) swap meet but it looked more like a junk yard...Toadhopper had just got into Laredo, dropped his load, checked into the motel and wanted to go eat. I went with him to a restaurant he liked, The Cooking Spot, and had some kind of Mexican soup made with cow stomach. It was pretty good. After eating, I road around with him as I wasn't planning anything special the rest of the day. Talked with Toadhopper about his past as a nurse, as I had thought about that profession. He told me several things about his past, as I did mine. The one sad thing that stood out in my mind was what had really made him quite nursing(he did keep his license current)...SOPs(Stand Operating Procedures). If you are unaware of SOPs, the are the way thing are to be done put on paper. If something goes wrong, especially with a patient, the SOP s are reviewed and if they weren't followed, then the nurse, doctor or ??? could be found guilty of wrong doing. Licenses could be on the "chopping block". Toadhopper, with no doctor around, found himself in the operating room with a man who was waiting to be operated on when the man showed signs of needing CPR(by the SOPs). From the reason the man was in the operating room for , Toadhopper knew that CPR would make his condition bad enough to kill him and knew that the fellow's chances of survival had gone to "Zero". SOPs called for CPR and knowing the question would be asked why he didn't do it; he did it. He hadn't killed him but hadn't helped him either. Toadhopper had probably saved his license as a lawyer could have blamed the death on him had he not done it. Toadhopper, even though years of experience made him a good nurse, knew he was not a doctor and couldn't decide to not use SOPs.(side note: years later he went bad to nursing outside Oklahoma). Night getting late, we went to our rooms and didn't see each other again for many months.

September 17, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday)
Got up early this Sunday morning in Laredo, Texas and decided to go to church. I am amazed that I am in the same play two weeks in a row. Went to the Spanish Speaking congregation again and had an interpreter again. After the meetings I was introduced to the head of the English speaking group and he said that I should just come to their group. I said I would next time. As 1 PM came, I found myself driving around the residential neighborhoods that were safe for my tractor. I found these neighborhoods just interesting...the style and all. Went back to my motel room and wasted the rest of day until after dark when I found other truckers to sit around the pool and talk with.

September 16, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday)
Woke up this morning at the truckstop in Winfield,Texas. As I climbed into the driver's seat of my tractor, I saw a herd of deer across the Interstate. There was about 14 and not too easy to see, but I watched them anyway for about 20 minutes. I finished getting my logbook caught up and then took off for Laredo, Texas through Dallas. For for most part, I just don't see what the big deal about Texas is. Throughout most the state-I have covered it-I find short stubby trees and western desert. The driving is pretty boring except through some parts. I enjoy the area between Greenville, Texas and Lake Ray Hubbard along I 30. Got to Dallas, Texas area and once again choose to take I-635 /I-20 to I-35E south. I enjoy looking at the buildings downtown but the highway system leaves a lot to be desired. Stopped in Red Oak, Texas our Dallas terminal, to see what was happening. Talked to dispatch and other drivers for about an hour and then left to continue this Texas "adventure". The highways were really tore up being repaired south of Red Oak to where I-35E joins I-35W and turns into just old I-35. Drove rest of way to Laredo where I had to take my load to a broker who will get it over the border. The broker is open 24/7 so I took it over and dropped it. I was done for the day around 11 PM. Bobtailed(no trailer) back to our Laredo yard and bedded down for the night.

September 15, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday)
I got my load of what looked like scrape metal and I was off toward Laredo, Texas. Sorry if any of you live in Calvert City but I just was not impressed at all by it. I am glad that it is behind me. Headed down the Julian M Carroll Turnpike(toll road named after former governor) toward Memphis, Tennessee. After talking to the toll gal for about 5 minutes-no one behind me for that long- I started my ride through Kentucky. The ride was uneventful and beautiful as it is loaded with trees on both sides of the highway. Got to Tennessee and the speed limit dropped 5 miles per hour. I was on Hwy 51 down to Dyersburg, Tennessee where the "highway" heads for Missouri. Hwy 51 goes from nice "highway" to a four lane road...called "Hwy 51" that goes to Memphis. Continued down 51 through a number of small towns before coming to Memphis. I went to our terminal to fuel(took 167 gallons) and sit out a terribly heavy rain shower. My trailer had just been repaired from leaking. I wondered if it was holding up, but really didn't care as the load(trailer) was going to Mexico where parts are routinely stolen. After the rain and a partial clearing, in the sky, I took off for Laredo again. Followed I-40 to Little Rock, Arkansas where I grabbed I-440 to I-30 west. Had what looked like a double(non-serious) accident as I want through Hope(Arkansas). Other then that the ride today seemed pretty uneventful. Stopped at the truck stop in Winfield, Texas. Before going to sleep, I went into the restaurant and had an exciting meal of a hamburger and fries....

Semtember 14, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday)
What a way to start my day off. As mid-night came, I was entering Decatur, Illinois. I entered this town with a very poor attitude. I was dealing with the boring terrain, rain, mugginess and the outside of my windshield fogging up with the AC on. The AC had to be on to have it anywhere near comfortable inside. I didn't have a good experience going through this city only because of the circumstances. I was following Hwy 36 east as I went through Decatur. Halfway through, with the rain coming down, I caught the heavy scent of what I believed to be oatmeal. As I exited the city I found more farmland. The darkness of night, complimented by the rain, had covered the continued boredom of farmland-with occasional civilization-from St. Joseph, Missouri. I got to Indiana and shortly found a different world: forests, woods and trees. It almost seemed surreal with rain, telephone poles and the trees being cut a distance-maybe 15 feet-from the road. Got to Hwy 59 and traveled south to Brazil(Indiana).
Found customer pretty easy and parked by building as it was around 2 AM and the business was closed. Around 8 am, a very pleasant young woman, named Shawna, came to the truck and asked for the paperwork. We talked for awhile and them she told me where to park the truck for unloading. This place takes the scrap plastic and makes tubing out of it.
Unloading finished, I called dispatch and had a load of paper to pick up. I told them no as my trailer was leaking. The paper load was canceled and my call was transferred to the repair shop. I was sent to Terra Haute, Indiana for trailer repair. Found the trailer repair shop; a huge building with nothing else around it. The repairman was interesting. We talked and he told me of all his experiences. With all that he had experienced, why was he repairing trailers??? Because he likes to!!!!
After four hours of repairs, the roof was sealed from leaking but the door seal wasn't working well. I called dispatch for a load. Going the Calvert City, Kentucky for a load to Laredo. More new territory. Headed south from Terra Haute on Hwy 41. Before Vincennes(Indiana), I followed a person, doing the speed limit, that totally "drove" me crazy by leaving their right turn blinker on for a good 15 miles. EEEKKKK!!! Went through the miles of stoplights in Evansville(Indiana) before I crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. Took the Edward T Breathitt turnpike to the Wendell H Ford West Turnpike west to Interstate 24 west. Calvert City, Kentucky is just north of I-24 so got off and found the customer before dark. I parked my unit and had to wait for tomorrow to load. I wanted to take a walk and I did. Not a very exciting walk and so I went back to the truck and bedded down for the night...

September 13, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
I woke at the Kansas City terminal, having dropped my trailer in the yard last night. Was on the waiting list for a load here in Kansas City. Worked on the inside of my tractor and wrote in my journal. In the mid-afternoon, I got a load to Brazil, Indiana but I had to take an empty trailer to our yard in St. Joseph(Missouri) where I would swap for the loaded one when it gets to that yard. The loaded one got there after I did. I talked with our yard man who brought it in and he told me that the trailer was leaking inside. No real problem for now as I was just hauling scrape plastic. Rain is starting to come down and it looks like I will be taking Hwy 36 straight through to Indiana. Not the best route I have ever taken!!! Rainy dark night to be driving back roads. The drive this night wasn't too bad. Got through Hannibal, Missouri before my day ended....

SECOND 5 YEARS: (good clean meat products)
I don't like to name places by their real names as their "quality" is sometimes in question. I feel that by using their real names adds MAYBE a false sense of credibility to their products. The last 3 3/4 years I drove, I was what is called a "meat hauler". There were three companies whose products we find in our stores that I was very impressed with. The meat I hauled to them was decent cuts of meat and their facilities were very clean. They appeared to have employees that adhered to a code of cleanliness. I would NEVER have a problem eating their products. They were:
Hilshire Farms,
Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs
Slim Jims...Yes, Slim Jims...

September 12, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-traveling)
It seems like a nice night to be driving as I enter Oklahoma. This whole route through Oklahoma(Up Hwys 69 & 75 to I-44) has scenery that leaves a lot to be desired: shrubby trees and a lot of dirt in the hills and flat land. Just north of Atoka(a city of skinny traffic lanes) I passed through town of Stringtown. Stringtown is a speed trap. Going both ways into Stringtown, the speed limit is at its maximum when you hit town limits, it drops to 55 with no buildings around and one speed sign each way. Many traffic tickets have been given out here. I slowed down for the 55 mph and then back to 65. Continued to Muskogee(Oklahoma), the home town of five Indian Tribes. Stopped and took a break at the truck stop on the north side of Muskogee. Continued to Joplin, Missouri where I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop for breakfast. I noticed several management people of the company I work for having breakfast there also. After breakfast, I went to the company yard in Joplin and was told to drop my trailer in the yard and pick one up to Kansas City, Missouri. The mechanics at the tractor shop wanted to work on my tractor so they did. After the repairs I hooked up my trailer and headed out: took I-44 E to Hwy-71 north to Kansas City where I caught I-435 up along the east side of Kansas City to our KC terminal. Got there around 6 PM so just shut down for night after I had dropped my trailer in the yard. Went to dinner at the local buffet and then back to the yard. Bunked down and went to sleep.

September 11, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-traveling)
As I approached the dividing of Interstate 35 N into I-35W and I-35E, I had a minor decision to make as I can take either. I need to get on Hwy 360 north that is equal distance from downtown Dallas and Fort Worth. Kind of interesting in that the place I am going is in Fort Worth but is on the Dallas side of Hwy 360. Since it is Sunday night/Monday morning, I chose to take I-35W through downtown Forth Worth and take I-30 east to Hwy 360 north. Got to the Trinity exit where I went east about 2 mile. I chose to go though Fort Worth because I just like it and don't get the opportunity very often. Got to the toy warehouse and parked outside the gate behind two other trucks. Left truck running with the air conditioning on. Was woken by the gate guard at 7 AM and told to back into door 17; so I did. I had to help one of the warehouse employees unload the trailer. The employee was a female named Sandra. This is the second time I had
been unloaded by a female. The first time, the gal unloaded me in Benton Harbor, Michigan with a fork truck while polishing her fingernails!!! Anyways, Sandra and I unloaded the trailer of nothing but one type of female doll. We had to put the doll boxes on a pallet and since the whole trailer was dolls, when we were done we had pallets all over the place. We got done and no doll boxes were missing and she signed my paper work.
Called dispatch and reminded them that my lights had been stolen so they sent me over to Irving(Texas) to get repaired. The trailer repair shop fixed the trailer and I was then dispatched back to the toy warehouse to get a load to Michigan.
Went back to the toy warehouse where the trailer I needed was waiting for me. Picked it up and dropped the repaired one. When I left the warehouse gate, I pulled out onto the street and pulled over to the curb for a four hour nap. After the nap, I walked around my unit to check out lights and tires. I could see into the toy warehouse yard. As I was looking inside the gate, I was watching a truck backing up. Something went wrong: the driver backed their trailer into the trailer that was sitting there. The sitting trailer had its side ripped open and was leaning on its side as one of its dollies was bent. I was glad it wasn't my turn to have an accident. I couldn't help so I took off. Went north on Hwy-360 to Hwy-183 east. Went north on Hwy 12 'til it hooked up with I-35 E. At I-635 I went east to Hwy 75 north. As midnight came I was going over the Red River, boundary of Texas and Oklahoma.

September 10, 1989,2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday)
Got up this morning feeling like going to church. Looked up my denomination and found it down in a residential area. Got dressed in my best truckin' clothes and left. Didn't know the area I was talking my tractor into but found out...low trees got partially trimmed this Sunday. Got to the church a few minutes before services started at 9 AM. I found out that this building had two church services in it; one in Spanish, which starts at 9 AM and the other in English starting at 1 PM. The 9 AM services were just starting and one man asked me if I spoke Spanish. After I said no he offered to interpret for me. The only real problem with the service was the singing of hymns...Guess why...After the services were over, the interpreter invited me back and I said OK.
I went to the terminal and found my trailer there. It was not quite ready to go as all it's lights had been stolen. SURPRISE??? It's not uncommon to have trailer come back from Mexico with parts missing. The company even had a list of trailers that never came back: they had a picture of one that had been made into a house. I had no one to replace the lights as dispatch and the trailer repair guys were gone until late Sunday evenings. I did carry a couple spread lights so I put them in the brake/tail light spot on each side. Each side has spots for two tail lights. Called our main repair shop in Joplin, Missouri and they said to take it to a place in San Antonio. I set off up Interstate 35 to San Antonio. At the shop, I found the price of the repairs too high for me to have done without an OK. I called Joplin again and they said the price was too high for them also. I was put over to dispatch and told to go on with the load to Forth Worth. WHAT!!!???
There are no state or federal truck weight stations(where they might have pulled me over and sited me-must have all lights working) between me and my destination so they probably thought I could make it..I did. Worried all the way to Forth Worth as I just knew a state trooper would pull me over...No one did. Getting close to Fort Worth as midnight caught me.
Tomorrow: Dollies galore...

September 9, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Laredo, Texas)
Hopefully getting out of Laredo today so woke and looked at my project yesterday-fiberglass rose pizza-and padded myself on the back. Got ready for the day and went to the company terminal. Dispatch said I was assigned a load of toys, going to Forth Worth(Texas), that is suppose to come over the border tomorrow. An old friend of mine-a fellow driver-was in the trucker room so we talked for awhile. He-Sundance(his handle-nickname) had just got there so he was going to be there a couple days. We went back to the motel I had been for two nights and got a room together(cheaper for us as the company doubles the motel allowance of $20/day if we share). We went to the Chinese Restaurant and had lunch. Went to Radio Shack(real name) and just looked around. Saw a 5 Watt walkie talkie I really liked but not in my budget right now. Went to Wal-Mart(real name). Sundance bought some chrome things for his tractor. Went back to motel room, watched TV and told each other "Trucker Tales" until we fell asleep.

A Trucker's Tale: (caught with my pants down????)
I had a meat load to deliver in Jersey City, New Jersey. I got to destination about 8 hours too early. Since I was unloading the meat, I put on a flannel shirt and my overalls and laid down. Around 4 AM I was woken up and told to back into door three. Their enclosed deck was as expected; cold at about 35 degrees. After unloading, I called dispatch and was told to pick up a load of paper going to Wichita, Kansas. The instructions to this customer toward me to first move my trailer wheels all the way forward. That only means small streets. They were small but I got there. The shipping guy came to my truck and told me he would direct my backing my 68 ft long truck into the deck. The street was only 27 feet wide-I measured it. There was an older lady living across the street from the customer's and if trucks drove onto the curb, she would call the police. I was backed into the dock, which slid sideways, and got my load. After I had my paperwork, I pulled out to the left and down to the end of the street. I parked there to finish my paperwork. Adjacent to me at the intersection was a little commotion. A police car had stopped and a police person was talking to about three or four guys. As I continued, two more police cars showed up and a crowd was forming. I got gone with my paperwork and I was really hot. It was a hot day and I had a flannel shirt on. I decided to change it with a tee shirt. I decided to get out of the truck, put my chest against the stairs of my tractor, drop my overall straps and swap shirts. I was outside my tractor and the crowd had really growing. I got up and leaned against the stairs and dropped my straps. OH NO!!! I didn't have my overall side buttons buttoned; my overall back fall all the way down to my lower knees and left me standing there in my underwear. I looked at the crowd, about 30 feet from me, and no one was looking at me. I swapped shirts and pulled my straps back up. Got back in my tractor, started it and made a right turn and was gone...

September 8, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday)
Remember, I write of the good and bad I lived: you judge. Woke in my Laredo, Texas motel room with the TV on, volume low, so I laid there for a few minutes and watched it Got up, dressed for being in the public, and went across the street to the market and got breakfast; sausage, half & half(milk product) and candy coated peanuts-go great with sausage( I love junk food). Went back to room, ate breakfast and studied my pizza box. As I looked at the box, my mind started going wild(from breakfast menu???). I thought and thought and came up with something I could make; a fiberglass pizza!!!I decided to try so I walked next door to Wal-Mart(real name) and picked up a small fiberglass auto body repair kit, little "hobby" roses, model paints and brushes. Went back to room all excited to get started. I spread everything out on the motel room table, opened the curtains to get as much light as I could, and got started. I was just "as happy as a fly on possum poop!". Early afternoon came and a Latin gal walked past my window and she looked in. She walked to my room door, which I had open. I was painting the cheese on my fiberglass pizza when she walked in. She looked at what I was doing and asked,"What are you doing?". I told her and she responded as if she had no imagination...After a very short conversation she asked if she could use my bathroom. Boy, I hated to say no but I didn't trust this gal at all! I did say no and she just ask, "Please?". I say no again. She left. I finished my pizza by glue gunning little "hobby" roses on it; a rose pizza? I walked out and looked over the railing. I was on the second floor. While I was standing there, the driver from the room next to mine walked out and we started talking. Leaning over the railing, he asked me if a Latin gal had asked to use my bathroom. I told him yes and that I had told her no. Well, she went to his room and asked him and he said yes. He said she was in there a little bit too long and the time got his curiosity. He got up and walked to the bathroom and found the door half open. He saw her injecting some kind of a brown liquid into her neck. He got her out of there as fast as he could. He and I went to dinner together. We both had enjoyed the Chinese restaurant the other side of Wal-Mart, so we went there. Back to the room for the evening.
Tomorrow, in underwear near a crowd and three police cars....

September 7, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-traveling)
Got to San Antonio, Texas in the early, predawn morning. Drove around the truck parking lot and it was full. WHAT TO DO??? I wasn't feeling tired so I decided to continue toward Laredo. My logbook was out of driving time but maybe a little further to find a truck parking space would be alright? OK, a lot further(about 3 hours) to Laredo!!! Got to Laredo, Texas after the sun came up and my trailer was to be dropped in the yard, so I did. Was tired now as drove all night. Dispatch told me to get a motel room as I would be in Laredo to at least Sunday, so I did. Checked into the motel-great Latin atmosphere!-for two nights(company paid) and checked out my room. Walked across the street to the food store and got me sausage, a quart of half & half(heavy cream milk product) and some sour gummy bears-they go good with sausage-(I love junk food!!!). Stayed in room the rest of day...In the evening, I went to the pool-once again, great atmosphere-but there were a group of truckers, some I knew, sitting around and getting drunk. Didn't want to stay so I grabbed a pizza box with a couple pieces in it and went to my room again.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (Dad, I gave you three weeks...)
My second son Ron had been riding with me for three weeks and was scheduled to be in Kingdom City, Missouri(read history) on Saturday. Friday afternoon we were in Charlotte, North Carolina. I re-informed dispatch that I needed to be in Kingdom City the next day. They deadheaded(sent empty) me-and paid me-to Kingdom City. Ron and I drove to Knoxville where we bedded down for the night. Next morning we were heading toward Kingdom City and made one stop in Paducah, Kentucky for fuel; then straight through to Kingdom City. Now just think of how boring is it for a young teenager to sit in a truck all day and night...day after day. While we were traveling, I figured that he could stay out another week with me and so I asked him if he wanted to. What he said and how he said it was so cute that I will never forget it. He said, "Dad, I gave you three weeks. I have to go get ready for school to start". We met his Mom in Kingdom City where I dropped him off, called into dispatch, and was told to go the our terminal in Olathe, Kansas.

September 6, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-traveling)
Shortly after midnight, as the new day started, I pulled into our fuel stop in Nashville, Tennessee. I only put in 50 gallons as I will top off my tanks at our Memphis, Tennessee terminal when I get to it. Finished fueling, got me a big bag of chips(I love junk food) and headed for Memphis. Got there around 4:30AM. I topped off my fuel tanks, parked my unit, crawled back in my sleeper(my home), turned on the TV and went to sleep. Woke around 1 PM and went into the terminal to see what was happening or if I knew anyone(when you meet another driver you may never see them again). The drivers' room was empty. My next driving goal was to get to San Antonio, Texas. Drove west on Interstate 40 to Littlerock, Arkansas, where I caught I-30 west toward Dallas, Texas. Stopped just east of Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas, at a big truck stop and had dinner. Headed then toward Dallas. Just east of Dallas I-30 goes over Lake Ray Hubbard and this night There were boats on it with lights on them. I even saw one boat, to the south, shooting off fire works...beautiful. I needed to take I-35E south to Laredo so off of I-30 I grabbed I-635 around Dallas's southeast corner. Our Dallas terminal was near the intersection of I-635 & I-35E but I didn't stop: no need to. Continued south past where I-35E meets I-35W.
Midnight came during my drive.

September 5, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Maple Heights, Ohio)
Woke a 6:30 AM in the Cleveland, Ohio area, to find several semi-trucks behind me. One of the warehouse workers came out and got all the trucks paperwork and told me to back into the fourth hole(deck within the building). I got backed in. My trailer was inside the building and the the tractor was outside. I got out of my tractor and was walking in front of it and heard a "bang"! The truck backing into the first hole caught his right side trailer door on the edge of the building and ripped his trailer door off. You don't see that happen very often! The fellow standing outside the truck turned out to be a trainer and the one that tore the door off was a new driver. I got my trailer unloaded. I was given my signed paperwork and pulled out on the street. Came back into the building to make a check call on their phone. I was told to deadhead(go with an empty trailer) to Lima, Ohio and pick up a load of engines going to Laredo, Texas(I like going there...usually a couple days to relax. I love the Latin atmosphere). When the engines get to Laredo, they will go to a Mexican auto assembly plants. Took off for Lima. Went down Interstates 271 to interstate 71 south. Stopped at our fuel stop near Westfield Center, Ohio and got a fast bit to eat and was back on the road. Continued south to Mansfield, Ohio and headed west on Hwy 30. Boy, Hwy 30, to me, is a boring highway to travel. Happy when I got to I 75. Headed south on Interstate 75 to Lima. I got to the engine plant and my load was ready to go. Got the engines(all were 4 cylinder) and before I got back on I 75, I stopped and had lunch at a little restaurant I really liked. I was feeling a little tired so I laid down in my sleeper(My truck "home") and slept until about 6:15 pm. Got up and gave myself an 8 hour break there in my logbook(I had plenty of rest) and then started south on I 75 after a short truck inspection. Got to Dayton, Ohio where I pass a road I enjoy the name of so much that I had to stop and take a picture of it. (see picture at top). Continued through Cincinnati, Ohio, a town that I just love to go through. Why? Don't know...Just do. Traveled into Kentucky where I past Fort Mitchell, home of the Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum. Hooked on to Interstate 71 and headed for Louisville, Kentucky. I could take Interstate 265 around Louisville, but I like to see the downtown when there is not much traffic. I went through Louisville hooking up with Interstate 65 south. Went past Bowling Green, home of the Corvette. As the day ends, I am homing in on Nashville, Tennessee.

September 4, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Monrovia, Indiana)
Woke this morning to light rain. Oh, I love it! Went in truck stop and got me a big bag of potato chips with drip for breakfast. I love junk food. Why a poor breakfast? I am planning on stopping at one of the nicest places to eat in the country, Der Dutchman Restaurant. I headed for my two destinations, the restaurant and the Cleveland(Ohio) customer. Headed for Cleveland while eating my potato chips. I soon came to Indianapolis(Indiana). Many truckers like to use the southern bypass around the bottom of Indy: I like to go straight through. To me, Indy and Columbus, Ohio, have two of the most beautiful downtown buildings. They both are great looking at dusk. Leaving Indiana, I stopped at the first rest area in Ohio(very nice rest area) to use to bathroom and log a 15 minute break in my logbook. Continued toward the Der Dutchman Restaurant. When I got to Exit 79, I headed north on Hwy 42. This way of going to Cleveland gives truckers a way around Columbus and a bypass around the government scale on Interstate 71 north. I find this Hwy 42 is a nice route through this Amish Area. I love it. Got to the restaurant on the east of the Hwy and south of Plain City. Parked in the truck parking and went in to chow down. Came out totally satisfied. Should have logged this stop in my logbook but didn't. Continued north past another "fun" restaurant, Woody's, in New California(Ohio). Got to Delaware(Ohio) and caught Hwy36 east to Interstate 71 north. Where I met I 71, we have a truck stop where I filled my tanks(only took 97 gallons). Continued up to Interstate 271 and found the customer's place(in Maple Heights-suburb of Cleveland) around 7 PM. Not too warm outside so I parked outside the gate(they were closed and I was the only on there so far) so I could make a easy left turn into the gate in the AM. No houses around so I opened my passenger door and turned some easy going music on my tractor radio and sat on a boulder, read and enjoyed the sun going down. After dark, started my tractor up, turned on the air conditioning and watched TV until I fell asleep. Tomorrow...going to where I like and seeing something not seen too often...

September 3, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday)
Spent the night in my camper shell at my friends country property in Callaway County. Got up and went to church with my kids. Afterward, I left for Kansas City and back to my tractor. Shorty after getting on Interstate 70 going west, I noticed the car's engine temperature was a little high. Pulled over at a truck stop in Booneville(Missouri). Wasn't in a hurry but wanted to keep going. Checked my radiator fluid with the engine running and a heavy rag over the cap. Lot of steam but no liquid. Got liquid level up and decided to check oil since I hadn't checked it for a long time: Low also. Put 3 quarts in the V6 engine......No problems the rest of the way to KC. My trailer was in the yard when I got to our terminal. Got tractor, fueled(took 128 gallons), picked up trailer full of salad dressing and let dispatch know I was leaving. Left and drove straight through on I 70 east-I 270 over St. Louis-to a truck stop about a half hour from Indianapolis. Parked my truck between two JB Hunt trucks, let my truck idle with the air conditioning and TV on and went to sleep. Tomorrow...something to look forward to!!!

September 2, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday)
I have been stuck here at our terminal now for three days and can't get my load to Cleveland, Ohio until tomorrow afternoon. Since my car is here in the parking lot, I decided to go "home" to Fulton and see my kids. Enjoyed time with children...

SECOND 5 YEARS:
Had just picked up a load of whiskey from Cleveland, Ohio going to Dodge City, Kansas. I had a brand new Freightliner tractor with a double sleeper bunk. My wife and I had talked about my two younger daughters traveling with me for awhile. I called and told my wife I could pick one of the girls up when I past Columbia, Missouri. I picked up Sally-my middle daughter-and headed for Dodge City. Now that daughter, at that time, was known to like everything clean and neat. To stay clean, she could be found showering three times a day: wrong thing to do for this gal--riding in a semi. I remember that when we were about two miles from the Dodge City cattle yards-with the air conditioning going and the windows up-,Sally got this horrible look on her face and asked,"What is that horrible smell?". I told her that it was the cattle yards and that she hadn't smelled anything yet." That night we slept at the truck stop and that night was the first one that I had someone sleeping in the upper bunk...no problem but I would prefer the bunk up. Next morning I delivered the whiskey and got a load to pick up tomorrow here in Dodge City. Sally soon got use to the smell around the beef slaughter plant. Since we had the day off, I took here to the Dodge City "Old West" town, to eat and then back to the tractor packing at the meat plant to wait for the next day's load.

September 1, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEAR: (Friday)
The trucking seminar that started yesterday here in Kansas City, Missouri continues....After the seminar, I should have got 3 "snore" points for boredom. I got a load of salad dressing to Cleveland but I can't get it until Sunday afternoon. Slept in truck tonight...Boring!!!

SECOND 5 YEARS: (Lost in New Jersey with a shoe load)
I had a trailer load of shoes going to a warehouse in South Brunswick, New Jersey. I got on the New Jersey turnpike heading north from Interstate 276 around Philadelphia. Headed to Exit 8A where I was to exit the turnpike to the right. I got the instructions mixed up and turned left. Following what I thought was correct, I ended up in "I Don't Know". I came to that township. At the first light-a busy intersection-I decided I had to turn around. I decided to pull a "U" turn when my light turned green. The light turned and I moved forward angling my unit for a "U" turn. Started the turn and couldn't make it without a short backup. I made the short backup and completed the turn. As I cleared the intersection, I noticed a police car behind me . The officer turned his antlers(lights on car top) on and I pulled over. We both got out and walked toward each other. He asked for my license and told me he had me for four violations(turning left on a NO LEFT TURN, "U" turn on a NO "U" TURN, backing up in an intersection and holding up the flow of traffic). He was nice: he asked if I had seen the no "U" turn signs and I said no. He then pointed to four signs all reading "no U turn". I told him that I was nervous as I was lost and didn't know where I was. I told him the name of the warehouse and he told me where it was. Then he handed back my license and told me to be careful. I found the warehouse and checked in. Was unloaded just after another truck from my company drove in. After we were both were unloaded, we found a spot to park our trucks in the warehouse parking lot. Did a check call and were told we would be there that night.