October 31, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Laredo, Texas) What a nice night. Woke up in my Laredo, Texas motel bed after a great night of sleep. Called the dispatch here in Laredo and they told me that I would be here until tomorrow so I need to keep the room. I was a little frustrated as I wanted to get out of here. Oh well. I went and signed up for the room another night and than went to “The Cooking Spot” for a late breakfast. When I got to the restaurant I saw a couple drivers I knew so I went and ate with them. I just had the salad and soup buffet. This place have a Mexican soup called “Manuetoe”(spelling??) which is, to me, really good!!! After eating, I decided to drive to the community college and state college-both in the same area-and look around. When I got there I took a good couple hours just walking around and looking at things and people. The architecture was different from up north but the students didn't seem much different than when I when to college. Went back to my motel room and then to the pool to see if I knew anyone. Saw three drivers that I had seen but I really didn't know them. Went across the street to the supermarket and bought some things to munch on in my motel room. Went back to my room and stayed there through the evening watching Halloween specials...... A Trucker's tale: (...the seeker.) I don't relate ghostly stories unless I hear of them from more than one driver and hopefully after going past an area at least twice. One story I heard a couple times-at different travels through the area-was about a young teenage girl that had been hit and killed by a semi-truck. This tale takes place in northwest Alabama off a small highway that was used to bypass the main longer, road. The story is a short one...The football game was over and the weather was cool and very foggy. This young teenage girl got too close to the highway and got hit and killed by a passing semi. The roomer is that on foggy nights, she sometimes appears on the passing trucks running boards looking for the driver that killed her. The last driver telling me this story claimed one foggy night that he was scared as he thought that he saw her looking in his passenger side window. When looking closer he claimed he didn't see anything. The whole area now-in 2009- has been bypassed by a super slab(interstate like highway).

October 30, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday-Red Oak, Texas)
Awoke at 5:30 AM at our Red Oak(Dallas) terminal in Texas. Still had that non-company trailer that was going to Laredo. Got my logbook done, did a fast vehicle inspection and headed for Laredo, Texas. Still having other truckers(company and non-company) asking why I am pulling this non-company trailer over the CB radio(channel 19). Continued down I-35 E until it joined I-35 W and turned into I-35. Continued passed Waco, Temple, Austin(I took the upper level of their double dock interstate)and into San Antonio. I took a break in San Antonio at “Just A Truckstop”. Had the buffet to fill me up and then went out and filled my tractor tanks. I had last filled in Joplin(Missouri) and I now took 105 gallons. Headed onto Laredo. I drove into the yard in Laredo, Texas after 1pm and the terminal manager was at my truck within 5 minutes. I hadn't even got my trailer backed up in it's spot when the terminal manager was at my window. Before he said anything, I said that I had nothing to do with the decision to pull this trailer. I just do what I am told. He didn't say anything but, “give me the paperwork” which I did. He was really irritated as he has to get it switched and our yard has no place to do it. OH well, it isn't my problem. Checked in with the regular dispatch was was told to get a motel room as I will be here a day or two. I got a room at the motel I usually go to. Got some munchies and some junk food and watched TV the rest of the day. Walked to the pool to see if there were any other drivers I might know but I found no one.

A Trucker's Tale: (The Christmas Present)
I was at our company's trucker lounge late one Christmas eve when a driver came in really upset. He then told me his tale...He had been traveling toward Joplin(Missouri) on I-44 at the speed limit. He was minding his own business when two Big Trucks(fast moving trucks) passed him. Just as they got back into the slow lane a highway patrolman shot them with his radar gun and caught them speeding. He pulled all three trucks over as he-the MHP-believed the three to be running together. Our company driver told the highway Patrolman that he hadn't been running with the other two and the other two verified it. The patrolman didn't believe any of them. Our company driver then said that patrolman was getting really to let the three go because it was Christmas eve, when the wife of the driver in the first truck got out, called the officer a couple really bad names and them started to give him a piece of her “rotten” mind. The officer, without saying anything, went to his car, got the ticket book out and wrote all three speeding tickets...

October 29, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday)
Got up out of my bunk around 3:30AM just west of Rolla, Missouri. Got my logbook updated and headed for Joplin. Got to Joplin, Missouri early and had to drop my NON-company trailer so that the maintenance guys could would on my tractor. Basically I just needed batteries. I think I had three that were bad. They were replaced with used batteries and I asked why they weren't new ones. I was told that my tractor was not long for the company. It was getting close to being retired. I checked with dispatch and told them I had the trailer that had the load that needed to be switched to another trailer. Dispatch got a hold of someone that supposedly could switch the load. He couldn't get it and had a couple other guys work on it. I took another nap while those guys tried to get the load moved. They never did and I was told to take that non-company trailer to Laredo, Texas. I left for Laredo about 3 PM. I was running with another drive(nicknamed-handle-roadrunner) that was heading for Laredo. We ran to Big Cabin, Oklahoma on I-44 the then took Hwy 69 south to Muskogee, Oklahoma. Took a short break at the truckstop north of town. Continued down Hwy 69 until Hwy 75 joined in and then we followed Hwy 75 to Dallas. Took I-35 E to our terminal in Red Oak, Texas. Roadrunner continued but I stopped for the night. Snnoorree!!!!

SECOND 5 YEARS: (...not only regular drivers).
Just a short "second 5 years" but was joked about among the drivers that saw it. I was going east on I-70, just west of I-465, before going though Indianapolis when I noticed a highway patrol car struck in the mud in the highway medium(the grassed area between the east/wast bound lanes). The patrolman was standing by the car. I went right to my CB radio-which I had turned off-and sure enough, the poor guy was the talk of the CB waves....Where was the muddy medium when I got my speeding ticket(read about it on Oct 1, 1989, 2009 blog).

October 28, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday)
The sun was coming up as I arose here in Detroit, Michigan. I got up to my engine running as yesterday I found I had a number of batteries that had gone bad and the maintenance department told me to kept it running until I get it to Joplin(Missouri). I checked in with the Detroit dispatch and they had a comment on my computer screen to give me a load that would take me through Joplin for repairs. Dispatch told me to go to a warehouse in Romulus (Michigan) to pick up a load to Laredo, Texas(the load will end up in Mexico). I headed over to the pickup point only to find that the warehouse personnel hadn't unloaded the "stuff" from the trailer(not our companies) it came in on. It was backed up to their dock and I was told to back up to the dock next to it. They would unload it and reload it right into my trailer. Well, they couldn't get the piece on machinery out of that older trailer. They tried but couldn't. They told me that I could just take the whole trailer to Laredo. I called Detroit dispatch and after dispatch called Joplin, I got the OK to pull that trailer to Joplin where I would have them switch the load to one of our trailers. I was to drop our trailer in their yard and take their older trailer. I hooked up and did a very complete vehicle inspection as that different trailer just might be wired or "aired" different than our companies trailers. Everything was fine so I called into dispatch and told them I was heading to Joplin. The route I chose was I-94 west to I-80 west to I-55 south to I-44 west and ended up in Joplin. Stopped in Lake Station, Indiana at "Just A Truckstop" for lunch. This truckstop had a huge "stuffed" grizzly bear standing on it's hind legs. I looked at it and said to the gal polishing shoes next to it that it looked like my ex-wife(it did not) and she said,"You truckers are so stupid. You all married the same woman!" . Ate my lunch and headed on. My next stop, just for a break, was "Funk's Grove" rest area off of I-55 in Illinois. I would, through my trunking years, always try and stop there as I just liked writing the words "Funk's Grove" in my logbook. Took a short break and headed toward St. Louis and the I-44 roller coaster type highway. I love riding over that highway. Found the I-44 state coupe(state truck weigh station) open and had to weigh. No problem for me as this piece of machinery only weighed 7,500 lbs. I was on to Joplin. I ran out of legal driving time around Rolla(Missouri) so I pulled into the rest area just past it. Was parked there-with engine running-for about 9 hours, thus going into tomorrow's blog. All through this days travels, I had other drivers asking me why I was pulling a NON-company trailer. No one would be madder(yes, madder) about me pulling this trailer than the Laredo terminal manager!

A Trucker Tale: The tale was probably the most outrageous and unbelievable I think I heard over the years. As the driver-an older white headed guy-told his tale, I and the other drivers had to be sitting there thinking, "this guy is really full of it!". He claimed to have a friend in New Mexico that was a highway patrolman. The driver said that he would call his friend up before he would travel I-10 along southern New Mexico. They would meet up and run next to each other up to speeds of 80 mph and if he, the driver, caught up with a car driver not going their speed(up to 80 mph), the friend would just tell the truck driver to bump the car so it would get out of the way. I sat there thinking this guy had to be really "off of it" to think we all sitting there would believe it....Well, like I said, most trucker tales are unbelievable, though amusing.

Ocober 27, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-traveling)
I and "Big Joe"(handle-nickname-of driver I am running with) are getting close to Cincinnati, Ohio as the day begins at midnight. We are chit-chatting on CB radio channel 27. We have been traveling on interstate highway 71 and I-75 has just joined us while we head north. Going north, truckers have a little problem, a steep hill going down to the Ohio River. The law was developed that prohibited heavy trucks(in the Class A drivers range) from going down it. Heavy trucks have to use I-275 around the east side of the metro areas. It is a very nice highway to drive on but it adds just about 20 miles to my driving time. I told Big Joe that I have a short way around the added driving time that is legal and he says OK. Several drivers will go down the steep hill and several drivers will be ticketed before getting to the Ohio river. I and Big Joe took I-275 east to I-471 north into downtown Cincinnati. We then took I-71 south a short distance to I-75 north, We were on our way to Detroit, Michigan. We stopped at a rest area just north of crossing I-275 and took a 15 break. I logged the break but don't know if Big Joe did. (NOTE: Drivers running together don't claim to be as then a law enforcement officer could compare log books). Continued past several cities in Ohio(Dayton, Sidney, Lima,Findlay and Toledo) before crossing the border into Michigan. The chicken coupe(State truck weigh station) was closed so we just kept heading north to our Detroit(Michigan) terminal. Got to the terminal around 5 AM and dropped my trailer to be passed onto another driver. Turned in my paperwork and went to bed. It was warm enough not to have to run my tractor so I didn't. I slept until about 3PM when I got up and got my logbook updated. Don't know what happened to Big Joe and he wasn't at the terminal when I woke up. Tractor wouldn't start so I had another tractor give me a battery jump. I called the shop in Joplin they said to just let the tractor idle until I got through Joplin(Missouri). I was given a load to pick up in the morning that goes to Laredo. This load irritated our yards in Joplin and Laredo(Texas).

A trucker's tale: Truckers, while I was trucking, always joked about the tales they told. The question we would ask was,"What is the difference between a fairy tale and a trucker's tale? Well, fairy tales always start with, "Once upon a time..." and a trucker's tale always starts with, "You're not going to believe this #@$%^!". Trucker's tales most often(not always) relate what happened to them or another driver and the claims are often unbelievable. Often the tales related their interaction with law enforcement officers(DOT, city kitties, highway patrol, etc.) but could deal with almost any topic, including the supernatural. ENJOY!!!

October 26, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday-Chattanooga, Tennessee)
"Motel" morning in Chattanooga, Tennessee! When I awoke, my mind could just remember all the events of the past week. I had a hard time getting myself together so I could handle another frustrating day. I called dispatch and was told to stay close to the phone as they were working on my "refused" 90 cases of beans from yesterday. I just watched TV and waited for the phone to ring; it rang and I answered. Dispatch said to go back to the warehouse and they would take the 90 cases. I heard that a couple times yesterday. I went back, drove into their yard and parked in the waiting area. I went into the warehouse where I found the fellow that had given me so much trouble yesterday. More frustration? NO! He did not even let me say anything when he saw me. He just asked me where I was parked and I told him. He asked where in the trailer I had the 90 cases and I told him that they were right at the back doors. He said to pull into the open space and he would send two fork trucks to pull the cases off and he did. He signed the paperwork. I could not believe the change in the dock foreman! Anyway, I was out of there after I called dispatch and was told to go to Nashville(Tennessee). Got back on I-24 going northwest. Climbed the steep road grade to Monteagle, where I wanted to stop but didn't. Getting to Nashville and getting a load was more important then stopping. Got to the "Big Ball Truckstop" just off of I-65, south of Nashville. Called dispatch and got on the trucker ready board. Nothing yet so I just sat in the restaurant and slowly ate the lunch buffet. Checked in about every half hour until about 4PM when I had a load waiting. I had a load of glass from the Ford Glass Plant going to Canada. I was to take it to Detroit(Michigan). I moved on to the glass plant where I and another driver(handle-nickname-was BIG JOE) were waiting for our loads to Canada. We decided to run together and through the night. We stopped in Nashville at the "All Right Truckstop" To weigh our loads. Big Joe's load weighed out fine but I needed to move my trailer tandems(double set of wheel axles) up to get my weights legal. With corrections made and logbooks updated, we headed for Detroit(Michigan). Big Joe and I got off of the CB radio channel(19) that is used for general communications between trucks and chit-chatted on channel 27 all the way to Detroit. It was after dark by the time we got started. Headed up I-65 toward Louisville, Kentucky where he wanted to use the I-265 bypass around Louisville. I really enjoy this downtown but I went his way and ended up on I-71 north heading for Cincinnati, Ohio. Our calendar day ended as we were closing in on Cincinnati.

October 25, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Smith's Grove, Kentucky)
Woke in Smith's Grove, Kentucky, and headed south to Nashville, Tennessee around 2:30 AM. Stopped in Nashville at the "All Right Truckstop" for fuel. Because of my total weight of 78,880 lbs(80,000 lbs being the limit) at the start of the run, I don't want to put on much more fuel than what I used from Oakfield, Wisconsin. I figures about 100 gallons and 6 gallons for the tractor running while I was sleeping(I figure fuel while sleeping at 3/4 gallons per hour-just what I came up with). I put on 100 gallons and left for Chattanooga, Tennessee. Got passed the closed chicken coupe(state weigh station), the steep road grade south of Monteagle, Tennessee(Rocky Top), the well lighted fireworks companies, Nickajack Lake and the short stretch of I-24 going through Georgia-goes back into Tennessee- before entering Chattanooga. Found the warehouse before sun up, off of I-75 on the eastside of town. THE FUN IS JUST GETTING STARTED. I checked in with receiving which was open when I got there. I was told where to park and wait for a dock as they need to get all their trucks loaded and off to their stores before I can unload. Finally, after their docks where empty for a short while, I was told what dock to back up to. I had a time getting backed into the tight space, but I got in. I walked onto the dock and was asked if I was unloading or hiring a lumper(one who is paid to unload trailers). What? The cannery loaded all the cases on good pallets! Just unload the good pallets! NO....The dock foreman said they need all those cases loaded onto heavy paper squares. I called dispatch to get the OK for a lumper and was told "OK". The lumper didn't like the amount of pay I was OKed for so I said I would make up the difference. It was only $20 out of my pocket. After I was unloaded, I was informed that 90 cases of beans were being rejected as they claim they didn't order them. The rejected ones were on the paper squares(fork trucks were set up to handle the squares) and had been put back on my trailer with all the unwanted pallets. I said I needed to call dispatch again and the dock foreman told me to move my truck to the waiting area first as they needed my space to unload another truck. I did and called dispatch. Was told to call back in about 15 minutes. Called back and was told that they would take the cases. Talked to the dock foreman to get another dock to back into and he said that he WAS NOT taking the 90 cases. I called dispatch again and was told to call back, which I did. Dispatch told me that they had talked to someone "upstairs" and they would take the cases. The dock foreman once again said,"NO". It was getting late now when I called dispatch AGAIN. They said to get a room for the night and call back with my motel room phone number. They would call me tomorrow morning when they "hopefully" get this resolved. I found a motel room close to the warehouse and called dispatch with the room number. Just watched TV, eat chips/dips/sausage and bought some junk food....

October 24, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Oakfield, Wisconsin)
THE LOAD OF TOTAL FRUSTRATION...Oakfield, Wisconsin...Woke up again to someone beating on the side of my tractor. I answered the "knock". A warehouseman asked where my load of canned fruit and vegetables was going. I had a "pick up" number that I gave to him and told him it was going to a warehouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He looked at his clipboard and then assigned me to a dock. He asked if I had been there before and I told him no. He said that I would have to verify what goes into my trailer as they will not "seal" the load. I had to count the pallets and the number of cases per pallet that they placed on the dock before loading my trailer. Once I finished the count, they loaded the trailer and I signed the paperwork. I then called dispatch and LOCKED my unsealed trailer. I did not log, in my logbook, that I had spent a half hour counting the contents of my trailer even though I should have legally. I was happy to be on my way...
There were a couple good ways to make this trip and I chose to travel through Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville and Nashville. This route would put me going down the steep road grade from Monteagle(framed "Rocky Top"), Tennessee. (paid miles: 723 with a total weight of 78,880 lbs.). Luckily this place had a certified scale(government verified) to weigh on. Got everything legal and was on my way. Since my weight is close to the legal limit of 80,000 lbs, I keep track of my miles so that I will know how much fuels to add. I don't want to put anymore on than I have at the start of the trip. I figure the fuel by: gallons to add is equal to miles driven divided by 6.5 miles per gallon---pretty close. I leave the cannery and take Hwy 151 north to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin where I hook up with Hwy 41 south. Hwy 45 joins Hwy 41 during this stretch to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I follow Hwy 45 to I-894 east where I go around the borders of Milwaukee city limits. I am not feeling like going through a downtown area right now. I caught I-94 east("even" numbered interstates go east/west directions) toward Chicago. As soon as I get out of the Milwaukee area, back into country, I start seeing the small cheese stores on the west side of the interstate. These stores continue to the state border where I enter Illinois. I hit Chicago after the lunch rush hour as the trip through Chicago is nice and not crowded. I like traveling through Chicago and I don't know why. I follow I-94 into Indiana where I get on I-65 heading for Indy. It is not long before I am surrounded by farmland; this goes on for hours. I travel past Lafayette(Indiana) and caught the next rest area for a break. I am hungry but feel I need a brake here and now....so I take it. I take a half hour break; I walk around, eat a snack and use the rest room. Continued through downtown Indianapolis and headed for Louisville, Kentucky. Stopped at a truckstop in Henryville(Indiana) where I ate and then continued. After 8 hours of driving time, I stopped at Smith's Grove, Kentucky(just north of Bowling Green) for a legal 8 hour sleep break. My day ends, but the frustrations with this load continues on...

October 23, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday)
Madison, Wisconsin...was woken up the way that I hate, by Bill, the manager, hitting the side of my truck. I had set my alarm for 7AM but was woken up at 5:45 AM and told where to back the trailer. Bill told me that I should just go back to sleep until I feel them unloading the trailer. I did go back to sleep and woke at 8:30 to no activity in the trailer. Got out of my tractor to find that no one had stated unloading me yet. Bill walked by and I said nothing about my load not having been touched yet. He then said that he would get someone on it as soon as all his service trucks got out.
I did get unloaded....at 10:45 AM. Called dispatch and was told to go to Oakfield, Wisconsin for tomorrow. This load will be going to Chattanooga, Tennessee. I had just unloaded here in the south part of Madison; I knew of a restaurant I liked around I-94 and Hwy 51. I decided to have lunch there before heading to Oakfield and chose to drive up HWY 151 through downtown and between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. I enjoyed the trip through downtown that I almost turned the truck around and did it again. I wish I had had a place to park the truck so I could walk along the lakes shores. I got to the restaurant and parked the truck in their parking lot as far from the doors as I could. I walked into the restaurant and talked to the manager about my truck being parked outside. He said I could stay parked where it was all afternoon if I liked. I said I would as I am not wanting to go to Oakfield early. I will leave Madison about 5PM. I filled "my tank" and went to the truck and took a nap until it was about time to leave. I updated my logbook and left. I followed HWY 151 north. Everything went fine until I passed Waupun, Wisconsin. The directions I had just didn't make sense and I couldn't find the company I was looking for. I stopped at a convenient store where a customer told me that he would take me to the place, which he did. I settled down for the night after reviewing the route to Chattanooga.
THE WEEK TO REMEMBER HAS STARTED!!!

SECOND 5 YEARS: (check your trailer!!!)
A fellow driver-handle(nickname) was Sundance-had a load of refrigerators from the states go the Montreal, Quebec(Canada). He got through the Canadian customs with no problems. He then took the load to Montreal where he had it unloaded at the receivers. Sundance didn't speak French, which the people speak in Quebec, so he just took his signed paperwork(not checking it), closed his trailer doors-not looking in the trailer-and proceeded to his next assignment in New York. As he entered the states at New York, the U.S. customs officer asked him what he was carrying and he said he was empty. No one checked the trailer. He got to his pickup and opened his trailer doors only to find two "rejected" Canadian refrigerators. I don't know the outcome but it was a problem that wasn't an easy fix. YOU DON'T MESS WITH CUSTOMS ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A MESS UP ON YOUR BEHALF!!!

October 22, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday)
Started day off in Williamsburg, Iowa. Had plenty of time today to get to Madison, Wisconsin so I decided to do a lot a back roads. Started by going to exit 225 on I-80 and catching Hwy 151 north through the Amana Colonies. I love this area!!! After leaving Homestead(part of the Amana community),the roads started traveling through the woods. Just south of East Amana, the farmland appears and close to this small community I could see their grass airport to the right...sorry, no jets. I then travel through Walford and Fairfax before arriving in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Continuing on Hwy 151, I take it to Dubuque, Iowa , where in 1989, we had to go through the city as there was no bypass around it. Going through Dubuque seemed like the turns and stoplights were endless. Finally, getting over the Mississippi River, I enter the state of Wisconsin in the southwest corner...right in it's corner. Hwy 151 to Madison is simply beautiful. Traveled through Platteville, Dodgeville and Mount Horeb(Troll capital of the world) before getting to Madison, Wisconsin. Found my drop off point for tomorrow morning and parked in their parking lot for the night.

October 21, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday)
Finishing the week at home in Fulton, Missouri. Woke up in my camper shell without my alarm clock before the sun was fully up. Put my things in my pickup and left for our Kansas City Missouri terminal. Got to terminal, parked truck and went to breakfast with two other truckers at the terminal. Talked with the dispatch after breakfast and was given a load of insulation to Madison, Wisconsin. It wasn't to be delivered until Monday but the trailer was there in the yard. Hooked up and left for the truckstop in Urbandale, Iowa, west of Des Moines off of I-35/80. Iplanned to spend the night there. I got to Urbandale but there apparently is a certain "drive" in most truckers to get to their delivery point. I just had to keep on going so I drove to Williamsburg, Iowa, a favorite place of mine off of I-80, and got there after dark. Had a steak dinner and then watched a movie in their trucker lounge. Went to bed with the truck running.
Coming up in four days: What to do with a partially rejected load???

October 20, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday)
At "home" for the week. Worked on camper shell next to the Barne's house. That evening I took my son's bowling and then to the Elementary School carnival.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (Sad decisions that have to be made)
Actually certain decisions are made before situations happen. An example of this happened on a lightly snowing evening heading west on highway 50 in Kansas. I had just passed a little town call Lewis. I had another driver behind me and we were talking on the CB radio. I was weighing close to the maximum weight( 80,000 lbs)with beef and because of the road conditions we weren't doing the speed limit of 65 mph; we were doing around 50. From out of no where a medium sized dog ran out in front of me and started running full speed down a bridge we had entered. The dog wasn't as fast as the truck and so I had time to watch me caught up with it on the bridge and.....The decision had been made before the situation happened...The load is not risked for anything but a human being. Using the brake on this road would have put the truck into a jack knife and I probably would have hit the dog anyway.

October 19, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday)
"Home" this week in Fulton, Missouri. Spent time "killing" time. Kids busy tonight so spent more time killing time.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (Home made biscuits?)
The ads for several fast food restaurants have advertised "home made biscuits" in the past. I have had the opportunity of delivering those "home made biscuits" to 3 fast food companies in Georgia and New Jersey. The "home" where these "home made biscuits" were so caringly made was, and may still be, in Joplin, Missouri. In truth folks...I have eaten many of these "home made" biscuits and have enjoyed them. I remember having to wait for a meat load in Lexington, Nebraska and telling the guard that I was going to one of these fast food companies for their BUFFET. She ask me to bring her back two of these "home made" biscuits with butter and I said I would. I went and ate my fill and decided to tell the manager that I was taking two biscuits for the guard. She, the manager, insisted that I pay for them. I could see the logic that I pay for them and after much discussion with her on the matter, I paid. I also took 5 biscuits and sat at my old seat and ate 3, with butter, and left 2....just too full to eat all of them and didn't think it right to put them back on the buffet table.

October 18, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Fulton, Missouri)
“Home” for the week. I helped one friend working on the church building and then helped another with his business putting up grain bends. Spend evening with my kids.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (The phone call)
As I taught future drivers at the truck school, we would have old students drop in as they were driving by the school.. The former students would often talk with the students about the good and bad of the companies they drove for. One company's reputation as a “pusher” of driver's(push drivers over their logbook hours with rumors of having drivers use 2 and 3 logbooks)really impressed the students as the money earned was really great. (Note: I liked the rumors also and I went to work for then only to find they were staying within the law—if the driver wanted too). We had one female instructor who had driven for them that also pushed the company. We had several successful students go with them with no problems...but...their was one young student-just old enough to drive a semi-truck-that went with them and had nothing but trouble. One day, an older, bearded guy drove into our yard and demanded to talk with Chuck, the school director. Chuck came down from his office and began to get his tail end reamed by this guy. Turned out that this fellow was the Father to that young driver. The Father was mad that this school would let students go with such an awful company. The Father just kept going and going and going. It was kind of fun to see Chuck out of his office talking with the student's parents, but enough was enough. Chuck needed to get busy. I picked up the phone and called the other school's phone number. One of the other instructors answered the phone and I asked for Chuck. The Father left and when Chuck answered the phone, I just asked,”Would you rather talk to me?” Chuck chuckled and answered,”Yes!”.

October 17, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Fulton, Missouri)
At "home" this week in Fulton, Missouri. Exciting day, while children at school, I did my laundry at the Sunshine Laundry-a great place-and talked with the owners. This evening, took Ron-my middle son-to a school musical program that he was involved in. That's my day...

SECOND 5 YEARS: (Semi-truck turkey hunting-Part 2 of 2)
(See October 16, 1989, 2009 for Part 1) While traveling south on I-35, after having to stop at the Missouri chicken coupe(state weigh scales), I was enjoying the gray skies with a light snow flurry. I saw a beautiful huge turkey fly across the interstate far in front of me. Then horror popped into my mind as I saw a second huge turkey take off after the first. I was traveling at 70 miles per hour and knew I would be hit by it. It hit the mirror on my left fender and then crashed through my driver's windshield, landing in between the dashboard and steering wheel. The steering wheel was pushed down into my lap with the dead turkey laying there. I was covered with glass and had freezing air blowing in my face. I got the truck pulled over to the side of the road with my light flashers going. I got out of the truck, shook the glass off me and put my 3 reflective triangles out as they were to be put. I had satellite communication with dispatch in Olathe, Kansas so I sent a message of what had happened. All I got back was,”What are you doing hunting turkey? You are suppose to be driving your truck. I messaged him back with,”What? I need advise, not joking”.He sent me a return message that the truck maintenance would be getting in touch with me and to notify them where I was. After that message, a highway Patrol man stopped behind the truck and took a report. He told me that if the bird had been about a foot higher, It would probably have killed me. He gave me a permit to have the bird(later I would get a message from the local conservation agent saying the same). He them left. Maintenance than messaged me to stay were I was and that a fellow would be by to replace my windshield as I sat there on the interstate. Another highway patrolman stopped to check on me. I asked him to take a couple pictures of me holding the bird, which he did(See pictures above). He left and I decided to gut and de-feather the bird, which I did. I was not a hunter and found out that I had thrown away the “tom's” 18 inch beard when I threw out the head, wings, feathers and guts. I wrapped it in plastic store bags and put it in my cooler. Shortly after dark, the fellow came by to replace my windshield, He parked in front of the tractor. He vacuumed the glass up that he could see and then started on the windshield. He got done and I headed for Olathe, Kansas-on my way-to have our maintenance look at the windshield.

I got the load delivered and had to give the turkey away as I wouldn't have the ways or means to cook it.

October 16, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Fulton, Missouri)
I am off in Fulton, Missouri for the week. The Barnes, who I stay with most the time I am “home” in Missouri, said that I could place my camper next to their home in the county. I did and I now have a permanent place. I also took out the three spark plugs that cause my pickup engine to run rough. I cleaned them and put them back in. I get 75 miles to a quart of oil but there is no smoke coming out my tail pipes and none leaking on the ground.

SECOND 5 YEARS:(Semi-truck turkey hunting-Part 1 of 2)
I was dispatched to Perry, Iowa around January 12th to get a load of pork for a company in Altus, Oklahoma. I had been to this meat processing company before and knew I could get there the night before....so I did. I got pretty of sleep before I was told to back up to the deck and drop my trailer. They take a good six to eight hours to load so I had time to spare. I found out that this community apparently(around 1989) would not let Wal-Mart build within the county, so I went shopping at some unfamiliar stores. Lunch time came and I went to the buffet at The Hut and filled my tank. After shopping I returned to the plant and waited about two more hours for my load of pork. Finally got the load and weighed it at a truck scale in town. I kept the weight ticket as my total weight meat and truck was around 70,000 lbs with my drive tires at 33, 780 lbs(legal limit was 34,000 lbs). Just before leaving Perry, Iowa, I remember having to make a sudden stop as I had someone turn in front of me. This would prove to be what put me into the time slot to have a turkey hit me later...I had had my load of pork slide forward and increase the weight on my drive tires almost 1,500 lbs. I went down Hwy 141 to I-35 south where I continued into Missouri. Not far into Missouri there is a chicken coupe that was open so I got weighed. The coupe officer asked me to bring in all my paperwork, including logbook, for him to look at after I parked my truck. I did and found that my drive tires were 1,500 lbs over weight. I told him what had happened and showed him my scale ticket which showed me legal when I started. We talked about mid Missouri for a few minutes and then he told me to get the weigh legal by sliding my trailer wheels forward(takes weight off of drive wheels) . I got the unit legal and was on my way. It was a beautiful evening. The skies were gray with a snow flurry coming down as I was moving at 70 mph toward Kansas City. I was thinking how really nice the evening was when I saw a huge turkey fly across the interstate far in front of me. It was really beautiful until I saw a second one take off to follow the first. I knew I was going to have company in my cab!!! Part 2 tomorrow....

October 15, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Fulton, Missouri)
At home in Fulton, Missouri for the week. Stayed the night with Bart Barns and his family. Got up and the Barnes, my kids and I went to church. After church, went and rented a motel room and had my children over for games and cable TV. Took them home early as they have school tomorrow. (TOMORROW: Turkey hunting with my Semi-truck starts-3 parts)

SECOND 5 YEARS: (effects of air pressure)
I commonly would buy water to drink in the gallon plastic bottles. After I finished off the water, I would put the lid on the plastic bottle and throw it into my sleeper. When I got to a truckstop, I would refill the bottle. Well, I had a load of cookies to pick up in Chicago, Illinois and deliver to Casper, Wyoming. While I was waiting for my load of cookies, I finished off another bottle of water. Put the lid on the bottle and threw it in my sleeper with two other empty bottles. I went on to deliver my load in Casper. Another truck from my company delivered more cookies here in Casper. After we both were unloaded we called dispatch and were told to deadhead(go empty) to Ft. Morgan for meat loads. We talked about the routing and figured it was only 5 miles further to go through Laramie, Wyoming as it would by to go through Cheyenne, Wyoming. We took Hwy 220 west to Hwy 487 south. We then took Hwy 287 east to Laramie. This took us over the higher altitudes(over 10,000 ft) of Wyoming. Anyway, we got to the "Just A Truckstop" in Laramie and I went to grab my water bottles to refill. All three were blown up like balloons from the lack of air pressure at the higher altitude. Took the lids off and the bottles went back to their original shapes.

October 14, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday)
Traveling to our Kansas City, Missouri company yard as the new day strikes midnight. About 12:45 AM I pulled into the terminal where I dropped my trailer for the next driver to pick up. I parked my tractor and it will be parked there until next Saturday. Checked in with dispatch and checked the drivers' lounge for drivers I might know. No drivers in lounge at all. Went back to my tractor where I started the engine for the heater, turned on the TV and went to sleep. Slept 'til 10 AM and then went to my pickup truck-with camper shell-to find my battery less than operating. Grabbed a driver in his tractor and got a jump to get the truck started. The engine running pretty bad(gets 75 miles/quart of oil with 3 bad cylinders) but drove it. Stopped at the "All Right Truckstop" for lunch before moving onto Fulton(Missouri). Drove out to my ex-wife's place the see my children. Talked with Barbara(ex-wife/we get along fine) about their progress in school. I wanted to take the kids to the Jefferson City mall but Sandi(oldest daughter) was busy with a school project. Took Bill and Ron(!st and 2nd son) to the mall. Nothing special and got them home by 7 PM. I stay at the Barne's when in Fulton, so I went over there. Spent evening watching TV with them.

A Trucker's Tale: (plain wrappers...not really)
I only put this under trucker tales as truckers just love to tell each other where the "cops" are...even if they aren't "cops". Truckers refer to unmarked patrol cars as "plain wrappers". I usually don't get excited when I hear on the CB radio that a "plain wrapper" is moving near me as truckers usually don't know how to recognize them OR they just want to seem important. The greater majority of the time I see what is supposed to be a "plain wrappers" they are just cars that look like something an officer would ride in. Often they will have a senior citizen in them and what really makes these pseudo patrol cars look like a plain wrapper is the occasional CB antenna on the trunk. If you are a future trucker, there are many pseudo plain wrappers in your future.

October 13, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday)
Traveling through Omaha, Nebraska at 12:30 AM on I-80 and enjoying it...even with the road construction(road construction season-one of two seasons/year- is coming to an end and winter season will be starting). Crossed the Missouri River into Council Bluffs, Iowa and the hills, through which I-80 goes, become more apparent, even during night hours. About an hour into Iowa, I had a really bright shooting star light up the sky in front of me; a sign from heaven as the shooting star appeared to end its flight at the rest area...time to stop and...see how the air hand driers work!!! I stopped and....the driers worked fine. Continued east through Des Moines, Iowa; I took I-235 through downtown and enjoyed the lights. I was doing fine on time so I stopped for breakfast at the "No Big Deal Truckstop" at Walcott Iowa. I walked into the restaurant and even though the food on the buffet looked OK, I lost my desire to eat. I bought a turkey leg and headed for the food warehouse in Bettendorf, Iowa by taking I-80 to I-280 south. Found the warehouse along the Mississippi River-before crossing it-and was unloaded just after the sun came up. By 9 AM I was ready to be on my way. Called dispatch and was told to go to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and pick up a load to Laredo, Texas. Headed up I-280 to west on I-80. At Iowa City, Iowa, I took I-380 north the Cedar Rapids where I found the shipper not far off the interstate. By 1 PM I was ready to head for our Kansas City terminal where I was to take this load, drop it for another driver and then go home for the week. Took I-380 south to I-80 west and stopped-around 2 PM-at the restaurant/truckstop at Williamsburg, Iowa, south of the interstate. They have, or had, a great steak dinner which I consumed. I then went to their trucker TV room and watched two full movies. When I was done, the sun had gone down and that's when I like driving the most. Got going and didn't stop until I got the our KC yard. As my calendar day ended, I was about 30 minutes from our yard.

OCTOBER 12, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday)
For some reason I wasn't feeling well so I guess it was best to have just a driving day. Woke up long before daybreak in the west side of Laramie, Wyoming. Went east on I-80 and was going through Cheyenne, Wyoming as the sun was making it's appearance. Didn't stop in Cheyenne; just continued east into Nebraska. Once into Nebraska, it seems like the lightly hilly land turns green...I mean really green. Continued to Big Springs, Nebraska where I fueled my truck tanks(161 gallons). bought me some chips and dip and I was on my way east. Got to Lincoln, Nebraska where I decided to take another long break. Cut driving a little short today( about 2.5 hours) as not feeling too well. Took a good 8 hour sleep break and was up heading east before midnight. Was passing Ashland, Nebraska as my calendar day ended.

SECOND 5 YEARS:
Nothing today...will have a lot starting in a couple days...

October 11, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday)
Woke up at the Fort Hall Indian Reservation parking lot. The whole lay out here is simply beautiful. I like the restaurant though I didn't eat there. I did visit the trading post-souvenir shop-and saw several very interesting things(some I would buy on later trips). Left for my pickup appointment in Blackfoot, Idaho. Found the shipper early and was loaded shortly after I got there. I was picking up boxes of prepared potatoes that a person just adds water to and then the contents of a packet of seasoning. I had a whole truck of those boxes. After I got the paperwork signed, my route figured out and let dispatch know I was on my way, I looked around as I drove out of town(sounds Santa Clausish???) and really enjoyed what I saw...Just this area of Blackfoot. Headed South on I-15 to McCammon(Idaho) where I picked up hwy 30 and went east. Went through Soda Springs(Idaho), the growing up place of an old friend of mine, and them Montpelier(Idaho) before entering Wyoming. Wyoming had a chicken couple(state weigh station) that wanted to see my paperwork. Showed them and then on to I-80 just west of the Little America Travel Center and Green River, Wyoming. Got past Green River and Rock Springs (Wyoming) going east when I noticed I was on the Great Divide Basin. This area in pretty much flat land what very little greenery and cattle. (In future trips through this basin, I can remember one night when I had stars about me but I could count 5 thunder storms going on at this same time...not a trucker's tale. Got to Rawlins, Wyoming where I took a short break at a good sized truckstop. Hit the roads shortly and continued east through the mountains. Got to the west end of Laramie(Wyoming) where I stopped and took me a logbook break...Tomorrow Nebraska. I think Nebraska is worse than Kansas, but I love both of them!!!

October 10, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-Bountiful, Utah)
Stayed last night with my sister's family in Bountiful Utah. She got me to my truck by 7 AM and after getting my logbook updated, I was off to Roy, Utah for my first drop and then to Ogden, Utah for my final drop. Got to Roy drop and parked in the middle road island while I checked in with the employees. Was told to pull up and back in. This place sent an employee out with me to control the traffic. Backed in with no problem and got tires off. I am far enough into the trailer to have to put "zip" into rolling the tires out. One stop left so off I went to it in Ogden (Utah). Found it and had to park on the side street. When I would roll the tires out, they had to roll the tires into their shop. Got the load totally off and called my dispatch. Was told that I was on the board(the "ready for a load" list) and to call back later. I went down to the "No Big Deal Truckstop" off of I-15 in Ogden(Utah) and parked my truck. Went in and bought two turkey legs to munch on while watching a movie in their movie area(didn't how a room). After about two hours, I called dispatch again to find I had a load waiting. The load was to pick up tomorrow in Blackfoot, Idaho at 10 AM. It was potato stuff going to Bettendorf, Iowa. I talked with a couple truck drivers about parking for the night around Blackfoot(Idaho) and both agreed that there was all night parking at Fort Hall(Idaho) just below Blackfoot. I took off for Fort Hall and the scenery was fantastic. Of course, people living here probably think it is boring or "all right". I got into Idaho on I-15 north and the trees just seemed to disappear when I looked at the mountains-yes, naked mountains. It seemed almost surrealistic. Got up through Pocatello(Idaho) and shortly got to Fort Hall, where I parked and bedded down for the night.
A LOT OF SPUDS TOMORROW!!!

October 9, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Monday)
Really excited today...first time driving by myself and delivering tires in the Salt Lake area. Woke before dawn and went to find my first of nine drops. Expected and succeeded to get the first 7 drops today. Each of the drops have a trailer seal that has to be signed for to insure that I DID NOT steal any tires. Away, my first tire drop was in Provo(Utah) and I was there before the store was open. We started unloading not long after I got there. I rolled the tires out to the tire employee. Got done and they resealed my trailer for the next drop. I was at drop 2 in Orem(Utah) not long after I left Provo. Got backed up to the delivery door and rolled the tires out to the employee like I did at stop 1. Done at Orem, I moved onto the Sandy, Utah store and what a problem. I had to back in from the street and to the back of the store. The backing wasn't the problem; the traffic on the street was!!! One employee finally came out and stopped traffic for me. Unloaded the Sandy store tires like the other stores but the tires are getting a little harder to roll as we are getting further into the trailer. I put one tire flat on the floor and bounced the rest of the tires off of it. When finished, they resealed my trailer and I was off to the Van Winkle store. Could not find "Van Winke" on my map but the Sandy employees told me how to find the store in the Van Winkle district(I think that is how they put it). Had to take I-15 north to I-215 E. for a couple miles. Got to the store to find that this stop was also a back in from the street stop but it was not as bad as the Sandy store. Got these tires off and it was off to Kearns(Utah) for the next drop. Boy, Kearns was a really bad one!! Had to back in from the BUSY street with no help from the tire store and when unloading, had to round the tires "up". Yeap, the trailer was parked with the back of the trailer higher than the front!!! The tires were a challenge but I got them done. They resealed my trailer and off I was to the Salt Lake store. Found it with no problem but couldn't make a left turn into the store parking lot. Had to go around the block through a residential neighborhood(I trimmed some trees but no big deal). Easy back up and tires not hard to roll out of trailer. When done there, they resealed my trailer and I was off for the Bountiful(Utah) tire store. Did not have to back in off the street, but had to turn my rig around in their parking lot. When I was done I was between cars on their and their neigbors lot. The Bountiful tires were by far the worst ones to roll out as they were also rolled "up hill". Got gone and they resealed my trailer and I locked it as this was my last drop for the day. I went a couple blocks to a K-Mart and convenient store parking lot where they allowed trucks to park. Called my sister as she, with her family, live here. Spent the night with then and visited my Mother also as she lived only about a 1/4 mile from where I parked the truck.
Where next?????

October 8, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday)
Passed Gunnison, Colorado as my new day started at midnight. Continued to Delta, Colorado where I decided to put my truck and me down for a sleep. Was up and running at 9 AM. Was passing Grand Junction(Colorado) around 10 AM with the state of Utah in front of me. This doesn't seem like much to many of you but It does me; I saw my first real prairie dog as I crossed into Utah. I was excited even though the prairie dog was dead along the side of the road. From Grand Junction into Utah the surroundings were of the upper desert. It was beautiful! I was in the correct mind set for the upper desert. Went on to Green River, Utah and stopped at a small truckstop/convenience store. Walked in for something to eat and found hot dogs at 3/$1.00. I got 3 first and found them to be the cheapest quality with a high amount of fat in them!!! LOVED them and got 6 more for my food cooler. Headed up Hwy 6 through the desert. Wasn't much but desert for scenery but I really liked it. Partially cloudy blue sky!! There was a closed down gas station of the west side of the highway that was well worn by the weather over the years. I knew the mountains were before me as the mountains on each side of the valley I was in grew closer together the further I drove...plus the map told me so. I TALKED WITH ANOTHER TRUCK DRIVER ON THE CB RADIO WHILE TRAVELING ON HWY 6. I FELT I COULD HAVE MADE A BETTER CHOICE OF THE ROUTE I TOOK FROM AMARILLO TO SALT LAKE CITY. HE SAID THAT HE HAD DONE THAT ROUTE SEVERAL TIMES AND THE WAY HE DID IT WAS: AMARILLO-ALBUQUERQUE-SHIPROCK-MOAB-PROVO-SALT LAKE. I WILL TRY THAT ROUTE NEXT TIME. Continued through Price, Utah and then started climbing in Helper(Utah). Got over Soldier Summit and headed downward into the Utah Valley. Headed north on I-15 for a short time and pulled off at a nice truckstop at Spanish Fork(Utah) for the night. Deliveries tomorrow and new ground...like Van Winkle!!!!

October 7, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-traveling)
Got into Childress, Texas a little after the start of my day; midnight. Found a truckstop on the west end of town with truck parking available so decided to take a short break. Went into the truckstop only to come upon two BIG guys arguing about something. They were not talking very nice to each other; I could see a barroom type fight breaking out. I thought it best, for me, to find a different part of the truckstop, which I did. I picked up(and paid for) a big bag of raffled potato chips and dip and headed for my truck. I past the area were the fight might have broken out but it didn't. Got to my truck and got my logbook all legal(updated it with Childress as a short break) and headed toward Amarillo(Texas). At "Just a Truckstop" in Amarillo, I filled my fuel tanks(127 gallons) and slept as it was around 2 AM. Woke up around 9 AM and had breakfast at "Just a Truckstop". Past The Big Texas Restauraut where you can get a free 72 oz streak with all the fixin's for free...But you-and just you-have to eat it all within, I think, one hour....Have to try that place one day...
Headed north on Hwy 87 to Dumas and Dalhart, Texas and kept going to New Mexico. I can see why tornadoes like this land so much!! So flat and ranchy(just made that word up) . Crossed into New Mexico to find the sky just opening up. TO ME, every time I enter New Mexico, I sky just turns magnificent...I hooked up with I-25 north and went into Colorado. I was stopped at the chicken couple(state truck weigh station) as the Colorado DOT(Department of Transportation) likes to see a certain registration number either on the side of the tractor or in the permit book(a book each tractor has that carries all needed permits). I asked the DOT officer which was the best way to go to Utah from where I was right then. He and a few drivers standing there said to go to Denver(Colorado) and take I-70 west. I had previously decided on Hwy 50 west and everyone standing there said that was a decent way to go. I drove up to Pueblo, Colorado and ate at a big chain buffet. Not at all impressed with the buffet...more like a barffet. I was sitting close to the Hwy 50 west route and I looked at the routing again. One final look at my options. I decided to head west on Hwy 50. My the time I got to Canon City, Colorado the sun had gone down and darkness was setting in. With darkness around me, I really could not see the mountains and I didn't feel I was driving through them. It was after I passed Salida, Colorado that I started feeling like I had finally reached the mountains. I started the ups and downs of mountain driving and pulled other at a pull off on a curve for a little break. There was a car pulled over also and the people were getting water from a pipe coming out of the mountain. I asked about it and they said that the water comes from a source of good tasting water. I tried some and yes it tasted like....water! On I went passed Gunnison, Colorado when my day ended at midnight.

October 6, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday)
As the day started I found myself getting close to Temple(Texas) on I-35 north. Also found another company truck coming up behind me. He called me on the CB radio and we found that we are going to the same place, the toy warehouse in Ft Worth. He has never been to the warehouse so he will follow me. I once again take I-35W and he was surprised to find the warehouse off of Hwy 360. Were got to the warehouse and parked outside the gate as we were the first two trucks in line at the guard house. We talked awhile, or what we thought was awhile, when the guard came out and assigned us to a door to unload. I informed the other driver that this place requires the driver to help unload and he wasn't too worried about it. We were assigned doors in different areas around the warehouse so I never saw him again that day. I had toy doll cars to unload with the warehouse fellow that is helping me. Yeap, a whole 53 foot trailer full of them...Christmas coming??? After getting unloaded, I called dispatch in Red Oak(Dallas Office). I was told to come to the terminal so off I went. I went down Hwy 360 to I-20 Eastbound. When I got to I-35 E I went south to Red Oak. I got along well with dispatchers of Dallas(Red Oak) Texas. I got to the terminal and dropped my empty trailer in the yard and checked in. Was given the choice of a few loads and took the Salt Lake City(Utah) tire load. I had gone through Utah before with my trainer and got to see some family. I had to look at the routing as I sure wasn't going the way my trainer went to Salt Lake City before. I hooked up to the trailer and did a vehicle inspection; then sat and looked at the routing. I decided to take I-35E north to I-20 west. When I would get to Hwy 287 northwest I would take it through downtown Ft. Worth then onto Amarillo, Texas. on I-40. Out of Amarillo, I would take Hwy 87 into New Mexico, where I will hook up with I-25 north into Colorado. At Pueblo(Colorado) I will take Hwy 50 west through the Rockies to I-70 into Utah. I will continue to Green River(Utah) where I will take Hwy 6 to I-15 north to Provo(Utah), my first stop...Anyway, I decided to sleep before leaving. Took off from Red Oak, Texas about 6:30 PM and really enjoyed Ft. Worth's downtown. Getting close to Childress, Texas as my day hit midnight. .

October 5, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Thursday)
Just felt like staying in bed this morning. Around 8:30 AM I called dispatch here in Laredo(Texas) and asked if I would be be getting out today. "Most likely" was the answer which meant that it would be more toward the evening if at all. I didn't have to get out of the motel room until around 1 PM so I just round over and went back to sleep. Got up out of bed around 11 AM, checked out of room and went to eat at the Chinese restaurant in the Wal-Mart parking lot. At the restaurant, sat in the section in which the waitress recognized me. Conversation was very short but "tip" was good. After eating, went to supermarket across the street and stocked up on some can food, potato chips, pudding packages, and then bought some junk food(I love junk food). Went to the terminal and saw a few drivers that I knew. Talked and told trucker tales until around 5 PM. The dispatch called me to the window and said to grab and load to Fort Worth and go. More toys to the toy warehouse. Was off by 6 PM. The first 2.5 hours out of Laredo is desert and a couple plots of ranch land. The small towns we pass don't give any idea that we have left the desert and just add to the hopes that civilization is ahead. Got to San Antonio(Texas) around 9 PM and stopped at the " Just a Truckstop". The buffet was still going, so I filled "my" tank. After I got back to the truck, I decided to fill my tractor tanks, so I did. Off I went to Fort Worth. Getting close to Temple(Texas) as midnight approached.
TOMORROW !!!!!

October 4, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday)
Yes, I started the day off in violation. Started day off not being able to find parking in San Antonio, Texas. Since my logbook showed me out of driving hours, I probably could of looked harder...but I didn't. Got my rig headed south and had a BIG DOG(faster truck) from my company caught up with me. I picked up my speed and we ran together to Laredo. Got to our company terminal, parked my rig and got some sleep, waking up at 7 AM. Checked in with dispatch and was told to deliver my load to the broker's(company that gets trailer over border) yard. It amazes me where we have to drop these trailers. At least this place has a fence and guard!! Bobtailed(went with no trailer) around Laredo and ended up checking into the motel for the night. Went to eat lunch at the Chinese restaurant by the motel. Waitress recognized me as a regular customer and I thought to myself that I have been down here a lot. One thing I need to do is find some new restaurants. Went back to room and watched TV the rest of the day. Fell asleep hoping to get out of here tomorrow.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (running too heavy)
I had unloaded here in Jersey City, New Jersey and was sent to a spice company to pick up a load to Detroit, Michigan. It seems that things are running normal as the shipper is not ready to fully load me. I backed up to the docks and the shipper let me walk around the warehouse. I counted three foreign languages being spoken along with English. I was loaded around 3 PM and the shipping bills(paperwork with information on what I am carrying) read I had 44,000 lbs on board. I took it to the truck stop and weighed the load. I weighed 82,000 lbs, and thus the paperwork was wrong. My load weighed more like 47,000 lbs. I called dispatch only to find that the shipper was closed for the day and so dispatch said to run with it. I did. I ate at "Just a Truck Stop" and thought about how I was going to Detroit. If I go I-80, I have two chicken coupes(state weight stations) to worry about. If I take I-76(Pennsylvania Turnpike) I only have the Michigan chicken coupe (south of Detroit) to worry about, but it is more miles and about 1 1/2 hour longer drive. I took I-76 and did my logbook when I got to Detroit. When I got to I-75, (north of Toledo, Ohio) I started asking, over the CB radio, if anyone knew how to get around the Michigan chicken coupe. I had a fellow who drove a big dump truck tell me to follow him as he was over weight also. I did and got around the coupe in the early hours of the morning. I found the receiver before dawn. Parked my rig by the dock(only had one) and got some sleep after I got my logbook legal.....

October 3, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Tuesday-traveling)
In Missouri, going south of Hwy 71, as the day started. Got to the Joplin(Missouri) terminal around 2 AM. The mechanic team, checking my tractor when it goes through the terminal, found two drive wheels with leaking seals. I was instructed to drop my trailer in the yard and bring the tractor back in for repairs. I did and went to sleep in my bunk. I was repaired, but still sleeping, by 7 AM. I was sleeping nicely so stayed that way until about 11 AM. I was up and gone by 12 Noon. Traveled west on I-44 into Oklahoma. Got to Big Cabin(Oklahoma) and traveled south on Hwy 69. Didn't stop until I got to Wagoner(Oklahoma) where I eat dinner at a restaurant that is a converted train station. It's atmosphere and food are pretty good and I had the standard meal; cheeseburger, fries and diet soda. Continued down I-69 just passed the joining of it with Hwy-75 and stopped for a large soda is Tushka(Oklahoma). Logged a 15 minute line 4 logbook break in Tushka and then left for Laredo, Texas. I am not a fan of the highway system through Dallas but going down Hwy-75 to I 35E south is faster after dark, then going around I-635-the loop. Kept moving my load south until my logbook time for driving ran out at San Antonio(Texas). Stopped at "Just a Truck Stop" and found NO parking spaces. No parking spaces...What to do??? I kept going toward Laredo and was on my way as the end of my day came in.

A Trucker's Tale: (snoring)
My youngest Daughter has told me several times that I have far too much free time on my hands. One day, while in Laredo (Texas), I got thinking about the talking we do in our sleep. I have been told I talk in my sleep, so I decided to buy a sound activated tape recorder; which I did. I set it up for recording me throughout the night. I put a 120 minute cassette in it and went to sleep. The next morning I saw that the recorder went through the full hour of recording and I should have some pretty interesting stuff on it. Had load north so I hooked up to my trailer, turned on the recorder to play my findings and headed north. What I heard??? Just an hour of snoring!!!

October 2, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEAR: (Monday) Drove over to the Iowa City pickup by 10:30 am. Customer informed me that the load wouldn't be ready for several more hours. I was a little upset as I planned on getting here, getting my load and start moving it. I was backed up to the open dock at the far end and was loaded as the product was completed. The only thing I did was watch TV and write in my tractor. Finally at 4 PM did I get totally loaded. Got my paper work, did logbook and called dispatch. Was off for Laredo. Two hours later(6:30 PM) I was eating at a truckstop on the west side of Des Moines, Iowa off of I-35/80. I wanted to fill "my" tank fast so I had the buffet. Only an hour later I was sitting in my drivers seat getting my logbook caught up(good thing I did). All legal, I headed for Kansas City. Crossed into Missouri to find the state weigh station open. Pulled through the station and the DOT inspector wanted to see my logbook. I pulled around the back to the took in MY LOGBOOK ONLY. (Note: When any DOT person asks to see something, give them ONLY what they ask for. This you do because if you give them more information, it opens you up to further inspection and possible fines. See my example under "SECOND 5 YEARS"). He reviewed my logbook and found no problems. He asked if I had weighed my load and I said no. I told him that the load was listed at only 26,500 lbs and that shouldn't be a problem. He told me that my weight was fine and told me to have a good evening. This minor logbook check took enough time so I had to log a half hour on line three of my logbook. Since I decide my routing, I need to decide rather I go straight down I-35 or go through Joplin(Missouri), Muskogee(Oklahoma) and hook up with I-35E in Dallas(Texas). I chose the latter. I followed I-35 to I-635 south along the east side of the Kansas City area. I bypassed our company's Kansas City(Missouri) terminal as I had enough fuel to get to Joplin(Missouri) terminal, where I will fill my fuel tanks. From I-635, I took Hwy 71 south and found the state weigh scale on Hwy 71 near Harrisonville(Missouri) closed. Midnight came as I was passing Butler(Missouri). Read about Butler's interesting history. SECOND 5 YEARS: (almost caught-too close) This experience happened within my first 5 years but it is important enough to report on now and again when it happened. After midnight, I had run out of driving time while heading for Laredo, Texas. So I pulled into the parking lot of a Kendleton(Texas) truckstop. Kendleton is known for its ghost sightings. When I pulled in, I hit a huge hole that threw items around my tractor. I was worried that I had broken something, so I checked things out, even looked under my hood with a flashlight. I was clearly out of time on my logbook but being worried about anything being broken, I continued southwest on Hwy 59. This I did so that I could notice any moving problems. There were four state spots to pull trucks over for weight and inspection between me and Laredo, but I had NEVER seen them open the several times I had been this way. I wasn't worried about getting caught with the logbook out of hours and showing me stopped in Kendleton. No problems and the truckstops I checked out to park at were full. I kept going when I saw several flashing yellow lights on a sign. A state trooper had opened the pull off truck check point ahead of me!!! I was nailed!!! No way to get out of it!!! There was a truck in front of me so I had time to worry. I pulled up to the officer with a really bad feeling when he looked at me and said, "Can I see your load paperwork?". I said yes and handed him ONLY my "load bills". He would have to ask for my logbook! Even though he had my bills, he asked what the weight of my load was. I always know that answer. It was around 19,000 lbs. He handed me back my paperwork and told me to have a safe trip. I got out of there and wasn't at all tired. I kept going until I got to Laredo.(NOTE: Never give any officer any more paperwork than they ask for.)

October 1, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Walcott, Iowa)
Started my day(midnight) off at the "Just A Truck Stop"in Walcott, Iowa watching movies with the other drivers. Got to my tractor around 2:30 AM and bedded down with my TV going. Woke up at 11 AM and decided that it would be best to go on to Iowa City so I would be ready for my load pick-up tomorrow. Took I-80 west to Iowa City where I parked my rig for the night at the medium sized truckstop off of I-80. Looked at the truckstop's city map and found where I needed to be at 10AM tomorrow. Nothing special the rest of day...

SECOND 5 YEARS: (only speeding ticket)
My first "speeding" ticket(violation)...I was sitting at "Just a Truckstop" in Berkshire, Ohio waiting for a load. I had called my Mother and she told me that an old friend from high school(George) had contacted her and wanted to know how I was doing. She got his address so I decided to make him a cassette tape(I had a sound activated recorder-whole new story...later) instead of writing a letter. While I was thinking about the tape and making notes on what to talk about, my satellite box(satellite link with dispatch) beeped and the light lit. I had a load to get in Lima, Ohio that afternoon going to Dallas, Texas. I got my cassette recorder ready to speak into, my vehicle inspection done and I was off for Lima. I decided I would take Hwy 36 to Delaware(Ohio) then caught Hwy 23 north to Marion, Ohio. At Marion, I would take Hwy 309 to Lima. It was on Hwy 23 north that I started talking onto the cassette recorder as the traffic was light and it was a four lane highway. I turned down my CB radio, which was a mistake as some trucker probably tried to warn me of the coming Smokey(Ohio Highway Patrolman), and continued north on Hwy 23. I saw the Smoky coming at me and out of habit looked at my speed. I was doing what looked like 65 mph(55 mph was the limit). I didn't have a fuzz buster(radar detector), but when I saw the Smokey slowing down I was sure he was doing it for me...He was. I was invited to his vehicle where he was very pleasant. I thought that I was going to get away with the speeding(in Ohio??...get real!!) but he wrote me up for 62 mph in a 55 mph zone. I have several 2's in my social security number(was your drivers' license number) and he wrote all of them looking like 7's. I thought I could fight this but then I thought that I had got away with so many speedings(a noun) that I can pay for the one that I got caught at for not doing what I should have been doing...listening to the CB radio. I went on to Lima where I picked up several 4 cylinder engines going to a fork truck company in Dallas...After I delivered my load in Dallas, I found a post office and mailed my speeding fine into Ohio. I also mailed the tape I made. With the Commercial Drivers' License laws, this speeding fine never showed up on my driving record.