December 31, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Kingdom City, Missouri)
Middle of the holiday slow down time. I am at “Just a Truckstop” here in Kingdom City and don't deliver this load until Tuesday in Indianapolis. This is the best place to kill time at so I will spend another day here. Spent time in cab writing and reading. Laid down after dark for a nap that will hopefully yet me drive after midnight.

December 30, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Kingdom City, Missouri)
Middle of the holiday slow down time. I am at "Just a Truckstop” here in Kingdom City and don't deliver this load until Tuesday in Indianapolis. This is the best place to kill time at so I will spend another day here. Ate goodies and watched movies in the movie room.

December 29, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Remember that we are in the middle of the holiday slow down period. I was woken up by dispatch knocking on the side of my sleeper about 10 AM wanting to know if I wanted a run to Indianapolis, Indiana for January 2^nd. I said yes as it was the only thing there was. I got up and decided to go get the load in Slater, Missouri. I figured to kind of play around since I have a good three days to do a one day job. I got my empty trailer and headed east on I-70: then going north on Hwy 65. When I got to Marshall, Missouri, I had to follow the signs to Slater. Got to Slater and found the shipper very easily. They were waiting for me and loaded me up real fast. The load was of different kinds of paper filters and the whole load only weighed a little over 4,000 lbs. Signed the paper work and headed for I-70 east and stopped in Kingdom City, Missouri at the “All Right Truckstop.” Called about seeing the children tomorrow and everyone was busy. I called the family I stay with when “home” and told them I would treat them to dinner here at the truckstop. They all said yes and we had dinner together and a real nice visit. After they left, I watched movies in the Trucker's movie room for awhile and them went out and to bed. January 4, 1990....saw something that I have never forgotten!!!!

December 28, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Kansas City, Missouri)
In the middle of the holiday slow down period. I had to spend the day at the Kansas City terminal as there wasn't any loads for me. Hoping I get out tomorrow, Side note...I didn't fill my tanks with fuel even though I had all day; I don't know how heavy my next load will be and/or if I will need to run on partially filled tanks to conserve weight...

December 27, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Had my alarm set for 7 AM and when I was ready to go to my delivery drop, I left. Went into Kansas and had a little trouble finding the drop off location. Found it finally and also found that I had a 1 PM appointment to unload. When I said “unload” I meant unload as this was “Driver unload”. I was upset so I called dispatch. Dispatch said they would try and get someone to unload my trailer but I don't think they even tried. I unloaded the trailer and then went back to the Kansas City terminal(Missouri). I watched TV with the other drivers and stayed waiting for a load. Remember that we are in the HOLIDAY SLOWDOWN.

December 26, 1989, 2009

Woke up at 4:30 AM by my alarm clock. Since I didn't know exactly where I am to make the pickup, I got up early to give me more time. I left the truck stop at 5:00 AM and headed for Chicago. I took I-94 west and hooked into I-90 west. When I-90 got close to O'Hara Airport I took I-190 and found my pickup on the airport south side. I had to wait for the company to open at 8 AM. They had me back up to the dock and then loaded me. I was fully loaded with paper goods for a big name fast food outfit and the load only weighed 14,500 lbs. I left for Kansas City, Kansas at 9 AM where the load in to end up. I decided to hurry down to Kingdom City, Missouri where I might be able to talk with my children. Took I-55 south to I-270 west. When I got to I-70 I went west. Got to Kingdom City at around 4:15 PM . I talked with my kids and then it was off to our Kansas City terminal(Missouri). I got to the terminal around 7:00 PM and decided to call it a day. Parked and went to bed...

December 25, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:((Monday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan)
Right in the heart of the Holiday slowdown. Got up around noon and checked in with dispatch. They had a load I needed to take an empty trailer to get in Chicago, Illinois. I was given an empty trailer to take and I hooked up to it. Did my paperwork and vehicle inspection and I was off west on I-94. Stop for the night at "Just A Truckstop" in Lake Station.

December 24, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:((Sunday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan))
Christmas Eve and no big deal for me. Yesterday I bought me enough goodies for the whole day so I wouldn't have to go out to eat. The evening came and I went into the drivers lounge. Saw all the first three Star Wars movies...one after the other. Worked on my cassette tapes and occasionally watched John-from two days ago-talk with some guy and gal. John came over to me after the two others left and we talked until about 2:30 AM....

December 23, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:((Saturday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan))
Right in the middle of the holiday slowdown. Went to the big department store and spent alot of the day looking around. Had dinner at a ready good buffet and then back to the terminal. Watched TV in the drivers' lounge and then went to my tractor and to sleep.

December 22, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:((Friday-Taylor(Detroit), Michigan))
After waking up and looking out my windows, I saw two huge tour buses sitting in our parking lot. Turns out that our company has buses going from each terminal to other terminals delivering drivers to their home terminals for Christmas. I am not involved with the buses as I am not going home for the holidays. After the buses left, a driver I had been talking to was asked to go to Lansing, Michigan and bring back a trailer. I asked John, the driver, if he wanted company and he said yes. We had a good chit chat back and forth from Lansing. We stopped for dinner and then went back to the yard...talked for awhile and then went to my tractor for the night...

December 21, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Got up and had breakfast at the restaurant. Did a fast vehicle inspection and then headed east on I-80. Stayed with I-94 when it hooked up with I-80. Followed I-94 east into Michigan where I took a short break at the first rest area. After the break, I headed east to I-275 around the west side of Detroit, Michigan. Went south to exit 15 and then east to our Detroit Terminal. Dropped my trailer in the yard and checked in with dispatch. Told I would be here for awhile. No problem as my logbook hours are just about gone. Watched TV in the truckers lounge and talk to all the truckers. There were alot of drivers...Why? Explained tomorrow.

December 20, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Big Springs, Nebraska)
Filled my tanks(106 gallons) and did vehicle inspection. Things good and so I took off east on I-80.
Drove straight through to Williamsburg, Iowa with a short break in the rest areas outside York, Nebraska and Casey Iowa. Had dinner in Williamsburg and then back to the tractor for some sleep by 7:30 PM. Set my alarm for 4 AM and went to sleep.

December 19, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Ogden, Utah)
Had one drop of tires left here in Ogden. Got to the store before they opened and I parked next to the building where we unload. Got them unloaded and called dispatch. I have to go out to Rock Springs, Wyoming. I filled my fuel tanks and headed east on I-84 to I-80. I found the pickup but it was a chemical mine northeast of “Little America” Truckstop(exit 66 of of I-80 in Wyoming). I was loaded with 37,000lbs of some chemical going to be used in the dying of Easter Eggs. I have to take it to our Taylor(our Detroit Terminal), Michigan yard and drop it. I headed east on I-80. Thought about stopping in Rawlins, Wyoming at the truckstop but I would like to get to Big Springs, Nebraska as soon as possible. Stopped for a short break in Laramie, Wyoming and then headed east again. Crossed into Nebraska and kept moving. Boy, this western Nebraska is interesting...very green and very few people. Got to Big Springs as the day was ending. Parked and went to sleep!!!

December 18, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Provo, Utah)
Got up at 6 AM and got ready to deliver my tires. I usually have to deliver to the Provo and Orem stores but NOT this time. Headed for the Sandy store. I got to the store after they had opened their doors but I didn't have trouble backing into the back of the store. Got their tires off and then I was off the “Van Winkle” store off of the southern loop of I-215. Got backed up to their side door and unloaded. Off I went to the Kearns, Utah store and got backed in from the busy street. Unloaded and off to the downtown Salt Lake City store. Got them off and it was off to the Bountiful store. This store we pull into and then maneuver the truck around so we can back up to the door. Got their tires off and it was off to the Roy, Utah store. Backed in from the busy street and got their tires off. This was the last one off for the day. I still have the Ogden, Utah store to do. It will be the first and only drop tomorrow. Went to the “All Right Truckstop” outside Ogden and spent the night there. I did eat there but I watched the TV in my truck as I don't care for their TV area.

December 17, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Bloomfield, New Mexico)
Wasn't sleeping well so I got up at 1 AM and was on the road by 1:15 AM. Headed west on Hwy 64 until I got to Shiprock, New Mexico where I picked up Hwy 666 north. Pulled through the Colorado weigh scales in Cortez and had to take my permit book in for the scale master to look at. Left Cortez around 3:30 AM and headed for Utah. The Utah weigh scale was closed and I got to Monticello, Utah around 5 AM. Stopped for a break and get some goodies at a convenient store on the main road. Was there about 30 minutes and then headed north on Hwy 191. Followed Hwy 191 through Moab, Utah and to where it hooked up with I-70. Took I-70 west to Green River, Utah where I stopped around 8 AM for a break. The convenient store/truckstop I stopped at usually has really cheap hotdogs-3 for $100-not none out this Sunday AM. Didn't get anything and was gone, heading for Provo, by 8:30 AM. Traveled through the flat upper dessert on Hwy 6 until I got to Price and Helper, Utah where I started climbing into the mountains. Went over Soldier Summit and then started down into Utah Valley where Provo, Utah is found. Got to the Motel in Provo that I stay at at noon. Checked in and rested the rest of the day. I usually have Provo and Orem discount tires but tomorrow these two stops I have no tires for. That's fine: I start at the Sandy, Utah store tomorrow AM.

December 16, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Amarillo, Texas)
Left Amarillo when it was snowing at 9 AM. By the time I got to New Mexico the snow had stopped but the sky was cloudy. Got to Albuquerque about 1:30 PM but didn't stop. Went north on I-25 to Hwy 44(or 550) where I climbed into to mountains onto the Navajo Indian reservation. Continued to Cuba, New Mexico where I took to short break. Continued on to Bloomfield, New Mexico where I stayed for the night.

December 15, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Fort Worth, Texas)
Just a I was awaking, the night guard walked out and told me to back up to dock W7. He signed for my seal(verification the load hadn't been played with) and I opened the doors and backed into the assigned dock. I was met at the dock by Donna and Mary who were there to help me unload. Donna helped in the trailer while Mary did the pallets, forklift and counting. We had a whole bunch of pallets sitting around after we got the trailer empty. Everything was there that was suppose to be so she signed the paperwork and I was done there. I called Dallas dispatch(office in Red Oak, Texas) and was told to go to Carrollton(Texas) and exchange my trailer for a loaded trailer. I was told to bring the loaded trailer to Red Oak(Texas) and switch it for a Utah load of tires. I did it and got hooked up to my Utah load. I got my logbook caught up and did a complete vehicle inspection and found everything in good shape. I went in and talked to dispatch for awhile....After a lot of chit-chat, I went to my tractor and looked at the routing. I decided to go through Amarillo and Albuquerque again. I left Red Oak(Texas) around 1 PM and headed for Amarillo(Texas). I got on I-35E going north to I-20 going west. Just about to Fort Worth I caught Hwy 287 north through downtown Fort Worth and onto Amarillo(Texas). Got up through Wichita Falls before I was feeling the need for a short break. I did not take a break; I kept going until I reached Childress, Texas about 6:30 PM. Pulled into the small truckstop and took about 30 minutes. After logbook updating and a trailer walk around, I headed on. Finally got to my goal for the night, "Just A Truckstop" in Amarillo, Texas. Called it "quits" for the night. Went into the truckstop and had the buffet. I went to the movie room but didn't see anything I was interested in. Went to my truck and went to sleep.

December 14, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas slowdown...Woke up in my motel room and called dispatch. They told me that I would be leaving Laredo this afternoon. I checked out of the motel and was at the terminal by 10:30 AM. Talking to the other drivers, 4 of us decided to go to a good hamburger place in town. I rode over with Keith. When we gave them our order, we had to give them our name so that they can call us when the order was ready. Since I was in a heavily Latin surroundings, I gave the name "Diego". They called it and I got my order. Went back to the terminal and waited until about 3PM before my trailer came over the bounder. Another load of toys for Ft. Worth, Texas. The yard maintenance guy had to put some lights on the trailer as the Mexicans had "borrowed" a couple of them. Got hooked up and did a complete vehicle inspection. Everything looked good so I was on my way at 4:15 PM. Took I-35 to San Antonio, Texas where I stopped at "Just A Truckstop" for fuel (58 gallons); nothing more. Continued up I-35 through San Marcos, Austin, Temple, and Waco. Got to the I-35 split and I took I-35 W. I got to I-30 and took it east to Hwy 360. At Hwy 360, I went north to Trinity Road where I went east the the toy warehouse. Checked in with the guard and he said to just bed down until about 6:45 AM. I was bedded down by midnight.

December 13, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Wednesday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas slowdown...Nothing exciting today. Talked with other drivers and did a little shopping. Didn't even update my logbook or work on hobbies. Stayed at motel again tonight..
Note: I do get a load out tomorrow...

Trucker Helpful Hint: (check the numbers...)
Always double check the trailer you are picking up with the paperwork you have. I can remember twice when I hooked up to the wrong trailer, only to catch the mistake by a double checking. The worst case of picking up the wrong trailer was a driver picking one up in Laredo, Texas. He drove it to Lake Charles, Louisiana before he realized it. The company had him drive back to Houston, Texas where he had to meet another driver with the right trailer. They swapped trailers and the driver that brought the correct trailer took the wrong trailer to it's destination west. Taking the wrong trailer can not only by costly but it is also embarrassing because this mistake can be bypassed by less than a minute double check...

December 12, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas slowdown...Called dispatch today and was told there was no way I would be going out. I went to Wal-Mart and got some “hobby” stuff to play with and went back to my room. I had picked up a couple old pizza boxes so I decided to perfect my "fiberglass pizza". I spread out on my room's table like I did before (September 8, 1989) but I didn't have the visitors I did then. I had to leave the room for a short time while the room clearer did her thing. As I was working on the “pizza” I started thinking about a desk for my tractor. I thought about the desk and when I got done with the “pizza” I went out and got measurements. I didn't get the materials for the desk; I just did the “thinking” part. Afterward, I went to the pool and talked with a couple other drivers. This, and the other motel we use, looked like a terminal parking lot with all our tractors sitting around. Went to sleep watching the TV.

SECOND 5 YEARS: (the cost of not following directions...)
I was in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to do a pick up with other company trucks. There were four docks to back up to and I got the far right dock. I backed up to the dock and went to my sleeper for awhile. When I went to my sleeper, the only open dock was the far left one. Next to that dock was a BIG sign telling drivers to do a “straight back” docking. That meant that the driver needs to pull straight forward in front of the dock and back straight into the dock. There was plenty of room. Well, the reason for this was that next to this far left dock was a large gravel pit containing pipes covered by the gravel. While I was busy in my sleeper I noticed activity out in front of me. The truck that was to back into the far left dock had not done a straight backing. He had driven into the pit and his steering tires had sunk into the gravel. Things would have been OK if a vertical pipe hadn't ripped a small whole in his driver side fuel tank. He had to drop his trailer and put his tractor in an area designed for leaking tanks..Before it was over, all kinds of company(shipper) and government people were standing around talking while others were dumping powders and dirt on the leaking fuel. Of course there was yellow tape all around. When the fuel stopped leaking, there where shovelers and front loaders picking up the dirt and powder and sealing it in 55 gallons drums. I don't remember if the tractor had to be towed or not(no fuel left in tank) after this ordeal, but this mistake could not have been cheap.

December 11, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Laredo, Texas)
Christmas Slowdown....Am in Laredo where the motel has a pool and it is warm enough to use it. Slept in tractor last night and decided to get a room for tonight. Really didn't do much today. Went to eat and shop. Talked to some drivers at the terminal and then a couple drivers sitting around the motel pool. Uneventful....

SECOND 5 YEARS:(out of coolant????!!!!)
I had a Georgia load going to Mt Pleasant, Iowa and had parked at the truckstop in Paducah, Kentucky for my 8+ hours break. It was late and I went to bed. Had a good night and when I got up, I sat in the driver's seat and got all my paperwork caught up. I then started to go to the truckstop store and I noticed the ground looked wet. Looking around, I noticed a clear liquid coming out of my radiator overflow. Smelling it, I determined it was diesel fuel. I looked at my radiator overflow bottle and it was full of diesel fuel; I saw no coolant. I checked my gauges and found nothing out of the normal-temperature was fine. I called dispatch and they put me to the maintenance shop. The shop told me to drive it to the dealer out of St. Louis, Missouri for whatever repairs it needed. Dispatch canceled my unloading appointment for the next morning as we didn't know what the problem could be. The shop said to just watch the temperature which I did for the 3+ hour drive. The truck made it to St Louis with no problem. The engine temperature never varied. What I thought was going to be a major problem turned out to be nothing more than a broken “O” ring near an injector. I got to the dealer about 4 PM and they had me out of the place before midnight. The big problem was that dispatch couldn't get me another unload appointment until Thursday(original was Tuesday AM). I had two days to do about a 3 hour drive!!!!! Frustration???

Side Note: I ran diesel fuel as coolant for about 3 hours with no problem. If you should need coolant, DON'T use your diesel fuel without the OK of your maintenance shop or a place that will be willing to take responsibility if something negative happens. For "GAS" engines???DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT..I wouldn't even use gas if I got the OK!!! Gas and diesel fuel are two totally different substances and work in engines differently. I can't emphasize enough how dangerous the use of gas would be...

Tomorrow: The BIG cost of fuel leaks...

December 10, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-entering Oklahoma)
2AM found me rolling into the “Just A Truckstop” in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Parking my truck had to be done far from the truck store/restaurant as there were many trucks. I just parked and went to bed. Woke up at 9 AM and moved my truck up to being close to the store/restaurant doors. Went in and had breakfast and them came out, fueled(60 gallons), did vehicle inspection and got my paperwork work caught up. By 11 AM I was on I-35 heading south again. Nice day for driving. Following the flow of traffic at around 70 miles per hour. Down into Texas. It is interesting how the grasslands of eastern Kansas changed as I moved south to a less “green” color. Now in Texas the grass is more brown...greenish but more brown. Following I-35 south, I come to where I-35 splits into I-35E (goes through Dallas) and I-35 W (goes through Ft Worth). I am taking I-35 W south past Ft. Worth. I stopped for a break at the rest area outside Mansfield, Texas. By 3 PM I am back in the truck heading south. Come to the southern junction of I-35E and I-35 W and am on just I-35 south again. Pushing hard as I will stay the night in San Antonio and get to Laredo tomorrow. Pulling into the “Just A Truckstop” in San Antonio, Texas at 7:15 PM. I found a good parking spot and parked. I went in and enjoyed my dinner with several other truckers in the restaurant. Shoot! I have the urge to get the load to Laredo. I don't want to but those inner voices tell me to keep it moving. I fueled(76 gallons) and left by 8:45 PM. Beautiful night to be traveling!!! Radio is picking up several stations from far away; times are great! Pulling into the Laredo, Texas terminal at 11:15 PM. Checked with dispatch about what to do with the trailer and he said to just drop it in the yard and turn the paperwork over to him. This I did. I checked about getting out of Laredo and was told I would be here for a couple days....OH BOY!?! Watched my TV and went to sleep.

Tomorrow: Using diesel fuel as engine coolant????

December 9, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Took my sweet time getting up today as it's the weekend and I don't pickup until 3PM. I went into the restaurant and had the “Steak & Egg” breakfast. Headed toward Newton at 10 AM and was there, sitting outside their docks at 11 AM. I went to the shipping office and found that they had my trailer ready to go. They had me drop my trailer at the docks and then checked my new trailer after I hooked up. (Side Note; Never be insulted because a company wants to check trailer and/or paperwork before you leave their yard. They just verify you have the right stuff...If you make a mistake, you will wish they had. They do it only because there have been mistakes). Left for Laredo, Texas by 12:30 PM. Looking forward to this trip as will get to see “ranch” land and not just “farm” land. Got started by taking I-80 west to Des Moines, Iowa and hooked into I-35 south. Followed I-35 south into Missouri and continued to our Kansas City, Missouri terminal. I need to fuel and get this trailer I picked up cleaned. I pulled into the terminal around 4 PM and went right to the fuel island. Fueled (145 gallons) and rushed to get my unit washed but the wash bay was closing for the day. Found an old friend “Sundance” sitting in the drivers' lounge. We decided to go to dinner together and we did. I was back and headed for I-35 south by 8 PM. OH GREAT! I am going past “ranch” land in the dark. My luck. I just kept on it into Kansas down I-35 south. Got to the Kansas turnpike and headed south. The end of my calendar day finds me traveling into Oklahoma, having left the Kansas Turnpike...Rain falling.

December 8, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Bridgeton, Missouri)
Woke up about 6 AM and just waited for Carl to open his warehouse. He showed up around 7 AM and I went in and made a call to dispatch. I was told to go to Newton, Iowa and pick up a load of refrigerators for Laredo, Texas. The problem....they would not be ready until tomorrow afternoon. I feel I just did this routing a couple weeks ago. I decided to hustle on up to Williamsburg for dinner and movies and wait for tomorrow. Talked with Carl for a short time and then off I was at 8:30 AM.. Headed west on I-70 to Hwy 61 and went north. By 10:30 AM I was up sitting in the small Hannibal, Missouri truckstop. I got me a big soda and some munchies and I was headed north again. I stayed on Hwy 61 until I got close to the Iowa border. I took Hwy 394 over the toll bridge over the Iowa River. Followed it to Hwy 218 north and followed it to Iowa City, Iowa where I caught I-80 west. I was sitting in at the restaurant I wanted to be at in Williamsburg, Iowa by 3:00 PM. I did all my paperwork and had my steak dinner and watched four full movies before I went out to bed. Most the time I was the only driver in the movie room. Ended my day and went to bed....

December 7, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Kansas City, Missouri)
After a boring but relaxing day yesterday, I was wanting to get going. Checked with dispatch and was told that I would be out by noon. Went to breakfast with 3 other drivers. Came back to yard and found dispatch looking for me. They had a few different loads and I picked the one to Bridgeton, Missouri. This way I may see my kids this evening and I can visit my friend at his food warehouse in Bridgeton tomorrow. Hooked up to trailer, did vehicle inspection, got logbook caught up and fueled(116 gallons). Load weight: 12,430 lbs. Took off east on I-70 at noon and pulled up to the Fulton Post Office at 2:30 PM. I checked my mail and called my kid's Mom to see if I could see them. They were busy tonight so I went on to Bridgeton, Missouri. Went on to customer who was open and happy to unload me. I won't argue about that. Got unloaded and went over to my friends warehouse and parked for the night. Walked down the road to a restaurant and had dinner. Came back to my truck, caught up paperwork and watched TV.

December 6, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Pretty much a day off. No loads for me so I just talked with other drivers, watched TV in the TV room, and got my tractor washed. That was it for this day...

December 5, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Paducah, Kentucky)
1:30 AM and my alarm goes off. I get up and do the wake up thing. I go into the truckstop and get me some goodies. Am gone at 2 AM. Over the Ohio River and into Illinois on I-24 to I-57 north. I-57 to I-64 west and into St. Louis. Over the Mississippi into Missouri on I-70 where I followed it to Kingdom City, Missouri(exit 148). I went down to Fulton, Missouri to check my mail. It is now 6:30 AM and traffic is kicking up. By 7:30 AM I was headed west on I-70 again. Found myself pulling into the Kansas City yard at 9:45AM. Checked with dispatch and the load isn't due until Thursday so I was told to just drop my trailer in the yard, which I did. There wasn't any loads for me so I went to the restaurant and then came back to the yard and took me a 3 hour nap. Didn't really do much the rest of day.....

December 4, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-La Grange, Georgia)
Dreaming away when I felt the tractor start rocking. The shipper had started loading me and it was a little after 8 AM. I was loaded and away from the dock by 8:45 AM. Got paperwork and the weight of the load was 22,000 lbs; no problem at all. They sealed the trailer and had me sign the paperwork. I reviewed the routing and decided to go back up to Chattanooga, Tennessee. I left on I-85 north and took the west side of I-285 north(Atlanta Loop) to I-75 north. At Chattanooga, Tennessee I took I-24 west and started climbing into the mountains, stopping at Monteagle(Tennessee) at 12:30 PM. My fuel is running low so I refueled(178 gallons). Only here for ½ hour as I don't really like this truckstop. Headed west to Nashville(Tennessee) and did not stop. Stayed on I-24 into Kentucky and stopped at exit 16 in Paducah(Kentucky). I love the restaurant at this truckstop so I stopped for dinner-best fried chicken-and then decided to stay for about 9 hours for my long break.. This I did.

December 3, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Sunday-Knoxville, Tennessee)
Woke up from a good night's sleep around 6:30 AM. Only have a 3 ½ hour drive today so I decided to take my time and have the breakfast buffet. I did and looked around the truckstops trucker store. Boy, are things expensive. Luckily the spare parts(light, fuses etc) I need occasionally, our maintenance shop provides use with. Went out to my tractor and got all my paperwork work done. Pulled out on I-75 south and headed for Atlanta, Georgia. This I-75 south in Tennessee looks so peaceful and quiet but I delivered along Hwy 11 east of this interstate earlier this year and found it very active. All kinds of businesses in and out off of the trees. Traveled passed Cleveland(Tennessee) and into Chattanooga, Tennessee. Never stopped until I entered Georgia. I stopped at the first Georgia rest area as I have time and it is a very nice place the take a break. Took a ½ hour break and walked around, threw a couple rocks into the woods, and enjoyed the myself. The place I am going isn't more than five blocks from the “ALL Right Truckstop” off the south part of the loop around Atlanta. Sunday Afternoon and as I entered the Atlanta loop on the west side, I felt I was entering a raceway; not as a watcher, but as a participant. I was in the slow lane and doing 55 miles per hour. Vehicles were passing me like I was standing still. I was sitting outside the customer's building at 3:30 PM and they were open. I talked to the guard at the front gate and he said I would have to wait until tomorrow to get unloaded but that I could stay where I was until then. I said thanks and went back to my truck. It was about an hour later that the guard came out to me and said that they would unload me now. I asked why and was told they needed now what I have on my trailer. NO PROBLEM. They had me unloaded by 5 PM (EST) and I called dispatch that I was empty. Dispatch told me to go to La Grange, Georgia tomorrow and pick up an auto parts load to Kansas City. I have time and don't really like it at this truckstop, so I headed out on I-285 westward to I-85 south. I found the customer in La Grange about 7 PM and they were open also. Gave the guard my pickup number and he told me to open my doors, back up to door three, caulk (special blocks that keep tires from moving)my tires and go to bed. I said thanks and did what he said. They will load me in the morning...

December 2, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Saturday-Taylor, Michigan)
Woken up at 7 AM by a light knocking on my tractor. It was dispatch wanting me to drop my Canada load and take a “hot”(a load needing to go badly) load to Atlanta, Georgia for Monday. I said yes and I was dispatched on the load by 7:30 AM. Got trailer hooked up, did a complete vehicle inspection, got my logbook caught up and fueled; put in 130 gallons. My load weight, according to the paperwork, was only 5740 lbs. Took off south on I-75. After getting through Dayton(Ohio) I stopped for a 30 minute break at the rest area. I took a little extra time as there was a driver that I knew....so we talked a few minutes. Back on the road and stayed on I-75 through Lexington(Kentucky). After Lexington-land of beautiful scenery and horses-the land was pretty flat for awhile, then the mountains started. These mountain roads seemed steep at points but the truckstop didn't seem to slow much on them. I passed into Tennessee with the town of Jellico on the west side... a town I would like to visit...just sounds good. I was in the mountains now and went down into Knoxville(Tennessee); the city itself in the mountains. I stopped for the night at “Just A Truckstop” for the night...I went in and had dinner and watched movies until about 10 PM....To bed I went and watched TV until I fell asleep.

Trucking Student Question:
What do you do when you find a brake pod hanging(broken off) with air line not leaking? With air line leaking?

December 1, 1989, 2009

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Kingston Springs, Tennessee)
Took off for the Ford Glass Plant at 6 AM and was parked in line for loading. While in line, I checked in with the shipper and was told that my load was canceled. I called dispatch and told them of the cancellation. I was given a load to St. Thomas, Ontario(Canada) that needs to be up there before Monday. I was loaded with a weight of 38,570 lbs. It should be OK but I took it to the “All Right Truckstop” and got an actual total weight. No problem. I had lunch there with a couple drivers that I knew. I said bye to the other drivers and I headed north on I-65. The Tennessee and Kentucky coupes(state truck weigh stations) were open and they were less than 10 minutes from each other. No problem with either of them. Continued north past the Corvette plant in Bowling Green(Kentucky) and onto Louisville(Kentucky). I decided to go through downtown Louisville instead of going around the bypasses as I like this downtown and the Friday going home traffic should not have started yet. Nice downtown experience and I caught I-71 north as I got close to the Ohio River. Followed I-71 toward I-75 where the two joints. I could not follow I-71/I-75 over the Ohio River due to a steep hill down to the river and a law that says,”NO BIG TRUCKS”. I took I-275 east on the Kentucky side to I-471 north over into Ohio. Then I took I-71 south to I-75 north. When I crossed over the Ohio River, I saw the Christmas decorations on the Cincinnati(Ohio) river beaches. They were fantastic. I continued up I-75 past to the first rest area where I stopped for a little break. I only took 15 minutes ans I was headed north. Dayton(Ohio) was passed as well as Lima, Findley and Toledo(Ohio). Went into Michigan and, of course, their coupe(state truck weigh station) was open.(no problem). Onto Taylor, Michigan terminal (our Detroit terminal) where I spent the night. Weather says snow for Sunday...what to do....stay here until Sunday or run load up tomorrow and get it off before Sunday???