December 31, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Russell, Kansas)
Was checked into the motel and stayed in my room most of the day. I did take a walk for about two hours but was back long before dark. Weather chilly but nothing I couldn't stay in for awhile.

Grabbed two giant sausage pizza and went back to my room for the night. I did nothing special for the new year coming....I even went to sleep before midnight....Just call me "Mr. Excitement".

December 30, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Joplin, Missouri)
Got up when I felt like it and then checked in with dispatch. They had a load of tires that deliver in Aurora, Colorado on the 2nd of January. I decided to take it and leave. I topped off my tanks(76 gallons), did a vehicle inspection, did my paperwork and was gone at 10:30 AM CST.

I left Joplin going west into Kansas, getting on Hwy 400 and Hwy 69 north. Stayed on Hwy 400 all the ways to Wichita. I saw some really beautiful scenery before I got Augusta(Kansas), some that I wish I had time to go passed again...I should with another load.

I got to I-135 and went north to Salina(Kansas) where I took I-70 west to Russell, Kansas. I got to Russel at 6 PM CST and decided to "camp" out here until New Years Day. I got a motel room for two days next to the convenient store behind which I had parked my truck.

I just watched the motel TV tonight and took life easy after getting a pizza from Pizza Hut next door to the motel...

December 29, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Tucumcari, New Mexico)
I was up at 6 AM MST without the use of my alarm clock. I was leaving the big old truckstop at 6:30 and heading east on I-40. The desert slowly changed to grass land as I entered Texas. Amarillo came into site and I stopped there for lunch and fuel(122 gallons). It was 10:45 AM CST when I left for Oklahoma City.

Passed through Oklahoma City after 3 PM CST and headed up I-44(toll road). The roads were a little slick as it was cold. Before getting to Tulsa, Oklahoma I came upon an accident where a SUV crossed the Highway and ran head on into a semi truck. The truck was a little messed up but the SUV was totally destroyed. The two people in the SUV lost their lives.

Traveled through Tulsa and then back onto the Oklahoma Turnpike(tollway). Ended up pulling into Joplin(Missouri) terminal at 7:15 PM CST. I dropped the trailer in the trailer yard and turned the paperwork into the dispatcher. Told that I may get a load tomorrow...

December 28, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Kingman, Arizona)
I got to the "Just a Truckstop" at a couple of minutes before 1 AM MST and decided to get a little bit to eat. I want into the almost vacant restaurant and sat down in the non driver section. The waitress started talking to me as I guess she didn't have much to do. We talked and by her speech, comments and questions I figured she was a nursing student by day. I was correct. I ate and the waitress(Loraine) and I said good bye and I went to my truck. I then took my 8 hour break.

I set my alarm clock to 10 AM MST but didn't need it; I was awake and feeling pretty good at 9 AM MST. I went back into the restaurant and had a big buffet lunch. After eating I filled my tanks(67 gallons) and did my required jobs. I was on my way east a little before 11 AM MST. Followed the desert for awhile and then started into the mountains. Past Flagstaff and then Holbrook and soon past into New Mexico. I stopped at the first New Mexico Rest Area and took a short break. Took off and past Gallup, New Mexico and onto Albuquerque. Climbed into the mountains on the east of Albuquerque onto the upper desert. Thought about stopping at our fuel stop in Santa Rosa(New Mexico) but changed my mind and went to Tucumcari, New Mexico for the night.

It was 9:30 PM MST when I pulled into the truckstop in Tucumcari. I just laid in my truck and went to sleep as I was tired...

December 27, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Ontario, California)
I was up early again today as my home terminal in Missouri is running two hours earlier due to the time differences. I called the dispatch in Joplin, Missouri at 7 AM PST and was told to call back in an hour.

"Call back in an hour" is something I have got use to hearing and doesn't bother me until I heard it more than two or three times a day.

After my 9 AM PST check call, I got a load. I have to go to Long Beach(California) to got the load and I was given the directions to the warehouse. The load is going to a company in Joplin, Missouri so dispatch said I would be bringing to the terminal yard.

I headed for Long Beach and found the shipper-warehouse-where the load was stored. I had to back up to the dock and drop the trailer as that practice was considered a safety measure. I unhooked and moved to the waiting area. I was permitted to watch the loading of the trailer and did. They loaded me with 38,000 lbs of bearings. I left the shipper at 3 PM PST after I rehooked to my trailer. I failed to do my vehicle inspection and it just about cost me "big time".
I left my pigtail(trailer light hook up) unhooked. I went back to our fuel stop and was amazed at the rude drivers who would not let me change lanes when I had turned on my turn signals.... trailer lights were not working!!!! I was thankful the Highway Patrol did not see me. I got to the fuel stop and weighed my unit. I was fine.

I decided to eat at the fuel stop and then leave for Joplin, Missouri. It was a little after 7 PM PST when I headed east a short distance on I-10 to I-15. I-15 was taken up Cajon Pass, past the closed California weigh scale, onto the desert floor and onto Bartow, California. At Bartow I took I-40 east through the desert with an almost full beautiful moon. Crossed into Arizona and stopped at "Just a Truckstop" in Kingman at a few minutes before midnight PST...

December 26, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Ontario, California)
I was up early to deliver my load. I wouldn't to go far as I just delivered in Rancho Cucamonga, California. I went up and delivered and was back at the truckstop at 10 AM PST. I spent the rest of the day at the truckstop with other drivers from my company. The other drivers were the KID, Jesse James and Pondering Man. We went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner and then went back to the truckstop and watched a Star Trek movie. I then went to bed...

December 25, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Quartzsite, Arizona)
Christmas morning and we(see Dec 21st) where up and ready to go by 5:30 AM MST. We crossed into California at Blythe and than continued west as the sun rose at our backs. The roads were great and the traffic minimal so we just kept moving around.

We pulled into our fuel stop in Ontario, California at 8 AM PST and fueled(117 gallons). We then found a great place to park near the truckstop doors. Sundance and I just took it easy until Christmas dinner was served. We paid a little under 9 dollars for the meal and then found that the truckstop across the street gave dinner free to all truck drivers....That's life.

After dinner we went to the movie room and watched movies-I slept through them. About 5 PM PST, Sundance and I went the to game area and started playing games. We were playing a "toy" grabbing game and we were very successful. We had a small football and we saw a young couple with two children playing around them. The kids looked like a little boy and girl. We played the grabbing game again and got a doll. We then presented the football to the boy and the doll to the younger "girl"....The younger one was a boy also. The parents thanked us and said they would take care of the problem.....

We went to our trucks early and I went to sleep. We were going to different destinations so we said bye until we meet again...

December 24, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-traveling in Texas)
Shortly after the day started, Sundance(see Dec 21st) and I passed Van Horn Texas and continue to the east end of El Paso, Texas. We got to El Paso around 1 AM MST and we took our long break at the El Paso terminal.

We both settled down for our break and were up at 9 AM MST and getting ready to head out. We both fueled(I took 126 gallons) and headed for New Mexico at 9:45 AM MST. Traveled through New Mexico in what seemed like a very short time and entered Arizona. Stopped at the rest area right over the Arizona border for a short break and then onward...

We stopped at Eloy,Arizona at a very nice truckstop. Sundance showed me the police scanner he had bought and I bought one. It was now 5 PM MST and we decided to go onto the truckstop in Quartzsite, Arizona. We got there at 8:15 PM MST and decided to take our 8 hour break here. We had dinner and then agreed to meet at 5 AM tomorrow...

December 23, 1990, 2003

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Laredo, Texas)
Had spent the night with the Mortens and left their home when we all went to church.
I usually would go to the Morten's after church but this time, Sundance(see Dec 21st) and I left for California at 2:15 PM CST. We got hooked up to our trailers and did the vehicle inspections. Both of us had enough fuel to get us to the El Paso Terminal.

We headed up I-35 and shortly after the border check-not far from Laredo-We took Hwy 83 north to Carrizo Springs(Texas) where we continued on Hwy 277 northwest. We stopped for a little break at the Eagle Pass truckstop(really small) and then continued on Hwy 277 to Del Rio(Texas).

The time was now 6 PM CST and so we stopped along the main street in front the the "chicken" place and had dinner. I really enjoyed the "Hispanic" atmosphere of the area.

Out of Del Rio, we took Hwy 90 over and around the Amistad Lake and onto Sanderson. It was now dark and the beauty of the area was hidden by darkness. At Sanderson(Texas) we took Hwy 285 to Fort Stockton, Texas. We stopped at the first rest area on I-10 west bound after leaving Fort Stockton for a short break. onward!

We were closing in on Van Horn, Texas as the day ended at midnight...

December 22, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Laredo, Texas)
Stayed the day with the Mortens and did not do anything but play with my computer and visit...

December 21, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Laredo, Texas)
I was at the Morten household until about 8:30 AM CST when I went back to the Laredo terminal. At the terminal, I met up with "Sundance", a friend and driver I had run with just a few weeks ago. I got him interested in driving for this company when I stopped at the truck school I went to.

Sundance and I talked awhile and then went and ate. Back at the terminal, after lunch, we both were asked if we wanted to go home for Christmas on the bus that would be rented for us. We both declined and took a load to California for the 26th.

We had plenty of time so we decided to get a motel room(cheaper for him if I went in with him) and I would stay with the Mortens until Sunday afternoon. I talked with Sundance in the room for awhile and then I left for the Mortens. Spent the evening with the Mortens...

December 20, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Laredo, Texas)
Stayed at the terminal half the day and then went to the Mortens for the night. Just waiting as my TRB number is still high; too high to get out today.

December 19, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Italy, Texas)
I was up and headed down I-35E by 3AM CST. I-35E soon becomes just I-35 after joining I-35W.
Kept my pace up and pulled into the "Just a Truckstop" in San Antonio, Texas at 7 AM CST for fuel(117 gallons) and breakfast. I hung around the truckstop until a little after 9 AM and then headed down I-35 getting to our Laredo terminal a little before noon.

I checked in with dispatch and was told to drop my trailer in the yard and turn in my paperwork; I did and them took a nap. Hung around the terminal the rest of the day.

December 18, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Wheatley, Arkansas)
Woke at around 7 AM CST without the use of the alarm clock. I laid there for awhile as I am in no hurry. After I got up, I went into the convenience store and brought me four hot dogs and a soda(soft drink in Canada). I was headed toward Little Rock by 9:30 AM CST. I caught I-440 around the southeast corner of Little Rock and ended up heading southeast on I-30. I stopped for a short break at the rest area/welcome center in Texarkansas, Texas where I walked around for awhile. Continued on to our terminal in Lancaster, Texas and stopped for a break at 4:30 PM CST.
I talked with the drivers at the terminal until after 6 PM CST so I could miss the 'going home" traffic. The traffic was decent when I headed south on I-35E. I was feeling tired so I stopped at the convenient store with truck parking at the Italy, Texas exit at 6:45 PM CST; I laid in my truck and went to sleep.

December 17, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Monroe, Ohio)
I was up at 5 AM EST and reviewing my directions to the North Cincinnati pick up point. I moved out down I-75 and found the shipper south of the North College Hill area. All I had to do was swap my empty trailer for a full one. I was taking 44,000 lbs of Salicylic acid powder(aspirin ingredient) to Laredo, Texas.

I checked the load as there was no seal on the trailer. I found a small area of the sides of the trailer had holes. The weather was rainy and I feared leaking moisture would damage the load. I climbed over the huge bags to the small holes and put duct tape over them. The tape should hold.

I was headed down I-75 and crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. I was now on I-75 & I-71 and followed I-71 toward Louisville. Went through Louisville and took I-65 south toward Nashville, Tennessee. I stopped at the truckstop in Shepherdsville, Kentucky and looked around for about a half hour. Back on I-65 getting to Nashville where I took I-40 west. Boring ride to the Memphis, Tennessee terminal. I stopped at the terminal at 5 PM CST and fueled(178 gallons).

I talked with a few drivers at the terminal for awhile and then was back on I-55 north to I-40 west in Arkansas. Followed I-40 to a favorite convenient store with truck parking in Wheatley Arkansas where I shut down for the night...

December 16, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Monroe, Ohio)
Woke up at the motel Budweiser and I were staying at. He was awake watching TV when I woke.

Budweiser needed to be heading out and so he was gone by 11 AM EST. I stayed in the room until check out time(1 PM EST) and then moved to my truck. I just did paperwork, watched TV, typed on my computer and ate munchies until I fell asleep for the night.

December 15, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Wapakoneta, Ohio)
Woke up this morning west of Wapakoneta at the rest area. Called dispatch and I had a load to pick up in North Cincinnati(Ohio) Monday Morning. No early pickups on this load. This load will end up crossing the border in Laredo, Texas.

I got the assignment and decided to go to the Stoney Ridge Truckstop in Monroe, Ohio for the weekend. I got to the truckstop and parked next to another truck from my company. The driver of the other truck had the handle "Budweiser". Well, Budweiser and I had breakfast and got a motel room(cheaper if we share a room) for the night. I worked on one of my projects after we got the room. I worked on my projects until I was tired enough to want to go to sleep. Budweiser just watched TV and I think he fell asleep watching it.

December 14, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Spencerville, Ohio)
I was up at 6:30 AM EST and waiting for the company to open. Finally someone got there and told me to back up to the dock. They unloaded me and I was ready to go at 9 AM EST. I called dispatch throughout the day and had nothing given to me to do.

This town is-or was-very small and didn't have a town restaurant. The only place I found as I walked around was a pizza making place that was only open for pizza in the late afternoon. I went to the grocery story and stocked up on some things but wasn't much.

At around 5 PM EST I called dispatch and asked if there was anything for me to do coming up and was told no. I decided to go back to the truckstop in Wapakoneta(Ohio). I headed out of town down Hwy 66 and then east on Hwy 33. Shortly after getting on Hwy 33 I came to a rest area which I stopped at.

The rest area was very quiet except for for a woman talking on the phone inside the rest area building. She sound quite anxious and I, after I identified myself, ask if I could help her out. She was in the middle of a four hour trip and had just noticed that she had left her license and money home. She was almost out of gas and didn't know what to do. This didn't appear to be a scam so I gave her $20.00 and my address so she could mail it back to me(I never received it back). She thanked me and then left in her car.

I decided to spend the night at the rest area and did...

December 13, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Nashville, Tennessee)
Woke up with no help from an alarm clock and ate my remaining hamburgers from the White Castle yesterday. Called dispatch and was given a load of glass from the glass plant going to Spencerville, Ohio.....back toward Toledo, Ohio.

Picked up my glass load and went to the Nashville truckstop(our fuel stop), filled my tanks(84 gallons) and had the lunch buffet. I talked with the other drivers for awhile and then left at 12:30 PM CST. North to Louisville where I got on I-71 northeast. Followed I-71 to I-275, south of Cincinnati(Ohio) where I had to go east on I-275; semi weren't allowed to cross the Ohio River bridge going north. Not long on I-275 east until I get to I-471 which I take north over the Ohio River. I get to I-71 again and take it south to I-75 which I take north.

I followed I-75 up to Wapakoneta(Ohio) and caught Hwy 33 west to Hwy 66. Took Hwy 66 north to Spencerville and got there at 10 PM EST. This town was so small that I easily found the receiver and parked by the receiving docks.

Tried to watch TV tonight but my TV wouldn't pick up any stations. Just listened to the radio and went to sleep...

December 12, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Taylor, Michigan)
Slept real well last night. My fuel tanks were running almost dry so I filled them with 205 gallons. I checked with dispatch and found that I had a load of empty racks to Nashville's glass plant.

I left with my trailer at 10 AM EST and headed down I-75. No worry when I had to be weighed by the Michigan state scales. I then followed I-75 into Ohio and past Toledo.

I stopped at the Waffle House I really liked in Lima(Ohio) for lunch. They had a deal going; all you could eat for $4.99. I had three bacon cheese burgers with fries and a soda(soft drink in Canada).

I continued down I-75 past Cincinnati into Kentucky. When I went into Kentucky, I was on I-75 & I-71. Shortly after crossing into Kentucky I followed I-71 to Louisville(Kentucky) where I picked up I-65 south in downtown area. I stopped at the White Castle in Shepherdsville(Kentucky) for a half hour break and hamburger getting time. I bought 18 White Castle burgers to take with me.

I continued down I-65 past the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky into Tennessee. Got to the Nashville glass plant at 7:30 PM CST. They unloaded me in the back of the plant and I decided to stay at the glass plant for the night as I had called dispatch and there no no load for me. Went to bed and watched my TV...

December 11, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Toronto, Ontario)
I and No Name(driver I have been parked next to since yesterday) got up and went to breakfast -after calling dispatch-at a small restaurant around the corner from where we were parked. Dispatch had nothing for us to do.

We went back to our trucks and I found a picture of my dispatcher. I decided to throw snowballs at it and have No Name take a picture of me.


We both got loads to pickup in Sarnia, Ontario at our 3 PM EST check call. I was picking up for Kingsport, Tennessee and he was picking up Kansas City, Kansas. We left the Toronto area shortly after 3:15 PM EST and headed up Hwy 404 to Hwy 401 southwest. Upon getting to London, Ontario, we took Hwy 402 to Sarnia where we easily found the shipper by 7 PM EST. We had to drop our trailers and pickup the loaded ones. We where loaded and headed into the US by 7:30 PM EST. We both got through the US customs with no problems at Port Huron, Michigan and headed toward toward Detroit.

We got to the terminal at 8:30 PM EST and I checked with dispatch to see if I could drop my load; I was told to drop it.....I did. Went on the TRB and went to bed...

December 10, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Hamburg, New York)
I was up real early and crossing the border at 6 AM EST. I had to go to the customs broker and they didn't open until 7 AM EST. I had 49 different items on the truck and I had to go back and forth between customs and the customs broker several times and got cleared for Canada by 1 PM EST. Boy, what a frustrating day

After I got through Canadian customs I headed toward Toronto(Ontario) on the QEW(Queen Elizabeth Way) highway. Took the QEW right through Toronto to the 404 Hwy. I found the receiver not far from the downtown area. I was unloaded when another truck from my company drove in. I called dispatch while he(his handle was "No Name") was being unloaded. Dispatch told me there wouldn't be any loads until tomorrow; the same went for No Name.

We got the OK to stay in the receivers yard for the night. I was cold and light snow was predicted for tomorrow.

No Name and I walked downtown and ate at the worst Chinese restaurant I had been to. We both ordered meals that normally came with rice through this place the rice had to ordered for extra. The food was terrible tasting like waffles and maple syrup. I wrote a long complaint on the back of the bill.

Went back to our trucks and turned in for the night. It was windy and cold...

December 9, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Hamburg, New York)
This morning I checked into the motel at the truckstop I was staying at. The motel restaurant was laid around a bowling alley; eat and watch the pins drop. I just spent the day in my room typing and watching TV.

December 8, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Harrisonburg, Virginia)
I was up and heading up I-81 by 4 AM EST. There were several ways I could go but because I didn't really know the back roads on the east so I stay on the interstates mainly. I drove up into Maryland and got onto I-70 west. When I-70 went north, I took I-68 west into West Virginia where I got onto I-79 north.

Getting to Pennsylvania, I continued up I-79 past Washington(Pennsylvania). On the north side of Washington, I stopped at McDonald's for a break at 9 AM and hung around for about an hour. By 10 AM EST I was heading north on I-79 again to Erie(Pennsylvania). I took I-90 into New York and got off at Hamburg(Exit 57) at 3:15 PM EST. Went to the truckstop and had a big king sized cheese burger and onion rings. Thought about staying there for the night. Thought some more and them decided to stay....

December 7, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Conover, North Carolina)
I was awake before 4:30 AM EST and so I got up and walked around for several blocks direction from my truck. The weather was cool but comfortable so the walk was nice. Got back to the truck and got my paperwork all caught up to the very minute. At 7 AM the manager of the warehouse showed up. I introduced myself and he told me to back up to the dock with my doors open.

I backed up and then went into the building and offered to help unload for no reward. He said I could help but that he could do it himself faster. I watched him and he knew exactly what he was doing and how to do it. The trailer was empty in about an hour. He signed the paperwork and I went out and took the placards off the trailer.

I called dispatch and was told to go to Salem, Virginia and pick up a load for Toronto, Ontario. I left for Salem at 9:45 AM EST and headed east on I-40 to I-77 which I took north. I stopped at "Just a Truckstop" in Fort Chiswell, Virginia (I-77 & I-81) for lunch and was there only an hour. I followed I-81 to Salem and found the shipper I was to load at.

I was backed to the loading docks and they had a number of things to load. I didn't get out of there before 4 PM EST. I got back on I-81 and headed up the Shenandoah Valley to a truckstop in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Stayed there the night watching my TV and resting and sleeping...

December 6, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Pomona, Tennessee)
Woke up after day break and found this place worse than what I saw last night when I parked. I didn't even look around but left shortly after waking up(8:45 AM CST).

I headed east on I-40, right through Nashville and onto Knoxville. At Knoxville, I stopped at the "Just A Truckstop" for lunch and tire check(I have a haz-mat load) at 1:30 PM EST. I sat in the trucker section of the restaurant, ate lunch and talked "truck" with the other drivers. I was back on the road by 2:45 PM EST heading for North Carolina. As I traveled into North Carolina, I traveled through one of the most beautiful valleys in the country.

I stopped at Candler, North Carolina for fuel(93 gallons) and another tire check. I was there for about a half hour and then started eastward again. I went through Asheville(North Carolina), down the steep grade of Black Mountain and onto Conover.

The receiver was hard to find as the directions seemed pretty difficult to follow. The small warehouse I was going to was on Hwy 70, off of I-40 a couple miles. Finally, at 7:15 PM EST, I found the warehouse and parked my truck by what looked like the receiving doors. I was not hungry so I just laid down, watched my TV and went to sleep.

December 5, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday- Tulsa, Oklahoma)
I was at the shipper's place at 7 AM CST and they backed me up to the dock ready to load. 8 AM CST came and no loading. 9 AM CST came and no loading. I got out of my truck and just asked what the problem was; they weren't gone filling the drums I was carrying. It was toward 11 AM CST that I was ready to leave. I had a hazard materials load know as haz-mat and had to place placards(big identification stickers) on all four sides of my trailer. This load would also require tire checks(required by law) every 2 hours.

I left Tulsa around 11:15 PM CST heading southeast on the Muskogee Turnpike. When I got to I-40 I took it east into Arkansas. Over the border, in Arkansas, I pulled into the closed weigh station and did a quick check of my tires, as required. Everything good so I continued east on I-40. East of Little Rock, Arkansas, I pulled off again and checked my tires. I stopped again at "Just a Truckstop" in West Memphis(Arkansas) where I checked my tires and had dinner. I took I-55 into Tennessee to our terminal where I fueled(117 gallons); hit the road again. I drove to Pomona, Tennessee where I bedded down for the night(11PM CST). A real bad place but I was tired....

November 4, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Woke up early and sat in my drivers' seat and did my paperwork. Got everything catch up and read for awhile until Sundance(driver I have been running with) got up. Made our check calls and nothing going for us.
---frustration---

We just "hung" around and at lunch, had the buffet. Towards 3 PM CST, Dispatch had something for us. I was to go to Tulsa and pick up a load for Conover, North Carolina and Sundance was to pick up in Oklahoma City for Davenport Iowa. Sundance wanted to know if I wanted to swap loads and I said no. Both loads load tomorrow.

I was headed for Tulsa and spend the night at the small truckstop off of I-44 on the southwest side of town.

November 3, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Joplin, Missouri)
I crawled out of my bunk at 6 AM and saw Sundance(drive I am running with) sitting in his drivers' seat already. We walked into dispatch and checked in. We then went to our trucks, did our vehicle inspections, our paperwork and then went west on I-44 into Oklahoma. Took the turnpike all the way to I-40 inside Oklahoma City. I-40, we took west to the west end of town and found the delivery point about 10:15 AM CST. We were empty around noon. We flipped a coin to see who would get to be first on the TRB for Oklahoma City and I won. We called in and were told there was no loads for us today. We went to the large truckstop off of I-40 and tucked it in for the night---At 1 PM CST????

We goofed around the rest of the day and I found "dinosaur" slippers for my daughter for Christmas. The slippers looked like dinosaurs and growled when she walked in them.

Didn't do anything exciting...

December 2, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Henderson, Kentucky)
Running with Sundance(Driver I met yesterday) and we shared a room last night. We were up and headed for Lewisport, Kentucky by 7 AM CST and got there around 8 AM CST. We found that our appointments were for 10 AM CST and that we would have to wait. No problem as they had us back into enclosed docks next to each other. It must have been a union shop as we had to wait to 10 AM CST and no one was in a hurry to load us.

We were loaded with large rolls of aluminum going to a can making company on the west side of Oklahoma City. Seemed like the load would weigh alot but it didn't. We took off for Oklahoma City by way of Joplin, Missouri around 11:30 AM CST. We left taking Hwy 60 west to Hwy 41 north. Into Indiana and the city of Evansville(I-164 was not finished). I hate Hwy 41 through Evansville with all it's miles of stop lights...Up to I-64 and went west into Illinois, stopping at one of my favorite rest areas as we crossed the border. We were at the rest area about 1/2 hour as we walked around a little. Back to driving west on I-64 and continuing into St Louis, Missouri where we took I-44 west(southwest). We stopped at the rest area near Sullivan, Missouri for a short break and then onward. We pulled into our terminal yard in Joplin at 9:15 PM CST. We fueled(me---162 gallons), parked our trucks and checked in with dispatch. We then went to our trucks and went to bed, agreeing to meet tomorrow at 6 AM......

December 1, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Ridgway, Illinois)
Woke up with daylight just making it's appearance and found another driver from my company sitting next to me. He was sitting in his drivers' seat so I got out to talk with him. He saw me and got out of his truck. I said high and he said high back and then commented that he knew me. It appears that I had stopped in to see my old truck school and he was a student there. He remembers me talking to him and me encouraging him to sign up with our company. His handle was "Sundance" and he became a close friend for several years.

Sundance was unloaded close to 8:30 AM CST and called dispatch. He was given the same load as I had to pick up for tomorrow: Lewisport, Kentucky. I used his dispatcher to make my check call. We took off for Lewisport about 9:30 AM CST. We talked on channel 24 on the CB radio all the way

We traveled down Hwy 1 to Hwy 13 and went east. We crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky where Hwy 13 became Hwy 56. Then it became Hwy 60 which we took to Henderson (Kentucky) Since we didn't pick up until tomorrow, we got a room at an older motel with truck parking. The motel clerk was an older gentleman wearing older style clothing. I took the bed by the window and threw some stuff on it. We walked across the street to a restaurant and had a large meal. We just talked and watched TV into the night.

November 30, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Got up and was in the terminal by 7 AM CST only to sit, talk, watch TV and WAIT!!! I am feeling the urge to GO!!! I got the call to the dispatch window at 8 AM CST and got a load....To Ridgway, Illinois?????? I just came from there and I have been there several times....Why me??? This is the trucking business...

Dispatch informed me that this load had a pickup assigned to it after the drop in Ridgway; to go to Lewisport, Kentucky and pick up a load for Oklahoma City. After the drop off, the Lewisport load picked up Sunday morning...Strange but whatever.

I hustled as I knew these guys in Ridgway would take the load off tonight if I got there before they went home. I hooked up, filled my tanks(124 gallons), did the vehicle inspection & paperwork and was hitting the road by 8:45 AM CST. I-435 south to I-70 east and kept with the program...kept the truck moving at the speed limit. Shot past Columbia, Kingdom City and St. Louis, crossing the Mississippi River and hooking onto I-64 east. Did the Zig-Zag in Mt. Vernon and continues east on I-64. South on Hwy 45 and then Hwy 1 to Ridgway, Illinois. I did take a short break at the rest area near New Baden, Illinois and got into Ridgway at 3:45 PM CST.

I was unloaded and sitting in the waiting area by 5:30 PM CST. I decided to stay there in Ridgway for the night-with no TV. I walked around a short time and then worked on my computer. Went to bed and sleep close to 9 PM CST...

November 29, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Was up and into the terminal by 7 AM CST. There were several drivers waiting for loads and so it looked like I wouldn't get out today. I had a good reputation with the dispatches here and the terminal manager so I went up to "Talk" with them.

I did not "kiss" anyone's "el rumpus" but I did walk out of the conversation with a short drop and hook to a store center in Manhattan, Kansas. After the pickup, I had to bring the load back to the Kansas City terminal. I didn't loose my standing on the TRB. The little irritation was the long wait I had to get the trailer I was hooking up to. I had the "drop" there by 11 AM CST and didn't get the "hook" until 7:30 PM CST. Didn't get back to the terminal until 9:45 PM CST. Dropped load and handed in the paperwork to dispatch; talked with other drivers until I was tired. Went to bed in my tractor and turned on my TV...

Novembe 28, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Marian, Illinois)
I was up and going at 6:30 AM CST and just followed the main street up into Herrin, Illinois from Marion. Been to the shipper before and had no problem getting to it. Had to wait to get loaded but got out at 10 AM CST. I called dispatch and got the OK to head for our Kansas City terminal. This load goes to the auto assembly plant in Claycomo(Missouri) but out terminal is a handing area for the trailers until the plant needs the material.

I left the shipper at 10:15 AM CST and headed north on I-57. At Mt Vernon, Illinois I took I-64 west and I cranked the radio volume up a little and headed for St. Louis. I speed limit was 55 mph for big trucks but I never heard of an Illinois Bear ever stopping a big truck for anything under 65 mph; kept my speed a little over 60 mph all the way to St. Louis.

St. Louis...right after crossing the Missouri River, I grabbed I-70 westbound. Feeling really "bored" today but it will pass. Boredom not uncommon for me through this area as I do it so often...See Friday!!! Stopped at the pickle park not too far west of Hwy 19. Called the Kansas City terminal to see if I should take this load to the assembly plant or drop it in our terminal yard. Drop in our yard was his answer. I continued toward Kansas City(Missouri) and went north on I-435 to our terminal. Dropped the load and went on the TRB; will be here until tomorrow....

November 27, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
The morning came well before I wanted it to; dreaming dreams so pleasant that only a fully rested body would want to "turn" them off. I went into the terminal shortly before 7:30 AM CST and saw my number on the TRB was 3. Dispatch saw me and called me to the dispatch window. They had a trailer loaded with empty plastic containers to Ridgway, Illinois(Popcorn capital of the world) in the yard. I took it. I fueled(97 gallons), hooked up, did vehicle inspection, did paperwork and left north on I-435 after 8:30 AM CST. Shortly, I got to I-70 and headed east. Had a serious looking traffic accident involving 4 cars in the west bound lanes. That accident slowed our side down with people wanting to see "it". Glad when I got thought it.

Day was overcast but had no rain. Nice driving and CB radio conversations were interesting but nothing great. I kept up the speed to & over the Mississippi River where I caught I-64 east.
Stopped for a late lunch at a favorite truckstop in Mt. Vernon that had really good Chef Salads. Had a Chef Salads, diet soda(soft drink in Canada) and 2 large orders of onion rings(I eat what I want most of the times I want it). By 3:15 PM CST I was back on the heading for Ridgway, Illinois.

East on I-64 to Hwy 45(Exit 100) and then south. West of the highway, the fields are alight with pipes coming from the ground with good five foot flames coming out the tops. Continued down HWY 45 until it met Hwy 1. Took Hwy 1 south to Ridgway, getting there at 4:30 PM CST. I had been here several times and so I knew what to do. I parked my truck in the waiting area and started doing my paperwork when a fellow walked to the truck. He knew what I was there for and asked if I wanted to get unloaded tonight. WHY NOT??? They unloaded me and I went back to the waiting area to send the night. I walked uptown and decided to call in-time about 6:30 PM CST-and just let dispatch know I was empty.

They said I had another load assigned and gave it to me. It was a pickup in Herrin, Illinois going back to Kansas City. I walked back to my truck and drove south on Hwy 1 to Hwy 13. Hwy 13, I took it west through Marion, Illinois to the truckstop west of I-57. My pick up tomorrow is just a few miles north of me now. Settled down for the night...

November 26, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Memphis, Tennessee)
I woke just before the sun came up and was feeling much better than yesterday. The terminal had opened up and I went in to go on the TRB. Told dispatch I was ready to go and he handed me an assignment; take an empty trailer to Ripley, Tennessee, drop and hook and head for Kansas City, Missouri. I took it, went and fueled(71 gallons), hooked up to the empty assigned trailer and was on my way west and north on I-240. Took the little spur, Hwy 300, to Hwy 51 north. I was in Ripley, at the shipper by 8:30 AM CST. At 9 AM CST I was on the phone with dispatch, having hooked up to the wanted trailer and gotten my paperwork done.

I was on my way by 9:15 AM CST up Hwy 51 to Dyersburg, Tennessee. Took Hwy 412 west into Missouri and went to I-55 which I took north. I just kept going, stopping only for the weigh scales on I-55 and Hwys 40/61(after I-270 north). Once I got to I-70, I went west to Kingdom City, Missouri. I dropped down to Fulton to check my mail. I left Fulton and back to Kingdom City. West on I-70 to I-435 north(outside Kansas City) and onto our Kansas City terminal, getting there by 6:30 PM. I was told to drop the load in the yard and bed down for the night. I talked to a couple of drivers in the truckers' lounge before going to bed...

November 25, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Memphis, Tennessee)
Sick today and stayed in the truck and terminal. Didn't go anywhere outside the terminal yard today...Rested.

November 24, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Lancaster, Texas)
Woke up at the Lancaster terminal and checked in with the dispatched of the terminal. Talked with some of the drivers waiting for loads and waited for the pizza guy . The pizza guy got there at 11:15 AM CST and I bought the largest sausage pizza he had; I ate two pieces and saved the rest. I fueled(92 gallons), got my paperwork legal, and headed north on I-35E, into downtown Dallas, and then east on I-20. Into Arkansas I went and toward Little Rock. Not feeling well as I entered Arkansas---maybe the pizza I finished off while diving. Stopped in Mandeville, Arkansas for a break and bought me some stuff for an upset stomach. I got going and went to Little Rock and was feeling sicker.

I got to the Memphis terminal and was too sick to go on. I talked with the terminal dispatch and they told me to drop the load and check with them when I was feeling better. I dropped the load and went to bed. Feeling really bad.

November 23, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Laredo, Texas)
Figuring I would get out of Laredo tonight, I went to the terminal. Dispatch said I could leave the trailer I had brought in in the yard and turn the paperwork into them. I went on the TRB and when lunch time came, went to lunch with Will & Sam (two drivers like me...waiting for a load).

A little after 4 PM CST dispatch called me to the window and gave me a load to Baltimore, Maryland. Fantastic!!! I was on my way north on I-35 by 5 PM CST. Shot through San Antonio and Waco before taking a short break. Got to Lancaster, Texas, off I-35E, right as my day was ending...

November 22, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-West, Texas)---Thanksgiving Day
Heading south on I-35 at 4 AM CST. Stopped in San Antonio, Texas at our fuel stop to top off tanks(40 gallons) before going to Laredo, Texas as I don't like the fuel stop in Laredo. Got to Laredo at 10 AM CST and dropped the load at the terminal. The terminal was closed for the day and so I called up my friends, the Mortens. They said to come over and so I did. Spent the day with them. For the night, I stayed in the Morten's spare room.

November 21, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Joplin, Missouri)
My day started sleeping in my tractor. I woke up before 3 AM CST and couldn't go back to sleep. I went into the terminal and talked with dispatch. He said that he had a load that needed to be in Laredo Monday and that I could have it. I took it instead of hanging around. I hooked up, filled my tanks(151 gallons), did my paperwork and were gone by 4;30 AM CST.

Nice night with about a quarter moon out. Took I-44 all the way to Oklahoma City and stopped at "Just a Truckstop" for breakfast. Had a big breakfast and then headed south on I-35 into Texas. Went I-35 south to the point that I-35 turns to I-35W & I-35E. Took I-35 to our terminal in Lancaster, getting there at 12:45 PM CST, where I fueled(68 gallons) again and checked in with dispatch.

I sat around and talked with the drivers that were waiting for loads. They didn't have loads and a couple of them wanted me to drop my load here so they would have a chance at it. I kept it and left south on I-35E around 6 PM CST. Kept going south on I-35 when the east and west branches of I-35 joined up. I stopped at a small truckstop in West, Texas at 7:15 PM CST and spent time in the restaurant with another driver. Went out and to sleep...

November 20, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Sullivan, Missouri)
I felt in no hurry today but was up and ready to go by 7 AM CST. I did my paperwork and vehicle inspection. Headed west(southwest) on I-44 and pulled into are terminal in Joplin at 11 AM CST.
Was to drop my load of tires in the terminal yard, which I did.

Nothing for me so I have to wait for a load. Dispatch told me that it would probably be tomorrow before I got out. I just went out to my tractor, ate munchies that I had in the truck, watched TV and worked on my computer. Laid down around 7 PM CST and slipped into a "weak" sleep. Stayed sleeping through the end of the day...

November 19, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Monroe, Ohio)
Was up and going at 7AM EST and talking with two other drivers from my company. We three went in and had breakfast. While eating, we all made check calls and found that all of us had no load assignments. After breakfast, I just went to my truck, laid down in my sleeper and watched TV. I called in again at 10 AM EST and found I had a load of tires to pick up in Mason, Ohio. I was excited as the load was going to Phoenix, Arizona but I found out that I was to take it to Joplin, Missouri and drop it. The pickup wasn't until 4 PM EST so I just went out and typed for awhile with my TV playing.

I got to Mason-15 minute drive-and found my trailer being loaded. I got it and was ready to leave Mason at 3:30 PM EST. I had studied that various ways of going and decided on I-74 to Indianapolis, where I caught I-70 west. I took it into Effingham, Illinois where I stopped for dinner at 7 PM CST. I parked my truck and then changed my mine. I was back on the road-I-70 westbound-by 7:15 PM CST. Went through downtown St Louis, Missouri and got on I-44 west(The old Route 66). I stopped at the rest area near Sullivan, Missouri for the night(10:15 PM CST)...Went to sleep pretty easily as was tired...

November 18, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Lake Station, Indiana)
Woke up after midnight EST and went back into the truckstop for some munchies and a soda(soft drink in Canada). Left the truckstop around 12:30 AM EST and headed west on I-94 to I-65. Took I-65 south. No great feelings during this driving stretch: just drove. Went through Indianapolis on I-65, grabbing I-74 southeast when I got to it. On southeast into Ohio, outside Cincinnati. A few miles after getting to Ohio, I took I-275 northeast to Sharonville, getting there at 5 AM EST.

I found the warehouse had security and they told me that I could just drop my trailer and grab an empty one, which I did. Security took my paperwork and let me call dispatch. Dispatch told me to just take it easy today as they had no load for me. I went to the truckstop in Monroe, Ohio and got me a room at the truckstop motel.

Spent the day sleeping, watching TV and playing on my computer...

November 17, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Fridley, Minnesota)
At midnight CST I got my loaded trailer and by 12:30 AM CST I was on my way to Sharonville, Ohio. To get into Wisconsin I took I-694 east and south to I-94, taking it into Wisconsin.

I enjoyed the drive tonight as there was no moon and the stars seemed sooooo bright. Continued southeast on I-94, past the junction of I-90 & I-94, and stopped at "Just a Truckstop" in Portage (Wisconsin). The time was just about 5 AM CST so I fueled(104 gallons) and got something to eat. I then laid down for my "eight" hour break.

I was rested, up and going down I-94 by 2 PM CST. I decided to follow I-94 to I-65. At Madison, Wisconsin I headed for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Traveled through the Milwaukee area on I-94 and then south toward Chicago. I stopped at a small cheese store south of Milwaukee and bought some blue cheese(I just love eating the cheese by itself).

Followed I-94 into Illinois and into Chicago. As I stated before, I enjoy traveling through this city...Don't know why. Continued into Indiana and stopped in Lake Station at the "Just a Truckstop" for dinner. I decided to top off my fuel(37 gallon) as I don't know what's happening after delivery. After eating(the barfet) and watching one movie(Star Wars), I decided to take a nap...Ended my day sleeping...

November 16, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Kansas City, Missouri)
I was sleeping nicely until 5 AM CST when I was woken and told my tractor was ready to go. I drove back to the terminal and checked in with dispatch. I was talking with dispatch when a driver came in with a load to Eagan, Minnesota(south of St Paul) that he wanted to drop. He wanted time off and he needed to drop the load. Dispatch looked at me and asked if I wanted it. I knew it would be awhile before getting out and so I said I would take it.
haron
I was hooked up and ready to go at 6:15 AM CST but feeling a little tired. I decided to lay down for a while since the load wasn't due until tomorrow. I just laid and didn't go to sleep. I left for Eagan after filling my tanks(27 gallons) at 7:30 AM CST. Headed up I-35 into Iowa just moving around as fast as I can legally. I shot past Des Moines and past Ames, stopping at a rest area for a short break. Following I-35 north, I went into Minnesota and got to the coke plant at 3 PM CST(I had been here two times before). I just checked in and they said they would unload me then...I backed up to the dock and they got right to it. I was unloaded by 4 PM CST and had another load at 4:15 PM CST.

I had to pick up a load of general stuff in Fridley, Minnesota at 10 PM CST. Hoping the trailer was loaded I went up to Fridley and checked in. They informed me that I would be lucky to get it by 11 PM CST. As my day ended, I was getting my load to Sharonville, Ohio(North Cincinnati). I had napped the last few hours...

November 15, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Limon, Colorado)
Up at 7 AM MST and went into the truckstop and bought some munchies. Headed east on I-70 at 7:30 and got my speed to the limit and kept it there to Salina, Kansas where I stopped for fuel. I fueled(144 gallons) at "Just a Truckstop" and was gone.

I got to Ft Riley, Kansas at 3:30 PM CST and can't find the building I was suppose to go to. There was no guards at the front gates to ask. I stopped and asked and the few few people gave me directions but they were wrong. Finally a guy in a Jeep took me to the building and I got backed up to the unloading dock at 4:30 PM CST. The soldiers took their time with the unloading and I didn't get done unloaded until 6:30 PM CST.

At the end of unloading, the troops in the building invited me to eat pizza with them. They had ordered several pizzas and had plenty. We all ate until we were stuffed. I called dispatch and let them know I was empty and I was told to deadhead to the Kansas City terminal. I left Ft. Riley at 8 PM CST and headed for Kansas City get there at 10:30 PM CST.

When I got to the terminal there was a message for me from our head maintenance office. I was to take my tractor to Kenworth for an "overhead" and "injectors" on the engine. So, before midnight, I had reported to the Kenworth dealer and they were working on my tractor. I just went to my bed and went to sleep...

November 14, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Roy, Utah)
I was up before anyone came to open the tire store. The manager and two other employees showed up just about the same time and we all went over to McDonald's for breakfast. After breakfast they opened the store and then helped me with the tires. I didn't have too many tires for this store so I was totally unloaded by 8:30 AM MST and called dispatch that I was empty. I had a load to pick up already assigned to me; I had to go to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden and pick up a bunch of liquid antifreeze. The antifreeze was going to Fort Riley, Kansas(next to Junction City). I was at the front gate at 9 AM MST and I asked the guard where I was to go as I just had a location and no directions. The guard pointed me in the correct direction and I was backed up to the loading dock by 9:15 AM and loaded and ready to leave at 10 AM MST. I was holding off refueling in Ogden to see what weight the load would be. It was only 34,560 lbs. I went to our fuel stop in Ogden and filled(126 gallons) my tanks as weight was not a problem.

After going into the truckstop and getting two turkey legs to eat while driving, I left down I-15 to I-84 east and then I-80 east. I left Ogden right before 11 AM MST, getting to the Wyoming border and stopping at the weight station(expected) at 12:30 PM MST. After about 15 minutes, I moved back east on I-80. I pushed hard and got into the truckstop in Rawlins, Wyoming at 4 PM MST. After Rawlins, Wyoming I headed east again and stayed with the program to Laramie. At Laramie, I made a 15 minute stop and then headed down Hwy 287 into Colorado. In Colorado, I took Hwy 287 to Ft. Collins, and then over to I-25 south I went. Went to I-70 and then took it, I-70, east to Limon(Colorado). I shut down at 10 PM MST for the night at the truckstop; went to bed as I am really tired....

November 13, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Bountiful, Utah)
I was up, out of the motel and at the first tire drop at 7 AM MST. I had the first tires off at 8:15 AM MST.

Headed for the Salt Lake Valley and the rest of my drops. My drops for today were, in order, Sandy, Van Winkle, Kearns, Salt Lake City and Bountiful.

When I got done with my last stop-Bountiful-I thought about tomorrow and the delivery in Roy(Utah). I decided to drive up and either park at the tire store or go to the truckstop in Ogden(Utah). I went onto the tire store and they hadn't closed yet. I checked in with the manager and asked to stay on their lot for the night. He backed me up the the unload door and said yes to staying there for the night. He then closed the shop and went home. I went across the street to the McDonald's and had dinner. Watched my truck TV and typed...

November 12, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Provo, Utah)
I woke up and played with my computer awhile and then went to the buffet across the street. Like last time I was here-a couple weeks ago-I called dispatch and asked if I could deliver today. I was told no as we were not keeping the agreed delivery dates and the tire company had been complaining. I went back to my room, typed and watched TV the rest of the day.

These days off are good for making time to run later.

November 11, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Provo, Utah)
I had called my sister in Bountiful yesterday and she came down and picked me up this morning around 8 AM MST. I spent the day with her family and she took me back to Provo at 8:30 PM MST. After getting back to the motel, I walked to the convenient store and got some ice cream and soda(soft drink in Canada). I stayed up late and typed on my computer and watched TV.

November 10, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Green River, Utah)
Since I have so much time before my deliveries start Tuesday, I took my time getting up and going today. I parked in the truck parking and, as last night, was parked with no one around me.

This store sells(or sold) 3 hot dogs for a dollar; I bought 12 and ate 3. I stored the other 9 for later. I left for Provo(Utah) around 10 AM MST, enjoying the desert to Price and Helper(Utah). I went over the mountains into the Utah Valley and got to Prove at 12:45 PM MST. I checked into the motel through Tuesday morning. Ate my 9 hot dogs through the evening as I worked on my computer and watched TV 'til I went to bed.

November 9, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Santa Rosa, New Mexico)
Boy, I was up and ready to go at 7 AM MST. I meant Cookie and Cookie Monster(who I started running with yesterday) for breakfast. We fueled(96 gallons) and were headed west on I-40 by 9 AM MST.

I am really ahead of the schedules I run to Utah but that is because Cookie and Cookie Monster want to get to Las Vegas-their destination-and have extra time there. I will just take time on the other end. We got to Albuquerque at 11 AM MST and split up; him going west and me going north on I-25.

I went up I-25 a short distance to Hwy 550 and took it west up into the Navajo Reservation. I stopped along the road in San Ysidro, New Mexico and got me the largest strawberry malt from the fast food restaurant. On up to Bloomfield and west on Hwy 64 to Shiprock, New Mexico. At Shiprock, I grabbed Hwy 666 north into Colorado, getting to Cortez before 4 PM MST. At Cortez, I stopped at the truckstop behind the weigh station and got me two Buffalo burgers, with a large order of fries, to go. I continued up Hwy 666 into Utah and turned onto Hwy 161 in Monticello. Followed 161 through a beautiful part of Utah, as I have seen several times. The darkness had set in but the moon shed light on the terrain even though it was only 1/2 full. Got to Green River at 7:45 PM MST and parked at the convenience store with all the truck parking. The lot was dark and no one parked around me, so I sat in my drivers seat and eat my last Buffalo Burger and listened to San Antonio, Texas on the radio. Went to bed...

November 8, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Fort Worth, Texas)
In Cowtown this morning waiting to unload at a toy warehouse. I was up when the guard let me in the told me what dock to back up to. I was backed up to the dock and the unloading got started. I had to help unload with two of the building employees. Not bad and we were done by 9:15 AM. I called dispatch and was told to stop at a business about 2 miles from here, drop and hook and then bring the loaded trailer to the Lancaster(Texas) terminal. I took the loaded trailer to the terminal and checked in with dispatch. It was now 1o:45 AM and dispatch gave me a tire load to Utah.

I got the paperwork for the load and another driver started to talk with me; he had a tire load to Las Vegas. We decided to run with each other to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he would continue west and I would go north. We found our trailers and got hooked up and did the things we needed to do. Oh, he had his wife with him and her handle was "Cookie"; his was "Cookie Monster".

We left at noon, after I got a pizza from the pizza guy who delivers them to the terminal. Cookie Monster had a different way he wanted to go to get to Hwy 287 toward Amarillo(Texas). I was game and always like learning and seeing new things. We went up I-35E to Hwy 183 northwest and then Hwy 114 northwest. Followed that to Hwy 287 and headed for Amarillo. We talked on CB radio channel 17 the whole time. We stopped in Vernon for a half hour break and they bought a whole bunch of things to eat while on the road. We then continued to Amarillo, passing there at 7:15 PM CST.

We kept going to Santa Rosa, New Mexico, where we stopped for the night at 9 PM MST. All three of us went into the truckstop and took a break in their restaurant. I wasn't in there long before I went out to my truck and to sleep. We agreed to meet tomorrow at 7 AM MST.

November 7, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Laredo, Texas)
Got up in my motel and got ready for the day. I had to mail the box I had worked on the last couple days so I left to find the Post Office. I finally found the post office and mailed the box to Utah. I didn't have Diane's address so I mailed it to the school where my sister and she work.

I went to the terminal and saw that I would still be here for awhile. I asked dispatch for an approximate time to get out; the late afternoon was the answer. I took off and told dispatch I would be back around 1 PM CST. I went out and waited for the Chinese restaurant to open; when It did I had one big lunch...

Was back at the terminal before 1 PM CST and I just watched the terminal TV and waited for a load. Around 2:30 CST I was called to the dispatch window and given a load of toys to Ft Worth.
I have been to that warehouse several times and the trip is a nice, easy one.

I decided to wait and get fuel at the Lancaster terminal. When I started north at 3:30 PM CST, I just shot up past San Antonio, Texas and stopped for a short break. Got some munchies out of the back, in my sleeper and munched and drove north. When I got to where I-35 divides into east and west, I took I-35E and continued up to Lancaster. I fueled(162 gallons) and took I-20 west to Hwy 360 north. Followed that to my exit road and found the warehouse. I parked on the street outside the gate and set my alarm clock for 5:30 AM CST and went to bed...jj

November 6, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Laredo, Texas)
Woke and called dispatch here in Laredo. They told me that I would not be getting out today and to keep my room. I worked on the statue and it's box(see previous days) though the day. I didn't work very hard on it as I watched TV, eat at the Chinese Restaurant and visited Wal-Mart for awhile. Did get the project done by Dank. Nothing much more happened

November 5, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Laredo, Texas)
Spent the night at the motel enjoying my time off. Didn't have breakfast after I found that I would be here until tomorrow. I signed up for this room again and went out looking for something special for Diane(see yesterday-Nov.4, 1990).

I ate lunch at the Chinese Restaurant by the motel.

For Diane, I found a 3 foot metal-tinny-statue of a Medieval Knight that I could rework. I took the statue back to my room and started reworking it. I did all kinds of things to it and I enjoyed doing it. Basically I took the sword out of the right hand and replaced it with a rose. I make a scroll for the left hand and wrote a "love" poem. I will mail it and I will have to make a customized box to ship it in. Into the night I worked on the project...

November 4, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Sanderson, Texas)
5 AM CST came and I climbed out of my bed. Feeling good so I did a vehicle inspection, got my paperwork legal and left for Laredo, Texas east on Hwy 90. Nice quiet morning driving through the Texas desert!!! As the Sun was starting to make it's appearance, I past Langtry, Texas, the home of the "Judge Roy Bean-the Hanging Judge" Museum. Before I reached Del Rio (Texas) I crossed over the Amistad Lake(lake made from the Rio Grande River). At Del Rio, I stopped along the main city street and got into my sleeper and got some munchies to eat along the way. Leaving Del Rio, I took Hwy 277 into Eagle Pass(Texas) stopping at the small truckstop for a short break. Continued down Hwy 277 to Carrizo Springs-a town I love to go through-where I picked up Hwy 83 to I-35 south.

Into Laredo and to the terminal I went. The terminal was closing as it was almost noon and it was standard operating procedure. I did check in with them and was told I would be here a day or two. I was also told that I could just drop my trailer in the yard and I did.

It was 1 PM CST when I got done with everything and I decided not to see my friends on this trip as my sister had told me of a gal, Diane, she worked with-my sister and her were both teachers-and she said Diane might be interested in me. I decided, because I like working on hobbies, to make Diane a special "Hi!!!" present while I stayed in the motel.

I checked into the motel and spent the rest of the day talking with other drivers sitting at the pool(only about an hour) and sitting in my room thinking of what type of present to make-no ideas yet-and watching TV...

November 3, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Rest Area between Lordsburg & Deming, New Mexico)
The Sun had been up for awhile when I woke up and pulled my sorry rear end out of bed. Shortly after getting up, I headed east on I-10. Just before getting to Las Cruces, New Mexico, I stopped at a highway convenient store and truckstop and got some munchies and chocolate milk. Drove on into Texas on I-10 and saw some areas so run down that it looked like I was driving through Mexico-across the border that I could see alot of.

I got to the El Paso, Texas terminal at 11:30 AM MST and checked in with dispatch. The terminal was getting ready to close at noon. I was just sitting thinking about where I would eat-lunch buffet at the "Just a Truckstop" here or dinner on down the road-when another driver came and started talking with me. He had a load to Laredo(Texas) and didn't want to go down there. I offered to trade him and he happily traded loads. That answered my question on where and when I would eat...here and now....

This load was due in Laredo Monday so I had a little time here. After fueling(181 gallons) at he terminal, I went and had lunch at "Just a Truckstop" and then left east on I-10 at 2 PM MST.

When I was refueling, another driver pulled up to refuel in a Peterbilt tractor-I had a Kenworth. We started talking and he claimed to get his best fuel mileage when he traveled at speeds over 70. I asked if he often traveled that fast and he said that he did most the time. Well, we split up and I went and ate. I then headed east on I-10. The interstate was pretty empty and I was just doing the speed limit( 60 mph) and enjoying the drive. I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw this truck catching up with me but was far behind. I kept my eye on it and it caught up with me by the McNary(Texas) exit. I got on the CB radio and found out that it was Big Joe(handle), the one I had refueled with earlier. He was moving right along and I decided to run with him. It took all I had to keep up with him. We were literally passing everything eastbound on I-10. We went through Sierra Blanca(New Mexico) and I was getting worried as he-Big Joe-didn't seem at all worried about getting caught by any law enforcement. I never asked if he was running a Bird Dog, but I would imagine he was. We got near Van Horn(Texas) and I told him "bye" and let him speed away.

I got to Fort Stockton, Texas, stopped for a short break and then headed down Hwy 285. I got to Sanderson, Texas at 8:30 PM CST and was tired. I pulled off into a parking lot of a closed down restaurant, near a phone, and laid down for some sleep...

November 2, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Phoenix, Arizona)
Was at the first tire drop east of I-17 on Bell Road at 6:30 AM MST. The Manager showed up at 7 AM MST and he told me were to back the truck. Things were a little slow as I didn't get out of there until 9:30 AM MST. Was at my final drop and backed up to the door at 10 AM MST. I was totally unloaded by 11:30 MST and just moved my truck out of the store's way. I mad my call to dispatch.

I told dispatch that I wanted out of here today as I don't really know anywhere to spend the weekend. He checked with planning and came back with a load to pickup in Nogales(Arizona) going to Memphis, Tennessee. He said the trailer was sitting in our Nogales yard as he spoke. Fantastic!!! I headed down I-17 and hooked into I-10 eastbound. I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" for for lunch/dinner and filled up.

As I ate, I thought about fueling. I have half tanks and I will be going to El Paso where I can fill with company fuel....I decided to wait to fuel.

I continued to Tucson, Arizona where I took I-19 south. This interstate is the only one I know of that doesn't have "mile markers"; it has "Kilometer Markers".

Got to the company yard in Nogales, found my loaded trailer, dropped my empty trailer and hooked up to the full one. I was not in Nogales long as I left it as soon as I got dispatched.

I took Hwy 82 out of Nogales and boy was it a beautiful drive. I stopped in the very pleasant town of Patagonia, Arizona and tried to call my sister in Bountiful, Utah. She didn't answer the phone. Since I was enjoying the town and had my truck parked, I walked around a short time. After the adventure at Patagonia I continued northeast on Hwy 82 to Hwy 90. Hwy 90 I took north to I-10 and then eastward. I got into New Mexico and was pretty tired. Before my day ended, I stopped at the rest area between Lordsburg and Deming to sleep...

November 1, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Santa Rosa, New Mexico)
I had to get going by 3AM MST--I felt--so I was up at 2:30 AM MST. Took off west with a beautiful sky and full moon before day break. Stopped for a short break after just getting into Arizona. Onward to Flagstaff. After being in the desert, I -40 climbs into the mountains before getting to Flagstaff.

Found the tire store at 10 AM MST and checked with the store manager. He backed me up to the unloading door and a couple guys helped me unload their tires. They had alot of tires; I only had 3 stops. I was done by noon and ready to head for Phoenix.

Took off south on I-17 and went up and down the mountains, coming to the desert floor by 2:30 PM MST. I found a nice dirt parking area for the truck behind a convenient store at I-17 & Bell Road in north Phoenix and spent the night there. Both my stops tomorrow are on Bell Road, the first east of I-17 and the second west of I-17.

Side Note: Being that I will start tomorrow in Phoenix and make both drops in Phoenix, I don't get paid for today-for driving-until I got dispatched out of here. I got paid for the mileages between cities & towns.

October 31, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Joplin, Missouri)
Woke up around 3:00 AM CST and couldn't go back to sleep. I got up, fueled(61 gallons) and hooked back up to my trailer. I checked in with dispatch and was rolling on I-44 west by 4 AM CST. Big full moon this morning but it set shortly after I left Joplin...I watched it set as I was going southwest as it did.

At Oklahoma City I got on I-40 west bound. Outside of Oklahoma City, I stopped for a short break and then onward. At noon CST I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" in Amarillo, Texas and had the lunch buffet. I wasn't in a hurry so I watched the end of some movie that was playing in the movie room. It must have been close to 3 PM CST when I started west again.

Into the beautiful sky country of New Mexico I went and onto Santa Rosa for my driving 8 hour break and fuel(98 gallons). Walked around the store a little while and then went to my truck and went to sleep.....Halloween night...

October 30, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Indianapolis, Indiana)
I had my alarm set for 5:30 AM EST to wake up and did. I got up and went into the truckstop and got some munchies and water. I took I-74 to I-70 which I took west. Continued west on I-70 into Illinois stopping in Effingham for breakfast at 7:30 AM CST.

Ate breakfast at our truckstop in Effingham and talked with the other drivers until 8:45AM CST when I decided to fuel my truck. This fuel stop has someone fuel it for me so I don't have to log during it. I took 112 gallons which is less than I thought I would have to as I left it run so much due to low batteries. At 9:15 AM CST I was heading west on I-70 again toward St. Louis.

In St. Louis I got on I-44 west and headed for Joplin(Missouri). I stopped for a short break by Stanton. Missouri and then onward. Got into our yard in Joplin at 4 PM CST and had to go through the service inspection bay. They wanted to do a bunch of things to the tractor and I told them about the batteries. I dropped my trailer and parked my tractor by the service building, leaving the engine on because it might not restart.

I walked over to the truckers' lounge at dispatch and didn't see anyone I knew. Walked back to my tractor and the shop had it in working on it. They were checking my batteries; they found 4 bad ones. They replaced all my batteries with new ones. I napped until they had my tractor done. When they put my tractor back in the yard, the time was close to 10:00 PM CST and I just stayed in the bunk and continued sleeping...

October 29, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Monroe, Ohio)
Found,when I woke, that there were two other trucks from my company parked next to me. We all were up around 8 AM and went in to eat breakfast together. The meal was an average bought meal in an average restaurant. The company I had breakfast with was good and enjoyable. We all called dispatch as we were all waiting for loads. I was number 1 on the Cincinnati area TRB and didn't get a load assignment until 10 AM EST. I don't remember where the others went.

After I got the assignment, I went back to my truck and made sure my paperwork was all caught up and my trailer was clean-well, pretty clean-as I am picking up tires for Flagstaff and Phoenix area. My appointment time was 3 PM EST in Mason, Ohio. I left for Mason shortly after noon EST and checked in when I got there. Our company had a representative that took care of the loading, paperwork and lumper's fees so I didn't have anything really to worry about. I was backed up to the dock shortly after 2:30 PM EST and loading took place after that.

When I was ready to go after 6 PM EST, I decided to take Hwy 42 south to the northern section of the Cincinnati loop( I-275). Went west to I-74 and into Indiana where I traveled toward Indianapolis and after 8:30 PM EST I stopped at the truckstop on the southside of Indy for the night...

Oct 28, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Monroe, Ohio)

Absolutely nothing exciting or note worry today...well the little store in the parking area had some really great tasting ice cream bars of which I bought six today. Basically stayed in my truck, typed and watched TV all day. Afraid to turn the engine off because the batteries have been low. Side

Note: Security-trucking
Because of the easiness of opening a locked door I saw yesterday, I hooked a light chain from one door through the air horn cable and to the other door. I made it easy to disassemble and reassemble. I used it when I was sleeping in the trucks from then on out.

October 27, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Monroe, Ohio)
Sleeping with day haven broke and sun up a little ways; there came a knock on my door. The knocker was a driver from my company who was parked down a couple trucks. He had locked himself out of his truck and wanted a metal coat hanger. I gave him one and went over to his truck with him. He was in his truck in a short time using the hanger. Made me wonder how safe I was.

After Robin Hood, the handle of the driver who locked himself out, got in his truck and got a couple things done, he asked if I wanted to have breakfast with him. I did and after breakfast he had to get going as he was under a load.

Since I got up, I had my engine turned of. I started it before Robin Hood left and it started but wasn't very healthy. I decided to let it run. I had made a check call and talked with maintenance was was told to let it run. Dispatch told me to call back tomorrow as they had nothing for me. I typed on my computer and watched my TV(not exciting). This truckstop had no movie room or other things but a couple video games, for the truck driver...

October 26, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Cool night and didn't have to run the truck. Got up and went to start the engine and my power supply had a problem. Wondered what I could do and three things popped into my head: call a wrecker, ask someone for a jump or sit and hope Nick(the driver I had been running with who was to meet me here today) would show up as he promised. Well, calling a wrecker was my last option and there wasn't another truck with a driver that I could see, so I hoped for Nick. Counting on other drivers just wasn't something I could count on-from experience. Well, I sat around and hoped that Nick would drive up and sure enough, here he came. We got me started and then went in and had breakfast; I had the one pound steak breakfast.

After breakfast we jumped into our trucks of headed east on I-80. As we cycled the quad-cities we separated as Nick was going to Chicago and I was going to Cincinnati. I took I-74 south and then southeast in Illinois. Traveled through the farmland of America, passing Bloomington((stopped for break and fuel(136 gallons)) and Decatur and going into Indiana. On to and past Indianapolis following I-74 around the western and southern part of the loop. Followed I-74 into Ohio.

Entering Ohio, I had to get on the northern loop as the customer is in the northern section of the town. When I go to I-275 east I took it it I-75. Went south on I-75 a couple miles, following directions and found the customer. Friday night and my delivery date was Monday; I asked the guard if I could get unloaded tomorrow. He said that receiving would be able to answer that and let me in. I drove to receiving and asked. They said they would unload me then. I got unloaded by 11 PM EST. After unloading I drove to the Stoney Ridge truckstop north of Cincinnati. My day ended as I drove into the truckstop...

October 25, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Pine Bluff, Wyoming)
Nick, the driver I was running with, and his wife, with me, went into the truckstop and had breakfast. Around 9 AM MST we took off east on I-80. We both stopped at Big Springs, Nebraska at our fuel stop to just get fuel(114 gallons). Because of the weight of our loads, I decided to formally weigh my unit and got legal.

Nick and I talked talked on the CB radio across Nebraska and into Iowa. We stayed on I-80 heading east. Nick and his wife wanted to stop at our Des Moines, Iowa truckstop and I didn't. I stopped for a break with them and then pushed on to Williamsburg(Iowa) where Nick said he would meet me tomorrow morning.

Getting to the truckstop and restaurant I really liked, I had the one pound steak dinner and then watched a movie and a half in their movie room. After the movies, bed time....

October 24, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Bonanza, Utah)
Had my alarm set for 6:30 AM MST as I remember-been here before-these guys are bussed in and I will have enough time to get ready for the day. Nick, the other company driver and his wife also got up as I told them how it worked here. I met his wife and she sure seemed odd for even riding on a big truck; she was small, frail and very quiet. We where talking as the bus of workers from Vernal drove in.

Nick and I checked in and had to wait about an hour so as the workers could start working. Most the workers had to get into protective clothing-head to feet-before they could work. After the workers were ready, we were taken to the loading docks about a quarter mile away. We both backed in and I was loaded first. Loading took awhile and I got done before Nick was started. I decided to wait for Nick at the main office.

I was in signing my paperwork when one the the mine managers came in to talk with the head fellow. I heard them talking and the manager was going down into the mine to take something to a miner. I asked if I could go with him. He asked the head fellow who said I could as long as I wore all the required gear...

We went to a house with gear in it and I was given stuff to put on; a hat with a light on it, a tag with a duplicate tag left above ground and a canister for turning carbon monoxide to oxygen(I asked about how to use the canister and was told not to worry about it as I would be dead by the time I realized I needed it. It was just required to be worn by OSHA). We were lowered into the mine in a cage about 3 x 7 and standing 7 feet. We went down 875 feet and out to the miner. Boy it was dark & cool. After coming up I had to take a shower and get some of that "stuff" off of me. All the miners took showers before returning to home.

Nick was loaded and waiting for me when I was ready to go. It had been an interesting day. We got weighed on their scales as these loads were very heavy. We both were around 78,000 pounds, enough for fuel though. We crossed over to Hwy 64 in Colorado on good roads that weren't on the map, saving us a good 50 miles. We drove up to Dinosaur, Colorado and then followed Hwy 40 east to Streamboat Springs where we stopped after dark for Chinese Food(good stuff!!!). After eating, we had a steep grade to climb; low gear range for what seemed a good 30 minutes. Got over it and took Hwy 14 to Hwy 125 northbound. Beautiful valley by night. Caught Hwy 127 and took it into Wyoming and onto Laramie. In Laramie, we then followed I-80 to the Nebraska border, stopping at Pine Bluff for the night...

October 23, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Provo, Utah)
Having gotten my first drop done yesterday, I was up and heading north on I-15 by 6:30 AM MST and backing into the Sandy delivery point shortly before 7:15 AM MST.

We were unloading at 7:30 AM MST. Finished the Sandy(Utah) store and went on to deliver in Kearns, Salt Lake City, Bountiful, finishing the day at Roy. The only problems I encountered today was having to back in to the stores in Sandy, Kearns and Roy off of busy street. I did it though.

After I finished with the Roy store, I called dispatch and was told to pick up a load of natural asphalt in Bonanza, Utah going to Cincinnati, Ohio tomorrow morning. I had been to Bonanza before-in the middle of nowhere-and so I took the time to make sure I was stocked up on food and water before I left the Salt Lake Valley.

I stopped at our fuel stop in Salt Lake and fueled(126 gallons) and then headed east on I-80 to Hwy 40. At Hwy 40, went south through Heber City(Utah). This area makes me feel like I am literally on top of the world. The late evening was beautiful, even with just a quarter moon to light the terrain. Got to Vernal(Utah) where I took Hwy 45 south to just a "hair" above Bonanza. I went to "Little Bonanza" actually. I got to the waiting area just before 10 PM MST and found the lot empty. I parked and as I was doing my paperwork, another truck from my company pulled up next to me. Said "hi" to the other driver on the CB radio and we talked about this place a little. I had been here before and I was ready for it. The other driver, Nick, had his wife with him and she kept him stocked up on supplies....Both trucks shut down for the night...

October 22, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Provo, Utah)
Woke up this AM and called into dispatch. I asked if there was anyway that I could start delivering my load of tires today. Dispatch called the first stop-Provo Store- and got an OK for a 2 PM unload and I took it.

I got my room for another night and went and had lunch across the street at the "pretty good" buffet. After eating, I drove to my first drop and got there at a little before 1 PM MST. I told the manager that I knew I was early and thanked him for letting me unload today. He said no problem and backed me up to the unloading door. We started unloading shortly after I got backed in.

After unloading, I just went back to my motel room to wait for drop #2 in Sandy(Utah) tomorrow morning. In my motel room, I just did what I did yesterday and waited for tomorrow to come..

October 21, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Provo, Utah)
Nothing exciting today and so I stayed in my motel room and typed on my hard-driveless computer and watched TV. I snacked on munchies I had bought and stored in my truck. Rented the room for another night. My friends in Orem(Utah) were not home so I just kept myself busy and entertained...

October 20, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Cortez, Colorado)
I was up at 4 AM MST and heading toward Monticello, Utah by 4:30 AM MST on Hwy 666. WHY??? For some reason I don't like the Utah weigh station east of Monticello and hoping to get by it before it opens, and I did.

I got to Monticello and turned north on Hwy 191. Right after turning, I pulled over and parked so I could visit an opened convenient store and get some munchies to have for breakfast. I got a cheap package of salty hot dogs and a quart of chocolate milk. I ate the hot dogs before I started driving and drank the milk as I drove north. This stretch of road is interesting with all it's strange beauty. Before getting to I-70, one travels through mountains-many used for biking and motorcycle riding-and desert floors-showing old volcanic tubes. Also, as I have written before, one passes the attraction Hole in the Rock.

I got to I-70 and took it west to Green River(Utah). Off the western town exit, I came to the convenient store with alot of truck parking that I liked to stop at. I parked my rig at 8 AM MST and laid down for a nap as I was tired. No TV or radio to listen to so I just popped in a cassette and listened to it as I went to sleep. I was up at 11 AM MST and in the store. This store sold 3 hot dogs for a dollar; I bought 9 of them...with catsup. I ate 4 of them and headed north on Hwy 6 toward Price and Helper, Utah.

I went over Soldier Summit and down into the Utah Valley, ending up in Provo(Utah), sitting in the parking lot of the motel I used at 2 PM MST. I checked into the motel for the night and ate my last 5 hot dogs...

October 19, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Amarillo, Texas)
Easy going day today as I have a lot of time to deliver this load. I had the breakfast buffet and then I got ready to leave. I was gone at 11 AM CST, heading west on I-40 toward New Mexico. Once again, I was impressed with the skies and how they change-for the better-as I enter New Mexico.

I got to our fuel stop in Santa Rosa(New Mexico), fueled(102 gallons), and parked my truck. I went into the truckstop and bought me three pairs of pants as they were on sale and looked good.

Left west on I-40 to Clines Corners and then took Hwy 285 toward Santa Fe. I hadn't been through Santa Fe before so I decided to see it. When I got to Santa Fe, I looked around as I drove through it. I LOVED IT! What can I say? Hwy 285 hooks up with Hwy 84 and I followed it(Hwy 84) into Colorado. At Pagosa Springs, Colorado, I took Hwy 160 west toward Cortez. The highway was far too mountainy to want to take again. I got to Cortez and stopped at the truckstop at Hwy 666 & Hwy 160. I stay there for the night. Tired and decided to just go to sleep...

October 18, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Dallas, Texas)
I checked in with Dallas dispatch and was told go to the termination and pick up a load of tires to Salt Lake City area. The dispatcher knew I liked loads that way.

I got to the terminal in Lancaster and got dispatched on the load. It starts deliveries on Tuesday. I filled my fuel tanks(172 gallons), hooked up to the trailer, did a vehicle inspection and parked the truck for awhile. I went into the truckers' lounge and waited for the pizza guy to come around selling pizzas. He came and I got me a sausage pizza to take with me.

It was 12:30 PM CST when I left the terminal yard with my pizza sitting next to me. I took I-20 west to Hwy 287 and followed it up through Ft. Worth and on toward Amarillo(Texas). This drive between Ft Worth and Amarillo on Hwy 287 is soooo long. The whole drive there, I stopped only once, in Vernon, Texas for a break. I bought a soda pop(soft drink for you Canadians) and was on my way. I had half my pizza left so I ate it while I drank my soda.

I got to the "Just a Truckstop" in Amarillo at 8:15 PM CST and still wasn't very tired or hungry. I went to the movie room and watched two full movies, after buying a soda pop, before I went to bed...

October 17 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-NASHVILLE, Tennessee)
I got plenty of sleep last night and so when I woke after 5 AM CST I was ready to go pretty much. I got up and went into the truckstop and got some munchies; I was gone toward Memphis by 6 AM CST. I continued on I-40 into Arkansas and stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" in West Memphis. I hung around and had the lunch buffet before I left west on I-40 again.

When I got to Little Rock(Arkansas) I took I-30 west(southwest actually). Followed I-30 into Texas and on to Dallas. To get to the receiver without an 8 hour break, I will go over my 10 hour rule about a half hour. I took the chance and went over the 10 hour rule. I found the receiver in Dallas by 5:15 PM CST and they were still open with a second shift working. I checked with the receiver and they said they would unload me and they did. After unloading, they said I could sleep on their property and I said yes. I watched TV while I tried to go to sleep...

October 16, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Columbus, Ohio)
Was up and going by 6:15 AM EST, finding the warehouse open. I walked to receiving and was told to back up to dock number 7, which I did after they signed for the seal on the trailer. While they unloaded my trailer, I ate 10 of the hamburgers I bought yesterday. After getting unloaded, I went down the road and parked in a lot next to a White Castle fast food restaurant to wait for my next load.

I got my next load by 11 AM EST; it was to pick up a load of glass in Zanesville(Ohio) and take it to Dallas, Texas. ....delivering to take place on Friday. I got to the glass plant in Zanesville at 12:15 PM EST and checked in with the shipping department. I was told to back up to the open dock and so I did. I was loaded and out of there by 1 PM EST.

Well, back toward Columbus(Ohio). Before getting back to Columbus, I stopped at our fuel stop in Buckeye Lake(Ohio) and fueled(107 gallons). Followed I-40 onto Columbus and took I-71 south. Into Tennessee and down to Nashville where I stopped for the night at our fuel stop at 6:45 PM CST . I ate the rest of the White Castle hamburgers I had bought yesterday.

October 15, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Memphis, Tennessee)
Monday and happy of it. Hoping to get out of here today. I was at the terminal by 7:30 AM CST where I sat in the truckers' lounge with the other drivers waiting. A little past 10 AM CST I was called to the dispatch window. I had a choice of three loads and I took the shortest mileage; I still don't know why. I had to go pick a load of TVs up at a warehouse not too far from the terminal a couple miles to the east.

Since the TVs wouldn't weigh much, I fueled(74 gallons), did a vehicle inspection and was on my way to the shipper 10:30 AM CST. At the shipper, I backed up to the dock as instructed and waited a short time before I was loaded. I was out of there by 11:30 AM CST.

Headed east and north on I-240 to I-40 eastbound. I hadn't eaten yet today so I stopped at a restaurant buffet I liked at the exit for Brownsville, Tennessee. I did a fast buffet and consumed alot of chicken. Was back eastbound on I-40 after only about a 30 to 45 minute break.

At Nashville, Tennessee, I got onto I-65 north and went into Kentucky. Followed I-65 north up to Shepherdsville(Kentucky) where I stopped and got a couple dozen hamburgers from the fast food restaurant White Castle. I put the hamburgers away for later.

Drove up through Louisville to the Ohio River where I grabbed I-71 toward Cincinnati, Ohio. I basically stayed on I-71 to Columbus(Ohio) where I took the loop(I-270)east to the street I needed on the southeast side of town.

I got to the warehouse just before Midnight EST and parked outside it. I just went to sleep after setting my alarm clock to 6 AM EST.

October 14, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Memphis, Tennessee)
Staying at the Quality Inn this weekend with no loads out. I woke up pretty early, well for Sunday it was early, and decided to go to church. I called the church up and got the directions and times of the services. I got ready and left, driving my tractor.

I hadn't gotten far fro m the motel when I saw a jogger who looked familiar. I did a turn around and sure enough, I knew him. It was a friend of mine named Gary. I talked with him for a few moments and told him to stop by the motel later.

Gary showed up at the motel on time and brought a "friend". Turns out that Gary was here for a convention for a company he's a member of. He sells air and water purifiers. I thought that the visit was going to a real nice reunion but it turned out to be a "Sales pitch". I like Gary but I was happy when the two left.

Was at the motel sleeping as my day ended...

October 13, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Mt. Pleasant, Texas)
I got up at 7 AM CST and saw Black Sheep-running with him yesterday & today-sitting in his driver's seat. We went into the restaurant and had breakfast. By 8:30 AM CST, we were on our way to Memphis, Tennessee on I-30.

Just before getting to the Arkansas, we passed three tractors from our company bobtailing west. We called them on the CB radio and found that they had been bobtailed from Memphis to Laredo, the opposite of us. Don't understand the minds that run the company but who said I had to; I get paid!!!

We got to the Memphis terminal after taking I-40 east out of Little Rock and then taking I-55 south out of West Memphis into Tennessee and to the terminal. We dropped our trailers and got on the TRB. Nothing for us the rest of the weekend so we went and got motel rooms next to each other at the Quality Inn. I took in my computer and stuff and I don't know what Black Sheep did...Even those he was in the room next to me, I never saw him again.

Making friends with other drivers is often a short term situation. I made many friends while driving and then our paths never connected again. IF a strong relationship is established there are ways to keep in contact. In the year 2010, I would imagine that cell phones, Twitter and Facebook help with keeping friendships... In 1990, IF one wanted to work at it, one could keep up with a loved one by leaving messages with the others dispatcher. There was no computers or cell phones.

October 12, 1990 ,2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Laredo, Texas)
Pam and I were sitting in the living room talking as the day started. About 1:30 AM CST Pam went to bed and after a little while I went to my room they provided me.

I woke after everyone had left the home, either school or work. I wrote the Mortens a thank you note and then left for the terminal. Got to the terminal and my TRB number was getting smaller. Noon came and I was still waiting as my TRB number went below "10" I was sitting, swapping trucker jokes with the other drivers, when the Laredo dispatcher called several numbers; my number was one of them.

I was deadheaded with six other drivers to the Memphis, Tennessee terminal. I was given an empty trailer to take. While I was hooking it up and doing my vehicle inspection I noticed the driver down a couple trailers from me doing the same as me. I went over to him and started talking to him. He was going to Memphis as I was. We decided to run together.

The other driver's name, or handle, was "Black Sleep" and he was well deserving of it. He apparently was the only driver out of his family and the other family members looked down on him because their professions were"better". He claimed to have little to do with them and claimed that they weren't enjoying life as much as him. Oh yeah, he was a little on the tall side, slim, single, wore dark clothes and a black cowboy hat.

At noon CST, we shot straight to Lancaster, Texas, to our terminal, fueled-I took 92 gallons-and were on our way again. We got onto I-30 east bound and stopped for the night in Mt. Pleasant, Texas just after 10 PM CST.