FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday- Mobile, Alabama)
Was up and walking around the truck at 5:45 AM CST and the sun was close to making it's appearance. It was a very humid morning that hadn't got hot yet.
The people that run the company got there and said that they weren't expecting me so soon but it was OK. They had to call the local temporary work agency for 4 people to unload my trailer. 3 men and 1 woman showed up to unload the trailer where it sat. They would unload the vinyl siding on carts and wheel it into the building. As they got close to the front of the trailer, I found them still going strong and happy-joking around & talking. They were smoking inside the trailer and I kinda wondered what they were smoking!!!??? They were clean in the trailer with cigarette butts and ashes so I didn't say anything about it. They were done before noon and it was really humid and pretty warm outside. I had started my tractor up, with the air conditioning going, about an hour before they were done with unloading. The paperwork was signed and I called dispatch.
I was told that there wasn't anything for me to do. I went and parked behind one of my favorite Waffle Houses in a huge closed down shopping center lot. I called dispatch a couple times in hopes of having something to do...Nope, I was here until tomorrow. Ate at Waffle House and stayed in my truck with the air conditioning on...
About Me
- The Protraveller...
- Starting as a preschooler, I remember my Grandfather bringing me rocks from his trips he took after he retired. Each rock had a story to tell. In the sixth grade, I watched a freeway be built and then wondered where all the trucks would go. I remember in high school looking at the mountains and wanting to travel. I did many jobs BEFORE trucking but I always wondered what driving would by like. I really wanted to see things and drive a big truck. So after almost finishing nursing school, a divorce and three cute little kids, I became a truck driver. While earning a living, I found myself enjoying North America and seeing the land and people. NO ONE ENJOYED TRAVELING MORE THAN ME. There are two things I have enjoyed in this life and they are traveling and writing. I use to call myself "Protourist" but my Mother-in-law and Wife would become upset with me as they know I really love THE "travel" and not THE stopping to see things. I now call myself "protraveller"(I like it with a double "L") and my Mother-in-law and Wife are now happy!!! I love to write and this blog gives me the opportunity to share my past and thoughts with the public.
April 30, 2010
April 29, 2010
April 29, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday- Birmingham, Alabama)
Plenty of time today so I went in the restaurant and had breakfast. Wondered around the truckstop for awhile. Before leaving the fuel stop I filled my tanks(114 gallons). Got all my logs legal and left Birmingham, Alabama around 9:30 AM CST.
I had time to do the back roads so I decided to take I-20 west(southwest here) and hook into Hwy 5 at exit 97. Went side on Hwy 5 and it did seem like a long ride but it was interesting. I truly felt like I was seeing some of the pre-civil war south. I write this as several places along Hwy 5 I saw what I would call mansions. Real nice mansions and they had next to them old houses where most of the residents obviously lived. Yep, very , very nice large homes next to several homes in need of paint and repairs. Continued of Hwy 5 until it met hwy 43 which I took to Mobile, Alabama.
I didn't have directions to the receiver so I stopped outside the first convenience store I could and got me a map. The paperwork showed the customer on "Hudson" St. I could not find a "Hudson" Street but I did find a "Hutson" St. I found the customer on Hutson St and I parked outside it on the pavement that looked like a part of the parking lot. It was a nice afternoon and evening so I took a walk. The weather was humid so I slept with my truck running so I could have the air conditioning going....Watched TV while I laid in my bunk and wrote. Fell sleep...
Plenty of time today so I went in the restaurant and had breakfast. Wondered around the truckstop for awhile. Before leaving the fuel stop I filled my tanks(114 gallons). Got all my logs legal and left Birmingham, Alabama around 9:30 AM CST.
I had time to do the back roads so I decided to take I-20 west(southwest here) and hook into Hwy 5 at exit 97. Went side on Hwy 5 and it did seem like a long ride but it was interesting. I truly felt like I was seeing some of the pre-civil war south. I write this as several places along Hwy 5 I saw what I would call mansions. Real nice mansions and they had next to them old houses where most of the residents obviously lived. Yep, very , very nice large homes next to several homes in need of paint and repairs. Continued of Hwy 5 until it met hwy 43 which I took to Mobile, Alabama.
I didn't have directions to the receiver so I stopped outside the first convenience store I could and got me a map. The paperwork showed the customer on "Hudson" St. I could not find a "Hudson" Street but I did find a "Hutson" St. I found the customer on Hutson St and I parked outside it on the pavement that looked like a part of the parking lot. It was a nice afternoon and evening so I took a walk. The weather was humid so I slept with my truck running so I could have the air conditioning going....Watched TV while I laid in my bunk and wrote. Fell sleep...
April 28, 2010
April 28, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday- Lima, Ohio)
Was up and going by 5 AM EST and heading south on I-75. Since I am in no hurry I stopped at the truckstop near Monroe, Ohio as I just love the ice cream bars they have.
Can you believe I stopped a semi truck weighing around 70,000 lbs for an ice cream bar...NO I didn't; I stopped it for 4 of them. I ate three of them before I left and had the fourth as I left down I-75... Boy, they were good enough to enter into my journal.
Went over the Ohio River into Kentucky and followed I-71 to Louisville where I-71 ends. In Louisville downtown area, caught I-65 and went south past Bowling Green, Kentucky and the Chevrolet Corvette plant. Continued into Tennessee and stopped at our fuel stop in Nashville. Went into the restaurant and saw a couple other drivers from our company; had lunch with them. Was going to fuel but decided to go to our fuel stop west of Birmingham, Alabama and get my fuel there. This I did.
Continued down I-65 into Alabama and past the first Alabama rest area with a SATURN 5 rocket mounted in it.(It's there because the space center is in Huntsville, Alabama).
Continued to the “Just a Truckstop” west of Birmingham off of I-20. There I bedded down for the night.
Back roads tomorrow....PT
Was up and going by 5 AM EST and heading south on I-75. Since I am in no hurry I stopped at the truckstop near Monroe, Ohio as I just love the ice cream bars they have.
Can you believe I stopped a semi truck weighing around 70,000 lbs for an ice cream bar...NO I didn't; I stopped it for 4 of them. I ate three of them before I left and had the fourth as I left down I-75... Boy, they were good enough to enter into my journal.
Went over the Ohio River into Kentucky and followed I-71 to Louisville where I-71 ends. In Louisville downtown area, caught I-65 and went south past Bowling Green, Kentucky and the Chevrolet Corvette plant. Continued into Tennessee and stopped at our fuel stop in Nashville. Went into the restaurant and saw a couple other drivers from our company; had lunch with them. Was going to fuel but decided to go to our fuel stop west of Birmingham, Alabama and get my fuel there. This I did.
Continued down I-65 into Alabama and past the first Alabama rest area with a SATURN 5 rocket mounted in it.(It's there because the space center is in Huntsville, Alabama).
Continued to the “Just a Truckstop” west of Birmingham off of I-20. There I bedded down for the night.
Back roads tomorrow....PT
April 27, 2010
April 27, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday- Woodbridge, Ontario)
I was just here two weeks ago(April 12, 1990) and picked up vinyl sliding. The difference is that this load was going to Mobile, Alabama. I never went to the "Texas" bar-be-que or the mall like I did April 12th. Don't know why as this load wqsn't due until Monday and I had plenty of time.
Was hand loaded with 38, 640 lbs of siding and was ready to go at 9:45 AM EST except for... I was there first last night and got the last dock. Since we have to "drop" the trailers because the limited space, I had two trailers that needed to be loaded and undocked before I could get my trailer. The first trailer was a fast one to get out as it was a local truck and was done shortly after me. The other trailer belonged to the other tractor from my company. His handle(nickname) was "Slow & Easy". His loading was done at 12:30 PM EST and we were ready to leave at 1 PM EST.
"Slow & Easy" and I ran together and chit chatted all the way to the border. We took Hwy 407 to Queens Hwy(now Kings Hwy) 427 then to Queens Hwy 401 to Windsor, Ontario. We had "line clearance" so that we wouldn't have to stop at the US customs. I got through with no problem but "Slow & Easy" didn't get past that first customs office. We parked our trucks and went into the customs broker(person that takes care of the customs paperwork between countries). The broker looked over everything and said she saw nothing wrong...neither did the second customs officer that OKed "Slow & Easy" to proceed.
We went to I-75 south and stopped at the Taylor(Detroit) terminal for fuel(96 gallons) at 5:45 PM EST. We split up at Taylor as I headed south on I-75 with the goal of getting to Nashville, Tennessee before I shut down. NO WAY...I was too tired and was in no hurry so I followed I-75 south to Lima, Ohio and stopped in the truck parking for the Waffle House restaurant around 8:30 PM EST. Went in and got me the standard: cheeseburger, fries and a soft drink...
I was just here two weeks ago(April 12, 1990) and picked up vinyl sliding. The difference is that this load was going to Mobile, Alabama. I never went to the "Texas" bar-be-que or the mall like I did April 12th. Don't know why as this load wqsn't due until Monday and I had plenty of time.
Was hand loaded with 38, 640 lbs of siding and was ready to go at 9:45 AM EST except for... I was there first last night and got the last dock. Since we have to "drop" the trailers because the limited space, I had two trailers that needed to be loaded and undocked before I could get my trailer. The first trailer was a fast one to get out as it was a local truck and was done shortly after me. The other trailer belonged to the other tractor from my company. His handle(nickname) was "Slow & Easy". His loading was done at 12:30 PM EST and we were ready to leave at 1 PM EST.
"Slow & Easy" and I ran together and chit chatted all the way to the border. We took Hwy 407 to Queens Hwy(now Kings Hwy) 427 then to Queens Hwy 401 to Windsor, Ontario. We had "line clearance" so that we wouldn't have to stop at the US customs. I got through with no problem but "Slow & Easy" didn't get past that first customs office. We parked our trucks and went into the customs broker(person that takes care of the customs paperwork between countries). The broker looked over everything and said she saw nothing wrong...neither did the second customs officer that OKed "Slow & Easy" to proceed.
We went to I-75 south and stopped at the Taylor(Detroit) terminal for fuel(96 gallons) at 5:45 PM EST. We split up at Taylor as I headed south on I-75 with the goal of getting to Nashville, Tennessee before I shut down. NO WAY...I was too tired and was in no hurry so I followed I-75 south to Lima, Ohio and stopped in the truck parking for the Waffle House restaurant around 8:30 PM EST. Went in and got me the standard: cheeseburger, fries and a soft drink...
April 26, 2010
April 26, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday- Taylor, Michigan)
Got up and checked with dispatch on if I would get out today or tomorrow. I was told that they had a load of auto parts just come in that needs to go to Flint, Michigan. The driver apparently just dropped it in the yard without an OK; bad thing to do. I just got to the dispatch window after a few drivers complained about having to take it... I said give it to me...He did along with directions to the auto plant off of I-75.
Hooked up, did vehicle inspection, fueled(175 gallons) and did my logbook and was on my way up I-75 north...Yes, I was up the winding I-75 through Detroit. I-75 doesn't really straighten out until getting close to Flint, Michigan. Got to the auto plant and traded my loaded trailer for an empty "clean" one. Called dispatch(Taylor Dispatch) and was told to go to Woodbridge, Ontario for a load to Mobile, Alabama. I was at the Woodbridge shipper a short time ago so I knew where it was. Took off north(east at this point) on I-69 around 2:10 PM EST.
Got to Port Huron, Michigan and went over the very high bridge into Sarina, Canada. Took the Queens Highway(now the Kings Hwy) 402 east, by London, Ontario, to the Queens Hwy 401 east toward Toronto, Ontario. Found Queens Hwy 427 and went north to Hwy 407. Took Hwy 407 to the customer and dropped my trailer at the dock( a very difficult parking and disconnecting). Bedded down for the night...
Got up and checked with dispatch on if I would get out today or tomorrow. I was told that they had a load of auto parts just come in that needs to go to Flint, Michigan. The driver apparently just dropped it in the yard without an OK; bad thing to do. I just got to the dispatch window after a few drivers complained about having to take it... I said give it to me...He did along with directions to the auto plant off of I-75.
Hooked up, did vehicle inspection, fueled(175 gallons) and did my logbook and was on my way up I-75 north...Yes, I was up the winding I-75 through Detroit. I-75 doesn't really straighten out until getting close to Flint, Michigan. Got to the auto plant and traded my loaded trailer for an empty "clean" one. Called dispatch(Taylor Dispatch) and was told to go to Woodbridge, Ontario for a load to Mobile, Alabama. I was at the Woodbridge shipper a short time ago so I knew where it was. Took off north(east at this point) on I-69 around 2:10 PM EST.
Got to Port Huron, Michigan and went over the very high bridge into Sarina, Canada. Took the Queens Highway(now the Kings Hwy) 402 east, by London, Ontario, to the Queens Hwy 401 east toward Toronto, Ontario. Found Queens Hwy 427 and went north to Hwy 407. Took Hwy 407 to the customer and dropped my trailer at the dock( a very difficult parking and disconnecting). Bedded down for the night...
April 25, 2010
April 25, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday- Corbin, Kentucky)
Left Corbin about 7:15 AM, heading north on I-75. Went past Lexington, Kentucky and onto Cincinnati. Had to take I-275 east to I-471. North into Cincinnati and then I-71 south to I-75 north. Followed I-75 past Dayton, Ohio and past the intersection with I-70. Continued up I-75 past Toledo, Ohio into Michigan. Michigan State truck scales were open and had to go over them. Had no problem. Got to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal where I was told to drop my load in the yard. I told them I wanted to keep it but they claimed someone needed it. I dropped it and didn't ask why. Several trucks on the ready board so I will be here at least tonight.
Side Note: If you are a company driver, I have found it in your best interests, to respond positively to dispatches' requests. Other the years I has got much more from dispatch than I have given. They remember!!!!
Left Corbin about 7:15 AM, heading north on I-75. Went past Lexington, Kentucky and onto Cincinnati. Had to take I-275 east to I-471. North into Cincinnati and then I-71 south to I-75 north. Followed I-75 past Dayton, Ohio and past the intersection with I-70. Continued up I-75 past Toledo, Ohio into Michigan. Michigan State truck scales were open and had to go over them. Had no problem. Got to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal where I was told to drop my load in the yard. I told them I wanted to keep it but they claimed someone needed it. I dropped it and didn't ask why. Several trucks on the ready board so I will be here at least tonight.
Side Note: If you are a company driver, I have found it in your best interests, to respond positively to dispatches' requests. Other the years I has got much more from dispatch than I have given. They remember!!!!
April 24, 2010
April 24, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday- Valdosta, Georgia)
First off...I just want to write that of all the places I have been, Valdosta, Georgia has, by far, gotten to biggest response of, "(name of a place), where's that?".
Woke up in the old truckstop that I stopped at for the night. walked across the street to the phone and called dispatch. Time was around 8 AM EST. Got the, "Call back in an hour." Talked to other drivers on the CB radio and found that there was a good truckstop north of me another mile. I went to it and fueled(119 gallons). I parked and went in. Called in and had a load to pick up. Had to go to Bainbridge, Georgia and pick a load up for St. Thomas Ontario.
I took Hwy 84 to Bainbridge and found the shipper on the west side of town. I found another truck from my company loading for the same place I was going. Never socialized with him. I got loaded with a weight of 22, 350 lbs. and was ready to head for Canada at 11:30 AM EST.
Georgia was the only state I remember that had limits on the roads I could take and these limits were often unmarked. I didn't really want to go back to Valdosta so I called the police department of Bainbridge and got the OK to travel up Hwy 97 to hwy 19 north. From Hwy 19, I caught Hwy 300(with the state OK) to I-75 north.
I bypassed Macon, Georgia by taking I-475 north. This I-475 was totally surrounded by forest. I never saw any portion of Macon.
Followed I-75 to Atlanta(Georgia) where I had to take the bypass(I-285) around the east side of Atlanta. Followed I-75 north through Chattanooga, Tennessee and then to Knoxville where I stopped for a meal around 7:15 PM EST. Was back on the road(I-75 north) by 8:30 PM EST where I drove into Kentucky through some of the more beautiful parts of the country. By 10 PM I got to Corbin, Kentucky and bedded down for the night...
First off...I just want to write that of all the places I have been, Valdosta, Georgia has, by far, gotten to biggest response of, "(name of a place), where's that?".
Woke up in the old truckstop that I stopped at for the night. walked across the street to the phone and called dispatch. Time was around 8 AM EST. Got the, "Call back in an hour." Talked to other drivers on the CB radio and found that there was a good truckstop north of me another mile. I went to it and fueled(119 gallons). I parked and went in. Called in and had a load to pick up. Had to go to Bainbridge, Georgia and pick a load up for St. Thomas Ontario.
I took Hwy 84 to Bainbridge and found the shipper on the west side of town. I found another truck from my company loading for the same place I was going. Never socialized with him. I got loaded with a weight of 22, 350 lbs. and was ready to head for Canada at 11:30 AM EST.
Georgia was the only state I remember that had limits on the roads I could take and these limits were often unmarked. I didn't really want to go back to Valdosta so I called the police department of Bainbridge and got the OK to travel up Hwy 97 to hwy 19 north. From Hwy 19, I caught Hwy 300(with the state OK) to I-75 north.
I bypassed Macon, Georgia by taking I-475 north. This I-475 was totally surrounded by forest. I never saw any portion of Macon.
Followed I-75 to Atlanta(Georgia) where I had to take the bypass(I-285) around the east side of Atlanta. Followed I-75 north through Chattanooga, Tennessee and then to Knoxville where I stopped for a meal around 7:15 PM EST. Was back on the road(I-75 north) by 8:30 PM EST where I drove into Kentucky through some of the more beautiful parts of the country. By 10 PM I got to Corbin, Kentucky and bedded down for the night...
April 23, 2010
April 23, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday- Sanford, Florida)
The day went fine until I opened my mouth to dispatch after the last tire drop!!! Boy do I remember missing this opportunity.
Anyways, I was woken up by the store manager at about 6:30 AM EST and told how to park the truck for unloading. I did as instructed and was busy unloading around 7:30 AM EST. We were done unloading this store's tire about 10 AM EST with very few interruptions. Unloading went fine and the store employees were great!! Drove to my final stop with no problems as I was given a detailed map by the Sanford store manager. Was at the store and ready to unload at 11:00 AM EST, but unlike the first stop, this stop had fewer tires and more interruptions while unloading. It was close to 2:30 PM EST before I was finished and had my paperwork signed. No problem...yet. The Orlando store manager told me that if I needed to, I could stay on their property that night and he pointed out the stores and restaurants I could use...It was like he knew I would be there for awhile.
I had heard from several drivers in our company, that after Florida drops, I could be sitting around Florida for a couple days waiting only to be moved to Georgia and wait there for a couple more days. When I got hold of dispatch I kind of got forceful with him and told him to get me moved to Georgia tonight so I wouldn't have sit around Florida. When I was done on the phone, the store manager said that I could watch the Space Shuttle take off in the morning from where I was sitting. He said that I would have a great view of it and the weather would be nice for it. OH GREAT!!! I opened my mouth to the dispatcher and told him what to do. Now I was going to miss something I was out here to see(I do this job to see things for free) if he listened to me... I called back in to do a check call after I got my truck all parked for the night only to find that-sure enough-dispatch had listened to me. I was to go-immediately-to Valdosta, Georgia and wait for a load. I had time-thanks to my big mouth-so I traveled north on I-4 to I-95 north. Followed I-95 to Jacksonville where I caught I-10 west to I-75 north. Got to Valdosta and parked for the night in a closed down truckstop with a phone booth across the street. Spent the night there...
Canada bound tomorrow, but not through Buffalo New York like last time.....PT
The day went fine until I opened my mouth to dispatch after the last tire drop!!! Boy do I remember missing this opportunity.
Anyways, I was woken up by the store manager at about 6:30 AM EST and told how to park the truck for unloading. I did as instructed and was busy unloading around 7:30 AM EST. We were done unloading this store's tire about 10 AM EST with very few interruptions. Unloading went fine and the store employees were great!! Drove to my final stop with no problems as I was given a detailed map by the Sanford store manager. Was at the store and ready to unload at 11:00 AM EST, but unlike the first stop, this stop had fewer tires and more interruptions while unloading. It was close to 2:30 PM EST before I was finished and had my paperwork signed. No problem...yet. The Orlando store manager told me that if I needed to, I could stay on their property that night and he pointed out the stores and restaurants I could use...It was like he knew I would be there for awhile.
I had heard from several drivers in our company, that after Florida drops, I could be sitting around Florida for a couple days waiting only to be moved to Georgia and wait there for a couple more days. When I got hold of dispatch I kind of got forceful with him and told him to get me moved to Georgia tonight so I wouldn't have sit around Florida. When I was done on the phone, the store manager said that I could watch the Space Shuttle take off in the morning from where I was sitting. He said that I would have a great view of it and the weather would be nice for it. OH GREAT!!! I opened my mouth to the dispatcher and told him what to do. Now I was going to miss something I was out here to see(I do this job to see things for free) if he listened to me... I called back in to do a check call after I got my truck all parked for the night only to find that-sure enough-dispatch had listened to me. I was to go-immediately-to Valdosta, Georgia and wait for a load. I had time-thanks to my big mouth-so I traveled north on I-4 to I-95 north. Followed I-95 to Jacksonville where I caught I-10 west to I-75 north. Got to Valdosta and parked for the night in a closed down truckstop with a phone booth across the street. Spent the night there...
Canada bound tomorrow, but not through Buffalo New York like last time.....PT
April 22, 2010
April 22, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday- Beaumont, Mississippi)
Was up and moving south on Hwy 98 by 5 AM CST. As I passed McLain, Mississippi I noticed a change in the greenery even though dawn had not fully come yet. Continued to follow Hwy 98 to the Alabama border where the terrain became swarmy with bridges to go over. The weight limit would have turned me around as I weighed approximately 65,000 lbs and I believe the weight limit was somewhere around 25 to 30 tons. Early Sunday, no previous warning signs of the weight limits and being close to the limits, I went over them. It wasn't long before I reached I-65(I-165 not built in 1990) in Mobile, Alabama. Stopped at my favorite Waffle House(I really like these restaurants) and had breakfast around 6:30 AM CST. On to I-10 where I headed east. I saw, from the interstate, the ship USS Alabama sitting at it's visitor's center at it's dock as I drove by. Went over miles of interstate built in the bay water before going over dry land again. Into Florida I went, stopping near Milton at a fuel stop of ours. Fueled(115 gallons) at 9:30 AM EST and headed east again. Got to I-75 and saw signs for a Walt Disney radio information radio station so I turned to it. Took I-75 south to the toll road to Orlando, Florida and onto I-4 where I went north to Sanford, Florida. Parked in the customer's lot and called it a night
Was up and moving south on Hwy 98 by 5 AM CST. As I passed McLain, Mississippi I noticed a change in the greenery even though dawn had not fully come yet. Continued to follow Hwy 98 to the Alabama border where the terrain became swarmy with bridges to go over. The weight limit would have turned me around as I weighed approximately 65,000 lbs and I believe the weight limit was somewhere around 25 to 30 tons. Early Sunday, no previous warning signs of the weight limits and being close to the limits, I went over them. It wasn't long before I reached I-65(I-165 not built in 1990) in Mobile, Alabama. Stopped at my favorite Waffle House(I really like these restaurants) and had breakfast around 6:30 AM CST. On to I-10 where I headed east. I saw, from the interstate, the ship USS Alabama sitting at it's visitor's center at it's dock as I drove by. Went over miles of interstate built in the bay water before going over dry land again. Into Florida I went, stopping near Milton at a fuel stop of ours. Fueled(115 gallons) at 9:30 AM EST and headed east again. Got to I-75 and saw signs for a Walt Disney radio information radio station so I turned to it. Took I-75 south to the toll road to Orlando, Florida and onto I-4 where I went north to Sanford, Florida. Parked in the customer's lot and called it a night
April 21, 2010
April 21, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday- Red Oak, Texas)
Interesting morning...Woke up around 3:30 AM CST and just laid there 'til about 4 AM CST. Got up and couldn't go back to sleep. Walked around tractor in time to see a meteor(shooting star) and then a second one follow it, both about the same brightness. My paperwork was caught up so I just did some writing until the terminal opened at 6 AM CST.
Went into the terminal and waited a little until the terminal manager got his “head on straight”. He saw the note from the fellow who closed the terminal down last night about getting me a decent load as I had helped a driver by giving mine up. He reviewed what loads he had and offered me a couple, of which was a tire load to Florida. A 2 drop load starting in Sanford, Florida and ending in Orlando. I took it.
I was on my way to Florida by 8 AM CST after filling my tanks(98 gallons) Took I-35E to I-20 east where I followed it across the LONG stretch of Texas into Louisiana. Stopped at “Just a Truckstop for lunch and hung around for close to an hour. Headed east on I-20 again and traveled through the area of Louisiana that had heavy smells of oil refineries. If you are not use to the smell, then it is pretty strong as you get close to it. Crossed the Mississippi River into Mississippi at Vicksburg. I love the scenery through this part of the country... Got through Jackson, Mississippi and took Hwy 49 to the southeast. Went through the streets of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and it wasn't one of my favorite cities. After Hattiesburg, took Hwy 98 southeast. Got to Beaumont, Mississippi (8 PM CST) where I found a convenience store with truck parking. There I took my 8 hour break...
Interesting morning...Woke up around 3:30 AM CST and just laid there 'til about 4 AM CST. Got up and couldn't go back to sleep. Walked around tractor in time to see a meteor(shooting star) and then a second one follow it, both about the same brightness. My paperwork was caught up so I just did some writing until the terminal opened at 6 AM CST.
Went into the terminal and waited a little until the terminal manager got his “head on straight”. He saw the note from the fellow who closed the terminal down last night about getting me a decent load as I had helped a driver by giving mine up. He reviewed what loads he had and offered me a couple, of which was a tire load to Florida. A 2 drop load starting in Sanford, Florida and ending in Orlando. I took it.
I was on my way to Florida by 8 AM CST after filling my tanks(98 gallons) Took I-35E to I-20 east where I followed it across the LONG stretch of Texas into Louisiana. Stopped at “Just a Truckstop for lunch and hung around for close to an hour. Headed east on I-20 again and traveled through the area of Louisiana that had heavy smells of oil refineries. If you are not use to the smell, then it is pretty strong as you get close to it. Crossed the Mississippi River into Mississippi at Vicksburg. I love the scenery through this part of the country... Got through Jackson, Mississippi and took Hwy 49 to the southeast. Went through the streets of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and it wasn't one of my favorite cities. After Hattiesburg, took Hwy 98 southeast. Got to Beaumont, Mississippi (8 PM CST) where I found a convenience store with truck parking. There I took my 8 hour break...
April 20, 2010
April 20, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday- Laredo, Texas)
I was at the terminal by 9 AM CST looking to get out of Laredo. I was on the trucker's ready board and it was 10:20 AM CST when I got called to the dispatch window. I was given the choice of three loads: one to California and two Kansas City. I had a husband/wife Team(two drivers in the same tractor to make the load move faster) standing behind me and wanting the California load; I took one of the Kansas City, Missouri loads.
The load was light according to the paperwork (19,450 lbs) and I was on the road by 11 AM CST. I decided to bypass the truckstop in San Antonio(Texas) and fill my tanks in Red Oak, Texas. I decided on this as I was going to stop in Joplin, Missouri on my way to Kansas City.
Got to Red Oak around 5:45 PM CST and found some driver that needed my load to get him to Kansas City. I let him have my load and dispatch, at Red Oak, said they would try and get me something good for tomorrow for letting my load go.
After the terminal closed for the night, I went to my tractor and watched TV until I went to sleep...
Tomorrow: Eastward bound.....PT
I was at the terminal by 9 AM CST looking to get out of Laredo. I was on the trucker's ready board and it was 10:20 AM CST when I got called to the dispatch window. I was given the choice of three loads: one to California and two Kansas City. I had a husband/wife Team(two drivers in the same tractor to make the load move faster) standing behind me and wanting the California load; I took one of the Kansas City, Missouri loads.
The load was light according to the paperwork (19,450 lbs) and I was on the road by 11 AM CST. I decided to bypass the truckstop in San Antonio(Texas) and fill my tanks in Red Oak, Texas. I decided on this as I was going to stop in Joplin, Missouri on my way to Kansas City.
Got to Red Oak around 5:45 PM CST and found some driver that needed my load to get him to Kansas City. I let him have my load and dispatch, at Red Oak, said they would try and get me something good for tomorrow for letting my load go.
After the terminal closed for the night, I went to my tractor and watched TV until I went to sleep...
Tomorrow: Eastward bound.....PT
April 19, 2010
April 19, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday- Laredo, Texas)
Woke up in the motel room and hung around 'til about 10 AM CST. Figured I would be leaving today so I checked out of the room and went to the the terminal. Found that the chances of me leaving today were pretty much non-existent.
I and 6 other drivers went to the "Hunan Chinese Restaurant", got us a table in the back and kind of partied for a couple hours...ran up one big bill! We had fun and tipped the waitress pretty good we all thought.
Went back to the terminal where I left the group and got me another motel room for the night. There I stayed until tomorrow. I did wonder to the pool to see if anyone was hanging around but found no one.
SECOND 5 YEARS:(beautiful Summer evening with the Arkansas Highway Patrol)
I had picked up a heavy, but legal, load of beef earlier in the day from around Amarillo, Texas. I was moving east and had stopped in Oklahoma City at a truckstop and had a late lunch or early dinner. As I crossed into Arkansas, the state truck weigh station was open and weighing customers(trucks). As I entered the scale, the sign with messages for the truckers to read came on. It read,"Park truck & bring in paperwork". So I did.
I left my logbook in the truck(it was legal and up to date) and took my permit book and load paperwork in. I never took my logbook in unless it was directly asked for. The "station" master was a highway Patrolman with his patrol car sitting outside. He was on the phone with his feet up on the desk and munching on some kind of cookies as he talked. I waited for him to get off the phone and then said, before he said anything, " I stopped in Oklahoma City and had a large buffet. Did it send me over my weight limits?" He smiled back and said no and went on to say that he had to do 7 more inspections and put windshield stickers on before he was done. He said he didn't want to do actual inspections so what he would do is look at my paperwork, walk another my truck and then put a sticker on the windshield. That was great for me as it would keep me free from most all US inspections for 3 months and possibly for a year. He then said, while smiling, that he would deny that he did it if I was to report him. We got talking about a few things while he looked over my permit book and load paperwork. He never asked for my logbook. We then walked around the truck and we were joking around about Clinton being President. I mentioned the death of the highest ranked highway patrol woman in Arkansas and his joking around ENDED. It was obvious that our conversation was finished. He put the sticker, saying that he had inspected the truck, on my windshield and bid me a good evening. I left as he pulled in a bobtailed tractor to do the same as he did to me.
Woke up in the motel room and hung around 'til about 10 AM CST. Figured I would be leaving today so I checked out of the room and went to the the terminal. Found that the chances of me leaving today were pretty much non-existent.
I and 6 other drivers went to the "Hunan Chinese Restaurant", got us a table in the back and kind of partied for a couple hours...ran up one big bill! We had fun and tipped the waitress pretty good we all thought.
Went back to the terminal where I left the group and got me another motel room for the night. There I stayed until tomorrow. I did wonder to the pool to see if anyone was hanging around but found no one.
SECOND 5 YEARS:(beautiful Summer evening with the Arkansas Highway Patrol)
I had picked up a heavy, but legal, load of beef earlier in the day from around Amarillo, Texas. I was moving east and had stopped in Oklahoma City at a truckstop and had a late lunch or early dinner. As I crossed into Arkansas, the state truck weigh station was open and weighing customers(trucks). As I entered the scale, the sign with messages for the truckers to read came on. It read,"Park truck & bring in paperwork". So I did.
I left my logbook in the truck(it was legal and up to date) and took my permit book and load paperwork in. I never took my logbook in unless it was directly asked for. The "station" master was a highway Patrolman with his patrol car sitting outside. He was on the phone with his feet up on the desk and munching on some kind of cookies as he talked. I waited for him to get off the phone and then said, before he said anything, " I stopped in Oklahoma City and had a large buffet. Did it send me over my weight limits?" He smiled back and said no and went on to say that he had to do 7 more inspections and put windshield stickers on before he was done. He said he didn't want to do actual inspections so what he would do is look at my paperwork, walk another my truck and then put a sticker on the windshield. That was great for me as it would keep me free from most all US inspections for 3 months and possibly for a year. He then said, while smiling, that he would deny that he did it if I was to report him. We got talking about a few things while he looked over my permit book and load paperwork. He never asked for my logbook. We then walked around the truck and we were joking around about Clinton being President. I mentioned the death of the highest ranked highway patrol woman in Arkansas and his joking around ENDED. It was obvious that our conversation was finished. He put the sticker, saying that he had inspected the truck, on my windshield and bid me a good evening. I left as he pulled in a bobtailed tractor to do the same as he did to me.
April 18, 2010
April 18, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday- Winfield, Texas)
Was up, awake and moving west on I-30 by 4 AM CST. This stretch of Texas seems so long to me though the scenery isn't, when the sun is out or moon full, boring. There are several roads in Texas that seem long...maybe because they are long!!!--I-10 through Texas is close to 900 miles!!!
Went over Lake Ray Hubbard--just east of Dallas--and continued to I-635 where I were south. I-635 ends when it meets I-20 which I continued west on. Got to I-35E and went south to Red Oak, Texas. Our terminal at Red Oak had just opened up at 6:15 AM CST when I drove up. I fueled(176 gallons) at the terminal as it is a fuel stop also(our terminal was an office on the side of a truckstop). I wasn't worried about the weight and weigh stations in Texas as there aren't any weigh stations all the way to Laredo, Texas. I went south past the point where I-35E and I-35W join up to become I-35. As I past the double level interstate through Austin, I got in the fast lane and took the lower level...Why??? I don't know...Just did.
Passed Selma, Texas, which in 1990 was a speed trap for the City of Selma's yearly budget. They slowed you down to 55 miles/hour on the interstate and had a police car with radar sitting in a convenient spot it seemed like every time I went past. The interstate highway was reworked through this area and Selma's speed trap was done away with.
Got to the "Just a Truckstop" in San Antonio, Texas where I had lunch and topped off my tanks(41 gallon). Topped off my tanks as I am not worried about the weight and our company doesn't have a decent fuel stop in Laredo.
I got to Laredo by 2:45 PM CST and dispatch said to drop the trailer in our yard. I did and I didn't go on the trucker's ready board as I was out of time and trucks were moving too fast and I would get my wanted 24 hour break in. Got a motel room and stayed there the rest of the day...
Tomorrow: An Arkansas Highway Patrolman and "vehicle inspections" tomorrow on "Second 5 years".
Was up, awake and moving west on I-30 by 4 AM CST. This stretch of Texas seems so long to me though the scenery isn't, when the sun is out or moon full, boring. There are several roads in Texas that seem long...maybe because they are long!!!--I-10 through Texas is close to 900 miles!!!
Went over Lake Ray Hubbard--just east of Dallas--and continued to I-635 where I were south. I-635 ends when it meets I-20 which I continued west on. Got to I-35E and went south to Red Oak, Texas. Our terminal at Red Oak had just opened up at 6:15 AM CST when I drove up. I fueled(176 gallons) at the terminal as it is a fuel stop also(our terminal was an office on the side of a truckstop). I wasn't worried about the weight and weigh stations in Texas as there aren't any weigh stations all the way to Laredo, Texas. I went south past the point where I-35E and I-35W join up to become I-35. As I past the double level interstate through Austin, I got in the fast lane and took the lower level...Why??? I don't know...Just did.
Passed Selma, Texas, which in 1990 was a speed trap for the City of Selma's yearly budget. They slowed you down to 55 miles/hour on the interstate and had a police car with radar sitting in a convenient spot it seemed like every time I went past. The interstate highway was reworked through this area and Selma's speed trap was done away with.
Got to the "Just a Truckstop" in San Antonio, Texas where I had lunch and topped off my tanks(41 gallon). Topped off my tanks as I am not worried about the weight and our company doesn't have a decent fuel stop in Laredo.
I got to Laredo by 2:45 PM CST and dispatch said to drop the trailer in our yard. I did and I didn't go on the trucker's ready board as I was out of time and trucks were moving too fast and I would get my wanted 24 hour break in. Got a motel room and stayed there the rest of the day...
Tomorrow: An Arkansas Highway Patrolman and "vehicle inspections" tomorrow on "Second 5 years".
April 17, 2010
April 17, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday- Troy, Illinois)
Was up and ready to go at 4:30 AM CST but my relay to Laredo, Texas wasn't there yet. I was disconnected from my trailer and just sitting under it. While I waited for the relay, I thought about which way to take...through Newport Arkansas or through West Memphis, Arkansas. I decided on West Memphis for two reasons: easier driving and the buffet for lunch in West Memphis.
The relay got here at 5:45 AM CST and I was sitting in the driver's seat writing when it did. I helped the other driver to get unhooked from my new trailer and then I backed under it and hooked up. The other driver told me that the load is right at it's weight limits. He gave me the paperwork and weighed it. The total weight of the truck and trailer was 79,920 lbs (I have had closer to the 80,000 lbs weight limit). With everything legal, I took off.
I traveled south on I-255 and into into Missouri. Shortly after entering Missouri, I caught I-55 south where I followed it into Arkansas. For some reason the Missouri and Arkansas weigh stations were closed today while on I-55.
When I got to West Memphis I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" and had the buffet lunch which I had been planning on. I also put 50 gallons of fuel in my tanks to equal just what I had used from Troy, Illinois as my weight could go over if I put on much more.
I headed west on I-40 through Arkansas about 12:30 PM CST. I decided to take I-440 around the southeast corner of Little Rock, Arkansas so I could keep up my speed. I took I-440 to I-30 west and kept moving. Past the 2 Texarkanas as I entered Texas. Stopped in Winfield, Texas for the night as my hours ran out and I was in no hurry....Time when I got parked...5:45 PM CST. No TV here on my TV and not hungry so I listened to the radio and went to sleep...
Was up and ready to go at 4:30 AM CST but my relay to Laredo, Texas wasn't there yet. I was disconnected from my trailer and just sitting under it. While I waited for the relay, I thought about which way to take...through Newport Arkansas or through West Memphis, Arkansas. I decided on West Memphis for two reasons: easier driving and the buffet for lunch in West Memphis.
The relay got here at 5:45 AM CST and I was sitting in the driver's seat writing when it did. I helped the other driver to get unhooked from my new trailer and then I backed under it and hooked up. The other driver told me that the load is right at it's weight limits. He gave me the paperwork and weighed it. The total weight of the truck and trailer was 79,920 lbs (I have had closer to the 80,000 lbs weight limit). With everything legal, I took off.
I traveled south on I-255 and into into Missouri. Shortly after entering Missouri, I caught I-55 south where I followed it into Arkansas. For some reason the Missouri and Arkansas weigh stations were closed today while on I-55.
When I got to West Memphis I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" and had the buffet lunch which I had been planning on. I also put 50 gallons of fuel in my tanks to equal just what I had used from Troy, Illinois as my weight could go over if I put on much more.
I headed west on I-40 through Arkansas about 12:30 PM CST. I decided to take I-440 around the southeast corner of Little Rock, Arkansas so I could keep up my speed. I took I-440 to I-30 west and kept moving. Past the 2 Texarkanas as I entered Texas. Stopped in Winfield, Texas for the night as my hours ran out and I was in no hurry....Time when I got parked...5:45 PM CST. No TV here on my TV and not hungry so I listened to the radio and went to sleep...
April 16, 2010
April 16, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday- Ridgway, Illinois)
Got up before dawn today to watch the sun come up over the farmland I dislike traveling through so much. Couldn't watch the sun as the skies were very cloudy but not running.
I was unloaded by 10 AM CST and went to the receiver's office building to call dispatch. I was told to call back every hour-heard that before- so I parked my truck in an out of the way place at the receiver's –no place to take the truck and wait around here--and asked the office staff if it would be OK to use there phone every hour. The gals in the office said yes.
I had all my needed work done so I took awhile and cleaned out my side boxes—below my sleeper—and than looked closely at the rubber on my gladhands(air line connectors to the trailer)for cracks or breaks.
At the 1:15 PM CST call in I had a load. I was to go to Troy, Illinois to the “Big Ball” truckstop and wait for a relay load to Laredo, Texas. The trailer trade is suppose to take place tomorrow morning ...time not specified. I left and headed up Hwy 1 to Hwy 45 and then to I-64. I-64 was taken west where I headed toward East St Louis, Illinois. Just outside East St. Louis I took I-255 north to the “Big Ball” truckstop at the intersection of I-255, I-55 and I-70. There I waited for the relay. Went to sleep early as I didn't know when the relay was coming in.
The problem I have is deciding which way to go to Little Rock, Arkansas; will I go through Newport or West Memphis, Arkansas???
Got up before dawn today to watch the sun come up over the farmland I dislike traveling through so much. Couldn't watch the sun as the skies were very cloudy but not running.
I was unloaded by 10 AM CST and went to the receiver's office building to call dispatch. I was told to call back every hour-heard that before- so I parked my truck in an out of the way place at the receiver's –no place to take the truck and wait around here--and asked the office staff if it would be OK to use there phone every hour. The gals in the office said yes.
I had all my needed work done so I took awhile and cleaned out my side boxes—below my sleeper—and than looked closely at the rubber on my gladhands(air line connectors to the trailer)for cracks or breaks.
At the 1:15 PM CST call in I had a load. I was to go to Troy, Illinois to the “Big Ball” truckstop and wait for a relay load to Laredo, Texas. The trailer trade is suppose to take place tomorrow morning ...time not specified. I left and headed up Hwy 1 to Hwy 45 and then to I-64. I-64 was taken west where I headed toward East St Louis, Illinois. Just outside East St. Louis I took I-255 north to the “Big Ball” truckstop at the intersection of I-255, I-55 and I-70. There I waited for the relay. Went to sleep early as I didn't know when the relay was coming in.
The problem I have is deciding which way to go to Little Rock, Arkansas; will I go through Newport or West Memphis, Arkansas???
April 15, 2010
April 15, 1990, 2010
April 15, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday- Kansas City, Missouri)
Got up this morning still feeling tired. I have a load to Ridgway, Illinois, the “popcorn capital of the world”. I had been there just a couple weeks ago I believe.
Filled my fuel tanks(108 gallons), hooked up to my trailer, did a vehicle inspection, got my logbook all legal and then went into the truck lounge and talked to a couple truckers for about an hour. I got on the road at 11 AM CST. Followed I-70 east to Kingdom City, Missouri where I went south to Fulton, Missouri and checked my mail...nothing but ads. Went back to I-70 and headed east and took I-70 right to the Mississippi River at downtown St. Louis. Crossed the River and started following I-64 east. Traveled past Mt. Vernon, Illinois where I-64 goes south a little before going back east. At exit 110 on I-64 I took Hwy 45 south. When Hwy 45 met Hwy 1, I took Hwy 1 past Omaha, Illinois to Ridgway. I parked in the receivers lot but the night.
I time I shut down was 6:45 PM CST. It was still light outside so I walked around for about an hour before going back to the truck. No TV here so I wrote and listened to the radio....
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday- Kansas City, Missouri)
Got up this morning still feeling tired. I have a load to Ridgway, Illinois, the “popcorn capital of the world”. I had been there just a couple weeks ago I believe.
Filled my fuel tanks(108 gallons), hooked up to my trailer, did a vehicle inspection, got my logbook all legal and then went into the truck lounge and talked to a couple truckers for about an hour. I got on the road at 11 AM CST. Followed I-70 east to Kingdom City, Missouri where I went south to Fulton, Missouri and checked my mail...nothing but ads. Went back to I-70 and headed east and took I-70 right to the Mississippi River at downtown St. Louis. Crossed the River and started following I-64 east. Traveled past Mt. Vernon, Illinois where I-64 goes south a little before going back east. At exit 110 on I-64 I took Hwy 45 south. When Hwy 45 met Hwy 1, I took Hwy 1 past Omaha, Illinois to Ridgway. I parked in the receivers lot but the night.
I time I shut down was 6:45 PM CST. It was still light outside so I walked around for about an hour before going back to the truck. No TV here so I wrote and listened to the radio....
April 14, 2010
April 14, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday- Kansas City, Missouri)
Woke up at 6 AM CST and got ready to go to Lexington, Nebraska. Was told to bobtail(go with no trailer) to destination and pick up loaded trailer that's waiting for me. Filled my fuel tanks(124 gallons) and left north on I-435 to north I-29. I-29 “travels” through the Missouri “highlands”(hills or mountains)until about exit 78 where the road drops to the Missouri River flood plain. I feel this Missouri River flood plain is a very interesting part of the country to travel. I mention this as I once talked with a person that found this area extremely boring...everyone to their own beliefs and feelings. Went into Iowa only 10 miles and then took Hwy 2 west into Nebraska.
In 1990, Hwy 2 was a main trucking route and much of it was a 2 lane road. In 2010, Hwy 2 is a 4 lane road all the way to Lincoln(Nebraska) with a state weigh station outside Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Followed Hwy 2 to Lincoln, where just before downtown the trucking route is diverted to Hwy 77 to I-80. I-80 I took west to the rest area by Goehner, Nebraska. I was only at the rest area less than 15 minutes and then back on the road heading west.
A lot of western Nebraska's 400 miles, along I-80, is as flat as western Kansas and eastern Colorado but you never hear about how “boring” the drive is. I think is is because Nebraska has more trees and green grass along the interstate; western Kansas and eastern Colorado seem like just cattle glazing land covered with brownish, treeless terrain.
On to Lexington, Nebraska where I arrived about 1 PM CST. I found the shipper and my trailer. Checked with security and got my trailer's paperwork, hooked up, did vehicle inspection and my logbook. Load weight was 28,457 lbs. Stopped at KFC restaurant and got a bucket of fried chicken to eat along the way back to Kansas City. Hit the road going east on I-80. Took Hwy 2 east out of Lincoln, Nebraska into Iowa where, just over the border, I took I-29 south. I was running out of legal driving time as I entered Missouri but decided to keep going (VIOLATION). I stopped at the first rest area in Missouri for a very short stop and then I was on the road again. I have always been one who wanted to get the load to it's destination as soon as possible. I rolled into the Kansas City(Missouri) terminal at 8:30 PM CST.
I had a busy day so I checked with dispatch. Was told to drop my load in the yard and was given a load to Ridgway, Illinois—the popcorn capitol of the world-- for Monday. I went out and went to bed...
Woke up at 6 AM CST and got ready to go to Lexington, Nebraska. Was told to bobtail(go with no trailer) to destination and pick up loaded trailer that's waiting for me. Filled my fuel tanks(124 gallons) and left north on I-435 to north I-29. I-29 “travels” through the Missouri “highlands”(hills or mountains)until about exit 78 where the road drops to the Missouri River flood plain. I feel this Missouri River flood plain is a very interesting part of the country to travel. I mention this as I once talked with a person that found this area extremely boring...everyone to their own beliefs and feelings. Went into Iowa only 10 miles and then took Hwy 2 west into Nebraska.
In 1990, Hwy 2 was a main trucking route and much of it was a 2 lane road. In 2010, Hwy 2 is a 4 lane road all the way to Lincoln(Nebraska) with a state weigh station outside Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Followed Hwy 2 to Lincoln, where just before downtown the trucking route is diverted to Hwy 77 to I-80. I-80 I took west to the rest area by Goehner, Nebraska. I was only at the rest area less than 15 minutes and then back on the road heading west.
A lot of western Nebraska's 400 miles, along I-80, is as flat as western Kansas and eastern Colorado but you never hear about how “boring” the drive is. I think is is because Nebraska has more trees and green grass along the interstate; western Kansas and eastern Colorado seem like just cattle glazing land covered with brownish, treeless terrain.
On to Lexington, Nebraska where I arrived about 1 PM CST. I found the shipper and my trailer. Checked with security and got my trailer's paperwork, hooked up, did vehicle inspection and my logbook. Load weight was 28,457 lbs. Stopped at KFC restaurant and got a bucket of fried chicken to eat along the way back to Kansas City. Hit the road going east on I-80. Took Hwy 2 east out of Lincoln, Nebraska into Iowa where, just over the border, I took I-29 south. I was running out of legal driving time as I entered Missouri but decided to keep going (VIOLATION). I stopped at the first rest area in Missouri for a very short stop and then I was on the road again. I have always been one who wanted to get the load to it's destination as soon as possible. I rolled into the Kansas City(Missouri) terminal at 8:30 PM CST.
I had a busy day so I checked with dispatch. Was told to drop my load in the yard and was given a load to Ridgway, Illinois—the popcorn capitol of the world-- for Monday. I went out and went to bed...
April 13, 2010
April 13, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday- Lake Station, Indiana)
Woke up a little after 8 AM EST and just laid there and listened to my truck TV in had on. I was in no hurry as this load was due in Wichita, Kansas Monday AM. I went into the truckstop and had the breakfast buffet. After eating I just looked at the things in the trucker store for awhile.
I got out of there about 10:30 AM EST and headed west on I-94/I-80. When the two interstates separated, I followed I-80 to I-55 where I went south. Traveling through the state of terminal farmland. Farmland all over the place!!! no change! Enough to drive ya crazy!!! Just before 12:30 PM CST I stopped at he rest area at Funks Grove(Illinois). Was there about 30 minutes and hit the road again. At Springfield, Illinois I took Hwy 36(now I-72) west--alot more farmland-- to highway 100(highway 36 not completed to Hannibal, Missouri yet). A short distance on Hwy 100 to Hwy 106 where I went west. Had to stop at the draw bridge over the Illinois River for a boat passing. On west through the very small community of Detroit, Illinois and onto Pittsfield(Illinois) where I stopped at the Wal-Mart store for about 45 minutes. At Pittsfield, I picked up Highway 54 west and followed it to the very skinny bridge(a semi passing a car is a challenge-still that way in 2010) over the Mississippi River at Louisiana, Missouri. Stayed on Highway 54 to Kingdom City, Missouri and then to Fulton(Missouri) where I checked my mail at the Post Office. Back to Kingdom City and stopped at a convenient store for a soda pop(soft drink) and some munchies. Back on the road (I-70) heading west at 6:45 PM CST and got to the Kansas City(Missouri) terminal at 9:15 PM. Parked my unit and checked in with dispatch.
Dispatch asked if I could bobtail(go with no trailer) to Lexington, Nebraska to pick up an auto parts load for Monday. I was out of driving hours for now but could go tomorrow...I said OK and dropped my trailer that was going to Wichita, Kansas. Went to bed to get some sleep. Will be leaving for Lexington early in the morning...
Woke up a little after 8 AM EST and just laid there and listened to my truck TV in had on. I was in no hurry as this load was due in Wichita, Kansas Monday AM. I went into the truckstop and had the breakfast buffet. After eating I just looked at the things in the trucker store for awhile.
I got out of there about 10:30 AM EST and headed west on I-94/I-80. When the two interstates separated, I followed I-80 to I-55 where I went south. Traveling through the state of terminal farmland. Farmland all over the place!!! no change! Enough to drive ya crazy!!! Just before 12:30 PM CST I stopped at he rest area at Funks Grove(Illinois). Was there about 30 minutes and hit the road again. At Springfield, Illinois I took Hwy 36(now I-72) west--alot more farmland-- to highway 100(highway 36 not completed to Hannibal, Missouri yet). A short distance on Hwy 100 to Hwy 106 where I went west. Had to stop at the draw bridge over the Illinois River for a boat passing. On west through the very small community of Detroit, Illinois and onto Pittsfield(Illinois) where I stopped at the Wal-Mart store for about 45 minutes. At Pittsfield, I picked up Highway 54 west and followed it to the very skinny bridge(a semi passing a car is a challenge-still that way in 2010) over the Mississippi River at Louisiana, Missouri. Stayed on Highway 54 to Kingdom City, Missouri and then to Fulton(Missouri) where I checked my mail at the Post Office. Back to Kingdom City and stopped at a convenient store for a soda pop(soft drink) and some munchies. Back on the road (I-70) heading west at 6:45 PM CST and got to the Kansas City(Missouri) terminal at 9:15 PM. Parked my unit and checked in with dispatch.
Dispatch asked if I could bobtail(go with no trailer) to Lexington, Nebraska to pick up an auto parts load for Monday. I was out of driving hours for now but could go tomorrow...I said OK and dropped my trailer that was going to Wichita, Kansas. Went to bed to get some sleep. Will be leaving for Lexington early in the morning...
April 12, 2010
April 12, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday- Woodbridge, Ontario)
Woke up to another driver from my company trying to put his trailer at the dock(hard docks to back up to). I got up real fast and offered my assistance but he was almost finished. Helped him unhook and talked with "Rug Rat"-his handle(nickname)- and the shipper guy for a couple hours. The way we were at the docks ment that Rug Rat would be leaving before me.
The place made vinyl siding and it was so interesting to watch the workers: they were originally of several nationalities with their different skin shades, clothes and head wear...most likely all Canadians now...fantastic!!! The shipper guy told me I could walk around the plant and I did. I talked with a couple people which I enjoyed greatly. There were a few types of people working together but all in all everyone was working together...It was great to see. We were being loaded by hand and the process was slow.
Note that in 1990, Woodbridge was the "Italian" area of a very diversified Toronto, Canada.
Rug Rat and I were hungry about 11AM EST and I asked the shipper guy if he knew of a good place to eat. He said that there was a "Texas" bar-b-que about four blocks toward downtown. We said GREAT; you could not do anything but love a good Texas bar-b-que!!! We found it and it had just opened. We went in and the menu was in Italian and English. Yes folks, an Italian Texas bar-b-que in Canada...and set up as a fast food restaurant. It wasn't what we were expecting but the food was good....
Rug Rat and I got back to the shipper and were told that it would be 2 or 3 PM EST before we were done. I had told Rug Rat how really nice the Woodbine Mall was and so we took a run to it as it wasn't far from us. We walked around and I just loved being there. When we left, both had bought a whole bag of candy; I had sour gummy worms.
We got back to the shipper by 2 PM EST and they were finishing up with me(mine going to Wichita, Kansas) and very close to being done with Rug Rat. By 3 PM EST we were hooked up and on our way to Windsor, Ontario. We traveled Hwy 7 to Qhwy(Queen's highway-now the King's highway) 427 to Qhwy 401 and headed to Windsor, we both got to the Ambassador Bridge, and through customs(we had "line" clearance with bar codes on our paperwork-like the stores-so didn't deal with brokers) around 7 PM CST . We were at the Taylor(Detroit suburb)Michigan terminal by 7:30 PM EST. Rug rat wanted to stay there for the night but I wanted to keep going as I had another 5 hour I could drive I topped off my fuel tanks(118 gallons) and was on my way west on I-94. I followed I-94 into Indiana where I stopped at "Just a Truckstop" at Lake Station for the night just before midnight EST...
Woke up to another driver from my company trying to put his trailer at the dock(hard docks to back up to). I got up real fast and offered my assistance but he was almost finished. Helped him unhook and talked with "Rug Rat"-his handle(nickname)- and the shipper guy for a couple hours. The way we were at the docks ment that Rug Rat would be leaving before me.
The place made vinyl siding and it was so interesting to watch the workers: they were originally of several nationalities with their different skin shades, clothes and head wear...most likely all Canadians now...fantastic!!! The shipper guy told me I could walk around the plant and I did. I talked with a couple people which I enjoyed greatly. There were a few types of people working together but all in all everyone was working together...It was great to see. We were being loaded by hand and the process was slow.
Note that in 1990, Woodbridge was the "Italian" area of a very diversified Toronto, Canada.
Rug Rat and I were hungry about 11AM EST and I asked the shipper guy if he knew of a good place to eat. He said that there was a "Texas" bar-b-que about four blocks toward downtown. We said GREAT; you could not do anything but love a good Texas bar-b-que!!! We found it and it had just opened. We went in and the menu was in Italian and English. Yes folks, an Italian Texas bar-b-que in Canada...and set up as a fast food restaurant. It wasn't what we were expecting but the food was good....
Rug Rat and I got back to the shipper and were told that it would be 2 or 3 PM EST before we were done. I had told Rug Rat how really nice the Woodbine Mall was and so we took a run to it as it wasn't far from us. We walked around and I just loved being there. When we left, both had bought a whole bag of candy; I had sour gummy worms.
We got back to the shipper by 2 PM EST and they were finishing up with me(mine going to Wichita, Kansas) and very close to being done with Rug Rat. By 3 PM EST we were hooked up and on our way to Windsor, Ontario. We traveled Hwy 7 to Qhwy(Queen's highway-now the King's highway) 427 to Qhwy 401 and headed to Windsor, we both got to the Ambassador Bridge, and through customs(we had "line" clearance with bar codes on our paperwork-like the stores-so didn't deal with brokers) around 7 PM CST . We were at the Taylor(Detroit suburb)Michigan terminal by 7:30 PM EST. Rug rat wanted to stay there for the night but I wanted to keep going as I had another 5 hour I could drive I topped off my fuel tanks(118 gallons) and was on my way west on I-94. I followed I-94 into Indiana where I stopped at "Just a Truckstop" at Lake Station for the night just before midnight EST...
April 11, 2010
April 11, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday- Toronto, Ontario)
No loads out of Canada today I was informed so I am going to the Woodbine Mall. I went west on Qhwy(now the King's highway)401 to where Qhwy 409 takes off. Went to Qhwy 427 and went northwest to the Mall on the left. I enjoyed my time there. I called in to check if any loads got assigned to me every hour and didn't have something until 3 PM EST. The load to pick up was for tomorrow so I finished my shopping...I enjoy just walking around this two decked mall because of the interesting people I see; several nationalities in their, or close to, their native clothing. I watched some of the rides in the mall's amusement parks-with Ferris wheel-until I got involved with some surrey taking people. I took the surrey but don't remember what it was about. I got a Canadian lottery ticket for taking it but it turned out to be worthless.
I went to my truck, looked up the directions and went to the shipper's place down Hwy 7 , not far from my location, in Woodbridge, Ontario. Found the shipper and was told to drop my trailer at the dock and unhook. Boy, the space was very small to back the trailers into and I had problems; none that I couldn't handle. When I got the trailer to the dock, there was only about 18 inches of space between the front of my tractor and the wall. Unhooking was fun: hooking was more fun.
I had munchies in my tractor so I eat them and fall asleep....
No loads out of Canada today I was informed so I am going to the Woodbine Mall. I went west on Qhwy(now the King's highway)401 to where Qhwy 409 takes off. Went to Qhwy 427 and went northwest to the Mall on the left. I enjoyed my time there. I called in to check if any loads got assigned to me every hour and didn't have something until 3 PM EST. The load to pick up was for tomorrow so I finished my shopping...I enjoy just walking around this two decked mall because of the interesting people I see; several nationalities in their, or close to, their native clothing. I watched some of the rides in the mall's amusement parks-with Ferris wheel-until I got involved with some surrey taking people. I took the surrey but don't remember what it was about. I got a Canadian lottery ticket for taking it but it turned out to be worthless.
I went to my truck, looked up the directions and went to the shipper's place down Hwy 7 , not far from my location, in Woodbridge, Ontario. Found the shipper and was told to drop my trailer at the dock and unhook. Boy, the space was very small to back the trailers into and I had problems; none that I couldn't handle. When I got the trailer to the dock, there was only about 18 inches of space between the front of my tractor and the wall. Unhooking was fun: hooking was more fun.
I had munchies in my tractor so I eat them and fall asleep....
April 10, 2010
April 10, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday- Jane Lew, West Virginia)
Had my alarm clock set for 4 AM EST. After doing my logbook and a vehicle inspection, I headed north on I-79 at 4:30 AM EST into western Pennsylvania. Went past Pittsburgh but wouldn't have known it if it weren't for the signs as greenery was covering everything along the interstate. Continued up I-79 to I-90, next to Erie(Pennsylvania). Went west into New York and onto the “New York state thruway(toll road)”. Took I-90 to Buffalo(New York) where I took I-190 to the Peace Bridge at 10 AM EST.. I have been in, and delivered in, Buffalo before but this is my first time over the Peace Bridge into Canada.
Getting over the bridge was easy and then came customs. I was expecting problems with my first time but didn't have them. The customs yard seemed well organized and going in to talk with the Canadian customs officers was a good experience. Got in and out and I was gone.
Took the QEW(Queen Elizabeth Way) to Toronto and past the downtown area. Took QHWY 404(Queens highway-now Kings highway) to QHWY 401 where I went east a mile to the customer's street. Found customer and was unloaded by 2:15 PM EST.
This customer had an area with several trailers and while I was being unloaded, I saw another tractor from my company looking for an empty trailer. I talked to him-handle(nickname) was “Lost Child”-and he was in no hurry. I had no load to pick up so we went to lunch. We picked a small restaurant where the girl behind the counter was very young. We talked to her and she had just graduated from high school; we focused our conversation with her on the difference of U.S. & Canada schools.
After Lunch, I went back to my truck and helped Lost Child hook up to his trailer. I had no load to pick up the rest of the day and I stayed at where this customers trailers are sitting. Watch Canadian TV on my TV and went to sleep for the night when I got tired....
Had my alarm clock set for 4 AM EST. After doing my logbook and a vehicle inspection, I headed north on I-79 at 4:30 AM EST into western Pennsylvania. Went past Pittsburgh but wouldn't have known it if it weren't for the signs as greenery was covering everything along the interstate. Continued up I-79 to I-90, next to Erie(Pennsylvania). Went west into New York and onto the “New York state thruway(toll road)”. Took I-90 to Buffalo(New York) where I took I-190 to the Peace Bridge at 10 AM EST.. I have been in, and delivered in, Buffalo before but this is my first time over the Peace Bridge into Canada.
Getting over the bridge was easy and then came customs. I was expecting problems with my first time but didn't have them. The customs yard seemed well organized and going in to talk with the Canadian customs officers was a good experience. Got in and out and I was gone.
Took the QEW(Queen Elizabeth Way) to Toronto and past the downtown area. Took QHWY 404(Queens highway-now Kings highway) to QHWY 401 where I went east a mile to the customer's street. Found customer and was unloaded by 2:15 PM EST.
This customer had an area with several trailers and while I was being unloaded, I saw another tractor from my company looking for an empty trailer. I talked to him-handle(nickname) was “Lost Child”-and he was in no hurry. I had no load to pick up so we went to lunch. We picked a small restaurant where the girl behind the counter was very young. We talked to her and she had just graduated from high school; we focused our conversation with her on the difference of U.S. & Canada schools.
After Lunch, I went back to my truck and helped Lost Child hook up to his trailer. I had no load to pick up the rest of the day and I stayed at where this customers trailers are sitting. Watch Canadian TV on my TV and went to sleep for the night when I got tired....
April 9, 2010
April 9, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday- Charlotte, North Carolina)
Woke up around 8 AM EST to see another one of my company's trucks unloading. I talked to the driver and he had just gotten in about a half hour earlier. I called dispatch and got a load I had to pick up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. I took off and got on I-85 south(actually west) past Gastonia to Hwy 74 where I went west to Kings Mountain. Found the shipper and was told to back up to one of three docks. I did and was loaded with 17,500 lbs of swimming pool stuff for Toronto, Ontario. Will have to go over the Peace Bridge and clear Canadian customs in Port Erie, Ontario for the first time. Got loaded (the area was just plain beautiful) and was off east on Hwy 74 to I-85 north(actually east). By 10:30 AM EST I was loaded and heading back to Charlotte where I caught I-77 north. The land was relatively flat until I reached Virginia. At the Virginia border, I started a huge climb into the mountains. By 1 PM EST I was at one of my most favorite truckstops just because of the mountainous beauty of the area...Fort Chiswell(where I-77 & I-81 connect on the east side). I stopped here at “Just a Truckstop” for lunch and by 2:30 PM EST I was one my way north again. Followed I-77 north and talking to another driver on the CB radio and told him where I was going. I was going to go to Charleston, West Virginia and then take I-79 north. The other driver suggested taking Hwy 19, at Beckley, West Virginia to I-79. I did it and what a good experience. I just had a short distance on the West Virginia turnpike and then onto Hwy 19. At Fayetteville(West Virginia) I went over the "New River Gorge Bridge” which in 1990 was the longest arch bridge in the world(in 2010 it's the third) and very high. I found that they had yearly parachuting and bungy cord jumping off the bridge. Continued up Hwy19, through a lot of construction work, to I-79 where I followed it to Jane Lew(West Virginia). Jane Lew was a fuel stop so I pulled into the truckstop at 6:15 PM EST and called it a day. I fueled(68 gallons) and talked awhile to the female cashier. I told her I was truly a professional tourist and that I would love to see some real “hillbillies”. She told me that the ones around the highways was too commercialized but if I really wanted to see them, she would tell me where to find them. We talked a little more about it and it was determined that my Big Truck(semi) was too huge to take their small roads. Another day!!! Went to my cab, get paperwork done and went to sleep...no TV could be reached here by my TV...
Woke up around 8 AM EST to see another one of my company's trucks unloading. I talked to the driver and he had just gotten in about a half hour earlier. I called dispatch and got a load I had to pick up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. I took off and got on I-85 south(actually west) past Gastonia to Hwy 74 where I went west to Kings Mountain. Found the shipper and was told to back up to one of three docks. I did and was loaded with 17,500 lbs of swimming pool stuff for Toronto, Ontario. Will have to go over the Peace Bridge and clear Canadian customs in Port Erie, Ontario for the first time. Got loaded (the area was just plain beautiful) and was off east on Hwy 74 to I-85 north(actually east). By 10:30 AM EST I was loaded and heading back to Charlotte where I caught I-77 north. The land was relatively flat until I reached Virginia. At the Virginia border, I started a huge climb into the mountains. By 1 PM EST I was at one of my most favorite truckstops just because of the mountainous beauty of the area...Fort Chiswell(where I-77 & I-81 connect on the east side). I stopped here at “Just a Truckstop” for lunch and by 2:30 PM EST I was one my way north again. Followed I-77 north and talking to another driver on the CB radio and told him where I was going. I was going to go to Charleston, West Virginia and then take I-79 north. The other driver suggested taking Hwy 19, at Beckley, West Virginia to I-79. I did it and what a good experience. I just had a short distance on the West Virginia turnpike and then onto Hwy 19. At Fayetteville(West Virginia) I went over the "New River Gorge Bridge” which in 1990 was the longest arch bridge in the world(in 2010 it's the third) and very high. I found that they had yearly parachuting and bungy cord jumping off the bridge. Continued up Hwy19, through a lot of construction work, to I-79 where I followed it to Jane Lew(West Virginia). Jane Lew was a fuel stop so I pulled into the truckstop at 6:15 PM EST and called it a day. I fueled(68 gallons) and talked awhile to the female cashier. I told her I was truly a professional tourist and that I would love to see some real “hillbillies”. She told me that the ones around the highways was too commercialized but if I really wanted to see them, she would tell me where to find them. We talked a little more about it and it was determined that my Big Truck(semi) was too huge to take their small roads. Another day!!! Went to my cab, get paperwork done and went to sleep...no TV could be reached here by my TV...
April 8, 2010
April 8, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday- rest area near Lanett, Alabama)
Got up this morning feeling “lazy” and in a “I don't care” mood. It was 8 AM CST and I am sitting right on the Time Zone line. Soooo....It's 9 AM EST just a couple “feet” east of me. I was on the go at 9:30 AM EST after walking around the rest area, doing a vehicle inspection and getting my paperwork up to date. Traveled toward Atlanta, Georgia wanting to go straight through the city but knowing that I need to go around it on the loop(I-285). I had heard too much about the law nailing big trucks(semis) for going through if they have no business there(inside the loop). When I got to I-285, I took it to the east and then to the north to I-85. It would have been nice to have just stayed on I-85 through town. Anyway, I took I-85 north (it's a north/south interstate that's kinda running northeast for me) toward South Carolina but stopped for a break and lunch at a nice truckstop in Commerce, Georgia. It was 1:30 PM EST when I got back on the road toward Charlotte, North Carolina. Went past the big peach water tower and stopped at Duncan, South Carolina for fuel(108 gallons). Onto Charlotte, North Carolina where the state truck weigh scales were rolling us across the scales. I had no problems though I was heavy. I had paper that is used to make bank checks...33,756 lbs of it. Continued to my destination after having followed the directions I was given. Found the receiver and parked by the docks. The building was locked up. The building was out in the woods and the surroundings were beautiful to say the least . The time was 5:15 PM EST when I stopped and turned off my engine. I was so overwhelmed with the beautiful evening and area that I just had to take a walk. I didn't walk too far but I enjoyed myself. I wasn't in the truck very long when a few employees showed up for work. One signed my seal(security that trailer doors hadn't been opened since the shipper closed them) and told me that he would unload me so I backed up to the dock. He had me unloaded by 11 PM EST. I called dispatch and got on the trucker ready board for this area. Was told to call back in the morning and he said that I could sleep right there on their property...
Tomorrow...a little bit about real hillbillies...
Got up this morning feeling “lazy” and in a “I don't care” mood. It was 8 AM CST and I am sitting right on the Time Zone line. Soooo....It's 9 AM EST just a couple “feet” east of me. I was on the go at 9:30 AM EST after walking around the rest area, doing a vehicle inspection and getting my paperwork up to date. Traveled toward Atlanta, Georgia wanting to go straight through the city but knowing that I need to go around it on the loop(I-285). I had heard too much about the law nailing big trucks(semis) for going through if they have no business there(inside the loop). When I got to I-285, I took it to the east and then to the north to I-85. It would have been nice to have just stayed on I-85 through town. Anyway, I took I-85 north (it's a north/south interstate that's kinda running northeast for me) toward South Carolina but stopped for a break and lunch at a nice truckstop in Commerce, Georgia. It was 1:30 PM EST when I got back on the road toward Charlotte, North Carolina. Went past the big peach water tower and stopped at Duncan, South Carolina for fuel(108 gallons). Onto Charlotte, North Carolina where the state truck weigh scales were rolling us across the scales. I had no problems though I was heavy. I had paper that is used to make bank checks...33,756 lbs of it. Continued to my destination after having followed the directions I was given. Found the receiver and parked by the docks. The building was locked up. The building was out in the woods and the surroundings were beautiful to say the least . The time was 5:15 PM EST when I stopped and turned off my engine. I was so overwhelmed with the beautiful evening and area that I just had to take a walk. I didn't walk too far but I enjoyed myself. I wasn't in the truck very long when a few employees showed up for work. One signed my seal(security that trailer doors hadn't been opened since the shipper closed them) and told me that he would unload me so I backed up to the dock. He had me unloaded by 11 PM EST. I called dispatch and got on the trucker ready board for this area. Was told to call back in the morning and he said that I could sleep right there on their property...
Tomorrow...a little bit about real hillbillies...
April 7, 2010
April 7, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday- rest area near Orangefield, Texas)
Was awake and ready to go by 4:45 AM CST. Was on I-10 going east; crossed into Louisiana and proceeded past Lake Charles and Lafayette. Then I went over the 15 to 20 miles of interstate that goes over the swamps(one long super bridge). When I got to Baton Rouge, Louisiana I took I-12 east as it was shorter than following I-10 and we have a fuel stop in Hammond(Louisiana).
Sad note: A short distance after entering I-12, I came upon a semi truck accident. The truck-a “bull hauler”(cattle truck)-had overturned and looked like it slid on the roof of the cab on the driver's side. Didn't look good. A few cows were wondering around the emergency vehicles.
I stopped at the “Just a Truckstop” in Hammond, had lunch and filled my tanks(90 gallons). I was there about 1 ½ hours.
I decided to take the route that would take me through Montgomery and Mobile, Alabama. I-12 switched back into I-10 and I continued east through the short piece of Mississippi. Into Alabama I went and got to Mobile where I took I-65 north to Montgomery. Beautiful state and I find all the pine trees amazing. I use to think that pine trees only grew in the north...not so.
At Montgomery, I took I-85 northeast and stopped at a cozy little truckstop by Lanett, Alabama as my driving hours were over for the day...Time is 4:15 PM CST.
Was awake and ready to go by 4:45 AM CST. Was on I-10 going east; crossed into Louisiana and proceeded past Lake Charles and Lafayette. Then I went over the 15 to 20 miles of interstate that goes over the swamps(one long super bridge). When I got to Baton Rouge, Louisiana I took I-12 east as it was shorter than following I-10 and we have a fuel stop in Hammond(Louisiana).
Sad note: A short distance after entering I-12, I came upon a semi truck accident. The truck-a “bull hauler”(cattle truck)-had overturned and looked like it slid on the roof of the cab on the driver's side. Didn't look good. A few cows were wondering around the emergency vehicles.
I stopped at the “Just a Truckstop” in Hammond, had lunch and filled my tanks(90 gallons). I was there about 1 ½ hours.
I decided to take the route that would take me through Montgomery and Mobile, Alabama. I-12 switched back into I-10 and I continued east through the short piece of Mississippi. Into Alabama I went and got to Mobile where I took I-65 north to Montgomery. Beautiful state and I find all the pine trees amazing. I use to think that pine trees only grew in the north...not so.
At Montgomery, I took I-85 northeast and stopped at a cozy little truckstop by Lanett, Alabama as my driving hours were over for the day...Time is 4:15 PM CST.
April 6, 2010
April 6, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday- San Antonio, Texas)
Was told to be at the shipper at 9:30 AM CST but I was there at 8 AM CST. There was another truck from my company. The other truck was backed up to the dock. I went and checked in and was told to back in next to the other truck. I was also told that my load would not be ready until noon or 1 PM CST. The other driver(handle-nickname-was “Old Timer”) had been told that his load wouldn't be ready until 11 AM CST. Old Timer and I talked for awhile and when he found out I was a “professional tourist” he asked asked if I had seen the Alamo. I hadn't. He checked with the shipper and found they were far from being finished with him so we unhooked him from his trailer and he took me downtown and showed me where the Alamo was. We also went to breakfast at a place I can't remember. We went back to the shipper and got him hooked back up. He left about 11:15 AM CST and I don't remember where he was going. I waited around until I had my load and it's paperwork. After my call to dispatch, did vehicle inspection and logbook, it was 3:30 PM CST. Traveled east on I-10 through the prettiest parts of Texas I feel. Traveled straight through Houston as traffic should be, and was, light. Continued through Beaumont and to the last rest area in Texas. Decided to stop here for the night(8:30 PM CST) as I have until Monday to get this load to North Carolina. Still haven't decided on the route I am taking: through Birmingham or Montgomery, Alabama...
Was told to be at the shipper at 9:30 AM CST but I was there at 8 AM CST. There was another truck from my company. The other truck was backed up to the dock. I went and checked in and was told to back in next to the other truck. I was also told that my load would not be ready until noon or 1 PM CST. The other driver(handle-nickname-was “Old Timer”) had been told that his load wouldn't be ready until 11 AM CST. Old Timer and I talked for awhile and when he found out I was a “professional tourist” he asked asked if I had seen the Alamo. I hadn't. He checked with the shipper and found they were far from being finished with him so we unhooked him from his trailer and he took me downtown and showed me where the Alamo was. We also went to breakfast at a place I can't remember. We went back to the shipper and got him hooked back up. He left about 11:15 AM CST and I don't remember where he was going. I waited around until I had my load and it's paperwork. After my call to dispatch, did vehicle inspection and logbook, it was 3:30 PM CST. Traveled east on I-10 through the prettiest parts of Texas I feel. Traveled straight through Houston as traffic should be, and was, light. Continued through Beaumont and to the last rest area in Texas. Decided to stop here for the night(8:30 PM CST) as I have until Monday to get this load to North Carolina. Still haven't decided on the route I am taking: through Birmingham or Montgomery, Alabama...
April 5, 2010
April 5 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday- San Antonio, Texas)
Woke up feeling a lot better today. Called dispatch and got on the drivers ready board for this area. I had a load within the hour but it wasn't for today but tomorrow. I looked the shipping company up and it wasn't more than a couple miles from here. I just stayed here the whole day. I went ahead and filled my tanks(142 gallons).
I will be going to Charlotte, North Carolina. I studied the routing and see that I have two good ways to go. What scenery do I want to see??? Will think about it through the day and night.
While I was fueling, I came across “Little Diamond”, a brand new driver driving for our company, who had just got her own truck after the training program. She had just picked up her first trailer and found the license plate and some lights missing. She got those problems fixed after she got her tractor caught in a security gate and scratched-a preventable accident with our company. She is presently trying to fuel and is having trouble with her fuel credit card(new driver and card just wasn't turned on correctly). She said she is seriously thinking of giving up the driving career after today. I told her to think about it some more as problems “piling up” at one time are not common. Problems happen with whatever someone does. Don't know what she did as I never saw her again.
Woke up feeling a lot better today. Called dispatch and got on the drivers ready board for this area. I had a load within the hour but it wasn't for today but tomorrow. I looked the shipping company up and it wasn't more than a couple miles from here. I just stayed here the whole day. I went ahead and filled my tanks(142 gallons).
I will be going to Charlotte, North Carolina. I studied the routing and see that I have two good ways to go. What scenery do I want to see??? Will think about it through the day and night.
While I was fueling, I came across “Little Diamond”, a brand new driver driving for our company, who had just got her own truck after the training program. She had just picked up her first trailer and found the license plate and some lights missing. She got those problems fixed after she got her tractor caught in a security gate and scratched-a preventable accident with our company. She is presently trying to fuel and is having trouble with her fuel credit card(new driver and card just wasn't turned on correctly). She said she is seriously thinking of giving up the driving career after today. I told her to think about it some more as problems “piling up” at one time are not common. Problems happen with whatever someone does. Don't know what she did as I never saw her again.
April 4, 2010
April 4, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday- Salido, Texas)
By 3 AM CST I was up and ready to get to San Antonio and deliver this load of potato chips. Pulled out of the truckstop and headed south on I-35. I came upon a Fleming Foods truck and since that is where I am heading I called him on the CB radio. He was going to their warehouse also so I followed him to the gate. I had to wait outside the gate-with the other delivery trucks-unto 7:00 AM CST. I hired a lumper(person who loads/unloads trailers) to unload the “light weight” chips for $40.00. He had them done by 9 AM and I was ready to go at 9:15 AM CST. I was starting to feel sick so I drove over to the “Just a Truckstop” where I told dispatch I was not going to go on the truckers ready board as I was sick. I didn't ate the rest of day and stayed and rested in my tractor. Just listened to my tractor radio and suffered...
SECOND 5 YEARS: (be cautious)
I talked with a fellow reefer(refrigerated trailer) driver and he said he had been robbed of his Christmas money while at a rest area on the West Virginia turnpike. He had left his reefer running when he went to bed. During the night he noticed the it wasn't running and got out to check out why. While he was looking at it, a guy stuck a gun in his back and robbed him. The guy had turned it off knowing the driver would get out to investigate...What would you have done???
By 3 AM CST I was up and ready to get to San Antonio and deliver this load of potato chips. Pulled out of the truckstop and headed south on I-35. I came upon a Fleming Foods truck and since that is where I am heading I called him on the CB radio. He was going to their warehouse also so I followed him to the gate. I had to wait outside the gate-with the other delivery trucks-unto 7:00 AM CST. I hired a lumper(person who loads/unloads trailers) to unload the “light weight” chips for $40.00. He had them done by 9 AM and I was ready to go at 9:15 AM CST. I was starting to feel sick so I drove over to the “Just a Truckstop” where I told dispatch I was not going to go on the truckers ready board as I was sick. I didn't ate the rest of day and stayed and rested in my tractor. Just listened to my tractor radio and suffered...
SECOND 5 YEARS: (be cautious)
I talked with a fellow reefer(refrigerated trailer) driver and he said he had been robbed of his Christmas money while at a rest area on the West Virginia turnpike. He had left his reefer running when he went to bed. During the night he noticed the it wasn't running and got out to check out why. While he was looking at it, a guy stuck a gun in his back and robbed him. The guy had turned it off knowing the driver would get out to investigate...What would you have done???
April 3, 2010
April 3, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday- Kansas City, Missouri)
Woke at 3 AM CST and wanting to get going. Feel I have had too much sleep the last few days. Don't need to be in San Antonio with these potato chips until tomorrow so I will plan on going to Oklahoma City and see how things are going. Left Kansas City(Missouri) terminal at 3:30 AM. Let's move! Traveled south and then west on a very quiet I-435 until I-35 where I went south. Down through Kansas passed Emporia to the Kansas turnpike(I-35 south). Stopped over the border of Oklahoma at Braman for a short break. At 7:45 AM CST I found myself back on the road heading for Oklahoma City. Pulled into the “Just a Truckstop” just after 9:30 AM CST and had breakfast. I don't know what I was thinking when I planned on getting”here”. Nothing going on. Maybe it was to watch movies in the movie room. I couldn't just sit and watch movies right now...to hyper to get load to San Antonio, Texas. At 10 45 AM CST I was heading south on I-35 again. When I get to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I usually take I-35 W south. I decided to take I-35E today and see the terminal guys at Red Oak Texas. Pulled into the Red Oak terminal at 2:45 PM CST and talked with the guys for an hour. Headed out toward San Antonio on I-35E to where it meets up with I-35W. Took I-35 to Salado, Texas where I ran out of driving time and stopped at the truckstop a little after 5:30 PM CST. Ate munchies for dinner and laid in my truck bed, watched my TV and slept into tomorrow...
Trucker Helpful Hint: (for the single drivers)
I remember talking with two drivers, who were single, that were doing great out on the road financially. One in particular had no home expenses as he was "hooked" in with his parents as his home address and mail deliveries. He lived in the truck and would bank all his money he earned. He would buy what he wanted and save all the rest. When his checking account reached $25,000, he would turn it into a "T" bill. He claimed to have several of them(T Bills)--probably enough to pay cash for a home when he decided to settle down. Each day in the truck also offers a tax break but check with an accountant or lawyer first as the laws were changing when I got out of driving.
Woke at 3 AM CST and wanting to get going. Feel I have had too much sleep the last few days. Don't need to be in San Antonio with these potato chips until tomorrow so I will plan on going to Oklahoma City and see how things are going. Left Kansas City(Missouri) terminal at 3:30 AM. Let's move! Traveled south and then west on a very quiet I-435 until I-35 where I went south. Down through Kansas passed Emporia to the Kansas turnpike(I-35 south). Stopped over the border of Oklahoma at Braman for a short break. At 7:45 AM CST I found myself back on the road heading for Oklahoma City. Pulled into the “Just a Truckstop” just after 9:30 AM CST and had breakfast. I don't know what I was thinking when I planned on getting”here”. Nothing going on. Maybe it was to watch movies in the movie room. I couldn't just sit and watch movies right now...to hyper to get load to San Antonio, Texas. At 10 45 AM CST I was heading south on I-35 again. When I get to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I usually take I-35 W south. I decided to take I-35E today and see the terminal guys at Red Oak Texas. Pulled into the Red Oak terminal at 2:45 PM CST and talked with the guys for an hour. Headed out toward San Antonio on I-35E to where it meets up with I-35W. Took I-35 to Salado, Texas where I ran out of driving time and stopped at the truckstop a little after 5:30 PM CST. Ate munchies for dinner and laid in my truck bed, watched my TV and slept into tomorrow...
Trucker Helpful Hint: (for the single drivers)
I remember talking with two drivers, who were single, that were doing great out on the road financially. One in particular had no home expenses as he was "hooked" in with his parents as his home address and mail deliveries. He lived in the truck and would bank all his money he earned. He would buy what he wanted and save all the rest. When his checking account reached $25,000, he would turn it into a "T" bill. He claimed to have several of them(T Bills)--probably enough to pay cash for a home when he decided to settle down. Each day in the truck also offers a tax break but check with an accountant or lawyer first as the laws were changing when I got out of driving.
April 2, 2010
April, 2, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday- Batavia, Ohio)
Was woken up by Dr. Pepper Kid-first driver in line-who told me that the gates were just opened at 6:30 AM EST. I was up and doing my logbook when we got the word to enter the plant. I was backed up to the dock next to Dr. Pepper Kid. He was loaded only a couple minutes before me and he and I got our paperwork at the same time. We called in and was dispatched to Kansas City, Missouri at 8 AM EST.
The “Kid” and I decided to go through Louisville rather that Indianapolis. Took off west on Hwy 32 to the eastern loop(I-275) and followed it south and then west to I-71 south. After I-75 leaving I-71, we hit the Kentucky weigh scales open. Our loads of transmissions weighed about 32,000 lbs. We both had no problem and onto Louisville, Kentucky. Downtown and along the riverfront, we got on I-64 west. I-64 went right into the mountains and we followed them over ½ of our travel in Indiana. We stopped for a short break at the real nice rest area over the Illinois border at 11 AM CST.
Short break and west on I-64 we went. The scenery through here is interesting. A whole lot of farmland and very few trees. WOW. On past Mt. Vernon and then on to St Louis. Started following I-70 west as we crossed the Mississippi River. Followed I-70 past the St Louis Airport(Lambert) and onto exit 188 for fuel; enough to make it to our terminal(50 gallons). Weren't there long and we were off again for Kansas City, Missouri. We got to our Kansas City (Missouri) at 6 PM CST. Dropped our trailers. Handed in paperwork for the load and did my logbook. I was 15 minutes over my 10 hour logbook limit. VIOLATION...
Dispatch gave me a load of potato chips going to San Antonio, Texas that was in the yard. I hooked up, did vehicle inspection and fueled (170 gallons). When ready to go, I laid down and slept into the next day...
Was woken up by Dr. Pepper Kid-first driver in line-who told me that the gates were just opened at 6:30 AM EST. I was up and doing my logbook when we got the word to enter the plant. I was backed up to the dock next to Dr. Pepper Kid. He was loaded only a couple minutes before me and he and I got our paperwork at the same time. We called in and was dispatched to Kansas City, Missouri at 8 AM EST.
The “Kid” and I decided to go through Louisville rather that Indianapolis. Took off west on Hwy 32 to the eastern loop(I-275) and followed it south and then west to I-71 south. After I-75 leaving I-71, we hit the Kentucky weigh scales open. Our loads of transmissions weighed about 32,000 lbs. We both had no problem and onto Louisville, Kentucky. Downtown and along the riverfront, we got on I-64 west. I-64 went right into the mountains and we followed them over ½ of our travel in Indiana. We stopped for a short break at the real nice rest area over the Illinois border at 11 AM CST.
Short break and west on I-64 we went. The scenery through here is interesting. A whole lot of farmland and very few trees. WOW. On past Mt. Vernon and then on to St Louis. Started following I-70 west as we crossed the Mississippi River. Followed I-70 past the St Louis Airport(Lambert) and onto exit 188 for fuel; enough to make it to our terminal(50 gallons). Weren't there long and we were off again for Kansas City, Missouri. We got to our Kansas City (Missouri) at 6 PM CST. Dropped our trailers. Handed in paperwork for the load and did my logbook. I was 15 minutes over my 10 hour logbook limit. VIOLATION...
Dispatch gave me a load of potato chips going to San Antonio, Texas that was in the yard. I hooked up, did vehicle inspection and fueled (170 gallons). When ready to go, I laid down and slept into the next day...
April 1, 2010
April 1, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday- Hilliard, Ohio)
Hung around the motel room until about 11 AM EST. Since there isn't really anything exciting happening today, I thought about doing some back roads and seeing the "country". Looking at the map, there really doesn't seem to be a way to do the back roads and have it work to my advantage...like less miles or shorter time. I decided to just drive it straight through and see what happens.
Started the exciting drive heading down I-270 to I-71 south. Followed that to the loop
around Cincinnati, Ohio(I-275) and went southeast on it to exit 63(Hwy 32). Went east on Hwy 32 to the shipper in Batavia(Ohio). Time: 4:05 PM EST. The factory was off a parallel side road to Hwy 32 on the south side.
I found one of my company trucks sitting by the gate. He claimed to have checked in-the plant was open-and he said that the person he talked to said to park where he was. Since I was parked behind him, I was parked for the night. Dr. Pepper Kid(the first drivers handle-nickname-was going to Kansas City, Missouri like me and so we decided to run together....turned in about 7 PM EST and watched my TV until falling asleep...
Side note: I received my safety ring while driving for the first company. I got it for 300,000 safe driving mile. Well, since then I have had it just sitting in my desk at home. I decided to see what it was worth last Thursday(March 25, 2010) so I took it to a jeweler. Surprise! After he said he would give me $300 for the 10 caret gold rind, I took it.
Hung around the motel room until about 11 AM EST. Since there isn't really anything exciting happening today, I thought about doing some back roads and seeing the "country". Looking at the map, there really doesn't seem to be a way to do the back roads and have it work to my advantage...like less miles or shorter time. I decided to just drive it straight through and see what happens.
Started the exciting drive heading down I-270 to I-71 south. Followed that to the loop
around Cincinnati, Ohio(I-275) and went southeast on it to exit 63(Hwy 32). Went east on Hwy 32 to the shipper in Batavia(Ohio). Time: 4:05 PM EST. The factory was off a parallel side road to Hwy 32 on the south side.
I found one of my company trucks sitting by the gate. He claimed to have checked in-the plant was open-and he said that the person he talked to said to park where he was. Since I was parked behind him, I was parked for the night. Dr. Pepper Kid(the first drivers handle-nickname-was going to Kansas City, Missouri like me and so we decided to run together....turned in about 7 PM EST and watched my TV until falling asleep...
Side note: I received my safety ring while driving for the first company. I got it for 300,000 safe driving mile. Well, since then I have had it just sitting in my desk at home. I decided to see what it was worth last Thursday(March 25, 2010) so I took it to a jeweler. Surprise! After he said he would give me $300 for the 10 caret gold rind, I took it.
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