FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Hammond, Louisiana)
No real hurry so I got up around 6:30 AM CST and had breakfast. I got everything legal and was heading west on I-12 a little before 9 AM CST.
Between Hammond and Baton Rouge(Louisiana) I thought alot about eating Cajun food even though I was full from breakfast I guess I thought about it as I saw a couple billboards advertising the food.
Got through Baton Rouge where I picked up I-10. Between Baton Rouge and Lafayette(Louisiana) there has to be at least 20 miles of continuous bridge going over the Louisiana swamp lands. Whenever I go over this long bridge-day or night-I am amazed at the beauty of the area. Well, at least I think so.
I continue west and took I-10 through Lake Charles(Louisiana) and into Texas. Through Beaumont, Texas and onto Houston I went. Instead of taking the I-510 loop around the lower part of Houston, I went into the downtown area and got on Hwy 59 to the southwest. I stopped at Kendleton(Texas) for a break and got some munchies for the road. I continued and had four lane roads until I got to Victoria, Texas. After Victoria, it was two lane roads all the way two Laredo. After Beeville and passing I-37, the terrain changed to desert, which I enjoy most the time.
I got to Freer, Texas(home of the annual Rattlesnake Festival) and only had 15 minutes more of legal driving time. I wasn't in a hurry thou I had kept my speed up and I wasn't wanting to stay in Freer to sit out a break; I left after a half hour break getting to the Laredo terminal at 9 PM CST. I parked my rig and checked in with dispatch; was told to drop load in the terminal yard. I parked my tractor outside the terminal yard in an empty field, turned on my TV, watched it and went to sleep....
Oh yes, I lied on my logbook-as if that was never ever done- and put myself on an eight hour break in Freer before going to Laredo. I knew I would be legal when I left Laredo as I would probably be there for at least a day.
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.
June 30, 2010
June 29, 2010
June 29, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Anniston, Alabama)
I was up and calling dispatch by 7 AM CST and they had a load for me to pick up on the west side of Huntsville, Alabama. It had a pick up time of no earlier than 10 AM CST. I reviewed my possible routes and decided to go the interstates as I didn't have the time to "sight see".
I headed toward Birmingham(Alabama) at 7:15 AM CST and stayed with the "program". After getting to Birmingham, I took I-65 north to I-565 and went east. The factory that I was picking up at was a little west of the actual city of Huntsville and I found it with little problems by 10 AM CST. I checked in with shipping and was told the load was not ready yet but that I could back up to the docks, which I did.
Was out of the plant by 12:15 PM CST heading for Laredo, Texas out I-565 toward I-65. When I got to I-65, I went south, once again toward Birmingham. In Birmingham, I caught I-59 south and followed it all the way to I-12 in Louisiana. The interesting part of this trip-through Alabama and Mississippi-was the area I saw. I would see areas that were beautiful and a joy to go through and them areas that were depressing and boring. There wasn't any "Area" that was totally this or that; the beautiful and depressing just kept switching on me the whole way down to I-12.
At I-12 I went west to Hammond(Louisiana), stopped at the "Just a Truckstop"(7:30 PM CST) and fueled(156 gallons) for my trip to Laredo. I needed a legal break at this time and so I had dinner and watched a couple movies in the trucker movie room before going to bed with my TV on...
SIDE NOTE: Watch how the customers load the trailers if you can. You, or your company, often are responsible for the load getting there safe. The first picture is a load the customer "threw" on the trailer and I was able to get a picture before the doors were closed. The second picture is of a load of soda. The two back pallets collapsed because there wasn't enough wrapping around the pallet's contents or I went around a curve too fast. I ended up picking up the cans and we only lost a couple. The cans that fell all over the trailer, the fellow at the warehouse said they would put in their soda (soft drinks to the Canadians) machines...
.
I was up and calling dispatch by 7 AM CST and they had a load for me to pick up on the west side of Huntsville, Alabama. It had a pick up time of no earlier than 10 AM CST. I reviewed my possible routes and decided to go the interstates as I didn't have the time to "sight see".
I headed toward Birmingham(Alabama) at 7:15 AM CST and stayed with the "program". After getting to Birmingham, I took I-65 north to I-565 and went east. The factory that I was picking up at was a little west of the actual city of Huntsville and I found it with little problems by 10 AM CST. I checked in with shipping and was told the load was not ready yet but that I could back up to the docks, which I did.
Was out of the plant by 12:15 PM CST heading for Laredo, Texas out I-565 toward I-65. When I got to I-65, I went south, once again toward Birmingham. In Birmingham, I caught I-59 south and followed it all the way to I-12 in Louisiana. The interesting part of this trip-through Alabama and Mississippi-was the area I saw. I would see areas that were beautiful and a joy to go through and them areas that were depressing and boring. There wasn't any "Area" that was totally this or that; the beautiful and depressing just kept switching on me the whole way down to I-12.
At I-12 I went west to Hammond(Louisiana), stopped at the "Just a Truckstop"(7:30 PM CST) and fueled(156 gallons) for my trip to Laredo. I needed a legal break at this time and so I had dinner and watched a couple movies in the trucker movie room before going to bed with my TV on...
SIDE NOTE: Watch how the customers load the trailers if you can. You, or your company, often are responsible for the load getting there safe. The first picture is a load the customer "threw" on the trailer and I was able to get a picture before the doors were closed. The second picture is of a load of soda. The two back pallets collapsed because there wasn't enough wrapping around the pallet's contents or I went around a curve too fast. I ended up picking up the cans and we only lost a couple. The cans that fell all over the trailer, the fellow at the warehouse said they would put in their soda (soft drinks to the Canadians) machines...
.
June 28, 2010
June 28, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Norwood, Missouri)
By 2:15 AM CST I was heading east on Hwy 60. Nice Dark morning to travel except for just about hitting a deer that ran out in front of me. Note that I don't brake for animals. Hwy 63 joins up with Hwy 60 and I changed to Hwy 63 heading south. I followed Hwy 63 past West Plains(Missouri) and then into Arkansas at Mammoth Spring. We are in the Ozark Mountains but Mammoth Spring southbound in where the winding and elevating roads really start. Hardy, Arkansas was passed through, with it's police car visible-as always-to southboarders. On past Jonesboro, Truman and Marked Tree to I-55 south. Followed I-55 south to West Memphis, Arkansas were I stopped for the breakfast bar at "Just a Truckstop" at 6 AM CST. I left and went to our Memphis, Tennessee terminal where I fueled(76 gallons), parked my truck and went in and talked to some of the drivers there. I asked about Anniston, Alabama and a couple of drivers said that there was a truckstop -store and truck parking-off of I-20.
I left for Anniston, from Memphis, 9:45AM CST. Headed east on I-240 to Hwy 78 where I took it(Hwy 78) south east into Mississippi. Past Tupelo, Mississippi with alot of Elvis Presley history.
Pressed onto Alabama and stayed on Hwy 78 to Birmingham, Alabama where I picked up I-20 which I went east on. I pulled into the Anniston Truck stop that I was told about at 3:45 PM CST.
I called the plant I was going to and was told that if I got the bottles(my load) to the plant by 5:15 PM CST they would unload it. I was there by 4:15 PM CST and they unloaded me. I talked to the fellow that unloaded me and was told that this company was changing to a water bottle filling company because the money was better. They will sent to tanker truck to a spring and bring back a load of "Spring" water. He said that the government rules are that they can call water they bottle "spring"water as long as they have at least 5% or 10%(I don't remember which) real spring water in the bottle. So....if I buy their spring water, I am actually buying 90% to 95% filtered water...I asked him and he said YES!
After I was empty I went back to the "truck" stop along I-20 and called dispatch. I told them I was empty and that I was needing a break. I was told to call back in the morning...Great! Stayed there for the night.
By 2:15 AM CST I was heading east on Hwy 60. Nice Dark morning to travel except for just about hitting a deer that ran out in front of me. Note that I don't brake for animals. Hwy 63 joins up with Hwy 60 and I changed to Hwy 63 heading south. I followed Hwy 63 past West Plains(Missouri) and then into Arkansas at Mammoth Spring. We are in the Ozark Mountains but Mammoth Spring southbound in where the winding and elevating roads really start. Hardy, Arkansas was passed through, with it's police car visible-as always-to southboarders. On past Jonesboro, Truman and Marked Tree to I-55 south. Followed I-55 south to West Memphis, Arkansas were I stopped for the breakfast bar at "Just a Truckstop" at 6 AM CST. I left and went to our Memphis, Tennessee terminal where I fueled(76 gallons), parked my truck and went in and talked to some of the drivers there. I asked about Anniston, Alabama and a couple of drivers said that there was a truckstop -store and truck parking-off of I-20.
I left for Anniston, from Memphis, 9:45AM CST. Headed east on I-240 to Hwy 78 where I took it(Hwy 78) south east into Mississippi. Past Tupelo, Mississippi with alot of Elvis Presley history.
Pressed onto Alabama and stayed on Hwy 78 to Birmingham, Alabama where I picked up I-20 which I went east on. I pulled into the Anniston Truck stop that I was told about at 3:45 PM CST.
I called the plant I was going to and was told that if I got the bottles(my load) to the plant by 5:15 PM CST they would unload it. I was there by 4:15 PM CST and they unloaded me. I talked to the fellow that unloaded me and was told that this company was changing to a water bottle filling company because the money was better. They will sent to tanker truck to a spring and bring back a load of "Spring" water. He said that the government rules are that they can call water they bottle "spring"water as long as they have at least 5% or 10%(I don't remember which) real spring water in the bottle. So....if I buy their spring water, I am actually buying 90% to 95% filtered water...I asked him and he said YES!
After I was empty I went back to the "truck" stop along I-20 and called dispatch. I told them I was empty and that I was needing a break. I was told to call back in the morning...Great! Stayed there for the night.
June 27, 2010
June 27, 1001, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Got load to Anniston, Alabama early this afternoon; plastic jugs for bottled water. Hooked up to the trailer and did my vehicle inspection. Filled my tanks(124 gallons) and was headed down I-435 to Hwy 71 south. Took Hwy 71 to Harrisonville(Missouri) where I got on Hwy 7 to the southeast. Took Hwy 7 to Clinton(Missouri) where I got on Hwy13 south. Stayed on Hwy 13 to I-44 in Springfield, Missouri. Took I-44 east to I-65 south. Took Hwy 60 east to Norwood, Missouri where I stopped at the convenient store with truck parking. I pulled into the parking lot at 5 PM CST and got me a double chicken dinner to eat and then went to bed to take an eight plus hour break...
Got load to Anniston, Alabama early this afternoon; plastic jugs for bottled water. Hooked up to the trailer and did my vehicle inspection. Filled my tanks(124 gallons) and was headed down I-435 to Hwy 71 south. Took Hwy 71 to Harrisonville(Missouri) where I got on Hwy 7 to the southeast. Took Hwy 7 to Clinton(Missouri) where I got on Hwy13 south. Stayed on Hwy 13 to I-44 in Springfield, Missouri. Took I-44 east to I-65 south. Took Hwy 60 east to Norwood, Missouri where I stopped at the convenient store with truck parking. I pulled into the parking lot at 5 PM CST and got me a double chicken dinner to eat and then went to bed to take an eight plus hour break...
June 26, 2010
June 26, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Another day hanging around the terminal. Tried again to get a game of "PIGS" going like last night but it didn't work...Sometimes it does; sometimes it doesn't!!! By the end of the day my number was 3 on the trucker ready board to get a load...Frustration....
SECOND 5 YEARS:
I had just picked up a load of meat in Kansas an hour earlier and was heading east with it. It was in the middle of the night and I was just boppin' down the road when an owl flew in front of me. It hit my left fender mirror-didn't break the mirror; just turned it. The owl degutted all over the side of my tractor. The exterior of the owl fell away but the "colorful" insides stayed with me for a little over two weeks. Our company had a rule that we could get our tractors washed no more than once every two weeks...I had just had my truck washed.
Another day hanging around the terminal. Tried again to get a game of "PIGS" going like last night but it didn't work...Sometimes it does; sometimes it doesn't!!! By the end of the day my number was 3 on the trucker ready board to get a load...Frustration....
SECOND 5 YEARS:
I had just picked up a load of meat in Kansas an hour earlier and was heading east with it. It was in the middle of the night and I was just boppin' down the road when an owl flew in front of me. It hit my left fender mirror-didn't break the mirror; just turned it. The owl degutted all over the side of my tractor. The exterior of the owl fell away but the "colorful" insides stayed with me for a little over two weeks. Our company had a rule that we could get our tractors washed no more than once every two weeks...I had just had my truck washed.
June 25, 2010
June 25, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Fulton, Missouri-home)
I left Fulton and drove to Columbia(Missouri) to see the guys at my old truck school. Visited with former instructors and students until 10 AM CST and then headed toward Kansas
City. Stopped at the "All Right Truckstop" in Concordia(Missouri) and had the lunch buffet. Boy, I really filled up; I didn't even have room for Jello when I got done!!! Went to the Kansas City (Missouri) terminal and got on the trucker's ready board. No way I would get out today so I went out to my tractor and took a nap to digest the lunch I had had.
When I went back into the terminal around 5:30 PM CST there were four drivers in the truckers' lounge sitting together. I sat down with them the found that they were all bored. I said I had the "PIG"(like rolling dice) game and explained it. They all said to get it so I did. We played "pigs" until 1 AM(tomorrows blog) . All through the evening drivers came in and got involved and others left. At any one time, we had as many as thirteen playing with the full rules!!!
The "REALNESS" of bottled water coming up in a couple days!!!
I left Fulton and drove to Columbia(Missouri) to see the guys at my old truck school. Visited with former instructors and students until 10 AM CST and then headed toward Kansas
City. Stopped at the "All Right Truckstop" in Concordia(Missouri) and had the lunch buffet. Boy, I really filled up; I didn't even have room for Jello when I got done!!! Went to the Kansas City (Missouri) terminal and got on the trucker's ready board. No way I would get out today so I went out to my tractor and took a nap to digest the lunch I had had.
When I went back into the terminal around 5:30 PM CST there were four drivers in the truckers' lounge sitting together. I sat down with them the found that they were all bored. I said I had the "PIG"(like rolling dice) game and explained it. They all said to get it so I did. We played "pigs" until 1 AM(tomorrows blog) . All through the evening drivers came in and got involved and others left. At any one time, we had as many as thirteen playing with the full rules!!!
The "REALNESS" of bottled water coming up in a couple days!!!
June 24, 2010
June 24, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:((Wednesday-Red Oak(Dallas), Texas)
Woke up at the motel and got ready to leave. Walked out of room and Brandywine(female trainer driver) and her student were getting into their tractor. They were running as a Team and they had a load waiting for them at the Dallas terminal. I got to the terminal and found nothing yet. The personnel here where nice and enjoyed talking, but I am doing this job to drive and earn money. About 1 PM I got the word to take a trailer and bobtail(go empty) to Tulsa, Oklahoma and then call dispatch. Since I didn't feel that they would have anything today for me in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I would go through Oklahoma City so that I could have dinner of “Just A Truckstop”. I went north on I-35E to I-35 north. Got to Ok City, After dinner-at 7 PM-I took off on I-44 East. And just getting into Tulsa, I called Dispatch...I was told to continue to the Joplin, Missouri terminal. I stopped for a break and then headed for Missouri. As my day ended, I was about 1 hour from Missouri...
Woke up at the motel and got ready to leave. Walked out of room and Brandywine(female trainer driver) and her student were getting into their tractor. They were running as a Team and they had a load waiting for them at the Dallas terminal. I got to the terminal and found nothing yet. The personnel here where nice and enjoyed talking, but I am doing this job to drive and earn money. About 1 PM I got the word to take a trailer and bobtail(go empty) to Tulsa, Oklahoma and then call dispatch. Since I didn't feel that they would have anything today for me in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I would go through Oklahoma City so that I could have dinner of “Just A Truckstop”. I went north on I-35E to I-35 north. Got to Ok City, After dinner-at 7 PM-I took off on I-44 East. And just getting into Tulsa, I called Dispatch...I was told to continue to the Joplin, Missouri terminal. I stopped for a break and then headed for Missouri. As my day ended, I was about 1 hour from Missouri...
June 23, 2010
June 23, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Fulton, Missouri-home time)
At home and staying at the Barnes' place in my camper shell. Got to see the kids today and we just did things...
A Trucker's Tale:(My tale of a nice, young Amish couple)
It was a warm afternoon when I got a load at our Detroit(Taylor), Michigan Terminal going to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I enjoyed stopping at the convenience store in New Haven, Indiana in the evening where I would get some chips & dip, sit on large concrete blocks and watch the sun go down. To do this this evening was my plan as the time would be right when I got to New Haven.
I got to New Haven at the right time to work my plan. I got me a big bag of chips and a big container of dip and went and sat on the concrete block by my truck. I wasn't there more than a minute when an Amish buggy drove up with a young couple in it. The young man asked if the truck next to me was mine and I said yes. He then asked if his wife-8 months pregnant-and he could get in and look at it. I said OK and opened the doors. I helped his wife into the truck on the passenger side and he got in the driver's. They were looking at everything with a certain amount of excitement. We talked and he asked where all I went. I told him I would send him postcards or other things from all around(I sent several kids stuff from all around) if he gave me his address. I took out a business card and he wrote down his name and address on the back for me. Sorry thing is that I didn't check what he wrote until later and when I did I can't read any of it; not even his name!!!!
After they got done looking at my truck, he asked,"Would you like to see our buggy?". I replied that I would. We walked over to it and he first introduced me to their mare "Abe". He then showed me the taillight-required by law for night riding-and the simple generating system it had to charge its small auto battery. It was a very pleasant visit and ended after dark.
I ate my chips & dip while I drove down the road heading for Oklahoma City...I wasn't upset that I didn't get to eat my snack and watch the sun go down as I was happy for the time spent with this very nice couple.
At home and staying at the Barnes' place in my camper shell. Got to see the kids today and we just did things...
A Trucker's Tale:(My tale of a nice, young Amish couple)
It was a warm afternoon when I got a load at our Detroit(Taylor), Michigan Terminal going to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I enjoyed stopping at the convenience store in New Haven, Indiana in the evening where I would get some chips & dip, sit on large concrete blocks and watch the sun go down. To do this this evening was my plan as the time would be right when I got to New Haven.
I got to New Haven at the right time to work my plan. I got me a big bag of chips and a big container of dip and went and sat on the concrete block by my truck. I wasn't there more than a minute when an Amish buggy drove up with a young couple in it. The young man asked if the truck next to me was mine and I said yes. He then asked if his wife-8 months pregnant-and he could get in and look at it. I said OK and opened the doors. I helped his wife into the truck on the passenger side and he got in the driver's. They were looking at everything with a certain amount of excitement. We talked and he asked where all I went. I told him I would send him postcards or other things from all around(I sent several kids stuff from all around) if he gave me his address. I took out a business card and he wrote down his name and address on the back for me. Sorry thing is that I didn't check what he wrote until later and when I did I can't read any of it; not even his name!!!!
After they got done looking at my truck, he asked,"Would you like to see our buggy?". I replied that I would. We walked over to it and he first introduced me to their mare "Abe". He then showed me the taillight-required by law for night riding-and the simple generating system it had to charge its small auto battery. It was a very pleasant visit and ended after dark.
I ate my chips & dip while I drove down the road heading for Oklahoma City...I wasn't upset that I didn't get to eat my snack and watch the sun go down as I was happy for the time spent with this very nice couple.
June 22, 2010
June 22, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Fulton, Missouri)
Was off duty today enjoying(?) time at home(?-I really consider "home" my truck). Didn't see my kids as they were involved with other activities. Did home things.
A TRUCKER'S TALE:(Learning respect for downhill grades)
I once heard a driver talking of his first "out of control" downhill experience. I think some of his tale was unbelievable, but many trucker tales ARE UNBELIEVABLE(so are fairy tales).
He had no Jake Brake(an engine retarder which helps the truck to slow down). Because of the weight of the trucks-sometimes up to 40 tons-, keeping the truck speed down going down mountains can be nerve racking and slow. Gravity keeps the trucks wanting to pick up speed. If the driver can't control the decent and the brakes become too hot, they can loose control of the speed; at worst this can lead to serious accidents and death.
He said he had never been down I-17 south of Flagstaff, Arizona. He had handled the interstate pretty good until about the end of the downhill road. He was heading south on pretty level land when two bread trucks(light weight compared to the semi) passed him. He watched them and they went around a mountain side that looked level(optical illusion) and them left and disappeared. He didn't think to start controlling his speed even though the optical illusion was a pretty steep downgrade. When he hit the point where he saw the bread trucks disappear he also hit a very steep downhill. His brakes were now very hot and fading. His brakes became hot enough to cause them to not work at all; he was now out of control. He CLAIMED to have seen mile markers going by him every 1/2 minute(what would his speed have been?). He went around a few curves and claimed that the low level(his load was heavy and loaded low on the trailer floor) & weight of the load was the only thing that kept him from rounding his rig. He got to the bottom of the mountains and got pulled over and stopped. He used his fire extinguisher on his brakes until it ran out and then threw sand from the ground on them. His two steering brakes were the only brakes he had afterward as they hadn't been adjusted. He adjusted them and used them to get him to a repair shop. All his other eight brakes had to be rebuilt.
Was off duty today enjoying(?) time at home(?-I really consider "home" my truck). Didn't see my kids as they were involved with other activities. Did home things.
A TRUCKER'S TALE:(Learning respect for downhill grades)
I once heard a driver talking of his first "out of control" downhill experience. I think some of his tale was unbelievable, but many trucker tales ARE UNBELIEVABLE(so are fairy tales).
He had no Jake Brake(an engine retarder which helps the truck to slow down). Because of the weight of the trucks-sometimes up to 40 tons-, keeping the truck speed down going down mountains can be nerve racking and slow. Gravity keeps the trucks wanting to pick up speed. If the driver can't control the decent and the brakes become too hot, they can loose control of the speed; at worst this can lead to serious accidents and death.
He said he had never been down I-17 south of Flagstaff, Arizona. He had handled the interstate pretty good until about the end of the downhill road. He was heading south on pretty level land when two bread trucks(light weight compared to the semi) passed him. He watched them and they went around a mountain side that looked level(optical illusion) and them left and disappeared. He didn't think to start controlling his speed even though the optical illusion was a pretty steep downgrade. When he hit the point where he saw the bread trucks disappear he also hit a very steep downhill. His brakes were now very hot and fading. His brakes became hot enough to cause them to not work at all; he was now out of control. He CLAIMED to have seen mile markers going by him every 1/2 minute(what would his speed have been?). He went around a few curves and claimed that the low level(his load was heavy and loaded low on the trailer floor) & weight of the load was the only thing that kept him from rounding his rig. He got to the bottom of the mountains and got pulled over and stopped. He used his fire extinguisher on his brakes until it ran out and then threw sand from the ground on them. His two steering brakes were the only brakes he had afterward as they hadn't been adjusted. He adjusted them and used them to get him to a repair shop. All his other eight brakes had to be rebuilt.
June 21, 2010
June 21, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Kansas City, Missouri)
I decided to go off the trucker ready board and take a few days off as I had them coming. This terminal is where my car is kept while driving so we-Bill & I-loaded his things and a few of my things into it and went back to Fulton(Missouri) where I dropped him off at his home. I took the rest of the day get a couple parts for my car and installing them. Stayed with the Barnes-the ones I stayed with when off. Getting too confident that you can handle any situation can become deadly...
Side Note:(tailgating-following too close)
This is a problem that everyone sees all the time on the highways. It is extremely hard to stop as so many people feel confident in their abilities to stop in time. The only one who can stop it is YOU. If all the "YOU"s would back off a little-or a lot-there would be less accidents.
For the truck driver, there is the vehicle inspection where the driver is to check their brakes. We had a fatal truck accident a few years back where the investigating officers found ONLY one out of the ten brakes on the semi that ran over a car adjusted correctly. The driver is now serving a jail sentence and having to live with his "MISTAKE(???)"
The pictures below are of a tractor that the driver admitted following too close in a rain storm when they went over a rise in the road only to find another accident. The first tractor was able to avoid the already existing accident. No one was serious hurt.
I decided to go off the trucker ready board and take a few days off as I had them coming. This terminal is where my car is kept while driving so we-Bill & I-loaded his things and a few of my things into it and went back to Fulton(Missouri) where I dropped him off at his home. I took the rest of the day get a couple parts for my car and installing them. Stayed with the Barnes-the ones I stayed with when off. Getting too confident that you can handle any situation can become deadly...
Side Note:(tailgating-following too close)
This is a problem that everyone sees all the time on the highways. It is extremely hard to stop as so many people feel confident in their abilities to stop in time. The only one who can stop it is YOU. If all the "YOU"s would back off a little-or a lot-there would be less accidents.
For the truck driver, there is the vehicle inspection where the driver is to check their brakes. We had a fatal truck accident a few years back where the investigating officers found ONLY one out of the ten brakes on the semi that ran over a car adjusted correctly. The driver is now serving a jail sentence and having to live with his "MISTAKE(???)"
The pictures below are of a tractor that the driver admitted following too close in a rain storm when they went over a rise in the road only to find another accident. The first tractor was able to avoid the already existing accident. No one was serious hurt.
June 20, 2010
June 20, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Taylor, Michigan)
I was up and into dispatch by 7 AM EST. I was number 3 on the trucker ready board. I let Bill sleep and I watched the news on the terminal TV set while I talked with a couple other drivers.
It was shortly after 8 when I got a load to the Kansas City, Missouri Ford assembly plant. That's good as I can drop my son off at home as I pass by.
I fueled(125 gallons) while I did my vehicle inspection. We were gone, heading west on I-94, by 9 AM EST. The trip across Michigan was uneventful and we entered Indiana. We stopped at Lake Station, Indiana for lunch and both had the buffet(barffet in some places...). Before we left the truckstop, I called Bill's Mother to let her know we were coming but I couldn't get hold of her.
After eating, we headed west on I-80 to I-55 where we went south. This part of Illinois has trees but they soon give way to farmland and more farmland. We stopped at the Funks Grove rest area for a break plus I like putting FUNKS GROVE on my logbook. We were there about a half hour and then it was south on I-55 again. Before we left the rest area, I called Bill's Mother to let her know we were coming but I couldn't get hold of her again. When we got to Hwy 36(now I-72 & Hwy 36) at the lower end of Springfield, Illinois, we went west to Hwy 100-end of the then road- which took us to Hwy 106. Hwy 106 connected with Hwy 54 which we followed to Kingdom City, Missouri.
When we got to Kingdom City, I called his Mother again but once again no luck. I told him that I couldn't just leave him and that I was going to take him. He wasn't very happy about that as I think he was kind of board riding "shotgun". We left for the Kansas City terminal with Bill being very unhappy.
We got to the terminal and was told to drop the trailer in the yard. I went on the trucker ready board with a request to go east again so I could drop Bill off....In KC for the night...
I was up and into dispatch by 7 AM EST. I was number 3 on the trucker ready board. I let Bill sleep and I watched the news on the terminal TV set while I talked with a couple other drivers.
It was shortly after 8 when I got a load to the Kansas City, Missouri Ford assembly plant. That's good as I can drop my son off at home as I pass by.
I fueled(125 gallons) while I did my vehicle inspection. We were gone, heading west on I-94, by 9 AM EST. The trip across Michigan was uneventful and we entered Indiana. We stopped at Lake Station, Indiana for lunch and both had the buffet(barffet in some places...). Before we left the truckstop, I called Bill's Mother to let her know we were coming but I couldn't get hold of her.
After eating, we headed west on I-80 to I-55 where we went south. This part of Illinois has trees but they soon give way to farmland and more farmland. We stopped at the Funks Grove rest area for a break plus I like putting FUNKS GROVE on my logbook. We were there about a half hour and then it was south on I-55 again. Before we left the rest area, I called Bill's Mother to let her know we were coming but I couldn't get hold of her again. When we got to Hwy 36(now I-72 & Hwy 36) at the lower end of Springfield, Illinois, we went west to Hwy 100-end of the then road- which took us to Hwy 106. Hwy 106 connected with Hwy 54 which we followed to Kingdom City, Missouri.
When we got to Kingdom City, I called his Mother again but once again no luck. I told him that I couldn't just leave him and that I was going to take him. He wasn't very happy about that as I think he was kind of board riding "shotgun". We left for the Kansas City terminal with Bill being very unhappy.
We got to the terminal and was told to drop the trailer in the yard. I went on the trucker ready board with a request to go east again so I could drop Bill off....In KC for the night...
June 19, 2010
June 19, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Nephton Mines, Ontario)
We got up and there were five trucks from our company there. I and Mark(the driver I came to the mines with yesterday) were the first to get loaded with 42,000 lbs of chemicals. What chemical??? I didn't record it...
Mark and I cleared customs at Windsor, Ontario with no problems. When we got to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal, we were told to drop the loads and wait for something else. Why??? I don't know; I just do what I am told.
Bill and I stayed at the terminal, watched a little terminal TV, ordered a pizza and spent the night...
We got up and there were five trucks from our company there. I and Mark(the driver I came to the mines with yesterday) were the first to get loaded with 42,000 lbs of chemicals. What chemical??? I didn't record it...
Mark and I cleared customs at Windsor, Ontario with no problems. When we got to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal, we were told to drop the loads and wait for something else. Why??? I don't know; I just do what I am told.
Bill and I stayed at the terminal, watched a little terminal TV, ordered a pizza and spent the night...
June 18, 2010
June 18, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Bath, Ontario)
We both were awake shortly after 7 AM EST with the noise of another truck being unloaded. It was from my company. I called in and got the "call back in an hour "message. Bill and I walked to the shore line of Lake Ontario and looked around.
I call back to dispatch with the other driver and we both got loads to pick up at the Nephton Mines near Peterborough, Ontario. We pulled into the mine's parking lot and checked in. We were told that they would come out and get us tomorrow when it was time to load. It was a very cloudy day and it seemed like it would start raining, but it didn't. While we sat there we noticed deer alone the sides of our trucks. The deer weren't too afraid of us and would come and graze on the corn the miners threw on the ground for them... I tried to pet one but only could get about 10 feet from it. Couldn't stay outside too long as they mosquitoes were so thick...
Stayed the night with no TV reception.
We both were awake shortly after 7 AM EST with the noise of another truck being unloaded. It was from my company. I called in and got the "call back in an hour "message. Bill and I walked to the shore line of Lake Ontario and looked around.
I call back to dispatch with the other driver and we both got loads to pick up at the Nephton Mines near Peterborough, Ontario. We pulled into the mine's parking lot and checked in. We were told that they would come out and get us tomorrow when it was time to load. It was a very cloudy day and it seemed like it would start raining, but it didn't. While we sat there we noticed deer alone the sides of our trucks. The deer weren't too afraid of us and would come and graze on the corn the miners threw on the ground for them... I tried to pet one but only could get about 10 feet from it. Couldn't stay outside too long as they mosquitoes were so thick...
Stayed the night with no TV reception.
June 17, 2010
June 17, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Taylor, Michigan)
I was awake shortly after midnight and my son Bill laid down and went to sleep. I fueled(126 gallons) and did a vehicle inspection and was on my way by 1 AM EST. Got past Canadian customs, after going to the broker(company that handles paperwork between countries), quickly and was on my way up Queen's(now King's)Hwy 401 toward Ontario. Nice quiet night and driving was good and comfortable. Through London and then Toronto to Scarborough, Ontario. I parked in Scarborough where I had before. Time was 6:30 AM CST. Bill was still asleep and so I just walked around for a short time. At 7:30 AM EST I called Steven and he was awake. I told him where we were and he would pick us up at 8:30 AM EST. We were picked up and he took us to church. It was Canadian Boy Scout week and they wore their uniforms to church. Since Bill was a Boy Scout in the States, he enjoyed the time. During the classes, Bill told me that he was asked all kinds of questions about the States and how he did things.
After church, Steven took us to his place and his Mother came home from church with two friends-one from Ireland. His Mother was from Scotland. She made us a dinner of 3 meals as they called it. It was a great day and I think Bill really enjoyed it...
About 7 PM Steven took us back to the truck and we were headed for Bath, Ontario by 7:30 PM EST. By 10:30 PM EST we had found the delivery point. It was an outdoors dock and a little trailer office in the middle of a field sitting on Lake Ontario. There was a fellow at the trailer and I checked in with him. He said he would unload me and he did. I talked to him for awhile and found that these plastic pellets where to be mixed with the road asphalt. The plastic was to help the roads to keep their shape...I don't know if it worked.
As the day ended, we were parked on the side, out of the way and bunked in for some sleep...
I was awake shortly after midnight and my son Bill laid down and went to sleep. I fueled(126 gallons) and did a vehicle inspection and was on my way by 1 AM EST. Got past Canadian customs, after going to the broker(company that handles paperwork between countries), quickly and was on my way up Queen's(now King's)Hwy 401 toward Ontario. Nice quiet night and driving was good and comfortable. Through London and then Toronto to Scarborough, Ontario. I parked in Scarborough where I had before. Time was 6:30 AM CST. Bill was still asleep and so I just walked around for a short time. At 7:30 AM EST I called Steven and he was awake. I told him where we were and he would pick us up at 8:30 AM EST. We were picked up and he took us to church. It was Canadian Boy Scout week and they wore their uniforms to church. Since Bill was a Boy Scout in the States, he enjoyed the time. During the classes, Bill told me that he was asked all kinds of questions about the States and how he did things.
After church, Steven took us to his place and his Mother came home from church with two friends-one from Ireland. His Mother was from Scotland. She made us a dinner of 3 meals as they called it. It was a great day and I think Bill really enjoyed it...
About 7 PM Steven took us back to the truck and we were headed for Bath, Ontario by 7:30 PM EST. By 10:30 PM EST we had found the delivery point. It was an outdoors dock and a little trailer office in the middle of a field sitting on Lake Ontario. There was a fellow at the trailer and I checked in with him. He said he would unload me and he did. I talked to him for awhile and found that these plastic pellets where to be mixed with the road asphalt. The plastic was to help the roads to keep their shape...I don't know if it worked.
As the day ended, we were parked on the side, out of the way and bunked in for some sleep...
June 16, 2010
June 16, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Florence, Kentucky)
Bill-my son riding with me-was asleep when I got up at 1:30 AM EST and decided to drive on to our Taylor(Detroit), Michigan terminal. I got everything legal and started north on I-75 at 2 AM EST. The word from the south bound drivers was that the road was clear of law enforcement officers on the short downhill grade that trucks weren't suppose to go on. Knowing I would not have problems, I went straight up I-75 and into Ohio. Through Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo into Michigan. We got into Taylor, Michigan where I parked the truck and went back to sleep.
Bill never realized that I had driven almost 5 hours. He awoke and climbed over me at around 9 AM EST. I told him where the bathrooms where and he was gone for awhile. We stayed at the terminal most the day, except when we went to the Swedish restaurant to have lunch. We watched TV in the truckers' ;lounge room at the terminal until I wanted to go get a little more sleep.
Since tomorrow is Sunday, I called Steven-a friend of mine I met in Laredo, Texas-who lived in Scarborough, Ontario and asked if he could pick us up for church. He said to just let him know where we where. I said I would call him in the morning.
The load I had, for some reason, couldn't pass Canadian customs until after midnight, Sunday morning. So, as are day ended I was napping...
Bill-my son riding with me-was asleep when I got up at 1:30 AM EST and decided to drive on to our Taylor(Detroit), Michigan terminal. I got everything legal and started north on I-75 at 2 AM EST. The word from the south bound drivers was that the road was clear of law enforcement officers on the short downhill grade that trucks weren't suppose to go on. Knowing I would not have problems, I went straight up I-75 and into Ohio. Through Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo into Michigan. We got into Taylor, Michigan where I parked the truck and went back to sleep.
Bill never realized that I had driven almost 5 hours. He awoke and climbed over me at around 9 AM EST. I told him where the bathrooms where and he was gone for awhile. We stayed at the terminal most the day, except when we went to the Swedish restaurant to have lunch. We watched TV in the truckers' ;lounge room at the terminal until I wanted to go get a little more sleep.
Since tomorrow is Sunday, I called Steven-a friend of mine I met in Laredo, Texas-who lived in Scarborough, Ontario and asked if he could pick us up for church. He said to just let him know where we where. I said I would call him in the morning.
The load I had, for some reason, couldn't pass Canadian customs until after midnight, Sunday morning. So, as are day ended I was napping...
June 15, 2010
June 15, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Memphis, Tennessee)
No hurry so we left the motel room around 9 AM CST and went toward the terminal. We stopped at a convenience store for breakfast; I had a couple hot dogs and Bill(my oldest son) had nachos & cheese. ----Yes, I even recorded what we had to eat...I didn't do it often...
Got to the terminal and talked a few minutes with the other drivers and then we were headed out. Got trailer, did vehicle inspection and did logbook. Checked in with the Memphis terminal dispatch and the dispatch for the company I am driving this load for. Headed east on I-240 and then north to I-40 east. This stretch of I-40 is pretty boring to me as I have and will continue to drive it many times.
We stopped for a break at the Bucksnort exit and checked out the little convenience store(A couple years from now I will by a couple Bucksnort T-Shirts for my Sister's family in Utah).
We continued to Nashville(Tennessee) and where we took I-65 north into Kentucky. We passed Bowling Green, Kentucky-home of the Corvette-and stopped at Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Shepherdsville had several restaurants and we chose "White Castle" to stop at. For those who don't know "White Castle", they sell small hamburgers and people buy them by the dozens. Well, Bill got a dozen and I got a few more. The onions on them cause stomach distress in Bill so I ended up eating his hamburgers. He didn't want to stop there again.
Even through we had more driving time, I chose to stop at our fuel stop in Florence, Kentucky...We have lots of time. We snacked at the truck stop and watched their TV in the TV room for awhile.
No hurry so we left the motel room around 9 AM CST and went toward the terminal. We stopped at a convenience store for breakfast; I had a couple hot dogs and Bill(my oldest son) had nachos & cheese. ----Yes, I even recorded what we had to eat...I didn't do it often...
Got to the terminal and talked a few minutes with the other drivers and then we were headed out. Got trailer, did vehicle inspection and did logbook. Checked in with the Memphis terminal dispatch and the dispatch for the company I am driving this load for. Headed east on I-240 and then north to I-40 east. This stretch of I-40 is pretty boring to me as I have and will continue to drive it many times.
We stopped for a break at the Bucksnort exit and checked out the little convenience store(A couple years from now I will by a couple Bucksnort T-Shirts for my Sister's family in Utah).
We continued to Nashville(Tennessee) and where we took I-65 north into Kentucky. We passed Bowling Green, Kentucky-home of the Corvette-and stopped at Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Shepherdsville had several restaurants and we chose "White Castle" to stop at. For those who don't know "White Castle", they sell small hamburgers and people buy them by the dozens. Well, Bill got a dozen and I got a few more. The onions on them cause stomach distress in Bill so I ended up eating his hamburgers. He didn't want to stop there again.
Even through we had more driving time, I chose to stop at our fuel stop in Florence, Kentucky...We have lots of time. We snacked at the truck stop and watched their TV in the TV room for awhile.
June 14, 2010
June 14, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
I was up a little after 5 AM CST and Bill(my oldest son) stayed asleep. I went to the pickup in the southern part of Baton Rouge; it was not hard to find. I checked in and was told to back up to the loading dock. They had we loaded in a short time with 18 boxes of plastic pellets. Total weight of 10,250 lbs. They had me loaded before 7:30 AM CST. I called dispatch....
Dispatch told me this load was a load through another trucking company and I would have to go through their dispatcher also. I called the other trucking company dispatcher and found that it was a female dispatcher. The whole trip she referred to me as "honey, sweetie, baby, etc."(I liked it!!!)
I got dispatched by both dispatchers and we were on our way. We traveled east on I-10 for a short distance and then got on I-12 eastbound. We stopped at Hammond(Louisiana)-where I-55 meets I-12-and had breakfast at "Just a Truckstop". I had the buffet and Bill had a standard breakfast.
We headed up I-55 into Mississippi and right up through the state, stopping for a break at the rest area past exit 237. We were there only a short time and then it was back on the road. Got into Memphis, Tennessee and stopped at my companies terminal for about an hour. Fueled(132 gallons) and since this load was due Monday in Ontario, we shutdown for the night.
I unhooked the trailer and we road over to the Elvis Presley museum and looked at the two airplanes(jets) and house from outside the fence...too expensive to go inside. I got us a motel room for the night and there we stayed...
I was up a little after 5 AM CST and Bill(my oldest son) stayed asleep. I went to the pickup in the southern part of Baton Rouge; it was not hard to find. I checked in and was told to back up to the loading dock. They had we loaded in a short time with 18 boxes of plastic pellets. Total weight of 10,250 lbs. They had me loaded before 7:30 AM CST. I called dispatch....
Dispatch told me this load was a load through another trucking company and I would have to go through their dispatcher also. I called the other trucking company dispatcher and found that it was a female dispatcher. The whole trip she referred to me as "honey, sweetie, baby, etc."(I liked it!!!)
I got dispatched by both dispatchers and we were on our way. We traveled east on I-10 for a short distance and then got on I-12 eastbound. We stopped at Hammond(Louisiana)-where I-55 meets I-12-and had breakfast at "Just a Truckstop". I had the buffet and Bill had a standard breakfast.
We headed up I-55 into Mississippi and right up through the state, stopping for a break at the rest area past exit 237. We were there only a short time and then it was back on the road. Got into Memphis, Tennessee and stopped at my companies terminal for about an hour. Fueled(132 gallons) and since this load was due Monday in Ontario, we shutdown for the night.
I unhooked the trailer and we road over to the Elvis Presley museum and looked at the two airplanes(jets) and house from outside the fence...too expensive to go inside. I got us a motel room for the night and there we stayed...
June 13, 2010
June 13, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Port Allen, Louisiana)
Got up and called dispatch. Was told to call in every hour. I drove back to Baton Rouge and when crossing the Mississippi River saw a destroyer(Navy ship) docked on the river's east side. Found a place to park the truck a couple blocks away from the river. Parked it and we walked to the ship. There was a little museum with the ship(USS Kidd) and we visited both. Bill(my oldest son) sure enjoyed climbing in and out of the destroyer's "places". After that museum, we visited an antique mall which we both seemed to enjoy. Before returning to the truck, we stopped at a little store and got some munchies to eat.
It was now later afternoon and we drove around a little. I didn't find any decent place to have a meal so I parked the truck across from a nice looking restaurant/bar and there we had dinner. WOW, as we were eating, two drunk guys started getting loud and started acting like they wanted to fight each other. They didn't, thank goodness....
I called in and I had a load to pick up in the south part of Baton Rouge tomorrow going to Bath, Ontario. I had a good parking spot for the night and the instructions to the pickup location seemed easy and nearby. I called it a night before dark and we just talked and watched my TV...
A Trucker's Tale: Don't even think of drinking and driving a semi.
I once talked to a driver that said that he stopped at a bar and was there for awhile and consumed a "few" drinks. I believe he said it was somewhere on I-10 in Louisiana that this story took place. Well, after being in the bar for awhile, he got into his truck and drove on down the road. He woke up the next morning to find that he had driven about 60 miles...Big deal??? Well, somewhere in that 60 miles he had dropped his trailer and could not remember where!!!! I don't remember what happened next....
Got up and called dispatch. Was told to call in every hour. I drove back to Baton Rouge and when crossing the Mississippi River saw a destroyer(Navy ship) docked on the river's east side. Found a place to park the truck a couple blocks away from the river. Parked it and we walked to the ship. There was a little museum with the ship(USS Kidd) and we visited both. Bill(my oldest son) sure enjoyed climbing in and out of the destroyer's "places". After that museum, we visited an antique mall which we both seemed to enjoy. Before returning to the truck, we stopped at a little store and got some munchies to eat.
It was now later afternoon and we drove around a little. I didn't find any decent place to have a meal so I parked the truck across from a nice looking restaurant/bar and there we had dinner. WOW, as we were eating, two drunk guys started getting loud and started acting like they wanted to fight each other. They didn't, thank goodness....
I called in and I had a load to pick up in the south part of Baton Rouge tomorrow going to Bath, Ontario. I had a good parking spot for the night and the instructions to the pickup location seemed easy and nearby. I called it a night before dark and we just talked and watched my TV...
A Trucker's Tale: Don't even think of drinking and driving a semi.
I once talked to a driver that said that he stopped at a bar and was there for awhile and consumed a "few" drinks. I believe he said it was somewhere on I-10 in Louisiana that this story took place. Well, after being in the bar for awhile, he got into his truck and drove on down the road. He woke up the next morning to find that he had driven about 60 miles...Big deal??? Well, somewhere in that 60 miles he had dropped his trailer and could not remember where!!!! I don't remember what happened next....
June 12, 2010
June 12, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Memphis, Tennessee)
Bill(my son riding with me) and I were up by 7 AM CST and I took him into the Memphis terminal to get cleaned up. We fueled(54 gallons) and were gone on down I-55 by 9:15 AM CST.
We shortly crossed into Mississippi and exited the city setting. We had what looked like a lake on the west of us that came pretty close to the interstate. While the lake was to the west of us, we had what looked like a drunk come up behind and pass us. He was all over the road and ended up driving off the road and headed down to the lake. He then was able to get back on the road after we passed him down by the water. I just sped up and got him way behind us; don't know if he got home or not. We had 300 miles of Mississippi but the drive through the state is pretty nice. We went through Jackson, Mississippi and stopped for a break at the rest area after exit 56. We were there for about 1/2 hour as this state has nice rest areas and we are not in any hurry. We continued into Louisiana to I-12. Hammond, Louisiana is at the intersection of I-12 & I-55 and has a "Just a Truckstop" that I love to eat at. We stopped for a late lunch or early dinner and we were there a couple hours.
After we ate and played a few video games, we took off west on I-12. When we got to Baton Rouge, Louisiana we took I-10 west across the Mississippi River and then Hwy 1 to the warehouse we were going to in Port Allen. We got there at 6:15 PM CST. We parked on the street across from the company as there was plenty of parking space. I checked in as the building was open and the receiving fellow said to come back around 9 PM CST. I went back to the receiving clerk when the trucks disappeared from the docks before 9 PM CST. The fellow said to back in and he would unload me. I was unloaded by 9:30 PM CST.
I called dispatch and said I was at the receiver. I didn't want another load yet as I was tired. Pulled out on the street and went to sleep...
Bill(my son riding with me) and I were up by 7 AM CST and I took him into the Memphis terminal to get cleaned up. We fueled(54 gallons) and were gone on down I-55 by 9:15 AM CST.
We shortly crossed into Mississippi and exited the city setting. We had what looked like a lake on the west of us that came pretty close to the interstate. While the lake was to the west of us, we had what looked like a drunk come up behind and pass us. He was all over the road and ended up driving off the road and headed down to the lake. He then was able to get back on the road after we passed him down by the water. I just sped up and got him way behind us; don't know if he got home or not. We had 300 miles of Mississippi but the drive through the state is pretty nice. We went through Jackson, Mississippi and stopped for a break at the rest area after exit 56. We were there for about 1/2 hour as this state has nice rest areas and we are not in any hurry. We continued into Louisiana to I-12. Hammond, Louisiana is at the intersection of I-12 & I-55 and has a "Just a Truckstop" that I love to eat at. We stopped for a late lunch or early dinner and we were there a couple hours.
After we ate and played a few video games, we took off west on I-12. When we got to Baton Rouge, Louisiana we took I-10 west across the Mississippi River and then Hwy 1 to the warehouse we were going to in Port Allen. We got there at 6:15 PM CST. We parked on the street across from the company as there was plenty of parking space. I checked in as the building was open and the receiving fellow said to come back around 9 PM CST. I went back to the receiving clerk when the trucks disappeared from the docks before 9 PM CST. The fellow said to back in and he would unload me. I was unloaded by 9:30 PM CST.
I called dispatch and said I was at the receiver. I didn't want another load yet as I was tired. Pulled out on the street and went to sleep...
June 11, 2010
June 11, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Chicago, Illinois)
Bill(my oldest son that's riding with me for awhile) and I had to sleep in the same small buck and we succeeded. I was up at 6 AM and Bill slept. I checked in when the company opened but I didn't have an appointment. I waited for awhile and then the company moved me in to be unloaded. I was backing in when Bill got up and the place got me unloaded by 10 AM CST.
After unloading, I called dispatch and got a load to pick up in Chicago going to Port Allen, Louisiana.
I got to the pickup in the southern part of Chicago. The one dock had a truck in it and to back in I had to do it-the backing-off a busy street. It wasn't long and they had me back in. Boy, the dock was tight and built into the building. I got backed in in one try. Bill and I walked to the dock and found that we were hauling a whole trailer of McDonald Happy Meal Toys. The load weighed 22,670 lbs and they had me loaded by 12:15 PM CST. I couldn't call dispatch from this company and I had to move my truck. Since there wasn't a place for me to park and no phone to call from I went down I-57 to Morgan Park(Southern Chicago) and called when I got off the interstate.
Got Back on I-57 southbound and boy was that a boring ride!!! We took a short break after the Buckley, Illinois exit. Man, I thought we would never get through Illinois!!! We stopped at our fuel stop in Effingham, Illinois and fueled(128 gallons) and ate. Followed I-57 into Missouri and to where it met I-55. Took I-55 into Arkansas and down to West Memphis where we crossed into Memphis, Tennessee. Stayed on I-55 to southern Memphis and stopped at our Memphis terminal. Time was 10:15 PM CST and so I stopped for the night...
Bill(my oldest son that's riding with me for awhile) and I had to sleep in the same small buck and we succeeded. I was up at 6 AM and Bill slept. I checked in when the company opened but I didn't have an appointment. I waited for awhile and then the company moved me in to be unloaded. I was backing in when Bill got up and the place got me unloaded by 10 AM CST.
After unloading, I called dispatch and got a load to pick up in Chicago going to Port Allen, Louisiana.
I got to the pickup in the southern part of Chicago. The one dock had a truck in it and to back in I had to do it-the backing-off a busy street. It wasn't long and they had me back in. Boy, the dock was tight and built into the building. I got backed in in one try. Bill and I walked to the dock and found that we were hauling a whole trailer of McDonald Happy Meal Toys. The load weighed 22,670 lbs and they had me loaded by 12:15 PM CST. I couldn't call dispatch from this company and I had to move my truck. Since there wasn't a place for me to park and no phone to call from I went down I-57 to Morgan Park(Southern Chicago) and called when I got off the interstate.
Got Back on I-57 southbound and boy was that a boring ride!!! We took a short break after the Buckley, Illinois exit. Man, I thought we would never get through Illinois!!! We stopped at our fuel stop in Effingham, Illinois and fueled(128 gallons) and ate. Followed I-57 into Missouri and to where it met I-55. Took I-55 into Arkansas and down to West Memphis where we crossed into Memphis, Tennessee. Stayed on I-55 to southern Memphis and stopped at our Memphis terminal. Time was 10:15 PM CST and so I stopped for the night...
June 10, 2010
June 10, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Fulton, Missouri)
I got up in enough time to beat everyone to church. After church, My oldest son Bill and I went and hooked up to my trailer that I was able to drop next to the town's Radio Shack. After doing a vehicle inspection, updating my logbook and showing the truck and trailer to Bill's friends that followed us to the trailer, we took off for Chicago, Illinois at 2:30 PM CST.
I could go through the St. Louis area to go to Chicago but I found it more enjoyable and 30 miles shorter to go through Louisiana, Missouri. After I left Fulton, I stayed on Hwy 54 through several little towns(including Curryville, Missouri, a very well know speed trap) and crossed over the Mississippi River into Illinois at Louisiana(Missouri). This crossing is one I dislike until this day as the bridge is so thin laned.
We stopped at the Wal-Mart in Pittsfield(Illinois) to stretch our legs...didn't buy anything. In Pittsfield, Hwy 54 ended and we took Hwy 106 to Hwy 100 and crossed the drawbridge over the Illinois River outside Detroit, Illinois. From Hwy 100, we took Hwy 36 east(I-72 not in yet) to Springfield, Illinois and grabbed I-55 north. We stopped for another break at the Funks Grove rest area. I had good instructions as to where the receiver was located so I just went there. My Son Bill was asleep in the bunk before I got to Chicago. I found the receiver on the west suburbs of Chicago and was able to park the truck on the street outside the receiver for the night....
I got up in enough time to beat everyone to church. After church, My oldest son Bill and I went and hooked up to my trailer that I was able to drop next to the town's Radio Shack. After doing a vehicle inspection, updating my logbook and showing the truck and trailer to Bill's friends that followed us to the trailer, we took off for Chicago, Illinois at 2:30 PM CST.
I could go through the St. Louis area to go to Chicago but I found it more enjoyable and 30 miles shorter to go through Louisiana, Missouri. After I left Fulton, I stayed on Hwy 54 through several little towns(including Curryville, Missouri, a very well know speed trap) and crossed over the Mississippi River into Illinois at Louisiana(Missouri). This crossing is one I dislike until this day as the bridge is so thin laned.
We stopped at the Wal-Mart in Pittsfield(Illinois) to stretch our legs...didn't buy anything. In Pittsfield, Hwy 54 ended and we took Hwy 106 to Hwy 100 and crossed the drawbridge over the Illinois River outside Detroit, Illinois. From Hwy 100, we took Hwy 36 east(I-72 not in yet) to Springfield, Illinois and grabbed I-55 north. We stopped for another break at the Funks Grove rest area. I had good instructions as to where the receiver was located so I just went there. My Son Bill was asleep in the bunk before I got to Chicago. I found the receiver on the west suburbs of Chicago and was able to park the truck on the street outside the receiver for the night....
June 9, 2010
June 9, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-McAlester, Oklahoma)
I was up and heading up Hwy 69 by 6 AM CST. Continued to I-44 and headed into Missouri, getting off at Joplin. When I got to the Joplin, Missouri terminal, I had to go through the inspection bay and so I did. They found a wheel seal leaking on my rear left duel tires of my tractor. I had to drop the trailer and they took my tractor right into the repair bay and got to work on it.
By 12:15 PM CST I was back on the road toward Fulton, Missouri to pick up my son so he could ride with me a couple weeks. I took I-44 northeast to Lebanon, Missouri where I took Hwy 5 north to Camdenton, Missouri and got on Hwy 54 north to Fulton.
I was sitting next to a Radio Shack at 5 PM CST and went in and asked manager-who was familiar with me-if I could drop the trailer next to his building. I assured him it would be gone be tomorrow afternoon. He said fine. I dropped the trailer out of the way and put a lock on the King Pin(makes trailer unable to be hooked to a fifth wheel-wheel the trailer sits on) and made sure the trailer doors were locked.
I called my ex-wife and asked if I could come get Bill's(oldest son) things he was taking with us. She said yes and I drove out to the house 5 miles into the country. Bill and I loaded his things in the tractor and got it all straightened up. I went to church and parked in the parking lot for the night...
I was up and heading up Hwy 69 by 6 AM CST. Continued to I-44 and headed into Missouri, getting off at Joplin. When I got to the Joplin, Missouri terminal, I had to go through the inspection bay and so I did. They found a wheel seal leaking on my rear left duel tires of my tractor. I had to drop the trailer and they took my tractor right into the repair bay and got to work on it.
By 12:15 PM CST I was back on the road toward Fulton, Missouri to pick up my son so he could ride with me a couple weeks. I took I-44 northeast to Lebanon, Missouri where I took Hwy 5 north to Camdenton, Missouri and got on Hwy 54 north to Fulton.
I was sitting next to a Radio Shack at 5 PM CST and went in and asked manager-who was familiar with me-if I could drop the trailer next to his building. I assured him it would be gone be tomorrow afternoon. He said fine. I dropped the trailer out of the way and put a lock on the King Pin(makes trailer unable to be hooked to a fifth wheel-wheel the trailer sits on) and made sure the trailer doors were locked.
I called my ex-wife and asked if I could come get Bill's(oldest son) things he was taking with us. She said yes and I drove out to the house 5 miles into the country. Bill and I loaded his things in the tractor and got it all straightened up. I went to church and parked in the parking lot for the night...
June 8, 2010
June 8, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Laredo, Texas)
I was up and in the terminal right before 7 AM CST. I was hoping for a decent load that will get me up north to Missouri so I can pick up my son as he is to ride with me. At 9:30 AM CST dispatch called me up to the window and told me that they had a load to Chicago, Illinois for me that is due on Monday...
FANTASTIC!!!
I went out, hooked up and did a vehicle inspection. Weight was no problem as it was 23, 659 lbs per the paperwork work. Got my logbook caught up and it was time(10:15 AM CST) to hit I-35 northbound. Because I was excited about picking my son up, the roads seemed long and boring. The stretch between Laredo and San Antonio is bad enough when everything is going right.
Got to the San Antonio and stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" for lunch. I was there a little over an hour and then I was moving again. Got to Austin, Texas and took the upper level of the duel level interstate. Headed up and took I-35E when I-35W broke off of it. Continued north and took Hwy75 north, stopping at the Anna, Texas truckstop for a break and goodies(Boston Baked Beans, shelled peanuts & chocolate milk-2 quarts).
Over the Red River into Oklahoma, flying past Durant(Oklahoma), slowing down for the city limits and signal lights of Atoka(Oklahoma), slowing down for the known speed trap of Stringtown and stopping for a couple hamburgers(Whoppers) at the Burger King in McAlester(Oklahoma).
It was now 9:45 PM CST and my driving hours were finished also. I pulled behind the Burger King, in the Wal-Mart parking lot, sat there and ate my Whoppers(I love Whoppers-I have eaten 6 regular Whoppers and a double Whopper-without stopping-while driving I-80 through Nevada). Set my alarm clock for 5 AM CST and went to sleep...
I was up and in the terminal right before 7 AM CST. I was hoping for a decent load that will get me up north to Missouri so I can pick up my son as he is to ride with me. At 9:30 AM CST dispatch called me up to the window and told me that they had a load to Chicago, Illinois for me that is due on Monday...
FANTASTIC!!!
I went out, hooked up and did a vehicle inspection. Weight was no problem as it was 23, 659 lbs per the paperwork work. Got my logbook caught up and it was time(10:15 AM CST) to hit I-35 northbound. Because I was excited about picking my son up, the roads seemed long and boring. The stretch between Laredo and San Antonio is bad enough when everything is going right.
Got to the San Antonio and stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" for lunch. I was there a little over an hour and then I was moving again. Got to Austin, Texas and took the upper level of the duel level interstate. Headed up and took I-35E when I-35W broke off of it. Continued north and took Hwy75 north, stopping at the Anna, Texas truckstop for a break and goodies(Boston Baked Beans, shelled peanuts & chocolate milk-2 quarts).
Over the Red River into Oklahoma, flying past Durant(Oklahoma), slowing down for the city limits and signal lights of Atoka(Oklahoma), slowing down for the known speed trap of Stringtown and stopping for a couple hamburgers(Whoppers) at the Burger King in McAlester(Oklahoma).
It was now 9:45 PM CST and my driving hours were finished also. I pulled behind the Burger King, in the Wal-Mart parking lot, sat there and ate my Whoppers(I love Whoppers-I have eaten 6 regular Whoppers and a double Whopper-without stopping-while driving I-80 through Nevada). Set my alarm clock for 5 AM CST and went to sleep...
June 7, 2010
June 7, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Red Oak, Texas)
I was awaken by my alarm clock for 4:30 AM CST so I could get an early start. Was on the road heading south on I-35E by 4:45 AM CST. I-35E joined up with I-35W and became just I-35. Shot down I-35 and when I got to Austin, Texas I decided to take the lower lever of the duel level interstate (All the on/off ramps are on the lower level and since the traffic wasn't heavy I gave it a try).
Got to San Antonio, Texas and stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" for fuel and eating. I ate and fueled(106 gallons) and was heading south on I-35 again at 10:30 AM CST.
Got to the Laredo Terminal at 1 PM CST and was told by dispatch to deliver the load to the broker. I did and found the "drop" yard...Boy, what a strange place to drop a loaded trailer. The yard looked like a guy's back yard and when I went around back, there were alot of guys standing around looking like they needed another trailer to strip!!! Not my problem. I dropped the trailed and the yard head guy signed my paperwork. I went back to the terminal.
I wasn't too happy with this Laredo run as I am to pick up my oldest son Sunday so he can ride with me. I was worried I wouldn't get a good load out of here so I can pick him up on time...
I was awaken by my alarm clock for 4:30 AM CST so I could get an early start. Was on the road heading south on I-35E by 4:45 AM CST. I-35E joined up with I-35W and became just I-35. Shot down I-35 and when I got to Austin, Texas I decided to take the lower lever of the duel level interstate (All the on/off ramps are on the lower level and since the traffic wasn't heavy I gave it a try).
Got to San Antonio, Texas and stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" for fuel and eating. I ate and fueled(106 gallons) and was heading south on I-35 again at 10:30 AM CST.
Got to the Laredo Terminal at 1 PM CST and was told by dispatch to deliver the load to the broker. I did and found the "drop" yard...Boy, what a strange place to drop a loaded trailer. The yard looked like a guy's back yard and when I went around back, there were alot of guys standing around looking like they needed another trailer to strip!!! Not my problem. I dropped the trailed and the yard head guy signed my paperwork. I went back to the terminal.
I wasn't too happy with this Laredo run as I am to pick up my oldest son Sunday so he can ride with me. I was worried I wouldn't get a good load out of here so I can pick him up on time...
June 6, 2010
June 6, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
My hopes of getting out of Kansas City today made me get up and check with dispatch before 6:30 AM CST. I just had the urge to keep traveling!!!
I started the day off as number 7 on the truckers' ready board for the area. At 8:30 AM CST dispatch had a load for me. They gave me a choice of three loads-Nashville, Oklahoma City or Laredo-and I took Laredo, Texas.
My trip this day started with the load being found in the Kansas City terminal yard. Doing my vehicle inspection I had trouble tightening one of my trailer brakes. Since my load only weighed 17,000 lbs(not that heavy for a semi truck) I decided to go through our Joplin terminal with the untightened brake where if there was a problem, they would fix it. I got to the Joplin terminal at 12:30 PM CST by way of Hwy 71. The brake was OK and the inspection crew in Joplin adjusted it just fine. I was only in the Joplin yard about an hour and left after I fueled(108 gallons).
I headed west(southwest) on I-44 into Oklahoma where I grabbed Hwy 69 south. I stopped at the truckstop in Big Cabin, Oklahoma for a short look around and break and then continued on down Hwy 69. This Hwy 69 is pretty boring to me but for some weird reason I like traveling it. Got south of Muskogee, Oklahoma and was able to pick up speed as the roads and speed limits improved. Once south on I-40 the small mountains make their appearance and are dealt with by the drivers.
Got to McAlester, Oklahoma and stopped in the Wal-Mart parking lot and got me a couple "Whoppers" from Burger King. Back south I headed and Hwy 75 joined Hwy 69. After Durant, Oklahoma I traveled over the Red River into Texas. Stayed on Hwy 75 into the Dallas, Texas City and took I-35E to Red Oak, Texas where I stopped at 8:30 PM CST at our terminal for the Dallas area. There I called it a night...
My hopes of getting out of Kansas City today made me get up and check with dispatch before 6:30 AM CST. I just had the urge to keep traveling!!!
I started the day off as number 7 on the truckers' ready board for the area. At 8:30 AM CST dispatch had a load for me. They gave me a choice of three loads-Nashville, Oklahoma City or Laredo-and I took Laredo, Texas.
My trip this day started with the load being found in the Kansas City terminal yard. Doing my vehicle inspection I had trouble tightening one of my trailer brakes. Since my load only weighed 17,000 lbs(not that heavy for a semi truck) I decided to go through our Joplin terminal with the untightened brake where if there was a problem, they would fix it. I got to the Joplin terminal at 12:30 PM CST by way of Hwy 71. The brake was OK and the inspection crew in Joplin adjusted it just fine. I was only in the Joplin yard about an hour and left after I fueled(108 gallons).
I headed west(southwest) on I-44 into Oklahoma where I grabbed Hwy 69 south. I stopped at the truckstop in Big Cabin, Oklahoma for a short look around and break and then continued on down Hwy 69. This Hwy 69 is pretty boring to me but for some weird reason I like traveling it. Got south of Muskogee, Oklahoma and was able to pick up speed as the roads and speed limits improved. Once south on I-40 the small mountains make their appearance and are dealt with by the drivers.
Got to McAlester, Oklahoma and stopped in the Wal-Mart parking lot and got me a couple "Whoppers" from Burger King. Back south I headed and Hwy 75 joined Hwy 69. After Durant, Oklahoma I traveled over the Red River into Texas. Stayed on Hwy 75 into the Dallas, Texas City and took I-35E to Red Oak, Texas where I stopped at 8:30 PM CST at our terminal for the Dallas area. There I called it a night...
June 5, 2010
June 5, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Kingdom City, Missouri)
Got up and had the breakfast buffet around 8 AM CST. After breakfast I left for Kansas City, Kansas and got there around noon.
I dropped my trailer in the assembly plant drop yard and got an empty one. Called the Kansas City, Missouri terminal and was told to go to the terminal, which I did.
Got to the terminal and was told that I will be here until tomorrow. I watched TV in the truckers' lounge room and talked to the drivers as they came and went.
Went to my tractor and stayed there...
Got up and had the breakfast buffet around 8 AM CST. After breakfast I left for Kansas City, Kansas and got there around noon.
I dropped my trailer in the assembly plant drop yard and got an empty one. Called the Kansas City, Missouri terminal and was told to go to the terminal, which I did.
Got to the terminal and was told that I will be here until tomorrow. I watched TV in the truckers' lounge room and talked to the drivers as they came and went.
Went to my tractor and stayed there...
June 4, 2010
June 4, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-New Haven, Indiana)
I had my alarm set for 5 AM EST and after I woke up I went into the store and got some chocolate milk. Went back to my tractor and was at the tire factory down the road by 6 AM EST. The guard at the gate asked for my load number and I gave it to him. He told me to go around to the back of the huge building. I checked in with the night receiving clerk and he told me to back up to a certain dock door(don't remember which one) after I got my doors opened. I did and after I got backed in another truck pulled in from my company. He checked in and pulled in next to me. The factory's day shift came in and unloaded us. 44,000 lbs of rubber was taken off my truck first and the other driver have his load off shortly after me. We called in together and I got on the trucker's ready board for this area first. We both were told to call in later. We pulled our trucks out of the docks and parked them out of the way. We went into the building again and he called in to dispatch and he had a load to Michigan from the plant we were at. It was a sixteen stop tire load. He was upset as all those drops and not many miles. He complained and dispatch told him to live with it!! I should have had that load as I was number 1 on the ready board and when I called in I had no assignment. He said the the company was upset with him and I don't remember anymore of why. He went to another door to get loaded. I called in and was given a load of fenders to pick up in Marion, Indiana going to the auto plant in Kansas City, Kansas.
I left for Marion on Hwy 24 west and took Hwy 930 through Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Got on I-69 south and took Hwy 18 west to Marion. Found the plant on the west side of town and backed into the dock and then checked in at 10:30 AM EST. I was loaded by 11 AM and back on Hwy 18 east by 11:10 AM EST. Continued down I-69 to I-465 south. Got to I-70 and went west through Indianapolis and stopped at our fuel stop at Mooresville, Indiana. This fuel stop was good as they fueled us and we didn't have to log the fueling...we didn't do it. I got 138 gallons and then started west on I-70 again. Stopped in Effingham, Illinois to eat at 2:45 PM CST. I ate with a couple drivers from my company. After eating I left and continued on I-70. Got to I-270 over St. Louis and followed it into Missouri where I caught I-70 west again. I stopped in Kingdom City, Missouri for the night...
I had my alarm set for 5 AM EST and after I woke up I went into the store and got some chocolate milk. Went back to my tractor and was at the tire factory down the road by 6 AM EST. The guard at the gate asked for my load number and I gave it to him. He told me to go around to the back of the huge building. I checked in with the night receiving clerk and he told me to back up to a certain dock door(don't remember which one) after I got my doors opened. I did and after I got backed in another truck pulled in from my company. He checked in and pulled in next to me. The factory's day shift came in and unloaded us. 44,000 lbs of rubber was taken off my truck first and the other driver have his load off shortly after me. We called in together and I got on the trucker's ready board for this area first. We both were told to call in later. We pulled our trucks out of the docks and parked them out of the way. We went into the building again and he called in to dispatch and he had a load to Michigan from the plant we were at. It was a sixteen stop tire load. He was upset as all those drops and not many miles. He complained and dispatch told him to live with it!! I should have had that load as I was number 1 on the ready board and when I called in I had no assignment. He said the the company was upset with him and I don't remember anymore of why. He went to another door to get loaded. I called in and was given a load of fenders to pick up in Marion, Indiana going to the auto plant in Kansas City, Kansas.
I left for Marion on Hwy 24 west and took Hwy 930 through Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Got on I-69 south and took Hwy 18 west to Marion. Found the plant on the west side of town and backed into the dock and then checked in at 10:30 AM EST. I was loaded by 11 AM and back on Hwy 18 east by 11:10 AM EST. Continued down I-69 to I-465 south. Got to I-70 and went west through Indianapolis and stopped at our fuel stop at Mooresville, Indiana. This fuel stop was good as they fueled us and we didn't have to log the fueling...we didn't do it. I got 138 gallons and then started west on I-70 again. Stopped in Effingham, Illinois to eat at 2:45 PM CST. I ate with a couple drivers from my company. After eating I left and continued on I-70. Got to I-270 over St. Louis and followed it into Missouri where I caught I-70 west again. I stopped in Kingdom City, Missouri for the night...
June 3, 2010
June 3, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Gas City, Indiana)
Another day of not much happening. Left Gas City about 10 AM EST and went to Ft. Wayne, Indiana where I had to take Hwy 930 through the city(I-469 not built in 1990) to Hwy 24. Got through New Haven(on Hwy 24) where I stopped at a convenient store at 11:30 AM EST with some truck parking. I really liked this place as they had large concrete blocks that I enjoyed sitting on, eating chips & dips and just watching things go on.
The tire factory which I deliver to tomorrow isn't further than 10 or so miles from where I was at.
I stayed here until tomorrow. I got some chicken from the store and spent most the day in my tractor...
Another day of not much happening. Left Gas City about 10 AM EST and went to Ft. Wayne, Indiana where I had to take Hwy 930 through the city(I-469 not built in 1990) to Hwy 24. Got through New Haven(on Hwy 24) where I stopped at a convenient store at 11:30 AM EST with some truck parking. I really liked this place as they had large concrete blocks that I enjoyed sitting on, eating chips & dips and just watching things go on.
The tire factory which I deliver to tomorrow isn't further than 10 or so miles from where I was at.
I stayed here until tomorrow. I got some chicken from the store and spent most the day in my tractor...
June 2, 2010
June 2, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Mooresville, Indiana)
Got up at 9 AM EST as I was in no hurry. Went in and ate breakfast and took off around 10:30 AM EST. Took I-70 east through Indianapolis to I-465 which I took north. Grabbed I-69 north to Gas City, Indiana where there was a big convenient store with alot of truck parking. I parked at 11 AM EST and went into the store and got a bunch of munchies and some soda(soft drinks in Canada) There was another driver that I talked to for a short time and then went to my tractor. I stayed there until tomorrow...
Got up at 9 AM EST as I was in no hurry. Went in and ate breakfast and took off around 10:30 AM EST. Took I-70 east through Indianapolis to I-465 which I took north. Grabbed I-69 north to Gas City, Indiana where there was a big convenient store with alot of truck parking. I parked at 11 AM EST and went into the store and got a bunch of munchies and some soda(soft drinks in Canada) There was another driver that I talked to for a short time and then went to my tractor. I stayed there until tomorrow...
June 1, 2010
June 1, 1990, 2010
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-traveling)
As my day started, I passed Onward, Mississippi(Yep, the town is named Onward.) on my trip up Hwy 61 toward Memphis, Tennessee.
As I traveled up Hwy 61 in the earlier hours, the traffic was NOTHING!!! All the red lights were stopping me and I could see almost all the time that there was NO cross traffic!!! I GOT SO IRRITATED THAT I RAN THE RED LIGHTS THAT I KNEW WERE SAFE!!!
I got to our terminal in Memphis, Tennessee at 4 AM CST. I just parked my truck and went to sleep. I got up around noon CST and checked in with dispatch. They said to keep my load and I said I would. I filled my tanks(196 gallon) and took off at 1:15 PM CST. I went up Hwy 51 around the Arkansas/Mississippi border into Kentucky. In Kentucky I took the Julian M Carroll (state senator) Parkway to I-65 south. I-65 south went to Wendell H Ford(state senator) Western Kentucky Parkway which I took east to the Edward T. Breathitt(Kentucky former governor) Parkway. I took the Edward T. Breathitt Parkway into Evansville, Indiana and hooked onto Hwy 41 north. I-164 wasn't built yet in 1990 and so I had to go through all the red lights of Evansville...I hate it!!!
I stayed on Hwy 41 where I found the terrain average to Terre Haute, Indiana. At Terre Haute, I took I-70 east to the truckstop at Exit 59(Mooresville), getting there around 10:45 PM EST.
I finished out the night here...
As my day started, I passed Onward, Mississippi(Yep, the town is named Onward.) on my trip up Hwy 61 toward Memphis, Tennessee.
As I traveled up Hwy 61 in the earlier hours, the traffic was NOTHING!!! All the red lights were stopping me and I could see almost all the time that there was NO cross traffic!!! I GOT SO IRRITATED THAT I RAN THE RED LIGHTS THAT I KNEW WERE SAFE!!!
I got to our terminal in Memphis, Tennessee at 4 AM CST. I just parked my truck and went to sleep. I got up around noon CST and checked in with dispatch. They said to keep my load and I said I would. I filled my tanks(196 gallon) and took off at 1:15 PM CST. I went up Hwy 51 around the Arkansas/Mississippi border into Kentucky. In Kentucky I took the Julian M Carroll (state senator) Parkway to I-65 south. I-65 south went to Wendell H Ford(state senator) Western Kentucky Parkway which I took east to the Edward T. Breathitt(Kentucky former governor) Parkway. I took the Edward T. Breathitt Parkway into Evansville, Indiana and hooked onto Hwy 41 north. I-164 wasn't built yet in 1990 and so I had to go through all the red lights of Evansville...I hate it!!!
I stayed on Hwy 41 where I found the terrain average to Terre Haute, Indiana. At Terre Haute, I took I-70 east to the truckstop at Exit 59(Mooresville), getting there around 10:45 PM EST.
I finished out the night here...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)