October 30, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Tulia, Texas)
The sun was starting to peek over the horizon as I and Peachy Pie--the driver I started running with yesterday--were getting ready to get moving. We both went into the convienence store and I got some munchies. We were gone south on I-27 by 7 AM CST with no real hurry; our loads weren't due in El Paso until tomorrow. We got to Lubbock(Texas) and took the 289 loop around the northwest corner to Hwy 62. We stayed on Hwy 62 through Seminole(Texas)--home of the smallest Wal-Mart store I had seem--into New Mexico, through Carlsbad(didn't call my girl friend I had there), past the land of Matilda the Witch(see Feb 10, 1990 or witches below), back into Texas and into El Paso. Peachy Pie and I had enjoyed the whole trip while we chatted on the CB radio on channel 29 and let the miles, and scenery, fly by. We got to our El Paso terminal, and checked in with dispatch, at 2:30 PM MST. We both had to drop our loaded trailers in the yard as they were going into Mexico. We both got on the TRB --him first--and had loads out within 30 minutes. I had to pick a trailer up--going to St. Paul, Minnesota--at the shipper so I bobtailed over and got it after fueling(119 gallons). No one was at the pickup point when I got there and I had a minor problem.. I had paperwork saying the the load was 20 pallets and I had 22--I was able to check load as the doors were not sealed. I took the trailer back to the termianl and weighed the load--the paperwork said 35,000 lbs and I had 39,000 lbs. I took the siotuation to the local dispatcher at the terminal and he just crossed out the 20 and wrote in 22. Tony--the dispatcher--initialed it and I was gone!!! I left on Hwy 54 north and got to Sant Rosa, New Mexico after traveling through the lands of beautiful latin architecture at 9 PM MST. Since I was in violation of the 10 hour rule, I decided to spent the night at our fuel stop...Oh yes; I was to swap this load out in Kansa City, Missouri at our terminal and take a couple days off...

April 29, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Hoe hum...woke up in our dropyard this Monday morning. I hadn't set my alarm clock and got up at 8:20 AM CST. I called dispatch and they had a load to El Paso, Texas for me. To get the load, I had to deadhead to Tulsa(Oklahoma). I got off the phone and found the driver standing by me had the same load(same pickup and delivery) so we decided to run around with each other . "Peachie Pie"(his "handle") knew where we were picking our loads up at so I followed him to the pick up. We stopped at our Oklahoma City fuel stop and fueled(me?--179 gallons) and then headed for Tulsa. We got to the pickup point and were both loaded by noon CST. We left Tulsa on I-44 and headed for Oklahoma City, where we picked up I-40 going west. We stopped for a short break at the pickle park near Clinton(Oklahoma) and hit the road again. We got to Amarillo, Texas for dinner at the "Just a Truckstop" at a little before 6:15 PM CST. At dinner, we decided to go through Lubbock, Texas and Carlsbad, New Mexico to get to El Paso. It was close to 8 PM CST that we got back in our trucks and took off toward Lubbock. We stopped at a convienent store with "roomy" truck parking at Tulia, Texas and decided to take our 8 hour break there....Day ended as I snored away in Tulia.

April 28, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Sunday morning started with me watching movies at the "Just a Truckstop". I got back to our Oklahoma City dropyard at 1:30 AM CST, turned on my TV and went to sleep. I slept until about 10 AM CST and then got up. No big deal today. Called dispatch with hopes of leaving Oklahoma City but was told that I would be here until tomorrow as nothing to assign. Talked with an occasional driver, typed and watch TV all "boring" day.

SECOND 5 YEARS:(Working for a company that cares)
I worked for a meat hauling company out of Olathe, Kansas(I only put this in as many may be able to figure out the company's name--it was, and I am sure it still is. a good company to work for). I had a full load of hamburger rejected at an Alabama warehouse because the meat plant had put CO2 tablets in the meat to cool the meat down and hadn't let the tablet dissolve all the way before sealing the bags. The CO2, they claimed, makes the meat look older then it was. For this reason, the grocery warehouse didn't want the meat. I sat around until until about 2 PM CST until the meat company could find another buyer, which they then sold it to at a discount. This all happened on a Thursday and I had put my request--rather strongly--in for being in Kingdom City, Missouri on, or before, Saturday. This request was for dropping my second son--who was riding with me--off with his Mother. Well, the meat got resold to a warehouse in North Wilksboro, North Carolina. I was to deliver it Friday AM and I once again told my dispatcher or my request. Friday morning I was at the warehouse and they didn't get me unloaded until about 3:30 PM EST. I then learned that it was the company's policy to get the refrigeration unit checked out after each rejected load just to make sure the mistake wasn't our problem. When I got unloaded and called dispatch, they told me that I had to take the trailer to the trailer service place in Charlotte, North Carolina where they were waiting to check out the efficency of the trailer. They weren't too happy about hanging around on a Friday night but they did their job well. It had to be 6:30 PM EST when they got done. I was really down as there was no way I would get a load at this time on a Friday night; maybe not the whole weekend either. I called dispatch when the trailer was finished and the dispatcher told me that he had the orders to deadhead me to Kingdom City, Missouri, at full pay, for Saturday. We left and stopped the night at "Just a Truckstop" in Knoxville, Tennessee. Saturday morning we left Knoxville early, stopping in Paducah, Kentucy for fuel, and arrived in Kindom City before the sun went down. I dropped off my son and then called dispatch. They deadheaded me to Olathe, Kansas for Sunday...They may have done this as I always tried to help them out when they had a problem, even if it was not in my best interest...

April 27, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-travelin')
My day started with me somewhere about 30 or 45 minutes inside Texas. I was not paying much attention to anything but the drive; it was sooo nice this morning. The moon was so big and bright(reminded me of the song about the moon so big and bright deep in the heart of Texas...and Oklahoma???) and made the scenery extremely great to look at Went through Amarillo and stopped at our fuel stop just to check my tires with my tire thumper (I had a haz-mat load--see the last few days). Was back on the road shortly heading for Oklahoma City. Time went by so fast that it seemed like I hadn't traveled much to Oklahoma City. I got there at 5:30 AM CST. The load was due at our Oklahoma City dropyard at 6 AM CST so I got another load to destination on time. It wasn't due at the auto plant until Monday morning so why in our yard by 6 AM??? I didn't know: I just did what I was told. I dropped the trailer in the yard and called dispatch. Was told I would probibly by in Oklahoma City until Monday(and I was). I went to sleep and slept until mid-afternoon. When I got up, I was alone in the yard so I drove to the "Just a truckstopp" for dinner and movies. As my day ended, I was watching "Gone in 60 Seconds"....hoe hum....

April 26, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Kingman, Arizona)
I was up at 3 AM PST(Arizona non-daylight savings time) and went into the truckstop store. At 3 AM PST they had three turkey legs to sell. I talked a minute or two about the legs and the clerk said she would sell me all three of them for the price of one--would write off the two as thrown away. I never mined "chewy" meat. I went back to my truck and did a vehicle inspection with the tire thumper(used every two hours with my haz-mat load of ready-to-go auto batteries). Updated my log book and I was heading east on I-40 by 4 AM PST. Beautiful big moon this morning. Traveling east through the desert and them climbing to Flagstaff(Arizonia) in all the pine trees as the sun came up in front of me. I had moments with the brightness of the sun but survived. After Flagstaff, I decended back down into a desert terraine. Stopped for a short break and tire check at the Two Guns(Arizona) rest area. Continued into New Mexico and found it snowing lightly. No CB radio talk of bad conditions ahead of me so I kept going. The snow quit as I approached Milan, New Mexica. I traveled right through Alberquerque and into the upper desert. I decided to stop for my big break at our Santa Rosa fuel stop. I did stop at 2 PM MST and just laid down and slept. I slept to 8:30 PM MST and went into in reastaurant. I ate, did a vehicle inspection and then "hit" the superslab. The moon was full most the night as I started driving east at 10 PM MST. I was enjoying the ride and the radio and just noticed when I slipped into Texas. As my day ended, I guess I was about 30 or 45 minutes into Texas. I write "guess" as I wasn't paying attention to the clock even though I should have, having a haz-mat load...

April 25, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Anaheim, California)
I checked in with the battery plant guard at 7:30 AM PST and he checked his schedule with the pickup number I was given; my pickup time was 10 AM PST. He told me where to park and then I could check in with shipping. I did as instructed and shipping said to back up to the dock as they had my load ready....doesn't happen every day...I was loaded with auto batteries that were ready to put in vehicles and use...Having the acid in them, the load became a "hazard material" load, or haz-mat, and had to have placards(18 in square material identification) on each of the trailers four sides. Being haz-mat, I also had to stop at least every two hours of driving and check the trucks tires--tires with low pressure have a tendency of becoming hotter than others...I was out of the plant be 9:30 AM PST and getting "out of town" was easy; Hwy 91 east to I-15 north. I climbed the trucker famous Cajon Pass and the California scales were closed. I climbed the Cajon Pass into the upper california desert. Followed I-15 to Barstow(California) through the desert that I love to travel through. At Barstow, I got on I-40 east and drove through the 150+miles of desert to Arizona. I stopped in Kingman(Arizona) at the "Just a Truckstop" for fuel(157 gallons). While I was fueling, I decided to stay here for the rest of the day as I have plenty of time. It was 4 PM PST(Arizona non-daylight savings time) when I went in to eat and watch a movie--in their movie room--or two...I was back in my truck by 7 AM PST listening to my radio, writing and preparing to go to sleep.....

April 24, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Hayward, California)

I slept light last night and was woken two times before dawn by trucks-not semis going into the receivers. The first was at 4 AM PST and that truck was apparently taking on delivery stuff. The second was at 5:30 AM PST and they were delivering. These two trucks looked like they did this daily. At 7:30 AM PST the people I needed started showing up. Shortly before 8 AM PST a fellow came out and told me to back into the out door dock I had noticed yesterday. I had to pull up next to it and then wiggle my truck back and forth for a good 15 minutes to get to the dock-see pictures-and when I did I noticed my doors where shut. Luckily I just had to pull up and open them...The receiver got me unloaded of the rolls of cable wire and then came the strangest ofter to help me that I beleave I have even gotten...Because the dock is so difficult to wiggle the trailer in and out of, they--the unloader--offered to pick up my trailer-after I unhook it--with their huge forktruck and move it-the trailer--over so I can rehook and judt drive out. I thought for a few seconds and decided not to have them do it. I could see me calling my company and telling them that this company had "dropped" my trailer because I didn't want to do my job.........It wiggled my unit out and once out the gate called dispatch at 9:30 PM PST. Dispatch told me to call back in an hour. I left for the main roads so I could find a truckstop. The CB radio channel 19 didn't help much as I didn't hear much on it and thus didn't talk to anyone. California CB radio, I believe, WAS handled on channels 15 & 17; one for northern and one for southern California. I was not familiar at all with this area so I just drove until I found a restaurant with street truck parking. I found a spot to parellel park--on the blind side--and was happy I did. I went into the restauant and called dispatch; they had a load for me. I was to go to Anaheim, California for a tomorrow pickup of auto batteries to be dropped in our Oklahoma City, Oklahoma dropyard. I was glad to get going!!! I took I-580 east to I-5 south. Went right down through the San Joaquin Valley. Went through the scale & check station--no problems-- before climbing the Grapevine(see yesterday) into the mountains. Stayed on I-5 into the 2+hours of "population" city through Los Aneles to Anahein. Found the shipper for tomorrow close to I-5. I was there around 6 PM PST only because the Los Angeles traffic slowed me up alot. I lived in this area for years so I drove around for awhile just looking around. Went back to the battery plant and the guard told me that I could park in the furniture warehouse parking lot across the street for the night. I did. I did what I usually did; typed, wrote and watched TV before falling asleep. ..

April 23, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Ehrenberg, Arizona)
Was awake and working on my logbook at 4 AM PST. I looked at my road Atlas and changed my mind on the way I was going. I had originally thought about going past Tehachapi, California and then going down into the San Joaquin Valley on the steep Hwy 58 downgrade. Looking at the atlas, I decided to take I-10 in into Los Angeles. Got past the Banning, California weight scales(and inspection station) without getting inspected--I got the "go" light. Around Banning, I started the 2 hour drive through "population" city. Followed I-10 to I-210 and then took it west. I grew up in this stretch and so took my time looking around as I drove. I got to I-5 and took it north. Coming close to the San Joaquin Valley I had to take the steep grade down called the Grapevine, (it's steeper than the video looks). My company didn't put jake breaks on their trucks so I had to take the down grades slow and easy. Just my one trip down, I saw a few trucks with smoking breaks. At the bottom, I picked up speed again and was on my way. Stopped at our fuel stop in Bakersfield and fueled(152 gallons). I called my Dad--I called him yesterday and told him I was coming--to see if he had left his home and apparently had as no one answered. I got back on I-5 and headed north to Kettleman City(California). My Dad and I had agreed to meet at the Kettleman City truckstop. We had figured a meeting time and I was an hour early, getting there at noon PST. My Dad and step-Mother arrived at 12:30 PM PST and I was sitting in my driver's seat when they got there. We had a nice lunch and visit and I was back on I-5 heading north by 2:45 PM PST. I got to exit 403--Hwy 152--and when west toward Gilroy(California). Hwy 152 made for a nice ride as the scenery was fantastic. Got to Hwy 101 and went north to I-880. Followed I-880 to Hayward and then followed the directions I was given. Had a little difficulty finding the place but found it. The time was 6:30 PM PST and I walked around for a short time. The one dock I saw was an outdoor dock and looked like a hard back. Anyway, I went back to my truck, watched TV, wrote and went to sleep...Tomorrow, the strangest offer to help me I've ever received.

April 22, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-El Paso, Texas)
Woke several times through the night and just rolled over and went back to sleep. Finally got up at 5:30 AM MST and walked around for about an hour. The employees started showing up at 7 AM MST and I checked in. At 8 AM MST, I was backed into an outside dock and they started unloading me. I went and watched the unloading. They were rolling the rolls of cable out of the trailer. They had trouble with one roll-reason unknown--and I helped them. For helping them, they brough me a soda(soft drink in Canada). After they got off their cables at 9:15 AM MST, I made sure the rolls of the Hayward, California cables were secure and them shut and padlocked the trailer doors. I went to our El Paso terminal and fueled(106 gallons). While at the terminal, I talked with the other drivers for awhile, leaving west on I-10 at 10:30 AM MST. Traveled through El Paso--looking to my left, Mexico was right there with the river able to be walked across in most places--, past Anthony(home of "Ol El Paso" brand foods) and then into New Mexico. After Las Cruces(New Mexico), the interstate was great for just cruising around--flat and goes for mile after mile--with mountain ranges to the south. The flat great "crusin' " ends when entering Arizona. Stopped for a short break at the rest area(Texas Canyon rest area) near Dragoon, Arizonz where the mountains all around are covered with huge bounders. Onto the "Just a Truckstop" near Casa Grande(Arizona) where I stopped for a eary dinner(3:45 PM PST-Arizonz time). Left west again on I-10 around 5 PM PST traveling to, and through, the Phoenix area. I stopped for fuel(got tomorrow and combined the fuel intake and vehicle inspection times) and for the night at our fuel stop in Ehrenberg, Arizona. Before going to sleep, I went in and called my Dad at Santa Maria, California and told him I would be coming close to him. He said that he and my Step Mom would come and see me as they had time. We picked Kettleman City(California) as it showed a truckstop in my truckstop book. Bought some munchies and went to bed...Tomorrow: Tehachapi downgrade and no jake break...

April 21, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Carlsbad, New Mexico)
Slept in truck parked next to Wal-Mart. Pickuped for church by my friend Nina at 8:30 AM MST. After church, went to her home and had lunch with her and her daughter. I left Carlsbad after the typical--and required--vehicle inspection and logbook update. Time was 3:15 PM MST as I left Carlsbad west on Hwy 180. I passed Whites City(New Mexico), entrance point for the Carlsbd Caverns, and then passed the area I always think of as the "land of Matilda the Witch"(see Feb. 10, 1990). Traveled over the Guadalupe Mountains, past the pickle park with a most spectaular view(can see on Google's road following views) and down into the Texas desert. The drive through the desert to El Paso was very pleasant, though very windy, and got to the receiver at 7 PM MST. The receiver had a minimum crew working but none who could unload me. I parked where I was told to and then took a walk around the area. Beautiful evening and I watched my new TV until I went to sleep. A Trucker's Tale:(dangerous, icy roads) I had gotten to the receiver the night before delivery in Enfield, Connecticut. I was too late to be unloaded so I shut down for the night as the unloading personnel had gone home. Shortly after I shut down, another truck from my company pulled in. The weather was cold and miserable so I didn't socialize and just stayed confortable in my truck. The next day I talked with the other driver. He was still shaken up from what he had experienced before he got to Enfield. He said that he had just gotten on I-91, out of Hartfort(Connecticutt), and the roads were icy and slick. A small sports car--low to the ground--was coming up on the driver's side rather fast. The truck driver had his eyes on the car when it got up to the trailer and, for some reason, it went into a spin on the icy roads. The little car slid under the driver's trailer and then out the passenger's side. The car kept going and disappearred. The driver said that he just about had a heart attack and he pulled over when it was safe to check for damage. No damage to the traiiler was noted but to the driver???? his nerves!!!

April 20, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Lancaster, Texas)
Spent the night at Great Western Inn(provided me with a nice, clean room) as my company paid $20.00/day for a motel room. I wanted to get going as I had plans of meeting a girl friend in Carlsbad, New Mexico for dinner. I left the motel at 5:15 PM CST and after a logbook update and vehicle inspection I left for El Paso(Texas), going through Carlsbad, at a little after 6 AM CST. I had a load of huge rolls of wire cable making my weight not too heavy at 38, 340 lbs. This load yielded a question that the Hayward, California customer(final drop) asked that I never have forgot...not a serious question, just strange...will relate it on April 24, 1991. Anyway, I went west on I-20. The route along I-20 was pretty flat but for the one spot that I always had to downshift two gears to get over was a little strip of superslab east of Abilene(not the "Abilene" cattle were taken to during the cattle drives. That was Abilene, Kansas). Got past Sweetwater(Texas) and took Hwy 84 northwest to Synder(Texas) where I stopped at Diary Queen(always stop here) for a raspberry-banana malt(big one) to start with. Since it was getting close to noon CST(11 AM CST) I had the lunch special along with the malt, eating it while driving(not the safest way to eat). I continued west on Hwy 180 and stopped in Seminole(Texas) at the smallest Wal-Mart store I can remember seeing. My TV in the truck had been having volume problems and I stopped to see if I could get another one from the guarantee I had. I walked out with a new TV. I continued into New Mexico and had to stop at their Point of Entry. Found my permits OK for New Mexico. Continued to Carlsbad where I parked in the dirt lot next to Wal-Mart. I was going to call Nina_-my girlfriend there--but I found her waiting for me; she knew where I was going to park and figured my approximate time of arrival. I got there a little before 3:30 PM MST. She wanted to go to a Chinese restaurant and so we did. After that it was the movies. After a nice evening, she took me back to the truck and would pick me up tomorow for tomorrow's activities. It was a great evening but I must admit, I ready wanted to know how my new TV was working. I tried it out and I picked up one channel nicely; I watched it and went to sleep...

April 19, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Newport, Arkansas)
My alarm clock went off at 1 AM CST and my new day had started. After up dating my logbook and doing a fast vehicle inspection, I was heading south on Hwy 67 a little before 1 :30 AM CST. Enjoyed the drive through Arkansas and it went by uneventful. I got to Little Rock, Arkansas and took I-30 southwest toward Texas. Rolled into Texas, stopping just past New Boston(Texas) at the interstate pickle park for a short break. Onto Carrollton, Texas by taking I-30 to I-635(northwest) and then to I-35E(north). Got to carrollton at 8:30 AM CST and checked in with the receiver. Since I had no appointment--none needed--and they had a dock open, they had me back up to it and unloaded me. Under unloaded, I went across the street to a donut shop, bought four jelly donuts and called local dispatch. They told me to come to the terminal. I was at the terminal in Lancaster at 11 AM CST and let dispatch know I was there. They had a load for me and asked if I wanted it. I took it. It had two deliveries: first in El Paso(Texas) Monday and Hayward, California for Wednesday. Since it was Friday and I had to be in El Paso Monday, I got a motel room for the night. Called my girl friend in Carlsbad, New Mexico and told her I would be there tomorrow night....A Trucker's Tale:(mine-a trailer tire blow out) While traveling north on Hwy 71 south of Kansas City, Missouri, I was just happily heading north when I heard--loud--one my my rear tires blow. Our company had been using recap tires on all but the steering tires. Well, the tire blew and a voice came over the CB radio. A driver behind me said that the tire tread totally came off, went under the mud flap and flew over--missing--the car between me and him. He then went over my tread. He said that there were two women in that car and that he bet I scared them pretty good. My company eventually did away with the "using" recap policy.

April 18, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Monrovia, Indiana) The sun was trying to make it's appearance when I woke without aide of my alarm clock. I was up and not really feeling like eating so I did my vehicle inspection and updated my logbook. Before leaving the truckstop, I walked around the parking lot as I just felt like it. I found myself pulling out on I-40 westbound a little before 6 AM EST. Crossed into Illinois and onto Effingham(Illinois) where I stopped for breakfast at our fuel stop at 7:15 AM CST. I walked into the restaurant portion of the stop and found three drivers from my company; I didn't know any of them when I sat down. After the breakfast buffet and nice conversation with the other drivers, I hit the I-40 superslab again. Crossed over the Mississippi River and switched to I-55 south while in St. Louis. I was on I-55 southbound under an hour before talking Hwy 67 south.toward Arkansas. The trip so far was just OK. When I got past the Arkansas state scales (Corning, Arkansas) the terraine got interesting, at least for me. The rains had caused the streams to overflow and the roads were elevated over those fields. I felt like, before going past Pocahontas(Arkansas) I was driving on pontoon bridges; water covering the lands on both sides of the road. I got to Newport(Arkansas) and the time was close to 4 PM CST. I thought I would be able to make it to our Lancaster terminal to fuel but I didn't want to chance it; I got 50 gallons of fuel--to be safe--at our Newport fuel stop. I also decided to stay here for my break and I would start out tomorrow AM. No truckstop TV room and not much of anything to do. My TV got one station so I left it on and dosed off with my alarm clock set for 1 AM tomorrow...Tomorrow: Another "tire blowout" experience

April 17, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Taylor, Michigan) Slept well last night but was up and in the terminal here in Taylor at 7:45 AM EST. Just checking in and hoping that dispatch will tell me to drop the load--it's not scheduled for delivery until 6 PM EST tonight--and go with another. Well, dispatch told me to deliver the load NOW as it was just a "drop and hook" at the Chrysler plant in Detroit(Michigan). I delivered and was back at the terminal by 11 AM EST. I checked in with dispatch at Taylor and was given a load to Carrollton, Texas. I immediately got on the load by hooking up, doing a vehiche inspection(had to do a brake adjustment on the trailer) and fueling(105 gallons). My goal was to stop in New Haven, Indiana at one of my favorite convienent stores with truck parking. Was heading south on I-75 by noon EST. Shortly after getting into Ohio, I took I-475 west, then south to Hwy 24. Traveled through Waterville(Ohio)--home of beautiful Christmas street lights--and past Antwerp(Ohio)--home of the most(hopefully no longer) worthless stoplight in the country--and into Indiana. Got to my first goal, New Haven, Indiana, and stopped at the convienent store I like at 3 PM EST. I got some slsa and chips and sat on their large concrete blocks and watched the traffic go by. Break over...on through Fort Wayne, Indiana (I-469 not built yet)and down I-69 toward Indianapolis. Right through Indianapolis to I-70 west bound. I stopped at our fuel stop at Monrovia(Indiana) at 7 PM EST for the night. I walked into the restaurant to see if I knew anyone and I didn't. Went back to my truck and watched my TV until I went to sleep. Note: On this run from Detriot area to the Dallas area, I usually go through Nashville and Louisville(Tennessee) to Little Rock(Arkansas). This time, I just wanted to do it differently...and I did.

April 16, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Antioch, Tennessee) I was on the TRB for the Nashville area and had to call in every hour to see if I had a load assigned to me. I did at the 10 AM check call , 1 PM CST pickup at the Nashville Ford glass plant and. This load was going to the Chrysler assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan (note: often in business, companies will make parts for competitors). I was at the plant on the westside of town at noon CST. I checked in and they had me backed into the loading dock by 1:15 PM CST. The loading went fast as the load was waiting for me and a dock to load it. I was out of the plant by 1:45 PM CST and on my way. On I-40 east to I-65 north. The route was so well know to me that I didn't even take time to look at my map the whole trip. Up into Kentucky and past the Corvette assembly plant--off of I-65--in Bowling Green(Kentucky). Onward to Shepherdsville(Kentucky) where I stopped a short time to get two dozen White Castle burgers. Then on to Louisville where I caught I-71 northeast in the downtown area. I-71 joined up with I-75 northbound and I headed for Cincinnati, Ohio. A steep grade caused the law to make it illegal for the bigger trucks like mine to go over Ohio River northbound. I had to take I-275 a short distrance to I-471 north over the Ohio River. Got on I-71 sorthwest a short distance to I-75 north. Traveling north on I-75, I stopped at the truckstop at Monroe(Ohio) as they had ice cream bars I can't "live" without; I bought 4 of them and ate them one after the other as I went north toward Toledo, Ohio. Up past Toledo and into Michigan, getting to Taylor at midnight EST...Tomorrow? going into Canada??? not uncommon...

April 15, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Commerce, Georgia) I was awake at 6 AM EST and went into the truckstop for breakfast. I was at the receiver("The Pottery") at 7:45 AM EST and checked in. They had me back into one of three docks in the back of the store. FRUSTRATION ALL DAY....I got backed to the dock with no problem but they didn't start unloading me until after 8:30 AM EST. I was really feeling like "GOING" but they unloaded me so slowly. I watched some of my TV, did all my paperwork, walked around the parking area(walking off frustration) and went in to check how they were doing at 11:30 AM EST. I could feel them walking around in the trailer but didn't know how far along they were. THEY WERE ALMOST HALF A TRAILOR DONE!!! I watched them and they were taking things out of the trailer, putting price tags on them and then taking and stocking them on the sales floor. Oh yes, what did I haul here??? All kinds(in the 100s) of Mexican make stuff you find sitting around a person's yard or house. I could have pulled my hair out!!! I was told that they usually get the trailer unloaded by 4 or 4:30 PM EST...4:30 PM EST was this day's completion time. FINALLY....I called dispatch when empty and my paperwork was signed and dispatch told me to deadhead to Nashville, Tennessee. I took off southwest on I-85 toward Atlanta, Georgia. At the east side of Atlanta I took I-285 north and west to I-75 and then went north to Chattanooga, Tennessee. At Chattanooga, I got onto I-24 and headed toward Nashville. I stopped at our fuel stop at Monteagle, Tennessee(Rocky Top) and fueled(131 gallons) at 8 PM CST. I stopped at Antioch, Tennessee(below Nashville) at 10 PM CST for the night. I called dispatch and got on the Nashville, Tennessee TRB and was ready to get moving tomorrow...

April 14, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Valley, Alabama)
Had a bad night of sleep and finally got up At 4 AM CST(I was sitting right on the time zone line for the EST and CST). I got up and walked around the truck parking area. The skies were dark as the moon was just a thin sliver in the morning sky. Did my vehicle inspection and logbook update before heading east on I-85 into Georgia. I was just taking my time and got to the loop(I-285) around Altanta(Georgia) just after 6:45 AM EST. NOW THE QUESTION......Should I go through the downtown of Atlanta or take the loop??? Take the loop and I don't get to see the downtown area which I would love to see or go through downtown and possibly get stopped by some law enforcement officer for not following the law of trucks using the loop. I thought about it long before getting to the loop and thought I could get through downtown because of little traffic--being Sunday. Then again--being Sunday--the law enforcement might have little to do and would be looking for something to keep them busy....me going inside the loop. I decided to take the loop along the southeast side of Atlanta. Long loop as I was a good 30 minutes on it before hitting I-85 northeast again. Away from Atlanta I sped. I got to Commerce, Georgia at 7:15 AM EST and found a great parking spot for my rig in the truck parking. After parking, I walked into the truckstop(the big 76) building and asked about the place I was to unload tomorrow. Was told the "Pottery" was only a couple blocks off the interstate and that I could easily walk to it from here. Went back to my tractor and laid down and napped. I slept until about 11 AM EST, got up and went back into the truckstop where they had a great breakfast--changing to lunch when I got there-buffet. Ate well before spending the day watching my TV and typing on my computer....A Trucker's Tale(obviously not true but I found it cute): I heard this while traveling through Louisiana one day. A driver said he was trying to sleep at one of the rest areas one night when he heard a scratching on the roof of his sleeper. The scratching continued and made him very curious as to what it was. He quietly got up and sat in his passenger seat and quietly rolled down the window and struck his head out as the scatching continued. Looking at the top of his sleeper, he saw two Louisiana Mosquitoes--wing span each of a good 10 feet--trying to scratch a hole in his sleeper. He then head one mosquito say to the other, "When we get the driver, should we eat him here or take him with us?". The second mosquito said,"Eat 'em here because if we take him with us, the big boys will take him away from us."...

April 13, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Jennings, Louisiana)
Woke up by me just wanting to get up as alarm clock was not set. No real hurry so I got moving east on I-10 at 8:30 AM CST. Started out the miles and miles and miles and miles of interstate going over the swamps of Louisiana. When I got to Baton Rouge, Louisiana I took I-12 east stopping at the "Just a Truckstop" in Hammond(Louisiana). I fueled(131 gallons) and had the lunch buffet before leaving east bound again. When I-12 terminated at I-10, I took I-10 once again and ended up going through Mississippi and into Alabama. At Mobile(Alabama) I took I-65 north. The scenery was appearing pleasant to beautiful this morning and early afternoon. Got to our fuel stop in Montgomery, Alabama and had to stop as they had a couple munchies I liked and so I bought four of them(some type of tasty "meat" thing). I thought about fueling but decided to hold off. I was off east on I-85 and got to a truckstop at Valley(Alabama) at 7:30 PM CST where I decided to shut it down for the night. My TV had very poor TV reception and so I didn't watch it. Just laid there listening to the radio and went to sleep...Tomorrow...A Trucker's Tale I heard that I really don't believe. It's about Louiaina mosquites.

April 12, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS: (Friday-Laredo, Texas) I was up and going at 7:30 AM CST. I walked into the terminal building and saw my TRB number was 28 and so I checked with dispatch about the approximate time I would get a load. I was told that it would be this afternoon most likely. I then got in my tractor and went to the Morten's home and found Pam home. I gave her the bouquet I picked in Missouri a couple days ago. Cathy, who lived down the street from the Mortens. wasn't home so I just left her flowers at her front door with a "Guess who" note. Went to the big supermarket and got more munchies before heading back to the terminal. My favorite chinese restaurant was almost open so I waited for it and then had lunch. Back to the terminal and found that I wasn't too far from getting a load. I waited until just before 1 PM CST and then dispatch called my number. They had two loads; one to Nshville, Tennessee and the other to Commerce, Georgia...I took Commerce, Georgia. I hooked up, did a vehicle inspection and double checked my trailer number against the paperwork. I was in a hurry to get going though I didn't need to be. I headed out of town 1:30 PM CST at on Hwy 59 toward Houston. I was stopped at the border patrol check point and I had no problem. After the check point and miles before getting to Freer(Texas) I went through miles of white bufferflies. Though it was kinda pretty and made me feel spring was here, I feared that the bufferflies would block the air from going through my raditor. When I got to Freer, I stopping at the convienence store I liked that had truck parking and checked the front of the radiator for "butterfly" blockage. I had watched my engine temperature closer than normal to Freer but found flew butterflies when I checked after parking. Since I was parked, I went in and bought three ice cream bars before heading toward Houston again. At 6:30 PM CST I stopped for a short break at Kendleton, Texas and then headed toward Houston again. I took Hwy 59 right into Houston and hooked up with I-10 eastbound(I never had fear of the downtown areas like some drivers did). I continued into Louisiana and stopped for the night at the rest area outside of Jennings(Louisiana) at 10:45 PM CST...

April 11, 1991,2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-traveling) As the ole day started, I was ending my driving. Just before 12:30 AM EST I pulled off into the rest area outside Simms, Texas on I-30. I was tire and legally out of hours. I dicided on this stop as I should be able to get to Laredo(Texas) within my next legal driving time. I went to sleep and had an adequate sleep period at the best. I was up at 8 AM CST eating munching while updating my logbook. After my vehicle inspection, I was off west on I-30(8:30 AM CST). This stretch was somewhat "scenery friendly" until going past Greenville, Texas when the scenery becomes nice to "sleep through". Scenery becomes more friendy as I approached and went over the L. Ray Hubbard Lake on the east side of the Dallas(Texas) area. After the lake crossing, I grabbed I-635 south to I-20. I ended up at our terminal in Lancaster(Texas) that was located near the intersection of I-20 & I-35E. I wasn't there long as I fueled(164 Gallons), checked in with local dispatch and then left south on I-35E. Straight south past where I-35E & I-35W come together and then down past Austin, Texas where I took the upper level of the duel level interstate. I stopped at "Just a Truckstop" in San Antonio, Texas for fuel(41 gallons--don't like the fuel stop in Laredo, Texas) and to grab a bite --well, alot of bites--to eat(had the barfet). I then left for the long(I enjoy this 160 mile latin scenery ride usually, but tody...NO thanks; today it's just a job) drive to Laredo. I pulled into our Laredo terminal at 7 PM EST, found I had to deliver the load and got on the TRB. The broker I was to take it to was open 24 hours/day so I delivered it by dropping it in their yard. After delivering the trailer, I bobtailed over to Arlena's place and said howdy to her and the kids. I delivered the bouquet I picked for her yesterday and we took a walk around her neigborhood...as we walked her two dogs...Stayed the night at the terminal...A Trucker's Tale: I was talking to a driver once about driving around in New York City. He told me that once he was driving on a street in NYC and had to make a tight right hand turn. He had made the proper moves for making the turn but there was a small car parked illegally that caused him from completeling the turn. He stopped before hitting the car and got out to look at the possibilities. A policeman came to him, looked at the situation and told him to run over the illegally parked car(fender and headlights). He said no and the officer said that if he didn't, that he--the officer--would ticket him--the trucker--for obstructing traffic; the officer looked very serious he said. He then proceeded to run over the car's fender and left headlight and continued down the road. He later checked for damage to the trailer's side and undercarriage and found none...

April 10, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-traveling) Winds blowing and rains pouring: my day starts in Indiana with driving west on I-70. Rain is coming down so hard that speed is radically reduced and many cars had pulled off to the side of the interstate. The radio was reporting a tornado warning and what can I do; I did't know where the radio station was or where it was talking about. All I know is that my truck was getting blown around--it seemed like all over the road--and safety of my load, and me, was in question if I pulled over or kept going. I figured that if I kept going that I would drive out of the really bad weather in a couple minutes, which I did. The winds and heavy rain did deminish and I resumed my speed. Boy, what fun. I didn't see any blown over rigs and I was surprised. If my load hadn't been over 32,000 lbs, I feel I may have been on my side. The rains had stopped by the time I got to Indianapolis(Indiana) and the stars could be seen by the time I got to Illinois. Through Effingham, Illinois I went and got to Pocahontas(Illinois) at 3:30 AM CST. I parked next to the tractor I was assigned to give my load to and went to knock on his tractor. I found him up and waiting for me. We made the switch and I went to sleep. At 9:30 AM CST I got woken up by a driver that claimed to have a load for me going to Laredo, Texas. I had been put on a relay schedule when I was not even on the TRB for the area. I told dispatch that I hadn't gone on the TRB and that I would take the load but finish my legal 8 hour break before leaving for Laredo. I did just that. I left Pocahontas at 12:30 PM CST and took I-70 west to the St. Louis downtown area and got on I-55 south. I had decided to go through Little Rock, Arkansas rather than Joplin, Missouri. I had traveled I-55 southbound a little over 35 miles when I got on Hwy 67 southbound. I had been on Hwy 67 for awhile when I started noticing the spring flowers blooming. I decided to stop around the highway and pick three bouquets--for Arlena, Cathy and Hortens(from Arkansas)--of the blooming Dogwoods and Wild Plum. I got three nice bouquets and headed on down the road. I don't know why but I never liked that Hwy 67 through Missouri. I got to Newport, Arkansas around 6:45 PM CST and had to take a short break. I got me some munchies at our fuel stop in Newport and then headed on. The road was "quite" and driving was easy. Just kept movin' right straight through Little Rock(Arkansas) on Hwy 67, I-40 and then south on I-30. It was dark and the moon didn't give much light being that it was at only about a quarter. I crossed into Texas and was close to my planned stopping place as my day ended...Tomorrow, another trucker tale about the New York City Police...

April 9, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Girard, Ohio) I was at the "Just a Truckstop" watching movies in there movie room as my day statred. I was in no hurry as my pickup time in Lordstown(Ohio) was 4 PM EST. Being that it was a auto parts plant(not an actual assembly plant) I figured--and was correct--that they were on a schedule and wouldn't load me early. I went to bed at around 2 AM EST and slept OK. I was up at 9 AM EST and laid around awhile before getting up. Once up, I went in and had breakfast and "shot the bull" with many other drivers. I decided not to fuel before leaving this fuel stop of ours, as I planned to stop at New Paris(Ohio)--a fuel stop--a take a break; I could fuel there also. I was at the Lordstown shipper at noon EST and I checked in. I was instructed to park my truck in the waiting area and wait for someone to come out and get me; that I did. While waiting, I talked with other drivers that were waiting also, many from my company. I talked with them but did not develop enough of a relationship to have some one to run(travel along with) with. At around 2 PM EST I set me alarm for 4 PM EST and laid down for a nap. The alarm went off and I was up and I continued to wait. At 5:15 PM EST someone came out and gave me a dock to back up to and I did. It was close to 6 PM EST before they started loading me and I was loaded in just a couple minutes. I was out of the plant and on my way west on I-76 by 6:30 PM EST. I was to relay with tractor #8346 at our Pocahontas, Illinois downyard in the eary morning so I tried to just kept the truck moving. The first part of the trip was uneventful as I traveled east on I-76 to I-71. Continued down I-71 to I-70(west) in downtown area of Columbus(Ohio). Weather on the local radio was reporting bad weather later and it turned out for me later also. Light rain was falling when I got to the fuel stop in New Paris. I just fueled(79 gallons), bought some munchies and headed back west on I-70 by 11:30 PM EST. Just before midnight--the end of my day--I hit a rain down pour and tornado warning...thing were getting exciting...

April 8, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Cleveland, Ohio) I had my alarm clock set for 6 AM EST and it went off then. I got up and was in the receivers unlocked gated yard be 6:30 AM EST. I checked in and was told that it would be a while before I could get unloaded. Well, just before 8 AM EST I was told to back into an enclosed dock and I did. This dock was also sunken so that when I got totally docked, my trailer floor was the level of the unloading floor. I got out and watched the four men unload my trailer; I was unloaded at 10:15 AM EST. I called dispatch and was told to "call back in an hour". I decided to go to our truckstop(the Union 76 Truckstop inside one of Cleveland's huge pits) which wasn't too far away. I got parked and walked into the truckstop building, going first into the game room. I saw something that I found very humorous(see "A Trucker's Tale" below). I called dispatch after the game room incident and was told to "call back in an hour" again. I went into the restaurant and found two drivers from my company eating. I sat down with them and found the meeting "OK" at best. I wasn't sad when they left and I was sitting there by myself. I called dispatch again and was given a load to pick up tomorrow in Lordstown, Ohio at 4 PM EST. I hung around the truckstop until about 2:30 PM EST and them left for the night at "Just a Truckstop" in Girard, Ohio. Followed I-480 to the Ohio toll road(I-80) and went east to Youngstown and kept following I-80--off the toll road--to the truckstop in Girard. I had the barfet and then went to the movie room and was in there past my day ending... A Trucker's Tale:(mine) I walked into the building of the Union Truckstop of Cleveland, Ohio and a commotion was going on in the game room. I walked into the room to see what was going on. I kid you not, about a third of the room was gathered around one video game. The game turned out to be one in which the player buys a chance to win a hand of poker. If they win, then a video picture of a female or male(player picks from a number of choices) disrobes further. The female that had been closen was next to being totally disrobed and the last hand was being played as I walked in. The player won the hand and the figure totally disrobed. Everyone--it seemed that everyone did--cheered and then the game asked if they wanted to play again. "Yes" was the overall opinion until the choice of figures came up. I don't know if there were any females in the group but one guy said, "Let's try a man this time." As soon as the guy said that, the room started emptying out and I was standing there by myself in a little more than a minute. With the commotion over and me not being a "game guy", I left the game room...

April 7, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-New Paris, Ohio) Lazy day today as I don't have many miles to go until I get to Cleveland and the receiver of this load. I left New Paris at 10 AM EST after going back into the restaurant & store and looking around. I left heading east on I-70 toward Columbus, Ohio. In the downtown area of Columbus, I got on I-71 heading north. I went to our fuel stop off I-71 at Berkshire(Ohio) and fueled(121 gallons). After fueling the time was about 1 PM EST so I decided to eat. I ate but I wasn't thrilled with this truckstop so I just went on up I-71. I had been to this receiver before and felt good about finding the place. The problem; they had moved. I found the new location as I had got the directions from dispatch and they weren't hard to follow. I found a store parking lot down the street from the receiver to spend as the receiver's was gated and the gate was locked. I walked around the neigborhood for some exercise and scenery to see...just your average, middle class neighborhood...

April 6, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Effingham, Illinois) Had a good night sleep and got up around 8AM CST. Absolutely not in any hurry as I need to be in Cleveland Monday AM. I went into the truckstop restaurant to see if there were any drivers from my company. This truckstop was a favorite for the old er drivers. I saw no drivers I knew so I decided to bypass eating here. I left eastward on I-70 and traveled into Indiana. It seems that as I go into Indiana, the terraine become more hilly...I continued through the downtown Indianapolis area and onto the Ohio border where I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" in New Paris, Ohio. I got there at 1:30 PM EST. I enjoyed the buffet for lunch and then went to the movie room(like a walk in theatre) and watched movies the rest of day and night. I did buy me a couple sodas(Saft drinks in Canada) while I watched the movies. Just taking life easy....A Trucker's Tale: I once got talking to a driver about drivers carrying weapons. He told me that he used to be an independet trucker(owned his own truck and leased it and him to a company) and had to go into New York City. He had his wife with him as well as a gun by the side of his seat. He told me that while he was stopped in a lightly traveled area, a guy jumped on his driver's door side step and stuck a big knife in his window and at him. He drew his gun and shot the guy through the door(damaged his truck door). The guy fall to the ground and was laying their and he got out of his truck to check the guy out. The shot guy was alive and the city policeman drove up. He looked at the guy and asked how it happened. The drivers---worried--told the officer and the officer said the he--the officer--would leave and come back in a few minutes. He--the officer--told the driver to put another bullet in the guy, killing him, and then just drive away. The officer would then just call someone to get the dead guy and there wouldn't be much paperwork. The driver said he couldn't purposely kill the guy, so he just drove away and didn't look back...

April 5, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Joplin, Missouri) Woke at our headquarters terminal this morning and got on the TRB. I should be getting out of Joplin today. I "LOVE" the wondering where I will be going as I didn't had any idea when I got on the TRB. I almost went to lunch with some of the other waiting other drivers but at the last minute decided not to. I was called to the dispatch window for a load at 2:30 PM CST; things were moving pretty fast today so this time wasn't abnormal. The load was a trailer of bed springs going to a mattress manufacture in the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. I had been there before(where I got "police-Cleveland"below). I went out and hooked up to the trailer. I did the vehicle inspection and things seemed OK. I fueled(222 gallons--too close to empty for me; never again I hope) and weighed(60,520 lbs) before taking off up(northeast) I-44 at 3:15 PM CST. The thoughts of dinner rattled in my mind until I got to exit 100 off of I-44, I really like the bar-b-qued beef & pork at this restaurant...I would say it's my favorite but I have favorites all over the country(My number 1 favorite restaurant was--may still be--in Sturbridge, Massachusetts off of I-84). I got done with dinner and was stuffed as it was soooo good. Headed back up I-44 and watched darkness grow over the daylight. Went through the St, Louis area and into Illinois after dark obviously. Continued on I-70 eastbound until I got to our fuel stop in Effingham, Illinois at 11 PM CST. I was fighting off the "sandman" so I just pulled into truck parking and went to sleep...

April 4, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Joplin, Missouri) Woke up a couple times through the night but went back to sleep with no problem. My tractor had some repairs done yesterday and should be good to go now. I hooked up to my trailer going to St. Joseph, Missouri and did the standard inspections and paperwork updates. Since this was our companies headquarters, I took my permit book into the permit department and got it updated. I left the Joplin terminal around 8:45 AM CST by taking I-44 northeast to Hwy 71 and went north. Once again, I have done this route so many times that the excitement of the scenery was gone...This drive is "just a job". As I got close to the Kansas City, Missouri, I got on I-435 and followed it up the east side. I stopped at the Kansas City terminal to check in with the local dispatch as they control the St. Joseph loads. Oh GREAT!!!! Dispatch told me to drop the load in the yard and they would have a local driver take it up as they had an urgent load that needed to get to Joplin. They had limited drivers and the ones they had didn't want the load; I am so gullible...I got hooked up and headed back to the Joplin terminal at 1 PM CST. hoh, hum....Down Hwy 71 again and pulled into the Joplin terminal at 4:15 PM CST. Dropped the trailer in the terminal yard and handed my paperwork. I told dispatch I was taking the rest of the day off and that I didn't want on the TRB yet... Went out to my tractor, typed, watched my TV and ate munchies until I went to sleep...

April 3, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) I loved this job!!! I was in no hurry today. I got up and went into the restauant and had the breakfast buffet, eating at my leisure. I left the truckstop at 10:15 AM CST after doing my vehicle inspection and updating my logbook. Headed up I-35 into Kansas and got on the Kansas Turnpike(toll road) heading north. The scenery was OK until I passed Wichita(Kansas) and the exit for El Dorado(Kansas). The day was somewhat cool and partly cloudy which made the terraine beautiful. The terraine was composed of rolling glasslands, or hills, with periodic exercise/glazing pens for transported livestock. It was really beautiful scenery up to Emporia(Kansas). At Emporia, I got off the Kansas Turnpike and followed I-35 to Kansas City, Missouri. On the northeast side of the Kansas City area, I took I-435 to our terminal. I drove straight through from Oklahoma City, getting to the terminal at 4:15 PM CST. I checked in with local dispatch and I was told that if I wanted to take a load to the Joplin terminal, I could drop my load in the yard and the local drivers would driver it is the morning. I was schedule for home time but it was the middle of the week and my children would be having school and other activities, so I decided to take the load to Joplin. I was told this load would be dropped in the joplin yard and their local guys would deliver it, but I needed to take it down there tonight. I hooked up to the trailer, did a thorough vehichle inspection and fueled(161 gallons) before I left for Joplin. I was heading down I-435 at 5:30 PM CST and connected with Hwy 71 southbound. Having traveled Hwy 71 so many times before, I had lost the excitement of driving up and down it. The drive was pleasant and it was over at 8:30 PM CST as I drove into our main yard. I had to go thrown the inspection bay and the maintenance guys found two seals leaking on my inner rear tires. I parked and dropped the trailer. I then took my paperwork into dispatch and got a load going to St Joseph, Missouri and that trailer could also be dropped...in our St. Joseph yard. I wouldn't be leaving with the St. Joseph load until after my legal 8 hour+ sleep break. Went out and sleep in my tractor while the shop guys repaired it....

April 2, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Arlington, Texas) Woke up early for a breakfast of munchies while I sat in my drivers' seat and did my logbook. Around 7:30 AM CST I called the Lancaster, Texas terminal and they told me deadhead to the terminal. I got to the terminal before 8:30 AM CST, parked my rig and checked in with dispatch. I was looking for something that would take me to Kansas City so I could go home for a day or two. They had a load for me but it didn't deliver in Kansas City until the 4th--Thursday--so I took it. It was a load of batteries and it was heavy. Since it was heavy and I was going to the terminal in Kansas City, I chose not to fuel. I hooked up to the trailer, did a vehicle inspection and weighted it(78, 260 lbs). With this weight I could have put on more fuel if I needed to; I didn't need it. I left up I-35E at 10 AM CST and went through Dallas. Follow I-35E up until it merged with I-35W and becomes I-35. I took I-35 into Oklahoma and got to "Just a Truckstop" in Oklahoma City at 1:45 PM CST. I had all day tomorrow to get it to Kansas City so I decided to take it easy here and spend the night. I like this truckstop so I went in and had the late lunch buffet and filled up. After lunch, I went to the movie room and watched movies the rest of the day and into the night. What movies??? I walked in on "The Outsiders" and watched all of "The Jerk", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Grease" and "Smokey and the Bandit". Went out to my truck and went to bed after the movies... I loved this "Job"!!!

April 1, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Arlington, Texas) Kind of a bad day. Got backed up the the dock to unload at 8:30 AM CST even though my appointment was for 10 AM CST. There was no forktrucks or lumpers to unload me when I looked around the dock. Around 10:30 AM CST I found a forktruck operator and I decided to unload the trailer myself. After I got started unloading, a lumper came by and wanted to unload it for $100. I told him I wouldn't consider anything over $80 and he accepted it. He got started unloading and I called dispatch to get the lumper's pay OKed. I could get only $70 so I paid the lumper the extra $10. I was finally unloaded and out of there by 2:30 PM CST so I went back to the Waffle House to call dispatch and eat. Dispatch told me to stay where I was until tomorrow and so I did. I sat down to eat and got the same waitress I had yesterday. She seemed like a totally different person in that she knew what she was doing. I asked if she had a problem yesterday and she said that she could not warm up to the female of the trucker team I came in with. She just couldn't think when around her...interesting. After eating I just went to my truck and watched TV and wrote...