FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Piqua, Ohio I-75 rest area)
Not feeling rushed so I was up eating munchies by 8 AM EST. I got these 18 wheels rolling north on I-75 by 8:30 AM EST. Took in the scenery as I approached the southern part of Toledo, Ohio as the land lay out in Canada will be different. Went through Toledo and continued north on I-75 in Michigan where I stopped at our terminal in Taylor(Detroit) for fuel(82 gallons) and Canadian paperwork. Local dispatch informed me that this load was to clear Canadian customs at Sarnia, Ontario and was a "Barcode"(not broker load) customs clearance. I was at the terminal less than an hour when I left at 12:15 PM EST. I took I-75 north into Detroit and met up with I-94 which I took to the big & high Blue river Bridge. At Canadian customs I just had my paperwork scanned by a barcode reader and I was off for the Toronto area. I had thought I would be traveling Hwy 401 from Windsor, Ontario but I came into Canada at Hwy 402. Hwy 402 was heavily forested and Hwy 401 was heavily farmland. I followed Hwy 402 to London, Ontario where I got on Hwy 401 to the northeast. It was 4:45 PM EST when I got to the receiver's lot in Bramalea, Ontario(in the Toronto area). By 5 PM EST I had drop & hooked and was calling my dispatcher to let him know I was empty. He informed me that I had an assigned load and it was also a drop & hook at pickup. The load was insulation from Sarnia--I had been there--going to East Troy & Green Bay Wisconsin. I was on my way to get the load by 5:15 PM EST. I took Hwy 401 to Hwy 402 to Sarnia, getting there at 8:30 PM EST. I hooked to my load and asked if I could sleep on their lot for the night. Yeap was the answer so I slept and didn't even call dispatch until tomorrow...
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.
May 31, 2011
May 30, 2011
May 30, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Lexington, Kentucky)
Parked on a side street, I woke to my alarm clock at 6 AM EST as I got plenty of sleep. I was about a half mile from the receiver's place and was sitting at their docks at 6:20 AM EST. At 8 AM EST I checked in with receiving and was given a dock to back up to. The unloading didn't take long--I watched--as they used a forktruck's fork to "pop" the nailed pallets from the trailer floor. The little problem was that there were nails left in the floor; I got a crow bar and removed them.
After I was empty, paperwork signed and trailer cleaned out at 9:30 AM EST, I called dispatch and was told to go to Nashville, Tennessee and call in. I was not far from Hwy 60 so I got on it going west. The Blue Grass Parkway shortly appeared and it was my road of choice. Headed west to Elizabethtown(Kentucky) and I-65. While on the Blue Grass Parkway, I passed through alot of beautifully green colored scenery. The Green in Kentucky does appear different from all other places...
I travel ed down I-65, getting to our fuel stop in Nashville at 12:30 PM CST. I fueled(128 gallons), parked my truck and called dispatch. I had a load waiting for me at Central Transport in Nashville; it was a drop & hook. I picked up my trailer going to Bramalea, Ontario and was gone, up I-65, at 2 PM CST. At Louisville(Kentucky) I took I-71 northeast to I-75 north. Into Ohio and onto the rest area outside Piqua(Ohio) at 9:30 PM EST where I took my long break and got the sleep I needed...
Parked on a side street, I woke to my alarm clock at 6 AM EST as I got plenty of sleep. I was about a half mile from the receiver's place and was sitting at their docks at 6:20 AM EST. At 8 AM EST I checked in with receiving and was given a dock to back up to. The unloading didn't take long--I watched--as they used a forktruck's fork to "pop" the nailed pallets from the trailer floor. The little problem was that there were nails left in the floor; I got a crow bar and removed them.
After I was empty, paperwork signed and trailer cleaned out at 9:30 AM EST, I called dispatch and was told to go to Nashville, Tennessee and call in. I was not far from Hwy 60 so I got on it going west. The Blue Grass Parkway shortly appeared and it was my road of choice. Headed west to Elizabethtown(Kentucky) and I-65. While on the Blue Grass Parkway, I passed through alot of beautifully green colored scenery. The Green in Kentucky does appear different from all other places...
I travel ed down I-65, getting to our fuel stop in Nashville at 12:30 PM CST. I fueled(128 gallons), parked my truck and called dispatch. I had a load waiting for me at Central Transport in Nashville; it was a drop & hook. I picked up my trailer going to Bramalea, Ontario and was gone, up I-65, at 2 PM CST. At Louisville(Kentucky) I took I-71 northeast to I-75 north. Into Ohio and onto the rest area outside Piqua(Ohio) at 9:30 PM EST where I took my long break and got the sleep I needed...
May 29, 2011
May 29, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-New Baden, Illinois) 
Oh hum....don't deliver in Lexington, Kentucky until tomorrow. I "told" my alarm clock what time to wake me up while I slept in this pickle park. I woke before the alarm sounded it's wake up call so I "untold" it. I was up and moving around before 7 AM CST and so I did the manditory vehicle inspection and logbook update. I grabbed some munchies for breakfast and then hit the superslab going east on I-64 right before 8 AM CST.
Flat farmland all around me until I got to Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Mt Vernon didn't change the flatness, just the scenery. Five minutes of Mt. Vernon yielded to more flat farmland...The farmland east of Mt. Vernon along I-64 seems to be more "treeless" until I cross into Indiana. Finally out of Illinois farmland and into Indiana farmland!!!! The Farmland seems to start disappearing as I pass Dale, Indiana and mountainous terrain starts. These mountains seem to be kind of a barrier between the farmlands of Illinois and Indiana and the bluegrass and horse ranches of Kentucky.
Before the mountainous terrain started giving way to the Ohio River Valley, I stopped at Carefree(Indiana) fore lunch at a rather expensive buffet(OK, but not the best).
After filling my "tank", I continued down to, and across, the Ohio River into Kentucky and close to Louisville. I stayed on I-64, past Louisville, and stopped along the roadway for a short time to take a couple "horse" pictures--see above. I took a picture of brown fensing but most the fensing I noticed was white.
I continued to Lexington where I took Hwy 68 to the southwest corner where I found the receiver at 4 PM EST. I was not familiar with this area and the my appointment was firm for tomorrow. The guard at the receivers said I could not spend the night on their grounds. I found a side road to park and I asked a policeman if it was OK for me to park here until tomorrow; he said there was no problem. I just ate munchies for dinner and watched my TV until I dozed off...
May 28, 2011
May 28,1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Slept well last night in the motel room and was up about the time the sun made it's appearrence. Since we are automatically told if we have a load when calling dispatch, I started calling in about 6:30 AM CST. It was the 10 AM CST call that I found I had a load. I had to go to a company that makes wire for steel belted tires and pick up a load of wire to Peoria, Illinois.
I got to the pick up and was told to back up to the dock. The load destination was changed from Peopria, Illinois to Lexington, Kentucky. A woman on a forktruck loaded pallets of wire rolls. She lined them down the middle of my trailer. The woman, a very nice & talkative gal, told me that I needed to nail the pallets to the trailers wooden floor. I took the hammer and nails and started nailing. It was not long and I hammered a finger and it hurt. I told the woman what I had done and then said I would have to sit for awhile or pass out. I sat down and she laughed and said that I wouldn't believe the number of truckers that hit the fingers. She finished nailing the pallets for me while I was recovering.
I was out of there by noon, having done the vehicle inspection and logbook updates. I took Hwy 412 east to Tulsa, Oklahoma where I got on I-44 heading for Joplin, Missouri. I pulled into the Joplin terminal at 3 PM CST where I fueled(59 gallons) and did a fast check in with dispatch. I was gone northeast on I-44 by 3:45 PM CST. I stopped for dinner at one of my favorite bar-b-ques at exit 100 in Marshfield(Missouri) I had the barfet and then was on my way toward St. Louis again. I soon met up with a company driver named Nick and we talked on the CB radio through St. Louis. He and I split up after we crossed the Mississippi River as I needed to take I-64 east and Nick needed to take I-70. I stopped at the rest area outside New Baden, Illinois for the night---time 11:45 PM CST...
Slept well last night in the motel room and was up about the time the sun made it's appearrence. Since we are automatically told if we have a load when calling dispatch, I started calling in about 6:30 AM CST. It was the 10 AM CST call that I found I had a load. I had to go to a company that makes wire for steel belted tires and pick up a load of wire to Peoria, Illinois.
I got to the pick up and was told to back up to the dock. The load destination was changed from Peopria, Illinois to Lexington, Kentucky. A woman on a forktruck loaded pallets of wire rolls. She lined them down the middle of my trailer. The woman, a very nice & talkative gal, told me that I needed to nail the pallets to the trailers wooden floor. I took the hammer and nails and started nailing. It was not long and I hammered a finger and it hurt. I told the woman what I had done and then said I would have to sit for awhile or pass out. I sat down and she laughed and said that I wouldn't believe the number of truckers that hit the fingers. She finished nailing the pallets for me while I was recovering.
I was out of there by noon, having done the vehicle inspection and logbook updates. I took Hwy 412 east to Tulsa, Oklahoma where I got on I-44 heading for Joplin, Missouri. I pulled into the Joplin terminal at 3 PM CST where I fueled(59 gallons) and did a fast check in with dispatch. I was gone northeast on I-44 by 3:45 PM CST. I stopped for dinner at one of my favorite bar-b-ques at exit 100 in Marshfield(Missouri) I had the barfet and then was on my way toward St. Louis again. I soon met up with a company driver named Nick and we talked on the CB radio through St. Louis. He and I split up after we crossed the Mississippi River as I needed to take I-64 east and Nick needed to take I-70. I stopped at the rest area outside New Baden, Illinois for the night---time 11:45 PM CST...
May 27, 2011
May 27, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Frustration--Stayed in motel room most mornig and dispatch told me that I wouldn't be getting out today; I got my motel room for another night. What happened to the "Get there in the morning and we can use you" I got from dispatch a couple days ago???
Mid afternoon I, Haystack(met yesterday) and his wife went out to eat and then came back to the Motel. I went to their room and we talked "truck" until about 7:30 PM CST. I then went back to my room and watched TV.
CAUGHT BUT...I was going from Salt Lake City to Kansas City. I had been traveling east in Wyoming on I-80 for a short time. I had my taped music playing while I sung along with them. I was into the middle of the song "Puff, the Magic Dragon" and I had was singing "...green scales falling like rain" as I went over a hill top . I wasn't watching my speed and when I went over the hill, there was a Wyoming Bear in the comedian with it's radar gun on me. I looked at my speed and I saw 72 miles per hour(limit was 65). The Bear turned it's antlers on but didn't leave where it was sitting. I got the message; said "thanks" into my CB radio--I am sure the Bear was listening--and slowed down...
Frustration--Stayed in motel room most mornig and dispatch told me that I wouldn't be getting out today; I got my motel room for another night. What happened to the "Get there in the morning and we can use you" I got from dispatch a couple days ago???
Mid afternoon I, Haystack(met yesterday) and his wife went out to eat and then came back to the Motel. I went to their room and we talked "truck" until about 7:30 PM CST. I then went back to my room and watched TV.
CAUGHT BUT...I was going from Salt Lake City to Kansas City. I had been traveling east in Wyoming on I-80 for a short time. I had my taped music playing while I sung along with them. I was into the middle of the song "Puff, the Magic Dragon" and I had was singing "...green scales falling like rain" as I went over a hill top . I wasn't watching my speed and when I went over the hill, there was a Wyoming Bear in the comedian with it's radar gun on me. I looked at my speed and I saw 72 miles per hour(limit was 65). The Bear turned it's antlers on but didn't leave where it was sitting. I got the message; said "thanks" into my CB radio--I am sure the Bear was listening--and slowed down...
May 26, 2011
May 26, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Stillwater, Oklahoma)
I was in Stillwater for the day just hoping that I would get a call to get going.
I called my church demonination and got a ride to and from church.
I got back to my motel room and noticed a tractor from my company parked next to mine. Turns out that a driver(his handle was "Haystack") and his wife had got a room dowm from me. I was listening to my radio and typing when I heard of all the bad weather in Kansas and northern Oklahoma. I got up and went outside to find the driver and his wife outside also and the northern horizon in a heavy cloud covering.
The sun was shining over head with few clouds over me, but north of me the clouds were very thick. It was interesting as there looked to be an invisible barrier between the clouds stretching west to east north of me and the sunshine over me and to the south. Reports were that north of me was really getting pounded by the weather.
Our weather was so nice that we--Haystack, his wife & I--stayed outside talking until dusk. I them went in my room and continued my typing and TV watching....
I was in Stillwater for the day just hoping that I would get a call to get going.
I called my church demonination and got a ride to and from church.
I got back to my motel room and noticed a tractor from my company parked next to mine. Turns out that a driver(his handle was "Haystack") and his wife had got a room dowm from me. I was listening to my radio and typing when I heard of all the bad weather in Kansas and northern Oklahoma. I got up and went outside to find the driver and his wife outside also and the northern horizon in a heavy cloud covering.
The sun was shining over head with few clouds over me, but north of me the clouds were very thick. It was interesting as there looked to be an invisible barrier between the clouds stretching west to east north of me and the sunshine over me and to the south. Reports were that north of me was really getting pounded by the weather.
Our weather was so nice that we--Haystack, his wife & I--stayed outside talking until dusk. I them went in my room and continued my typing and TV watching....
May 25, 2011
May 25, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Pocahontas, Illinois)
12:40 AM CST came, the time I decided to get up and get going. Yesterday I was told that if I got to Stillwater this morning that the company would be about to use me. I was pulling out onto I-70, going west, at 1 AM CST. I tried to keep my speed over 60 miles/hour the whole trip to Joplin, Missouri. Crossing the Mississippi River, I switched interstate highways form I-70 to I-44. The drive this morning was pleasant as the traffic was light and the moon was almost full. With one short stop at a pickle park just past Rolla(Missouri) I pulled into our terminal at Rolla at 6:45 AM CST. I was at the terminal for a little under half an hour checking in with dispatch and fueling(132 gallons). Left the terminal at 7:15 AM, headed southwest on I-44, headed toward Tulsa, Oklahoma. Once at Tulsa, I grabbed Hwy 412 west to Stillwater. Traveling south into what seemed the main drag, I found the boat plant--my delivery point--on the north end of town at 10:30 AM CST. I checked in with the guard, dropped my trailer and called dispatch. I told dispatch that I was empty and ready to go; I was told to get a motel room for today and tomorrow. What happened to "needing me"? I took my tractor, got a motel room and went out to eat. Spent the rest of the day writing and watching TV before going to sleep...
12:40 AM CST came, the time I decided to get up and get going. Yesterday I was told that if I got to Stillwater this morning that the company would be about to use me. I was pulling out onto I-70, going west, at 1 AM CST. I tried to keep my speed over 60 miles/hour the whole trip to Joplin, Missouri. Crossing the Mississippi River, I switched interstate highways form I-70 to I-44. The drive this morning was pleasant as the traffic was light and the moon was almost full. With one short stop at a pickle park just past Rolla(Missouri) I pulled into our terminal at Rolla at 6:45 AM CST. I was at the terminal for a little under half an hour checking in with dispatch and fueling(132 gallons). Left the terminal at 7:15 AM, headed southwest on I-44, headed toward Tulsa, Oklahoma. Once at Tulsa, I grabbed Hwy 412 west to Stillwater. Traveling south into what seemed the main drag, I found the boat plant--my delivery point--on the north end of town at 10:30 AM CST. I checked in with the guard, dropped my trailer and called dispatch. I told dispatch that I was empty and ready to go; I was told to get a motel room for today and tomorrow. What happened to "needing me"? I took my tractor, got a motel room and went out to eat. Spent the rest of the day writing and watching TV before going to sleep...
May 24, 2011
May 24, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Seville, Ohio)
Alarm clock went off at 6:45 AM EST and I sat up in my driver's seat, finding "Gray Wolf" (driver I started running with yesterday) sitting in his. We fueled last night and were not feeling hungry so we were headed southwest on I-71 by 7:15 AM EST. We chit-chatted on channel 28 on the CB radio. I ran back door and followed Gray Wolf by about half a mile because he wanted to drive about 60 miles per hour(speed limit was--and still is(???)--55 mph for big trucks).
As we got close to Columbus, Ohio, Gray Wolf wanted to take I-270 around the northwest corner down to I-70. I didn't care so we went that way. Going west on I-70, we stopped at our fuel stop in Monrovia, Indiana for brunch and then we were heading west again.
Gray Wolf and I split when I wanted to stop at our drop yard at Pocahontas, Illinois and he didn't. He went on and I stopped. I had a craving for a Reuben Sandwich and the Pocahontas restaurant had a decent--only decent; not fantastic--one. I walked into the restaurant and found two drivers from my company eating; I joined them. One driver--named Rumpy(always had his rump in the air as a crawling infant)--had a load to Laredo, Texas and he wanted to trade for mine to Stillwater. I liked the idea so I called my dispatcher and he said, "NO". That was strange as changes were not uncommon. My dispatcher said that if I could get the load to Stillwater tomorrow morning, they would be able to use me. OK, no change and Rumpy and I kept our loads.
Time was 4:30 PM CST and I was feeling tired so I decided to sleep there and I did. Just went out to my truck, after the expensive Reuben Sandwich--and laid down with my radio playing...
Alarm clock went off at 6:45 AM EST and I sat up in my driver's seat, finding "Gray Wolf" (driver I started running with yesterday) sitting in his. We fueled last night and were not feeling hungry so we were headed southwest on I-71 by 7:15 AM EST. We chit-chatted on channel 28 on the CB radio. I ran back door and followed Gray Wolf by about half a mile because he wanted to drive about 60 miles per hour(speed limit was--and still is(???)--55 mph for big trucks).
As we got close to Columbus, Ohio, Gray Wolf wanted to take I-270 around the northwest corner down to I-70. I didn't care so we went that way. Going west on I-70, we stopped at our fuel stop in Monrovia, Indiana for brunch and then we were heading west again.
Gray Wolf and I split when I wanted to stop at our drop yard at Pocahontas, Illinois and he didn't. He went on and I stopped. I had a craving for a Reuben Sandwich and the Pocahontas restaurant had a decent--only decent; not fantastic--one. I walked into the restaurant and found two drivers from my company eating; I joined them. One driver--named Rumpy(always had his rump in the air as a crawling infant)--had a load to Laredo, Texas and he wanted to trade for mine to Stillwater. I liked the idea so I called my dispatcher and he said, "NO". That was strange as changes were not uncommon. My dispatcher said that if I could get the load to Stillwater tomorrow morning, they would be able to use me. OK, no change and Rumpy and I kept our loads.
Time was 4:30 PM CST and I was feeling tired so I decided to sleep there and I did. Just went out to my truck, after the expensive Reuben Sandwich--and laid down with my radio playing...
May 23, 2011
May 23, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Scarborough, Ontario)
Second morning in Scarborough with a short break in Taylor, Michigan in between. I was awake before the guard came out to get me to back up to the unloading dock. It was a little after 8 AM EST when they started unloading the load of Maytag refrigerators I had. They were done and the paperwork signed by 9 AM EST. They didn't have an easy phone for me to call from so I drove down the street to a phone. I called dispatch in Joplin and was deadheaded to Tonawanda, New York for a load of engines going to Stillwater, Oklahoma. I was told the load was ready so I got moving. I took the 404(Queen's Highway) toward Lake Ontario to the QEW(Queen Elizabeth Way) interstate and followed it to the Fort Erie/Buffalo crossing. I had thought of crossing at Niagara Falls but the directions to the engine plant were from Buffalo. Crossed the Peace Bridge and got on I-190 north to I-290 east. The plant wasn't too far off of I-290. I checked in at the engine plant at 12:30 PM EST and they said to back up to the loading dock. They let me watch while they loaded the engines--the loading took about 15 minutes--and those engines looked beautiful with all the chrome on them. They got the truck next to me finished about the same time which was from my company. We were both going to the same place in Oklahoma so we decided to run together. His handle was "Gray Wolf" and we headed east on I-290 to I-90 southwest. We stopped at our fuelstop in Northeast, Pennsylvania for something to eat and I had two Chef Salads(they have a great chef salad) with Blue Cheese dressing. We continued down I-90 into Ohio and past Cleveland going down I-271 to I-71. We continued to our fuel stop in Seville, Ohio were we fueled(98 gallons) and walked around the truckstop for awhile. We then dedcided to stay here for the night. We went to our trucks and agreed to meet a 7 AM EST tomorrow...
Second morning in Scarborough with a short break in Taylor, Michigan in between. I was awake before the guard came out to get me to back up to the unloading dock. It was a little after 8 AM EST when they started unloading the load of Maytag refrigerators I had. They were done and the paperwork signed by 9 AM EST. They didn't have an easy phone for me to call from so I drove down the street to a phone. I called dispatch in Joplin and was deadheaded to Tonawanda, New York for a load of engines going to Stillwater, Oklahoma. I was told the load was ready so I got moving. I took the 404(Queen's Highway) toward Lake Ontario to the QEW(Queen Elizabeth Way) interstate and followed it to the Fort Erie/Buffalo crossing. I had thought of crossing at Niagara Falls but the directions to the engine plant were from Buffalo. Crossed the Peace Bridge and got on I-190 north to I-290 east. The plant wasn't too far off of I-290. I checked in at the engine plant at 12:30 PM EST and they said to back up to the loading dock. They let me watch while they loaded the engines--the loading took about 15 minutes--and those engines looked beautiful with all the chrome on them. They got the truck next to me finished about the same time which was from my company. We were both going to the same place in Oklahoma so we decided to run together. His handle was "Gray Wolf" and we headed east on I-290 to I-90 southwest. We stopped at our fuelstop in Northeast, Pennsylvania for something to eat and I had two Chef Salads(they have a great chef salad) with Blue Cheese dressing. We continued down I-90 into Ohio and past Cleveland going down I-271 to I-71. We continued to our fuel stop in Seville, Ohio were we fueled(98 gallons) and walked around the truckstop for awhile. We then dedcided to stay here for the night. We went to our trucks and agreed to meet a 7 AM EST tomorrow...
May 22, 2011
May 22,1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Scarborough, Ontario)
I was awke before the sun made it's appearrence. I took a short walk and stopped at a donut shop. I had Canadian money as I stopped at the first rest area yesterday and bought dunuts, so I bought a couple apple fritters. Got back to my truck as people were starting to show up for work. I checked in and were told to back to a dock which I did. They got me unloaded with 45 minutes of starting. I called the Taylor(Detroit)dispatch, told them I was empty and they deadheaded me back to Taylor, Michigan I left Scarborough at 9 AM EST and kept my spped up back to the US. No load so no customs. Got back to the terminal at 2 PM EST. I fueled(79 gallons)first and then checked in with dispatch. The dispatcher asked if I would go back to Canada and I said yes if they needed me to. They needed me to. I was given a load back to Scarborough, down the street from where I was eariler today. I hooked up, did my logbook and vehicle inspection and gone again by 3 PM EST. Didn't need a broker for this load--don't know why--and so I just heaed to Scarborough up Hwy 401. I got to Scarborough at 8 PM EST and the guard at the building I was to unload at told me to just park in the driveway and shut down for the night. I went to sleep pretty early...
I was awke before the sun made it's appearrence. I took a short walk and stopped at a donut shop. I had Canadian money as I stopped at the first rest area yesterday and bought dunuts, so I bought a couple apple fritters. Got back to my truck as people were starting to show up for work. I checked in and were told to back to a dock which I did. They got me unloaded with 45 minutes of starting. I called the Taylor(Detroit)dispatch, told them I was empty and they deadheaded me back to Taylor, Michigan I left Scarborough at 9 AM EST and kept my spped up back to the US. No load so no customs. Got back to the terminal at 2 PM EST. I fueled(79 gallons)first and then checked in with dispatch. The dispatcher asked if I would go back to Canada and I said yes if they needed me to. They needed me to. I was given a load back to Scarborough, down the street from where I was eariler today. I hooked up, did my logbook and vehicle inspection and gone again by 3 PM EST. Didn't need a broker for this load--don't know why--and so I just heaed to Scarborough up Hwy 401. I got to Scarborough at 8 PM EST and the guard at the building I was to unload at told me to just park in the driveway and shut down for the night. I went to sleep pretty early...
May 21, 2011
May 21, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Taylor, Michigan)
I checked out of my motel room early and went back to our Taylor(Detroit) terminal to see if I can get out today. I checked the TRB and my number was pretty high. To get out today, I volunteered for a Canadian load as the majority of waiting drivers didn't want to leave the US. It was a little before 11 AM EST when I got a load to Scarborough, Ontario. I was happy to be moving again or I went out and got hooked up to my trailer. I did the vehicle inspection, logbook and fueled(146 gallons) and was heading to Canada after 11:30 AM EST. I had to go to a broker on the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge before I got through Canadian Customs. The whole "customs" experience today took about an hour...I took the Queen's Highway(now the King's Highway) 401 through London and Toronto and got to Scarborough at 5 PM EST. I called Steven, a friend of mine from Laredo, Texas, and invited him and his Mother to dinner. His Mother was busy and so Steven and I went to a real nice Chinese restauant. This restaurant was one of the fanciest I had been to. It was a buffet with two long tables of food with desserts at the end. Napkins were cloth and the waiters--and waitresses--wore tuxes. The cost was $13 Canadian dollars apiece and the food was well worth it!!! After eating, I placed a call to Cathy--a girl friend from Laredo--as Steven knew her also. Cathy never answered the phone soooooo...
After eating, Steven went home and I went back to the truck. I wrote and watched TV before going to sleep for the night...
I checked out of my motel room early and went back to our Taylor(Detroit) terminal to see if I can get out today. I checked the TRB and my number was pretty high. To get out today, I volunteered for a Canadian load as the majority of waiting drivers didn't want to leave the US. It was a little before 11 AM EST when I got a load to Scarborough, Ontario. I was happy to be moving again or I went out and got hooked up to my trailer. I did the vehicle inspection, logbook and fueled(146 gallons) and was heading to Canada after 11:30 AM EST. I had to go to a broker on the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge before I got through Canadian Customs. The whole "customs" experience today took about an hour...I took the Queen's Highway(now the King's Highway) 401 through London and Toronto and got to Scarborough at 5 PM EST. I called Steven, a friend of mine from Laredo, Texas, and invited him and his Mother to dinner. His Mother was busy and so Steven and I went to a real nice Chinese restauant. This restaurant was one of the fanciest I had been to. It was a buffet with two long tables of food with desserts at the end. Napkins were cloth and the waiters--and waitresses--wore tuxes. The cost was $13 Canadian dollars apiece and the food was well worth it!!! After eating, I placed a call to Cathy--a girl friend from Laredo--as Steven knew her also. Cathy never answered the phone soooooo...
After eating, Steven went home and I went back to the truck. I wrote and watched TV before going to sleep for the night...
May 20, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Taylor, Michigan)
Canadian holiday(Victoria Day) and nothing we are getting is going or coming over the border. I was told that I wouldn't have a load today so I got a motel room for the day...
Canadian holiday(Victoria Day) and nothing we are getting is going or coming over the border. I was told that I wouldn't have a load today so I got a motel room for the day...
May 19, 2011
May 19, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Beloit, Wisconsin)
Left Beloit at 4 AM CST and drove through Chicago. Out of Chicago, I followed I-94 south and stopped at Lake Station, Indiana at "Just a Truckstop" for brunch. Continued on I-94 east to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal. The local dispatch said to drop the trailer and the local drivers would deliver it. I went on the TRB and spent the night at the terminal with no load on the schedule...
Left Beloit at 4 AM CST and drove through Chicago. Out of Chicago, I followed I-94 south and stopped at Lake Station, Indiana at "Just a Truckstop" for brunch. Continued on I-94 east to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal. The local dispatch said to drop the trailer and the local drivers would deliver it. I went on the TRB and spent the night at the terminal with no load on the schedule...
May 18, 2011
May 18, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-South St. Paul, Minnesota)
Spent night at the "greasy spoon" truckstop and when I finally got up, went into the restaurant to make a check call. Told to call back in an hour. I saw three of our drivers having breakfast and so I joined them; I just had a soda pop(soft drink in Canada). The second call to dispatch turned up a load of tires from Eau Claire, Wisconsin to our drop yard in Taylor, Michigan. I drove to Eau Claire and found that the load was a drop and hook. I got the trailer and did the necessary things to get the load going. I headed down I-94 to Portage(Wisconsin) where I-94 runs with I-90. I took I-90 south to Beloit, Wisconsin where I stopped for the night...
Spent night at the "greasy spoon" truckstop and when I finally got up, went into the restaurant to make a check call. Told to call back in an hour. I saw three of our drivers having breakfast and so I joined them; I just had a soda pop(soft drink in Canada). The second call to dispatch turned up a load of tires from Eau Claire, Wisconsin to our drop yard in Taylor, Michigan. I drove to Eau Claire and found that the load was a drop and hook. I got the trailer and did the necessary things to get the load going. I headed down I-94 to Portage(Wisconsin) where I-94 runs with I-90. I took I-90 south to Beloit, Wisconsin where I stopped for the night...
May 17, 2011
May 17, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Beloit, Wisconsin)
Was awake at 3 AM CST and headed north on I-90. I stopped in Portage, Wisconsin for fuel(119 gallons)and then continued northwest on I-90/94, staying on I-94 when the two interstates split. Crossed the wisconsin/Minnesota border and had to stop weigh station(they liked our company trucks...)as the station master just wanted to glance at my logbook. I was on my way shortly. I crossed over the "little" Mississippi River into Minneapolis, finding the warehouse I was delivering to just off I-94. I backed up to the dock and I was unloaded in a reasonable time. I called dispatch and was told to call back tomorrow as they had nothing today. I wasn't very happy as the only close truckstop I knew of was on the southeast corner of St Paul and it's restaurant remined me of the TV comedy show Hee Haw's truckstop restaurant comedy sketch...in other words...a real "greasy spoon". I went there and just stayed in my truck for the night...
Was awake at 3 AM CST and headed north on I-90. I stopped in Portage, Wisconsin for fuel(119 gallons)and then continued northwest on I-90/94, staying on I-94 when the two interstates split. Crossed the wisconsin/Minnesota border and had to stop weigh station(they liked our company trucks...)as the station master just wanted to glance at my logbook. I was on my way shortly. I crossed over the "little" Mississippi River into Minneapolis, finding the warehouse I was delivering to just off I-94. I backed up to the dock and I was unloaded in a reasonable time. I called dispatch and was told to call back tomorrow as they had nothing today. I wasn't very happy as the only close truckstop I knew of was on the southeast corner of St Paul and it's restaurant remined me of the TV comedy show Hee Haw's truckstop restaurant comedy sketch...in other words...a real "greasy spoon". I went there and just stayed in my truck for the night...
May 16, 2011
May 16, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-London, Ontario)
My delivery time for these empty racks had been set for 9:30 AM EST and so I was at tbe London rim plant at 9 AM EST. They unloaded me and it didn't take more then 10 minutes. I went back to the truckstop that I spent the night at and called dispatch that I was ready for another load. They had a load of insulation in Sarnia, Ontario to pickup and deliver to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I got on Hwy 401 for a short time and then got on Hwy 402 west. The lands around 401 seened to be mainly farmland and those around 402 seemed forested. I even saw a flock of turkeys crossing the Highway in front of me. Got to the insulation plant and picked up my trailer, got load paperwork, did the "getting back to the US" paperwork, vehicle inspection and headed for the Blue Water Bridge. Got into the US and got through customs. Took I-69 west through Lansinad lunch at the :g, Michigan and stayed on it until it came to I-94. I took I-94 to Lake Station, Indiana and had lunch at the "Just a Truckstop" I stayed on I-94 'til it joined up with I-90 and followed it through Chicago. Stayed on I-90 into Wisconsin where I stopped in Beloit for the night...
My delivery time for these empty racks had been set for 9:30 AM EST and so I was at tbe London rim plant at 9 AM EST. They unloaded me and it didn't take more then 10 minutes. I went back to the truckstop that I spent the night at and called dispatch that I was ready for another load. They had a load of insulation in Sarnia, Ontario to pickup and deliver to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I got on Hwy 401 for a short time and then got on Hwy 402 west. The lands around 401 seened to be mainly farmland and those around 402 seemed forested. I even saw a flock of turkeys crossing the Highway in front of me. Got to the insulation plant and picked up my trailer, got load paperwork, did the "getting back to the US" paperwork, vehicle inspection and headed for the Blue Water Bridge. Got into the US and got through customs. Took I-69 west through Lansinad lunch at the :g, Michigan and stayed on it until it came to I-94. I took I-94 to Lake Station, Indiana and had lunch at the "Just a Truckstop" I stayed on I-94 'til it joined up with I-90 and followed it through Chicago. Stayed on I-90 into Wisconsin where I stopped in Beloit for the night...
May 15, 2011
May 15, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-New Buffalo, Michigan)
I was in no hurry so I didn't set my alarm clock to get up this morning. I did wake up at a little after 7:30 AM ESTand went into the restaurant. I didn't feel like eating but this was a good place to eat if I felt like it. Took my time as I can't deliver this load until tomorrow. Did my vehicle inspection and logbook before heading east on I-94 at 8:30 AM EST. I ready like this area of the country until the interstate goes straight east. I got to our Taylor(Detroit) terminal a little before 12:30 PM and checked in with local dispatch for any paperwork I would need to take this load over the border. I was kind of hoping dispatch would tell me to drop the load in the yard and give me another one; they didn't. I left the terminal and before heading for the border, I stopped and ate at the Swedish buffet that I liked. I took off for the border and got over it , and the Ambassador Bridge with no problems,. Got on the Queen's Highway(now the King's Highway) 401 and headed for London, Ontario. I stopped at the first rest area on the 401 and got my free dozen donuts(bought with a $20 bill and got Canadian change-about $23 Canadian- and then pay my toll in Canadian money...figured out to be a free dozen donuts) Continued up 401 to the truckstop by London that I was planning on stopping at for the night. Got there to find four other drivers from my company there. I went into the restaurant and found the drivers sitting at one of the tables. I joined them and found I knew two of them. We enjoyed ourselves for about 1 1/2 hours and tipped the waitress very well . After a fun evening, I went to my bunk and went to sleep...
I was in no hurry so I didn't set my alarm clock to get up this morning. I did wake up at a little after 7:30 AM ESTand went into the restaurant. I didn't feel like eating but this was a good place to eat if I felt like it. Took my time as I can't deliver this load until tomorrow. Did my vehicle inspection and logbook before heading east on I-94 at 8:30 AM EST. I ready like this area of the country until the interstate goes straight east. I got to our Taylor(Detroit) terminal a little before 12:30 PM and checked in with local dispatch for any paperwork I would need to take this load over the border. I was kind of hoping dispatch would tell me to drop the load in the yard and give me another one; they didn't. I left the terminal and before heading for the border, I stopped and ate at the Swedish buffet that I liked. I took off for the border and got over it , and the Ambassador Bridge with no problems,. Got on the Queen's Highway(now the King's Highway) 401 and headed for London, Ontario. I stopped at the first rest area on the 401 and got my free dozen donuts(bought with a $20 bill and got Canadian change-about $23 Canadian- and then pay my toll in Canadian money...figured out to be a free dozen donuts) Continued up 401 to the truckstop by London that I was planning on stopping at for the night. Got there to find four other drivers from my company there. I went into the restaurant and found the drivers sitting at one of the tables. I joined them and found I knew two of them. We enjoyed ourselves for about 1 1/2 hours and tipped the waitress very well . After a fun evening, I went to my bunk and went to sleep...
May 14, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
The day had started...that is the best I could do with the day's start! I was in the truckers' lounge of the terminal and dispatch called me to their window. They had a couple loads and gave me a choice; I took the empty racks to London, Ontario. My trailer was in the yard so I hooked up and did a vehicle inspection. After my logbook update, I fueled(51 gallons) and left south on I-435 at 9:30 AM CST.. Got to I-70 and went east. I got to Kingdom City(Missouri) and took Hwy 54 south to Fulton, where I checked my mail and stopped at a grocery story for some munchies. I went back up to Kingdom City and stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" for lunch. I shouldn't have, but did, have the barfet and then headed up Hwy 54 towand Mexico, Missouri. I liked the Hwy 54 route rather than going through the St Louis area. Followed Hwy 54 through Mexico, Curryville(the areas Speed trap) and Louisiana(Missouri) into Illinois. I stopped at the Wal-Mart in Pittsfield, Illinois for a short break and a look around; then it was back to the road. I got to Hwy 36(now I-72)and headed for Springfield, Illinois. Nice wide open country through these parts but to me, still boring. Got to Springfield where I took I-55 north, stopping at the rest area Funk's Grove(once again I like to took this stop in my logbook). I got to Dwight, Illinois and did something I had wanted to do for sometime, take Hwy 17 east to Kankakee, Illinois. This ride over this farmland was OK and peaceful until I got close to Kankakee. Speed limit signs and stoplights...too many of them for a guy driving a thirteen speed truck. Finally reached I-57 and was I happy!!! I traveled north to I-80 where I headed east. I-94 joins I-80 and I switched over to following it into Indiana and Michigan. I was getting tired and my time was running out so I pulled off at New Buffalo, Michigan for my long break and sleep. It was close to 11 PM EST so I just bunked in and went to sleep...
The day had started...that is the best I could do with the day's start! I was in the truckers' lounge of the terminal and dispatch called me to their window. They had a couple loads and gave me a choice; I took the empty racks to London, Ontario. My trailer was in the yard so I hooked up and did a vehicle inspection. After my logbook update, I fueled(51 gallons) and left south on I-435 at 9:30 AM CST.. Got to I-70 and went east. I got to Kingdom City(Missouri) and took Hwy 54 south to Fulton, where I checked my mail and stopped at a grocery story for some munchies. I went back up to Kingdom City and stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" for lunch. I shouldn't have, but did, have the barfet and then headed up Hwy 54 towand Mexico, Missouri. I liked the Hwy 54 route rather than going through the St Louis area. Followed Hwy 54 through Mexico, Curryville(the areas Speed trap) and Louisiana(Missouri) into Illinois. I stopped at the Wal-Mart in Pittsfield, Illinois for a short break and a look around; then it was back to the road. I got to Hwy 36(now I-72)and headed for Springfield, Illinois. Nice wide open country through these parts but to me, still boring. Got to Springfield where I took I-55 north, stopping at the rest area Funk's Grove(once again I like to took this stop in my logbook). I got to Dwight, Illinois and did something I had wanted to do for sometime, take Hwy 17 east to Kankakee, Illinois. This ride over this farmland was OK and peaceful until I got close to Kankakee. Speed limit signs and stoplights...too many of them for a guy driving a thirteen speed truck. Finally reached I-57 and was I happy!!! I traveled north to I-80 where I headed east. I-94 joins I-80 and I switched over to following it into Indiana and Michigan. I was getting tired and my time was running out so I pulled off at New Buffalo, Michigan for my long break and sleep. It was close to 11 PM EST so I just bunked in and went to sleep...
May 13, 2011
May 13, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Elk Run Heights, Iowa)
I was up early amd didn't have a set time for delivery. After I got up and ate some munchies from the convienent store/truckstop I was parked behind, I made my check call . My dispatcher didn't have any directions to the receiver in Waterloo(Iowa) but did have a phone number. He hooked me up to the number he had and I was soon talking with the customer. I asked for directiions and he informed me that, due to alot a street construction, he would have to give me alot of detours. It wasn't long before I asked if he could just send someone for me to follow; he said that that would be the best thing to do. He had someone for me to follow about 20 minutes after I got off the phone. I followed the fellow and his pickup truck to the delivery point...Left turns after right hand turns before getting there. I backed up to the warehouse dock and let them unload me. The unloading took awhile. To the right of where I was parked was a roadtrack with a low(I couldn't fit under it) bridge over the road in front of the warehouse. On the otherside of the tracks was a High School. I got unloaded and ready to leave just as the High School kids started "cruising" the school. I watch them for awhile and saw many of them several times. Finally I needed to get going and pulled a left into the crowd cruising when it was safe. I high school gal and her friend had to slow down for me and they weren't to happy about it as they both gave me the one finger wave. I got back to the Elk Run Heights truckstop...I called dispatch and was told to deadhead to the terminal in Kansas City. I left for Kansas City at 1:30 PM CST and headed west on Hwy 20 to Hwy 14 south. Got to Hwy 30 west and took it to Hwy 330 southwest. Got to I-80 and went west to I-35 which I took south. Thought about stopping at our truckstop in Urbandale(Iowa) but pushed on. Crossed into Missouri and then down to Kansas City and stopped at our terminal. Time was getting to be 7 PM CST and no loads for me tonight. I just went to my truck, watched TV and went to sleep...
I was up early amd didn't have a set time for delivery. After I got up and ate some munchies from the convienent store/truckstop I was parked behind, I made my check call . My dispatcher didn't have any directions to the receiver in Waterloo(Iowa) but did have a phone number. He hooked me up to the number he had and I was soon talking with the customer. I asked for directiions and he informed me that, due to alot a street construction, he would have to give me alot of detours. It wasn't long before I asked if he could just send someone for me to follow; he said that that would be the best thing to do. He had someone for me to follow about 20 minutes after I got off the phone. I followed the fellow and his pickup truck to the delivery point...Left turns after right hand turns before getting there. I backed up to the warehouse dock and let them unload me. The unloading took awhile. To the right of where I was parked was a roadtrack with a low(I couldn't fit under it) bridge over the road in front of the warehouse. On the otherside of the tracks was a High School. I got unloaded and ready to leave just as the High School kids started "cruising" the school. I watch them for awhile and saw many of them several times. Finally I needed to get going and pulled a left into the crowd cruising when it was safe. I high school gal and her friend had to slow down for me and they weren't to happy about it as they both gave me the one finger wave. I got back to the Elk Run Heights truckstop...I called dispatch and was told to deadhead to the terminal in Kansas City. I left for Kansas City at 1:30 PM CST and headed west on Hwy 20 to Hwy 14 south. Got to Hwy 30 west and took it to Hwy 330 southwest. Got to I-80 and went west to I-35 which I took south. Thought about stopping at our truckstop in Urbandale(Iowa) but pushed on. Crossed into Missouri and then down to Kansas City and stopped at our terminal. Time was getting to be 7 PM CST and no loads for me tonight. I just went to my truck, watched TV and went to sleep...
May 12, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Kingdom City, Missouri)
--Details lost(entry erased) due to a problem blogger.com was having--
Woke up and left truckstop at 2:20 AM CST and headed to Mexico, Missouri where I got on Hwy 15. I had decided to take back roads as I had time and I wanted to see the "off roads" for most truckers. I took Hwy 15 into Iowa. Got to Milton, Iowa and took Hwy 2 east to Hwy 1. Took Highway 1 to Iowa City and got on I-380. Continued up I-380 to Elk Run Heights. Elk Run Hts had a fuel stop for us and I stopped there for fuel(92 gallons) and the day....
--Details lost(entry erased) due to a problem blogger.com was having--
Woke up and left truckstop at 2:20 AM CST and headed to Mexico, Missouri where I got on Hwy 15. I had decided to take back roads as I had time and I wanted to see the "off roads" for most truckers. I took Hwy 15 into Iowa. Got to Milton, Iowa and took Hwy 2 east to Hwy 1. Took Highway 1 to Iowa City and got on I-380. Continued up I-380 to Elk Run Heights. Elk Run Hts had a fuel stop for us and I stopped there for fuel(92 gallons) and the day....
May 11, 2011
May 11, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Joplin, Missouri)
--Details lost because blogger.com somhow erased this entry--
I left Joplin around 2:30 AM CST heading east on I-44. Got to Hwy 5 at Lebanon, Missouri and headed north. Got to Hwy 54 and took it to Kingdom City, Missouri at I-70. At Kingdom City, I called to see if I could see my kids for the day but they were busy. Hung around the truckstop("Just a Truckstop") for the day eatting, watching movies and sleeping...
--Details lost because blogger.com somhow erased this entry--
I left Joplin around 2:30 AM CST heading east on I-44. Got to Hwy 5 at Lebanon, Missouri and headed north. Got to Hwy 54 and took it to Kingdom City, Missouri at I-70. At Kingdom City, I called to see if I could see my kids for the day but they were busy. Hung around the truckstop("Just a Truckstop") for the day eatting, watching movies and sleeping...
May 10, 2011
May 10, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Monet, Missouri)
I wasn't excited about this load as I plain didn't want to be here. Of all the places I could be and I was here....I got basked up to the docks and figured I would have to unload the tires. Surprise!!! I didn't...I watched as three employees emptied out the trailer. Nothing exciting. After empty, dispatch sent me to Neosho, Missouri to pick up a furniture load to Toronto, Ontario. Had trouble finding the place and ended up going down "no truck" roads. Had to back up to the docks and have them load the trailer I had. I just wasn't excited about this day!!! Took the load to Joplin and got there around 4:30 PM CST only to find a driver--named Don(will deal with him again)--complaining and crying around about not getting enough miles. I talked with dispatch and decided to swap loads with him as he had one delivering in Waterloo, Iowa Monday. He took my Toronto load--which I had a little trouble finding--and left. I decided to stay in Joplin(Missouri) and wait to travel at 1 AM Tomorrow morning. Laid down in my tractor, watched TV and went to sleep...
I wasn't excited about this load as I plain didn't want to be here. Of all the places I could be and I was here....I got basked up to the docks and figured I would have to unload the tires. Surprise!!! I didn't...I watched as three employees emptied out the trailer. Nothing exciting. After empty, dispatch sent me to Neosho, Missouri to pick up a furniture load to Toronto, Ontario. Had trouble finding the place and ended up going down "no truck" roads. Had to back up to the docks and have them load the trailer I had. I just wasn't excited about this day!!! Took the load to Joplin and got there around 4:30 PM CST only to find a driver--named Don(will deal with him again)--complaining and crying around about not getting enough miles. I talked with dispatch and decided to swap loads with him as he had one delivering in Waterloo, Iowa Monday. He took my Toronto load--which I had a little trouble finding--and left. I decided to stay in Joplin(Missouri) and wait to travel at 1 AM Tomorrow morning. Laid down in my tractor, watched TV and went to sleep...
May 9, 2011
May 9, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Dallas, Texas)
Was awake at 4 AM CST and didn't need to be. Couldn't go back to sleep so I just walked around and did my logbook. I called local dispatch around 7 AM CST. Told to go to Carrollton(Texas) and get a trailer of tires for Monet, Missouri. I got to Carrollton and watched the lumper load the tires onto my trailer. I took it to the Lancaster(Dallas) terminal and tried to give it to another driver but couldn't find anyone that wanted it. Well, I had the load and left with it at 11:30 AM CST. I took Hwys 75 and 69 to I-44 into Missouri, stopping at our terminal in Joplin, Missouri at 6:15 PM CST. I left the terminal for tomorrows Monet delivery at 8 PM CST and took I-44 east. Got to Hwy 37 and took it south to Monet. Found the receiver and parked for the night as there was no one at the warehouse and the time was around 930 PM CST....
Was awake at 4 AM CST and didn't need to be. Couldn't go back to sleep so I just walked around and did my logbook. I called local dispatch around 7 AM CST. Told to go to Carrollton(Texas) and get a trailer of tires for Monet, Missouri. I got to Carrollton and watched the lumper load the tires onto my trailer. I took it to the Lancaster(Dallas) terminal and tried to give it to another driver but couldn't find anyone that wanted it. Well, I had the load and left with it at 11:30 AM CST. I took Hwys 75 and 69 to I-44 into Missouri, stopping at our terminal in Joplin, Missouri at 6:15 PM CST. I left the terminal for tomorrows Monet delivery at 8 PM CST and took I-44 east. Got to Hwy 37 and took it south to Monet. Found the receiver and parked for the night as there was no one at the warehouse and the time was around 930 PM CST....
May 8, 2011
May 8, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Had a decent quality of sleep last night but was up and fully awake at 6:10 AM CST. Went into the terminal drivers' lounge and talked with drivers and watched the morning news. I wasn't in any hurry as my load was due in Dallas(Texas) until Thursday evening and it was a "drop & hook". After going back to my truck, I did the standard duties: update logbook and vehicle inspection. With this vehicle inspection, I adjusted all the trailer tandems as the driver's side front was in question to me...Better safe than sorry. I decided to make the trip a fast one so I decided to stay on I-35 all the way to Dallas; that will eliminate all the towns on Hwys 71, 69 and 75. I was gone up I-435 a short distance to I-35 south by 8:30 AM CST. Went through the Kansas City(Missouri) downtown area and onto Kansas. Got through the "city" and traveled into the "country". Continued to the city of Emporia(Kansas) and got on the Kansas Turnpike(toll road) and continued south. Stopped for a short break at the toll road rest area and then hit the superslab again. Crossed into Oklahoma and stopped for lunch/dinner in Oklahoma at the "Just a Truckstop"(2:45 PM CST). After eating, looking around and playing in the game room for awhile, I got moving south on I-35 shorty after 5 PM CST. I found the Post Office terminal and checked in with their security around 9 PM CST. I dropped my trailer, picked up an empty one and was out of the gated area by 10 PM CST. The post office had truck parking and a phone so I called into Joplin(headquarters) dispatch. I was told to call local and I did. Local was helpful as they told me to call local dispatch back in the morning. I spent the night parked at the post office...
Had a decent quality of sleep last night but was up and fully awake at 6:10 AM CST. Went into the terminal drivers' lounge and talked with drivers and watched the morning news. I wasn't in any hurry as my load was due in Dallas(Texas) until Thursday evening and it was a "drop & hook". After going back to my truck, I did the standard duties: update logbook and vehicle inspection. With this vehicle inspection, I adjusted all the trailer tandems as the driver's side front was in question to me...Better safe than sorry. I decided to make the trip a fast one so I decided to stay on I-35 all the way to Dallas; that will eliminate all the towns on Hwys 71, 69 and 75. I was gone up I-435 a short distance to I-35 south by 8:30 AM CST. Went through the Kansas City(Missouri) downtown area and onto Kansas. Got through the "city" and traveled into the "country". Continued to the city of Emporia(Kansas) and got on the Kansas Turnpike(toll road) and continued south. Stopped for a short break at the toll road rest area and then hit the superslab again. Crossed into Oklahoma and stopped for lunch/dinner in Oklahoma at the "Just a Truckstop"(2:45 PM CST). After eating, looking around and playing in the game room for awhile, I got moving south on I-35 shorty after 5 PM CST. I found the Post Office terminal and checked in with their security around 9 PM CST. I dropped my trailer, picked up an empty one and was out of the gated area by 10 PM CST. The post office had truck parking and a phone so I called into Joplin(headquarters) dispatch. I was told to call local and I did. Local was helpful as they told me to call local dispatch back in the morning. I spent the night parked at the post office...
May 7, 2011
May 7, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Burnsville, Minnesota)
I was woken up at 7 AM CST by a knock on my tractor; it was a guy from the tire warehouse I was at. He wanted me to back up to the dock and I did. I found out that I was to unload my load and they gave me two fellows to catch the tires as I rolled them out of the trailer. There were 1322 tires and it took us to 10:05 AM CST to get to the last tire off. Got my paperwork signed and called dispatch. Dispatch had a load of mail order stuff going to Dallas, Texas post office. I had to go to St Cloud, Minnesota to get the load. I left Burnsville on I-35W north to I-494. I went west on I-494 and them north on it to I-94. I stopped at Burger King for a couple Whoppers(the BK big hamberburger) to go. I was at at the shipper's at 12:15 PM CST and found the load was a "drop & hook". I was gone, heading for Dallas, Texas by 1 PM CST. I traced my "miles" back past Burnsville to I-35 south. Then I traveled past the 250 miles+ of farm country to our terminal in Kansas City, Missouri at 10:45 PM CST. I did stop at our fuel stop in Urbandale, Iowa for dinner.
At the terminal, I fueled(157 gallons), undated my logbook and went to sleep...
May 6, 2011
May 6, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Kansas City, Missouri)
Sitting around the terminal's drivers' lounge did little more for me then let me talk with some drivers while watching the TV. It was 11AM CST when the terminal manager tapped my shoulder and told me to go to the dispatch window. I had been "Trucker Talking" and didn't hear dispatch call me. I was offered a couple loads to pick from and I picked the tire load to Burnsville, Minnesota(south of Minneapolis). I hooked up, did my vehicle inspection, updated my funny book and fueled(157 gallons). I pulled out of the yard at noon and took I-435 north a short distance to I-35 which I took north. Both Missouri scales were closed and so I slipped into Iowa(I was totally legal). I traveled to our fuel stop in Unbandale, Iowa and stopped for an early dinner at 3 PM CST. After eating, I checked out the movie room and found "Logan's Run" just starting so I decided to stay and watch it; I had time. The next movie(Attack of the Killer Tomatoes)started and at 6:10 PM CST I had had enough of it. I went to my truck and headed north on I-35. After I got north of Ames, Iowa area, it seemed like it was farm land on both sides of the highway all the way up into Minnesota. Minnesota scales were closed and I got on I-35W, a very short distance, to Burnsviille where I shortly found the receiver at 10:30PM CST. They had a large parking area so I parked, turned on my TV, ate some munchies and went to sleep...
Sitting around the terminal's drivers' lounge did little more for me then let me talk with some drivers while watching the TV. It was 11AM CST when the terminal manager tapped my shoulder and told me to go to the dispatch window. I had been "Trucker Talking" and didn't hear dispatch call me. I was offered a couple loads to pick from and I picked the tire load to Burnsville, Minnesota(south of Minneapolis). I hooked up, did my vehicle inspection, updated my funny book and fueled(157 gallons). I pulled out of the yard at noon and took I-435 north a short distance to I-35 which I took north. Both Missouri scales were closed and so I slipped into Iowa(I was totally legal). I traveled to our fuel stop in Unbandale, Iowa and stopped for an early dinner at 3 PM CST. After eating, I checked out the movie room and found "Logan's Run" just starting so I decided to stay and watch it; I had time. The next movie(Attack of the Killer Tomatoes)started and at 6:10 PM CST I had had enough of it. I went to my truck and headed north on I-35. After I got north of Ames, Iowa area, it seemed like it was farm land on both sides of the highway all the way up into Minnesota. Minnesota scales were closed and I got on I-35W, a very short distance, to Burnsviille where I shortly found the receiver at 10:30PM CST. They had a large parking area so I parked, turned on my TV, ate some munchies and went to sleep...
May 5, 2011
May 5, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Fulton, Missouri)
Still taking time off at the home 20. Spent the day with the kids at their home and at church. About 6 PM CST I left to go back to work. Took my time, stopping to talk with my KC girl friend, and got to the Kansas City terminal at 11:10 PM CST. Got on the TRB and local dispatch said I would probably get a load tomorrow...Went to bed in my tractor before midnight....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(You never know---It could have been me)
I had just picked up a nice light load in New Jersey going to the Wal-Mart Warehouse south of Kansas City, Kansas. Loading went fast as I was at the docks not much more than 15 minutes. I had called dispatch and was set to leave the shipper's yard when another truck from my company pulled in to get a load. I talked with him on the CB radio and he was going to the same place as I was. He had his wife with him and was right on time for his loading time. It would have been great to run with him to Kansas and we could talk all the way. When I ran with other drivers, I usually ran the back door and if we sped, I would use them as bear bait. For some reason, I felt like I needed to get rolling. In our conversation, I had mentioned the route I was taking. I left by myself and headed down toward Philadelphia so I could get on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I got on the turnpike and headed west. I was tired and so after awhile in Pennsylvania, I pulled over to get some sleep on one of the wide parking pull offs. Before dawn's light, I woke, with my tractor running and my CB radio on. I saw the reflection of red lights flashing but didn't think any more of it than someone getting a speeding award. I laid back down and listened to the CB radio as I tried to go back to sleep. I heard, over the CB radio, a driver driving by the pull off area say, "Boy did that TransAm(I mention the name as it is a great company to work for) get it." I hadn't got anything as the red lights kept flashing. I got up to see what was going on. The truck parked behind me was the one that I had left behind at the pickup and he had been rear ended by a Greyhound bus. Seeing the situation and thinking that my company would like some pictures, I asked a Highway Patrolman if I could get some pictures. He said to wait until they got the dead and injured out of the scene. I went back to my tractor, after seeing some gruesome stuff, and waited for the OK to take pictures. It was just a minute or so that another officer came to my door and told me to get moving down the road as they needed the parking spaces for medivac helicopers. I left the pull off area(really not close to any populated area) and drove to the next rest area and called dispatch. They had heard just a little information but didn't know any details. I informed them that, to my knowledge, it wasn't our driver's fault....click here to read about the accident...
Still taking time off at the home 20. Spent the day with the kids at their home and at church. About 6 PM CST I left to go back to work. Took my time, stopping to talk with my KC girl friend, and got to the Kansas City terminal at 11:10 PM CST. Got on the TRB and local dispatch said I would probably get a load tomorrow...Went to bed in my tractor before midnight....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(You never know---It could have been me)
I had just picked up a nice light load in New Jersey going to the Wal-Mart Warehouse south of Kansas City, Kansas. Loading went fast as I was at the docks not much more than 15 minutes. I had called dispatch and was set to leave the shipper's yard when another truck from my company pulled in to get a load. I talked with him on the CB radio and he was going to the same place as I was. He had his wife with him and was right on time for his loading time. It would have been great to run with him to Kansas and we could talk all the way. When I ran with other drivers, I usually ran the back door and if we sped, I would use them as bear bait. For some reason, I felt like I needed to get rolling. In our conversation, I had mentioned the route I was taking. I left by myself and headed down toward Philadelphia so I could get on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I got on the turnpike and headed west. I was tired and so after awhile in Pennsylvania, I pulled over to get some sleep on one of the wide parking pull offs. Before dawn's light, I woke, with my tractor running and my CB radio on. I saw the reflection of red lights flashing but didn't think any more of it than someone getting a speeding award. I laid back down and listened to the CB radio as I tried to go back to sleep. I heard, over the CB radio, a driver driving by the pull off area say, "Boy did that TransAm(I mention the name as it is a great company to work for) get it." I hadn't got anything as the red lights kept flashing. I got up to see what was going on. The truck parked behind me was the one that I had left behind at the pickup and he had been rear ended by a Greyhound bus. Seeing the situation and thinking that my company would like some pictures, I asked a Highway Patrolman if I could get some pictures. He said to wait until they got the dead and injured out of the scene. I went back to my tractor, after seeing some gruesome stuff, and waited for the OK to take pictures. It was just a minute or so that another officer came to my door and told me to get moving down the road as they needed the parking spaces for medivac helicopers. I left the pull off area(really not close to any populated area) and drove to the next rest area and called dispatch. They had heard just a little information but didn't know any details. I informed them that, to my knowledge, it wasn't our driver's fault....click here to read about the accident...
May 4, 2011
May 4, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Fulton, Missouri)
Was taking time off. I watched my kids at their country home as their Mom went to St. Louis with some friends.
Trucker Helpful Hint: The "dollies" on the trailer are there to hold the front of the trailer up when not being hooked to a tractor. There usually is no problem except when it is hot or very wet weather. Dropping a heavy trailer on hot asphalt or a wet dirt surface could lead to the trailer sinking into what the dollies are in contact with. I have seen both cases but they were never my trailer. The possible solution...I carried two 18 inch square boards(1 1/2 inches thick) that I could place under the dolly feet if I was dropping a heavy trailer and going to repick it up. These 18 inch squares would increase the supporting ground cover, often eliminating the dolly feet from sinking. Empty trailers usually never had the sinking problems. Note: Please don't be concerned unless weather extremes happen and your load is heavy.
Was taking time off. I watched my kids at their country home as their Mom went to St. Louis with some friends.
Trucker Helpful Hint: The "dollies" on the trailer are there to hold the front of the trailer up when not being hooked to a tractor. There usually is no problem except when it is hot or very wet weather. Dropping a heavy trailer on hot asphalt or a wet dirt surface could lead to the trailer sinking into what the dollies are in contact with. I have seen both cases but they were never my trailer. The possible solution...I carried two 18 inch square boards(1 1/2 inches thick) that I could place under the dolly feet if I was dropping a heavy trailer and going to repick it up. These 18 inch squares would increase the supporting ground cover, often eliminating the dolly feet from sinking. Empty trailers usually never had the sinking problems. Note: Please don't be concerned unless weather extremes happen and your load is heavy.
May 3, 2011
May 3, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Kansas City, Missouri)
I was up and at our Kansas City, Missouri for a few days off. I had seen a hobby shop newspaper flyer that I could get a complete radio control model airplane for $100. I had said to myself, "Great" and told my oldest son I would get him one. I headed for the home 20 around 9:30 AM CST, stopping at that hobby store off of I-70 in the Kansas City area. What!!!??? I found the plane to be $100 but the radio control stuff that went in it was an additional $200. I paid over $300 for the kit and controls as I got him worked up that I would get it for him. Since police band radioes are--or were--illegal in commercial vehicles, I decided to give my sons my police band(I had to get a transformer for it. I got to Fulton, Missouri--my home 20 at the time--and got a motel room for a few days. My boys spent the night with me and we worked on putting the plane together. Oh yes...When getting a radio controlled plan, one needs to invest in actual lessons in flying it. My son, within a couple weeks, flew it into the side of a building. The end....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(Rome, Georgia)
I had a two drop meat load and the second drop was in Rome, Georgia. I was aways hoping to get to Rome as I have family history there. Well, I decided I wanted to lump my own load and make a little extra money. I got to the small meat warehouse and announced I was unloading the boxes weighing 80 to 100 pounds each. The manager didn't like me unloading the meat as his guys usually did it and he put the money into his business(so he said). Well, he had me stack the boxes of meat 8 high, almost impossible. I got it unloaded, but it was truly a "job"...
I was up and at our Kansas City, Missouri for a few days off. I had seen a hobby shop newspaper flyer that I could get a complete radio control model airplane for $100. I had said to myself, "Great" and told my oldest son I would get him one. I headed for the home 20 around 9:30 AM CST, stopping at that hobby store off of I-70 in the Kansas City area. What!!!??? I found the plane to be $100 but the radio control stuff that went in it was an additional $200. I paid over $300 for the kit and controls as I got him worked up that I would get it for him. Since police band radioes are--or were--illegal in commercial vehicles, I decided to give my sons my police band(I had to get a transformer for it. I got to Fulton, Missouri--my home 20 at the time--and got a motel room for a few days. My boys spent the night with me and we worked on putting the plane together. Oh yes...When getting a radio controlled plan, one needs to invest in actual lessons in flying it. My son, within a couple weeks, flew it into the side of a building. The end....
SECOND 5 YEARS:(Rome, Georgia)
I had a two drop meat load and the second drop was in Rome, Georgia. I was aways hoping to get to Rome as I have family history there. Well, I decided I wanted to lump my own load and make a little extra money. I got to the small meat warehouse and announced I was unloading the boxes weighing 80 to 100 pounds each. The manager didn't like me unloading the meat as his guys usually did it and he put the money into his business(so he said). Well, he had me stack the boxes of meat 8 high, almost impossible. I got it unloaded, but it was truly a "job"...
May 2, 2011
May 2, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Goddard, Kansas)
Rolled over in bed this morning and just happened to see the clock: 6:48 AM CST. I got up and made my daily check call, vehicle inspection and logbook update. Taking my time, at 7:30 AM CST, I headed east on Hwy 54 throught the streets of southend Wichita(Kansas). The tollroad (I-35) finally came into sight and I jumped on it going north(northeast). Passing El Dorado, Kansas, the scenery became buildingless as the grass-grazing terrane took over. A cow "here & there" could be seen between the low cliffs--geological outcrops-- that dot the landscape. I loved it....At Emporia, Kansas, I got off the toll road and continued to follow I-35 north. It seemed like the Kansas City area came up rather quickly, as I entered Missouri. I got to our Kansas City terminal at 11:30 AM CST and dropped my trailer in the terminal yard. I parked my tractor in the row of tractors by the terminal building. I wasn't planning on going to see my "home town" and kids until tomorrow so I called Carol, my Kansas City girl friend. We went to a great place, The Hereford House(Kansas City location), for an early dinner and then went to see a live stage play: "Shear Madness". We talked until about 11 PM CST and then she left for home. I went to bed in my tractor...
SECOND 5 YEARS:(Bull Haulers...a breed apart...)
I would deliver loads to the Wal-Mart warehouse in Loveland, Colorado. After delivery, I would be deadheaded to meat slaughterhouses for loads. I was once deadheaded to Holcomb, Kansas to pick up some beef. In going to Holcomb, I would always pass through Hugo, Colorado. This trip, I stopped at the Hugo conveniance store(I always stopped here) and got a large soda pop(soft drink in Canada). There were two empty bull haulers parked in front of me and they were getting ready to leave as I was. Since they are known to speed--travel normally over the speed limit(these roads-60 miles/hr)--, I decided to use them as bear bait. Well...we were all empty and took off to the southeast on Hwy 40. I kept up with them for about 5 minutes and then they just kept getting further from me. I was doing well into the 70s but they were soon out of my sight and too far ahead to be bear bait. I just couldn't keep up so I went back to 60 miles per hour and enjoyed to ride...
Rolled over in bed this morning and just happened to see the clock: 6:48 AM CST. I got up and made my daily check call, vehicle inspection and logbook update. Taking my time, at 7:30 AM CST, I headed east on Hwy 54 throught the streets of southend Wichita(Kansas). The tollroad (I-35) finally came into sight and I jumped on it going north(northeast). Passing El Dorado, Kansas, the scenery became buildingless as the grass-grazing terrane took over. A cow "here & there" could be seen between the low cliffs--geological outcrops-- that dot the landscape. I loved it....At Emporia, Kansas, I got off the toll road and continued to follow I-35 north. It seemed like the Kansas City area came up rather quickly, as I entered Missouri. I got to our Kansas City terminal at 11:30 AM CST and dropped my trailer in the terminal yard. I parked my tractor in the row of tractors by the terminal building. I wasn't planning on going to see my "home town" and kids until tomorrow so I called Carol, my Kansas City girl friend. We went to a great place, The Hereford House(Kansas City location), for an early dinner and then went to see a live stage play: "Shear Madness". We talked until about 11 PM CST and then she left for home. I went to bed in my tractor...
SECOND 5 YEARS:(Bull Haulers...a breed apart...)
I would deliver loads to the Wal-Mart warehouse in Loveland, Colorado. After delivery, I would be deadheaded to meat slaughterhouses for loads. I was once deadheaded to Holcomb, Kansas to pick up some beef. In going to Holcomb, I would always pass through Hugo, Colorado. This trip, I stopped at the Hugo conveniance store(I always stopped here) and got a large soda pop(soft drink in Canada). There were two empty bull haulers parked in front of me and they were getting ready to leave as I was. Since they are known to speed--travel normally over the speed limit(these roads-60 miles/hr)--, I decided to use them as bear bait. Well...we were all empty and took off to the southeast on Hwy 40. I kept up with them for about 5 minutes and then they just kept getting further from me. I was doing well into the 70s but they were soon out of my sight and too far ahead to be bear bait. I just couldn't keep up so I went back to 60 miles per hour and enjoyed to ride...
May 1, 2011
May 1, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Santa Rosa, New Mexico)
Wasn't in a hurry as my load wasn't due in Kansas City, Missouri until Thursday for relaying to another driver(load destination: St Paul, Minnesota). When into the restaurant of the truckstop and had breakfast. On my way to my truck, I grabbed me a turkey leg for later. Did my vehicle inspection and was headed east on I-40 at 9:30 AM MST. At Tucumcari, I followed Hwy 54 to the northeast into Texas, Oklahoma and then into Kansas. It was just a "driving" day as I went from dessert terraine to wheat growing areas. It was interesting to watch the terrane change. I continued to Goddard, Kansas where I decideed to take my long 8 hour break at 7:30 PM CST. This convienence store--with truck parking--had no restaurant but had decent munchies, of which I bought some. Went to sleep while watching Wichita(Kansas) TV...
Wasn't in a hurry as my load wasn't due in Kansas City, Missouri until Thursday for relaying to another driver(load destination: St Paul, Minnesota). When into the restaurant of the truckstop and had breakfast. On my way to my truck, I grabbed me a turkey leg for later. Did my vehicle inspection and was headed east on I-40 at 9:30 AM MST. At Tucumcari, I followed Hwy 54 to the northeast into Texas, Oklahoma and then into Kansas. It was just a "driving" day as I went from dessert terraine to wheat growing areas. It was interesting to watch the terrane change. I continued to Goddard, Kansas where I decideed to take my long 8 hour break at 7:30 PM CST. This convienence store--with truck parking--had no restaurant but had decent munchies, of which I bought some. Went to sleep while watching Wichita(Kansas) TV...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)