FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Laredo, Texas)
I was getting ready to leave with a load to Lima, Ohio) shortly after my day started. I left at 12:30 AM CST and headed toward our Lancaster(Dallas) terminal up I-35. I stopped at our fuelstop on the east side of San Antonio for fuel. I figured, after I somewhat figured my miles since my last fueling, that I had enough to reach our lancaster terminal.
I pulled into our Lancaster Terminal at 8 AM CST and fueled first(171 gallons). I hung around to terminal until a little after 10 AM CST and then left, heading east on I-30. I stopped at the truckstop in Winfield, Texas for some sleep.
I got up about 8:30 PM CST and continued northeast on I-30. As the end of my day--and year--arrived, I was about 30 miles southwest of Little Rock, Arkansas.....
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.
December 31, 2011
December 30, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Laredo, Texas)
I had to deliver my load to the broker this morning. I had to dock on the blind side off the street; it went well.
After I was unloaded, I took my trailer to the terminal yard and dropped it. I then went to the tractor dealer for servicing. After the standard service my tractor had to have a wheel seal changed. I got done by 1:30 PM CST.
I went to Arlene's and she took us and her boys to lunch...After lunch, I needed to go back to the terminal and try and get a load.
I seemed to be a long way from going out so I went out to my tractor and went to sleep. At 10:30 PM CST the dispatcher came out and woke me up to tell me he had a load to Lima, Ohio for me. I got my paperwork and then hooked to my trailer. As my day ended, I was readying to go....
I had to deliver my load to the broker this morning. I had to dock on the blind side off the street; it went well.
After I was unloaded, I took my trailer to the terminal yard and dropped it. I then went to the tractor dealer for servicing. After the standard service my tractor had to have a wheel seal changed. I got done by 1:30 PM CST.
I went to Arlene's and she took us and her boys to lunch...After lunch, I needed to go back to the terminal and try and get a load.
I seemed to be a long way from going out so I went out to my tractor and went to sleep. At 10:30 PM CST the dispatcher came out and woke me up to tell me he had a load to Lima, Ohio for me. I got my paperwork and then hooked to my trailer. As my day ended, I was readying to go....
December 24, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Memphis, Tennessee)
I went into dispatch when they opened for the day and checked in. Dispatch gave me a load to Eloree, South Carolina. I hung around the terminal for awhile and then left for eastern Tennessee after hooking up to the trailer and fueling(115 gallons). Left out at 8:30 AM CST on I-40
I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" in Knoxville for lunch and break. Afterwards, it was on to North Carolina and Asheville where I took I-26 into South Carolina. I stopped at our fuelstop in Spartansburg, South Carolina, getting there at 8:15 PM EST and spent the night...Christmas Eve...just went to bed !!!!
I went into dispatch when they opened for the day and checked in. Dispatch gave me a load to Eloree, South Carolina. I hung around the terminal for awhile and then left for eastern Tennessee after hooking up to the trailer and fueling(115 gallons). Left out at 8:30 AM CST on I-40
I stopped at the "Just a Truckstop" in Knoxville for lunch and break. Afterwards, it was on to North Carolina and Asheville where I took I-26 into South Carolina. I stopped at our fuelstop in Spartansburg, South Carolina, getting there at 8:15 PM EST and spent the night...Christmas Eve...just went to bed !!!!
December 23, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Shepherdsville, Kentucky)
I woke up at 11 AM EST and went into the truckstop for awhile. Didn't eat there as I just didn't like their restaurant. I left down I-65 at 11:45 AM EST toward Nashville, Tennessee. Grabbed I-40 west to Memphis. Checked in with dispatch at our Memphis terminal and was told to drop the trailer and take it easy the rest of the day. No loads out today. Sat in the terminal until it closed...
I woke up at 11 AM EST and went into the truckstop for awhile. Didn't eat there as I just didn't like their restaurant. I left down I-65 at 11:45 AM EST toward Nashville, Tennessee. Grabbed I-40 west to Memphis. Checked in with dispatch at our Memphis terminal and was told to drop the trailer and take it easy the rest of the day. No loads out today. Sat in the terminal until it closed...
December 22, 2011
December 22, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Taylor, Michigan)
Sat around the terminal until 2:30 PM EST when the dispatcher gave me a load to Memphis, Tennessee. The load was in the yard so I was heading south on I-75 toward Toledo, Ohio by 3 PM EST. Went down throught Ohio into Kentucky. In Kentucky, I took I-71 toward Louisville.
At the first Kentucky weigh station I got pulled in for an official inspection. I was nervous and left the trailer brakes on; the officer must have been new as he checked those brakes and gave me an OK inspection.
I drove to Louisville and took I-65 south to Shepherdsville(Kentucky) where I went to sleep for the night....
Sat around the terminal until 2:30 PM EST when the dispatcher gave me a load to Memphis, Tennessee. The load was in the yard so I was heading south on I-75 toward Toledo, Ohio by 3 PM EST. Went down throught Ohio into Kentucky. In Kentucky, I took I-71 toward Louisville.
At the first Kentucky weigh station I got pulled in for an official inspection. I was nervous and left the trailer brakes on; the officer must have been new as he checked those brakes and gave me an OK inspection.
I drove to Louisville and took I-65 south to Shepherdsville(Kentucky) where I went to sleep for the night....
December 21, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Taylor, Michigan)
No Loads and not much to do today. Went to the Sveden House Buffet restaurant for dinner. "Jesse James" came along and we talked trucking while we ate....
No Loads and not much to do today. Went to the Sveden House Buffet restaurant for dinner. "Jesse James" came along and we talked trucking while we ate....
December 20, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Williamsburg, Iowa)
Was up and rolling east on I-80 by 2:30 AM CST. Full moon out tonight. Took I-94 up into Michigan until just after Benton Harbor(Michigan), where I took I-196 north. At Grand Rapids I took I-96 east to Hwy 66. Went north into Ionia and found the plant on the east side of town. I got there at 10:30 AM EST and they docked me. I had to wait to be unloaded as their company was having a Christmas Party. Unloading didn't take long as all I had was empty racks. They had me unloaded by 1 PM EST. I called dispatch and was told to call back in an hour. I went to the truckstop/restaurant at Hwy 66 & I-96. I met "Wanderer"(a trainer with the company) and his student. They where eatting so I ordered something also. Before I got my food, they got deadheaded to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal and left. I called dispatch after I finished eating and also got deadheaded to Taylor. Freezing rain was falling and so I drove very carefully.
Got to the yard in Taylor and there were tractors and trailers all over the place; driver's going home for Christmas. I found a place to pack and then it was time to just take it easy for the rest of the day as no loads...
Was up and rolling east on I-80 by 2:30 AM CST. Full moon out tonight. Took I-94 up into Michigan until just after Benton Harbor(Michigan), where I took I-196 north. At Grand Rapids I took I-96 east to Hwy 66. Went north into Ionia and found the plant on the east side of town. I got there at 10:30 AM EST and they docked me. I had to wait to be unloaded as their company was having a Christmas Party. Unloading didn't take long as all I had was empty racks. They had me unloaded by 1 PM EST. I called dispatch and was told to call back in an hour. I went to the truckstop/restaurant at Hwy 66 & I-96. I met "Wanderer"(a trainer with the company) and his student. They where eatting so I ordered something also. Before I got my food, they got deadheaded to the Taylor(Detroit) terminal and left. I called dispatch after I finished eating and also got deadheaded to Taylor. Freezing rain was falling and so I drove very carefully.
Got to the yard in Taylor and there were tractors and trailers all over the place; driver's going home for Christmas. I found a place to pack and then it was time to just take it easy for the rest of the day as no loads...
December 19, 2011
December 19, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Hannibal, Missouri).
I was awake at 2:30 AM CST and seemed wide awake. I was gone by 2:45 AM CST heading west on Hwy 36 to I-35 south to Kansas City. I got to our terminal by 6 AM CST and was told to drop my trailer in the rtrailer yard; I did. I went to bed after dropping my trailer and got up at 11 AM CST.
I checked with dispatch and I had a load to Ionia, Michigan. I fueled(118 gallons), hooked up, got truck washed and headed north on I-35 heading toward Iowa by 12:45 PM CST. I got to I-80 and headed west, stopping at the little truckstop/restaurant south of I-80 at the Williamsburg, Iowa exit. It was 5:30 PM CST so I had the 1 lb steak dinner and then watched a movie in their movie room. Went to bed for the night....
I was awake at 2:30 AM CST and seemed wide awake. I was gone by 2:45 AM CST heading west on Hwy 36 to I-35 south to Kansas City. I got to our terminal by 6 AM CST and was told to drop my trailer in the rtrailer yard; I did. I went to bed after dropping my trailer and got up at 11 AM CST.
I checked with dispatch and I had a load to Ionia, Michigan. I fueled(118 gallons), hooked up, got truck washed and headed north on I-35 heading toward Iowa by 12:45 PM CST. I got to I-80 and headed west, stopping at the little truckstop/restaurant south of I-80 at the Williamsburg, Iowa exit. It was 5:30 PM CST so I had the 1 lb steak dinner and then watched a movie in their movie room. Went to bed for the night....
December 18, 2011
December 18, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-traveling though Ohio)
Traveling north--between Cincinnati & Dayton--on I-75, getting to Taylor, Michigan at 4 AM EST. I took my paperwork into the Taylor(Detroit) Terminal dispatch for readying for Canada while I sleep. Dispatch told me to drop the load and take a HOT load to Oklahoma City(see my conversation with"Soda Pop" and "Dream Chaser" in yesterday's blog). I couldn't take it as I was too tired and was out of time. I was told to still drop my trailer and check with dispatch went I get up.
At 10 AM EST I got up and went into dispatch. They put me on the TRB and 15 minutes later I had a load to Kansas City, Missouri. The trailer was sitting in the yard and so I hooked up to it, did my vehicle inspection, fueled(92 gallons) and got my paperwork caught up. I was heading west on I-94 by 11:15 AM EST. I just kept moving and took I-80 west when I-94 & I-80 split. I went to I-55 and went south, stopping at the Funk's Grove rest area. After a short break I went to Springfield, Illinois and took Hwy 36(I-72 not established yet) west into Missouri.
I stopped for the night at the little truckstop in Hannibal, Missouri across the street from Kentucky Fried Chicken...getting there at 8:30 PM CST.
Traveling north--between Cincinnati & Dayton--on I-75, getting to Taylor, Michigan at 4 AM EST. I took my paperwork into the Taylor(Detroit) Terminal dispatch for readying for Canada while I sleep. Dispatch told me to drop the load and take a HOT load to Oklahoma City(see my conversation with"Soda Pop" and "Dream Chaser" in yesterday's blog). I couldn't take it as I was too tired and was out of time. I was told to still drop my trailer and check with dispatch went I get up.
At 10 AM EST I got up and went into dispatch. They put me on the TRB and 15 minutes later I had a load to Kansas City, Missouri. The trailer was sitting in the yard and so I hooked up to it, did my vehicle inspection, fueled(92 gallons) and got my paperwork caught up. I was heading west on I-94 by 11:15 AM EST. I just kept moving and took I-80 west when I-94 & I-80 split. I went to I-55 and went south, stopping at the Funk's Grove rest area. After a short break I went to Springfield, Illinois and took Hwy 36(I-72 not established yet) west into Missouri.
I stopped for the night at the little truckstop in Hannibal, Missouri across the street from Kentucky Fried Chicken...getting there at 8:30 PM CST.
December 17, 2011
December 17, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Franklin, Tennessee)
Awoke to no load and so I decided to write some letters. Shortly after that I decided to drive to our fuel stop in Nashville, Tennessee as that was where I was suppose to be. I got there and still didn't have a load. About 2:30 PM CST I got a load that I needed to pick up at the Ford Glass Factory. I wasn't excited about where I was going--Wichita, Kansas--but was happy I was going somewhere. I went to the plant and dropped my empty trailer. As I was getting ready to hook up, "Soda Pop"--a trainer/driver--and his student--"Dream Chaser"--pulled up to the trailer next to me. When they found that I was going the Wichita, they wanted to trade loads. They were going to Canada. They felt Wichita gave them a better chance of getting home to Oklahoma City for Christmas time. I said I thought that going to Canada would but they still wanted to trade....I said OK and we traded loads.
I got loaded and headed for Taylor, Michigan, my terminal where I stop at before going over into Canda. I headed up I-65 and stopped in Shepherdsaville, Kentucky for a big bag of White Castle hamburgers. On up to Louisville where I caught I-71 to I-75.
As my day closed, I was about 4 1/2 hours from the Taylor(Detroit) terminal and traveling through Ohio.
Awoke to no load and so I decided to write some letters. Shortly after that I decided to drive to our fuel stop in Nashville, Tennessee as that was where I was suppose to be. I got there and still didn't have a load. About 2:30 PM CST I got a load that I needed to pick up at the Ford Glass Factory. I wasn't excited about where I was going--Wichita, Kansas--but was happy I was going somewhere. I went to the plant and dropped my empty trailer. As I was getting ready to hook up, "Soda Pop"--a trainer/driver--and his student--"Dream Chaser"--pulled up to the trailer next to me. When they found that I was going the Wichita, they wanted to trade loads. They were going to Canada. They felt Wichita gave them a better chance of getting home to Oklahoma City for Christmas time. I said I thought that going to Canada would but they still wanted to trade....I said OK and we traded loads.
I got loaded and headed for Taylor, Michigan, my terminal where I stop at before going over into Canda. I headed up I-65 and stopped in Shepherdsaville, Kentucky for a big bag of White Castle hamburgers. On up to Louisville where I caught I-71 to I-75.
As my day closed, I was about 4 1/2 hours from the Taylor(Detroit) terminal and traveling through Ohio.
December 16, 1991,2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Birmingham, Alabama)
Just as the sun was coming up, a construction site fellow woke me up and told me where to put my truck for unloading. I wasn't the first to be unloaded so I waited awhile. After I was unloaded, I went to the big Birminham truckstop and found it a real "dump"!!!
I waited around it--the "dump"--until all hopes of getting out of this area were gone for the day. THEN, with a check call at 4:30 PM CST I got sent empty to Nashville Tennessee. I left up I-65 into Tennessee and stopped at a truckstop in Franklin(Tennessee) for the night.
Just as the sun was coming up, a construction site fellow woke me up and told me where to put my truck for unloading. I wasn't the first to be unloaded so I waited awhile. After I was unloaded, I went to the big Birminham truckstop and found it a real "dump"!!!
I waited around it--the "dump"--until all hopes of getting out of this area were gone for the day. THEN, with a check call at 4:30 PM CST I got sent empty to Nashville Tennessee. I left up I-65 into Tennessee and stopped at a truckstop in Franklin(Tennessee) for the night.
December 15, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-St. Genevieve, Missouri)
I woke at 5:30 AM CST, for what reason I didn't know. I drove down I-55 to I-155 and took it into Tennessee. At Dyersburg(Tennessee) I grabbed Hwy 412 and took it to Jackson where I got on Hwy 45. I took Hwy 45 to Corinth, Mississippi and there got on Hwy 72 and went east to the southside of Florence, Alabama. Then took Hwy 157 to I-65 and then south. I didn't know anything but an address to where I was going so I bought a Birmingham, Alabama map. Found the street I needed and got there after dark. I couldn't find the address so at the end of the street, I stopped at a convenience store and asked it's loxation. I got an "I don't know where it is". Since I was at the end of the street, I went back and found a construction site on the south side of the srtreet. I went to the back of the site and found a couple more of our trucks so I just parked fopr the night....
I woke at 5:30 AM CST, for what reason I didn't know. I drove down I-55 to I-155 and took it into Tennessee. At Dyersburg(Tennessee) I grabbed Hwy 412 and took it to Jackson where I got on Hwy 45. I took Hwy 45 to Corinth, Mississippi and there got on Hwy 72 and went east to the southside of Florence, Alabama. Then took Hwy 157 to I-65 and then south. I didn't know anything but an address to where I was going so I bought a Birmingham, Alabama map. Found the street I needed and got there after dark. I couldn't find the address so at the end of the street, I stopped at a convenience store and asked it's loxation. I got an "I don't know where it is". Since I was at the end of the street, I went back and found a construction site on the south side of the srtreet. I went to the back of the site and found a couple more of our trucks so I just parked fopr the night....
December 14, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-KansasCity, Missouri)
Was in the terminal early this morning and the best load I could get was one I had to pickup in Bridgeton, Missouri and take to Birmingham, Alabama for Monday morning.
I left for Bridgeton(St Louis area), stopping in Fulton to check on my mail--none--....
Got to Hussman Refrigeration and pickuped up trailer of store refrigerator units. After I got my units I left down I-270 to I-55 stopping at St Geneveve, Missouri for the night....got a motel room...
Was in the terminal early this morning and the best load I could get was one I had to pickup in Bridgeton, Missouri and take to Birmingham, Alabama for Monday morning.
I left for Bridgeton(St Louis area), stopping in Fulton to check on my mail--none--....
Got to Hussman Refrigeration and pickuped up trailer of store refrigerator units. After I got my units I left down I-270 to I-55 stopping at St Geneveve, Missouri for the night....got a motel room...
December 14, 2011
December 13, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-traveling Kansas)
I followed I-35 into Kansas City, Missouri and ended up at the Kansas City terminal at 3 AM CST. I napped and then delivered my load to sears around 8 AM CST. After unloading, I returned to the terminal and remained there the rest of the day....no load...
I followed I-35 into Kansas City, Missouri and ended up at the Kansas City terminal at 3 AM CST. I napped and then delivered my load to sears around 8 AM CST. After unloading, I returned to the terminal and remained there the rest of the day....no load...
December 12, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Lordsburg, New Mexico)
Woke and drove to Las Cruses(New Mexico). Stopped at a convenience store and got a soda(soft drink in Canada) and a simple sandwich for breakfast.
Once I got to Las Cruses, I took Hwy 70 to Alamogordo(New Mexico), I then took Hwy 54 to Santa Rosa, New Mexico and fueled(191 gallons). I continued northeast on Hwy 54 through Texas and Oklahoma and went into Kansas.
I continued east on Hwy 54 and reach Wichita. I jumped on I-35 toward Kansas City. My day ended after I pass the exits for El Dorado(Kansas).....I am over 3 hours of my 10 hour time limit. I will keep going as I feel well...
Woke and drove to Las Cruses(New Mexico). Stopped at a convenience store and got a soda(soft drink in Canada) and a simple sandwich for breakfast.
Once I got to Las Cruses, I took Hwy 70 to Alamogordo(New Mexico), I then took Hwy 54 to Santa Rosa, New Mexico and fueled(191 gallons). I continued northeast on Hwy 54 through Texas and Oklahoma and went into Kansas.
I continued east on Hwy 54 and reach Wichita. I jumped on I-35 toward Kansas City. My day ended after I pass the exits for El Dorado(Kansas).....I am over 3 hours of my 10 hour time limit. I will keep going as I feel well...
December 11, 2011
December 11, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Casa Grande, Arizona)
I was up and headed out for my 5 deliveries in the Phoenix area at 5 AM MST. I was at my first drop at 6:30 AM MST and had to wait until 7:30 AM MST to get the tires off.
Every thing went well until the fourth stop. I was four tires short and had to call it into dispatch. At the fifth stop, I found the missing tires from the fourth stop. The fourth stop sent a truck over and got the tires..
After I was done unloading, I called dispatch and was given a load to the Sears Warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri. I went to Tucson and got the load of door openers and headed east on I-10. I got to Lordsburg, New Mexico and decided to take my long break there; I logged me into Las Cruses, New Mexico.
I was up and headed out for my 5 deliveries in the Phoenix area at 5 AM MST. I was at my first drop at 6:30 AM MST and had to wait until 7:30 AM MST to get the tires off.
Every thing went well until the fourth stop. I was four tires short and had to call it into dispatch. At the fifth stop, I found the missing tires from the fourth stop. The fourth stop sent a truck over and got the tires..
After I was done unloading, I called dispatch and was given a load to the Sears Warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri. I went to Tucson and got the load of door openers and headed east on I-10. I got to Lordsburg, New Mexico and decided to take my long break there; I logged me into Las Cruses, New Mexico.
December 10, 2011
December 10, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Casa Grande, Arizona)
I spent the day in the motel room and did walk across the highway where I ate lunch at the truckstop. Went back to the motel and stayed there through the night...
I spent the day in the motel room and did walk across the highway where I ate lunch at the truckstop. Went back to the motel and stayed there through the night...
December 9, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Texas Canyon rest area, Arizona)
I was up and moving toward Phoenix at 6 AM MST and got to "Just a Truckstop" at 8:45 AM MST. There I ate breakfast and spent time in the movie room. In the afternoon, I went to the motel across the highway and registered for tonight and tomorrow night as I don't start deliveries until Wednesday....
I was up and moving toward Phoenix at 6 AM MST and got to "Just a Truckstop" at 8:45 AM MST. There I ate breakfast and spent time in the movie room. In the afternoon, I went to the motel across the highway and registered for tonight and tomorrow night as I don't start deliveries until Wednesday....
December 8, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Van Horn, Texas)
I was up and moving toward El Paso at 8 AM CST. I arrived at our EL Paso terminal at 9 AM MST. I fueled(105 gallon) and then talked with the other drivers starting around the closed terminal. I found that some of the other drivers were planning a lunch bar-b-que(many of us carried small bar-b-ques) in the terminal parking lot; I decided to stay for it.
I had some stuff to bar-b-que and joined the fun. We ate, sat around and talked and about 4 PM MST when I decided to continue toward Phoenix. I continued west on I-10, through New Mexico and into Arizona. I stopped for the night at the Texas Canyon rest area east of Benson, Arizona at 8:15 PM MST).
I was up and moving toward El Paso at 8 AM CST. I arrived at our EL Paso terminal at 9 AM MST. I fueled(105 gallon) and then talked with the other drivers starting around the closed terminal. I found that some of the other drivers were planning a lunch bar-b-que(many of us carried small bar-b-ques) in the terminal parking lot; I decided to stay for it.
I had some stuff to bar-b-que and joined the fun. We ate, sat around and talked and about 4 PM MST when I decided to continue toward Phoenix. I continued west on I-10, through New Mexico and into Arizona. I stopped for the night at the Texas Canyon rest area east of Benson, Arizona at 8:15 PM MST).
December 7, 2011
December 7, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Saturday-Lancaster, Texas)
I was up and in the Lancaster(Dallas) terminal when it opened. About 10 AM CST, dispatch had called me to the dispatch window. Randy, the dispatcher, had only one decent load and I took it; a tire load to the Phoenix, Arizona area for a Wednesday delivery date.
I sat in the terminal until it closed at noon. At noon I hooked up my assigned trailer, fueled my tanks(76 gallons), did my paperwork and then headed west on I-20. Stopped at the "Just a Truckstop." for a late lunch.
At 9:30 PM CST I pulled into a truck parking lot of a convenience store in Van Horn(Texas). I stayed there for the night as I was tired and not in any hurry....
I was up and in the Lancaster(Dallas) terminal when it opened. About 10 AM CST, dispatch had called me to the dispatch window. Randy, the dispatcher, had only one decent load and I took it; a tire load to the Phoenix, Arizona area for a Wednesday delivery date.
I sat in the terminal until it closed at noon. At noon I hooked up my assigned trailer, fueled my tanks(76 gallons), did my paperwork and then headed west on I-20. Stopped at the "Just a Truckstop." for a late lunch.
At 9:30 PM CST I pulled into a truck parking lot of a convenience store in Van Horn(Texas). I stayed there for the night as I was tired and not in any hurry....
December 6, 2011
December 6, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Winfield, Texas)
I woke up at 3 AM CST, did my vehicle inspection and was heading toward Dallas by 3:30 AM CST. I got to Carrollton(Texas) and the Ford parts warehouse at 5:45 AM CST. The warehouse personnel were there and unloaded me.
I called the Lancaster(Dallas) terminal and was told to go to the terminal and wait for another load. I did go out to lunch and then spent the rest of the day at the terminal...No load today...
I woke up at 3 AM CST, did my vehicle inspection and was heading toward Dallas by 3:30 AM CST. I got to Carrollton(Texas) and the Ford parts warehouse at 5:45 AM CST. The warehouse personnel were there and unloaded me.
I called the Lancaster(Dallas) terminal and was told to go to the terminal and wait for another load. I did go out to lunch and then spent the rest of the day at the terminal...No load today...
December 5, 2011
December 5, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-Dickson, Tennessee)
I woke and was on my was west on I-40 by 7:15 AM CST, getting to our Memphis terminal at 10:15 AM CST. I fueled(116 gallons), checked in with dispatch and left.
I stopped at "Just a Truckstop" in West Memphis, Arkansas for lunch and about an hour break. It was about 12:15 PM CST when I was back on I-40 going west.
Got to Little Rock(Arkansas) and took I-30 southwest into Texas. At 5:45 PM CST I pulled into the truckstop at Winfield, Texas. I had nothing to gain by going on tonight. I went into the restaurant and called my girl friend in Portland, Oregon. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries but wasn't really hungry. Went to bed to wait for tomorrow....
I woke and was on my was west on I-40 by 7:15 AM CST, getting to our Memphis terminal at 10:15 AM CST. I fueled(116 gallons), checked in with dispatch and left.
I stopped at "Just a Truckstop" in West Memphis, Arkansas for lunch and about an hour break. It was about 12:15 PM CST when I was back on I-40 going west.
Got to Little Rock(Arkansas) and took I-30 southwest into Texas. At 5:45 PM CST I pulled into the truckstop at Winfield, Texas. I had nothing to gain by going on tonight. I went into the restaurant and called my girl friend in Portland, Oregon. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries but wasn't really hungry. Went to bed to wait for tomorrow....
December 4, 2011
December 4, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Taylor, Michigan)
I woke at 4:30 AM EST and got on the TRB at that time as the number 5 driver. I went out and fueled(94 gallons) and then just took it easy until 9 AM EST, when I got a load. I was hooked up and on my way by 10 AM EST.
I went down I-75 into Kentucky and took I-71 to Louisville. Took I-65 in Louisville and stopped at the White Castle in Shepherdsville(Kentucky) at 5 PM EST.
I ate and hung around until 6 PM EST and waited for the traffic to lighten. I took off for Nashville, Tennessee where I took I-40 west, stopping in Dickson, Tennessee for my sleep break....
I woke at 4:30 AM EST and got on the TRB at that time as the number 5 driver. I went out and fueled(94 gallons) and then just took it easy until 9 AM EST, when I got a load. I was hooked up and on my way by 10 AM EST.
I went down I-75 into Kentucky and took I-71 to Louisville. Took I-65 in Louisville and stopped at the White Castle in Shepherdsville(Kentucky) at 5 PM EST.
I ate and hung around until 6 PM EST and waited for the traffic to lighten. I took off for Nashville, Tennessee where I took I-40 west, stopping in Dickson, Tennessee for my sleep break....
December 3, 2011
December 3, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Tuesday-Guelph, Ontario)
I was awake when the employees wanted to load me. I was loaded by 9:30 AM EST and heading for Windsor, Ontario to cross the border by 9:45 AM EST.
I crossed into the US around 1:30 PM and had a problem with US customs; getting the problems all solved by 3:30 PM EST(Remember, I didn't get paid for anything I did for the load that wasn't driving.).
I got to our Taylor(Detroit) terminal and had to turn the load over to another driver; this I knew was going to happen.. I turned over my paperwork to dispatch and did not go on the TRB. I went to shop and eat, returning to go to bed.
I was awake when the employees wanted to load me. I was loaded by 9:30 AM EST and heading for Windsor, Ontario to cross the border by 9:45 AM EST.
I crossed into the US around 1:30 PM and had a problem with US customs; getting the problems all solved by 3:30 PM EST(Remember, I didn't get paid for anything I did for the load that wasn't driving.).
I got to our Taylor(Detroit) terminal and had to turn the load over to another driver; this I knew was going to happen.. I turned over my paperwork to dispatch and did not go on the TRB. I went to shop and eat, returning to go to bed.
December 2, 2011
December 2, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Monday-Seville, Ohio)
I was up at 4 AM EST and moving up I-71 to I-271. Got to I-90 and continued northeast, getting to the Red Wing company, my destination, and checking in by 7:30 AM EST. I was scheduled to unload tomorrow and I was ready to wait, but they said they would unload me as some as I got backed to the docks. After unloading I went to the Perkins Restaurant and found two other unloaded trucks from my company waiting for loads; one was a team. We had breakfast and then the other two trucks got loads out of Canada. They took off and left me waiting.
I finally got a load, it too was out of Canada. I got the load at 4:30 PM EST and headed for the Peace Bridge near Buffalo, New York. I kept my speed up and got to my pick up point at Guelph, Ontario by 8 PM EST. I had great direction and they took me right there. I just backed up to a dock and went to bed watching my TV....
I was up at 4 AM EST and moving up I-71 to I-271. Got to I-90 and continued northeast, getting to the Red Wing company, my destination, and checking in by 7:30 AM EST. I was scheduled to unload tomorrow and I was ready to wait, but they said they would unload me as some as I got backed to the docks. After unloading I went to the Perkins Restaurant and found two other unloaded trucks from my company waiting for loads; one was a team. We had breakfast and then the other two trucks got loads out of Canada. They took off and left me waiting.
I finally got a load, it too was out of Canada. I got the load at 4:30 PM EST and headed for the Peace Bridge near Buffalo, New York. I kept my speed up and got to my pick up point at Guelph, Ontario by 8 PM EST. I had great direction and they took me right there. I just backed up to a dock and went to bed watching my TV....
December 1, 1991, 2011
FIRST 5 YEARS:(Sunday-Pocahontas, Illinois)
I was up and heading east on I-70 by 8:15 AM CST. My plans were to stop at our fuel stop in Effingham, Illinois but the weather on the local radio was calling for freezing rain and snow. I try and not get stuck in bad weather so I kept moving east. I wasn't worried about the I-71 northbound Ohio weigh station so I followed I-70 to I-71 and then went northeast.
I stopped at our fuel stop in Seville, Ohio and fueled(133 gallons). I checked the weather and rain was the only thing in the forecast. I decided to stay the night and do my laundry. I got to Seville at 6:15 PM EST. I was asleep when my deay ended at midnight...
I was up and heading east on I-70 by 8:15 AM CST. My plans were to stop at our fuel stop in Effingham, Illinois but the weather on the local radio was calling for freezing rain and snow. I try and not get stuck in bad weather so I kept moving east. I wasn't worried about the I-71 northbound Ohio weigh station so I followed I-70 to I-71 and then went northeast.
I stopped at our fuel stop in Seville, Ohio and fueled(133 gallons). I checked the weather and rain was the only thing in the forecast. I decided to stay the night and do my laundry. I got to Seville at 6:15 PM EST. I was asleep when my deay ended at midnight...
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