April 11, 1991,2011

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