July 24, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Wichita, Kansas)
Woke at 8 AM CST without an alarm clock. After a great deadhead, somehow I didn't expect to get any assignment for a while , and I didn't. It was 10:20 AM CST went I got my load to pick up. I was to go to a company that makes the Sunday Paper inserts and pick a load of them up for Houston, Texas.

Before leaving for the pickup, I needed to fuel. I only put in 50 gallons as I was going to Lancaster, Texas terminal and could fuel with company fuel.

I found Vlassic Company--the one I was picking up at--and checked in with the shipping department. They had me back up to the dock and I was loaded with a relatively light load; 24,563 lbs. This was light as I only had one stop with this load; Other loads from here I have had have been in the 40,000 lb range where I had two and three drops.

I was loaded pretty quick and found me heading south on I-35 by noon CST.

I-35, between Wichita and Emporia(Kansas), I find beautiful. South of Wichita, on I-35, I find "OK". I wasn't worried about the scenery today as I had my CB radio going and my tapes I was singing to. Yes, it was going to be a good drive...

I was happy about this load as I just knew I could get to our Lancaster(Dallas) terminal and find someone to trade their "Laredo" load with for my Houston load.. I JUST KNEW IT !!!!

I went into Oklahoma and onto "Just a Truckstop" in Oklahoma City where I stopped for dinner. I had the buffet and then headed south on I-35 again. I traveled past the downtown Dallas area getting to Lancaster by 7:30 PM CST.

There weren't but a couple drivers in the yard but they didn't have loads. I went to the fuel island and fueled(132 gallons). While I was fueling, a husband & wife team stopped to fuel. I asked where they were going and they said Laredo. I tried to take them into trading but they wouldn't. I watched as they drove out saying to myself, "There goes my last chance. I guess I had better head for Houston."

I prepared myself to head for Houston but I wanted to call a friend in Portland, Oregon first. I drove up to the main building and noted that their was someone on the phone; his tractor was parked next to me. I asked if he'd be off the phone soon and he said yes; I waited. The fellow got off the phone and asked where I was going. I said, "Houston". He then asked if I would trade for his Laredo load as he didn't want to go to Laredo. I COULD HAVE BEEN KNOCKED OVER WITH A FEATHER. We traded and I headed for Laredo; it was about 8:30 PM CST when I headed south on I-35E. I kept moving south, keeping my speed up, and I was getting close to Austin, Texas as my day ended...