September 5, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Thursday-"Little" Bonanza, Utah)
I was up before anyone showed up to work. This little Bonanza here only a mining operation as the population is "0"(Big Bonanza had a population of "9"). I was up and walking around when the bus carrying the workers came in. I was the only truck until they finished loading me. As they were finishing unloading me, another truck from my company pulled in. It was being driven by "Rain Man"--his handle--and what was interesting was that he hadn't brought anything to eat or drink...I ended up giving him water and some munchies...

We both were loaded and given the directions(I had them before when I stopped here)to take a mining road(still not on the map and saved us at least 50 miles) over to Hwy 64 in Colorado. We followed Hwy 64 southeast to Rangely and then into Meeker(Colorado) where we were hoping to get something to eat. We found a bar that served lunch and it was about 11:30 AM MST. We walked in and found the place empty of customers. We were told that lunch started at noon. For some reason we did not want to wait; we pressed on down Hwy 13. It was 12:45 PM MST when we pulled into Rifle(Colorado) and stopped at a fast food restaurant. We were heading east on I-70, through the mountains at 1:30 PM MST.

It was a rough afternoon as both Rain Man and I had full loads--each truck weighing around 79,600 lbs--and the mountains almost became a game that we had to win. Up and down--seemed to never end-- on the truck's gears was the order of the day. Went past Vail(Colorado) and didn't enjoy it at all(I usually enjoy the scenery).


As we were getting close to the steep downgrade before Denver(Colorado), Rain Man informed me that he may have been having brake problems with his trailer. Since the downgrade before Denver isn't the place to find out there was a problem, Rain Man pulled into a truck parking area and--I guess, as I didn't stop--checked things out. We had no Jake brakes on our trucks.

The downgrade was long and slow. I had good control of my unit--even with the weight--until the last six miles. I got thinking we were close to being done and kind of took liberties that could have cost me dearly. By the time I got to the bottom of the mountain, I showed signs my brakes were beginning to fade badly. Luckily there were few vehicles in front and I hadn't been going too fast. I believe my brakes were smoking but not bad...

Got through the Denver area and went on to Bennett, Colorado where we had a fuel stop. It had been a wild day so I called it quits for the day and went to sleep...

September 4, 1991, 2011

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Wednesday-Bountiful, Utah)
Day after the day after Labor Day and it's time to go back to work. I had my Sister take me back to my truck sitting in the extra McDonalds parking lot at the Centerville(Utah) exit off I-15. Time was around 6:30 AM MST when I got back to the truck. Before I left for Salt Lake City, I got my logbook caught up and my vehicle inspection done.

I got to Salt Lake City by going down I-15. Found their downtown store--this was my first stop for the day--was backed up to the unloading door by 7:30 AM MST. After that store I went to the Salt Lake City fuel stop and fueled(118 gallons). I then went back to Bountiful and unloaded their tires. The final stop was in Roy(Utah) were I was empty at 3:45 PM MST.

I called dispatch for my next load and was told to go to Bonaza, Utah(Been there before) for a load going to Cincinnati, Ohio. I was ready...

I traveled down I-15 to I-40, just south of Salt Lake, and took it up into the mountains. Went past Park City and onto Highway 40 where I turned south heading toward Heber City. Once I got through Heber City, I traveled --what I call--the top of the world. The moon was only half full but it was bight as could be anyway. It was a beauiful night while traveling along the top of the world...

Got to Vernal, Utah and stopped to get me a big soda(soft drink in Canada) and some Munchies. I got so much that that check out clerk asked me if I storing goodies. I told her that I was getting ready to go to "Nowhere", Utah as I'd been to Bonanza, Utah before. Got back in my truck and went south on Hwy 45 from Vernal. Got to "Little" Bonanza--population: 0--at 11:30 PM MST and just parked my truck in front of the main building and went to bed...Note: Big Bonanza had a population of "9"