After updating our blog I went out to the truck. Ms. Teresa wasn't really complaining but it was getting pretty noisy out there. When you pull in at 1700 you might figure things were settled for awhile and you can get a feel for your daily neighbors. Sometimes that's true and sometimes not. NOT Tuesday. When we backed in noone was running. When I came back everyone had left to be replaced by runners.
I walked around and found a McDonald's that has truck parking. Sign says "no extended or overnight parking." There was one truck there and I walked over and asked him about it. He said he stops in occasionally and is never hassled. Whoopee, I do my best power walk back to the truck and head out. We were set...
Headed out Wednesday morning a bit early to make our 1000 delivery in SC. I HAD figured the used tires were going to be used for some other process. Turns out the Canadian tread laws are much stricter because of snow and other weather than in SC so they resell them to the open market. The don't even check for tire tread there. They only profit about $5 per tire, but we hauled 1,800 down there and they were doing a brisk business as we left.
While unloading we got our next w/a. I can tell right off this is going to be a tough one. We're to head up to Spartanburg to pick up a trailer, then back up to Asheville to be loaded. Looks like the insides of diapers. The load is to be unloaded in Laredo, TX by 1500 on Friday.
We were loaded by 1300 and had already spent 7 hours of our 14. I figured if we covered 300 yesterday and 600 today and 400 tomorrow we will be there by the delivery deadline.
Yesterday we only got 250 down - big hills in NC 8% grades, and Atlanta afternoon commute traffic. We made it to the Georgia/Alabama border. Today we scratched out 606 miles.
I figure if we leave by 0600 and are lucky getting through Houston we should be there by 1400 - 1430.
If I use my best manly persuasion - we might leave closer to 0500. The proof is in the pudding. We'll see.
I called the consignee and they are closed for the weekend, so if we miss our delivery we're stuck with the load for the weekend. On the other hand loads are often slow to come in Laredo, so we could be there for the weekend any way. Either way, I'm planning for a hotel in Laredo for tomorrow night. I figure we've both earned it.
Showered and got our walk in. Pooped out again.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Back to Tennessee
I forgot to add these pictures the other day on the way to SC. The car carrier was headed south, we were headed north. It still took us an hour to get past. I read later that the entire southbound was closed for over two hours.
Cause in the real world there shutting Detroit down
While the boss man takes his bonus pay and jets out of town/
And DC’s bailing out the bankers as the farmers auction ground,
Yeah while they’re living it up on Wall Street in that New York City town,
Here in the real world there shuttin’ Detroit down.
They’re shuttin’ Detroit down.”
This is the entrance to the Peace Bridge Sunday evening on our way in to Canada.
This is the Ambassador Bridge and Buffalo, NY on our way out yesterday.
Sorry about all the bugs on the windshield, but they are really busy this time of year.
We covered 525 today arriving in Dandridge, TN to fuel, shower and have salad for dinner. Got our walk in now Teresa's catching up on TV and me our blog.
While in Detroit we heard John Rich's song "Shuttin' Down Detroit" a few times. Good lyrics and music. Here's a bit of the song - if you want I can sing it later...
John Rich
Shuttin' Detroit Down
Written By: John Rich, John D. Anderson
My daddy taught me that in this country everyone’s the same
You work hard for your dollar and you never pass the blame
When it don’t go your way
Now I see all these big shots whinin’ on my evening news
About how they’re losin’ billions and how it’s up to me and you
To come running to the rescue
Well pardon me if I don’t shed a tear ‘cause they’re selling make believe
And we don’t buy that here
Shuttin' Detroit Down
Written By: John Rich, John D. Anderson
My daddy taught me that in this country everyone’s the same
You work hard for your dollar and you never pass the blame
When it don’t go your way
Now I see all these big shots whinin’ on my evening news
About how they’re losin’ billions and how it’s up to me and you
To come running to the rescue
Well pardon me if I don’t shed a tear ‘cause they’re selling make believe
And we don’t buy that here
Cause in the real world there shutting Detroit down
While the boss man takes his bonus pay and jets out of town/
And DC’s bailing out the bankers as the farmers auction ground,
Yeah while they’re living it up on Wall Street in that New York City town,
Here in the real world there shuttin’ Detroit down.
They’re shuttin’ Detroit down.”
Give it a listen... you can watch the video on YouTube
Monday, April 27, 2009
No longer an alien
Sunday seemed like it was going to be a relaxing day. After updating our blog and then fetching m'lady's tea we headed for WalMart. Got everything we needed.
We went in to the OC and were reading, etc. I was seriously thinking a nap was in order. But I thought, nope, better check the QC. There it was! Not sure why it took 3 hours to get assigned as the trailer had already been relayed there. I read the QC and the w/a is to Delhi, Ontario, Canada. Only 400 miles, but still, Canada !!!
We spent 30 minutes (maybe a little exageration) prepping paperwork for the PARS crossing. None of the phone numbers supplied we either valid or working on Saturday. Two calls back for more numbers and finally got one and subsequently got a fax number.
We were hauling 40,000 of Scotts Fertilizer plastic bags to be filled in Delhi. The route to Buffalo and over to Ontario was the hardest I have traveled in the time I've been driving. The hills were straight up and down.
US219 even has some places that the truck speed limit is 20 MPH. That will surely blow your average. It really is hard to hold 40,000 pounds back on the down hill, had to go into 5th gear to do it comfortably. Then lots of small towns. Eight hours to cover 300 miles.
We entered Canada at Ft. Erie then headed west on QE 3 to Delhi. While unloading we got our next w/a; go east on QE 3 12 miles and pick up a load of recycle tires to drop in Greenville, SC.
We made it across both directions of the border crossings so we are no longer aliens and are showering and resting up in Detroit for the evening. Then on down I75 to Tennessee and then east to SC.
Tonight I am pooped again. Either I am getting older or it's getting tougher, let me know when you figure it out.
We went in to the OC and were reading, etc. I was seriously thinking a nap was in order. But I thought, nope, better check the QC. There it was! Not sure why it took 3 hours to get assigned as the trailer had already been relayed there. I read the QC and the w/a is to Delhi, Ontario, Canada. Only 400 miles, but still, Canada !!!
We spent 30 minutes (maybe a little exageration) prepping paperwork for the PARS crossing. None of the phone numbers supplied we either valid or working on Saturday. Two calls back for more numbers and finally got one and subsequently got a fax number.
We were hauling 40,000 of Scotts Fertilizer plastic bags to be filled in Delhi. The route to Buffalo and over to Ontario was the hardest I have traveled in the time I've been driving. The hills were straight up and down.
US219 even has some places that the truck speed limit is 20 MPH. That will surely blow your average. It really is hard to hold 40,000 pounds back on the down hill, had to go into 5th gear to do it comfortably. Then lots of small towns. Eight hours to cover 300 miles.
We entered Canada at Ft. Erie then headed west on QE 3 to Delhi. While unloading we got our next w/a; go east on QE 3 12 miles and pick up a load of recycle tires to drop in Greenville, SC.
We made it across both directions of the border crossings so we are no longer aliens and are showering and resting up in Detroit for the evening. Then on down I75 to Tennessee and then east to SC.
Tonight I am pooped again. Either I am getting older or it's getting tougher, let me know when you figure it out.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Day from Hell
Yesterday was THE DAY FROM HELL, but let me catch up to yesterday first.
We dropped our load of Michelin tires in Laurens, SC on time Thursday. It looked like a recycling plant. Tires going in and rolled roofing going out. We could not see any processing but that's what we could see on the outside. Pretty interesting if you think about it - lots of oil in both products.
During the day I had contacted Cathie, my DBL and let her know how things were going and that if she could get us to Charlotte which was about 80 miles away I would be able to get spring training out of the way. After dropping she bobtailed us there. Enroute I called Ron and asked him if he was up-to-date on reading the blog. He had to confess he was not - bad move Ron. In it was a heads up that we might be coming through and he missed it. Anyway he met us at the OC and we had dinner and he helped us out by running us on a few errands. Thanks, Ron. We really like Ron, really enjoyable to chat with.
Friday morning I got the spring training out of the way. Nothing really new mostly on-the-job safety, which they cover every year. It's mostly to cover Schneider's butt. If someone doesn't follow procedures and gets hurt, at least they were given the instructions even if they didn't follow them. One of the things they also do is review your logs. The OSR ( the S is safety, I can't remember the other part of the acronym right now) comes over acting like he just stopped a nuclear bomb and says "Buddy, you're going to remedial training." There are no errors on any log but he had calculated hours driving and miles traveled to come up with MPH and he gets several days in excess of 65 MPH. He says "it can't be done in a 60 mph truck." I tried to explain my process, but he was so satisfied with himself he did not want to listen. Cathie will schedule ANOTHER class for me somewhere that will be a pain to get to.
The class was at 0700 est - keep that in mind as it's 0600 cst for us. Finished by 0900 CST. I stopped by the maintenance shop and for a small repair and then fueled and washed the truck. Now it's about 1130 est and I've been on the clock for 5 1/2 hours. Our next w/a came while we were remaking the bed. Teresa got laundry done while I was in training.
The w/a was to pick up a trailer there at the OC and go to Gastonia, NC 27 miles away and get loaded. No problem so far. The delivery was to Kutztown, PA 555 miles and deliver by 1000 est on Saturday. After quickly thinking it through I called the dispatchers and informed them it could not be done as assigned. After a little "negotiating" they relented and agreed to 1300 est Saturday. We have a deal.
Friday was fine, but quite long. We figured if we could get 350 miles out of the way by 2000 then we could get on the road by 0600 and arrive by 1230, giving a little room for error. We got our part done, and stopped at a rest area around Staunton, VA.
Saturday started fresh in the Shenandoah Valley. Really pretty and green. Around Harrisburg, MD we got a shower and some ice for the road, we're doing pretty good we think we're going to OK. Then the proverbial "shit hit the fan."
We're on I81 in PA headed north and blow a tire on the trailer. I pull over and check it out. Skinny shoulder. I contacted SEM, emergency maintenance and we agree I can hobble on upt the the Carlisle OC, about 30 miles. We're carrying 39,000 pounds. Each tire can carry 7,000 and there are 7 left, so we're good. Without too much delay they got us taken care of. I contacted the consignee (where we're delivering) to let them know I was going to be about an hour late. Being patient, they agreed. So we headed out.
We now have about 80 miles to go. 65 miles later the coolant alarm goes off. So I pull over again, at least this time I can get well off the road. Yep, blown water hose.
I contact SEM again. After an hour I get a message that they have contacted someone to come get us back in order. Then the guy calls and he doesn't think he has the part. By that time I have a Mcgyver repair in order and have put almost a case of our drinking water in. I had no idea how much it held or how much I water had been lost.
The guy arrives two hours later and likes my Mcgyver repair then adds 3 more gallons of antifreeze. How naive was I to think a case of drinking water was going to work ? Teresa got a good laugh about that.
We sat on the freeway for 3 full hours and were 12 miles from our delivery. Now it's 1615 and I call them again. Remember it's Saturday. They were about to shut down but said a couple of guys would wait and unload me. They did and I really appreciated it.
I contacted SEM one more time and told them it was jerry rigged and I needed to get back to the Carlisle OC for a permanent repair. We got back last night at 2000 and it was fixed by 2100.
Many thanks to my navigator/team domestic for her patience throughout the day.
You want to know the repair? I took the guts out of a bic pen and shoved it between the two pieces of hose and clamped it. Wasn't pretty but it held for 100 miles and that's all I needed.
Now you can call me Mcgyver Bob, if you want !!!
It's Sunday. No w/a yet, and that's fine. We're out of dinners, salad stuff, cereal and milk. So a trip to WalMart is on our list this morning.
We dropped our load of Michelin tires in Laurens, SC on time Thursday. It looked like a recycling plant. Tires going in and rolled roofing going out. We could not see any processing but that's what we could see on the outside. Pretty interesting if you think about it - lots of oil in both products.
During the day I had contacted Cathie, my DBL and let her know how things were going and that if she could get us to Charlotte which was about 80 miles away I would be able to get spring training out of the way. After dropping she bobtailed us there. Enroute I called Ron and asked him if he was up-to-date on reading the blog. He had to confess he was not - bad move Ron. In it was a heads up that we might be coming through and he missed it. Anyway he met us at the OC and we had dinner and he helped us out by running us on a few errands. Thanks, Ron. We really like Ron, really enjoyable to chat with.
Friday morning I got the spring training out of the way. Nothing really new mostly on-the-job safety, which they cover every year. It's mostly to cover Schneider's butt. If someone doesn't follow procedures and gets hurt, at least they were given the instructions even if they didn't follow them. One of the things they also do is review your logs. The OSR ( the S is safety, I can't remember the other part of the acronym right now) comes over acting like he just stopped a nuclear bomb and says "Buddy, you're going to remedial training." There are no errors on any log but he had calculated hours driving and miles traveled to come up with MPH and he gets several days in excess of 65 MPH. He says "it can't be done in a 60 mph truck." I tried to explain my process, but he was so satisfied with himself he did not want to listen. Cathie will schedule ANOTHER class for me somewhere that will be a pain to get to.
The class was at 0700 est - keep that in mind as it's 0600 cst for us. Finished by 0900 CST. I stopped by the maintenance shop and for a small repair and then fueled and washed the truck. Now it's about 1130 est and I've been on the clock for 5 1/2 hours. Our next w/a came while we were remaking the bed. Teresa got laundry done while I was in training.
The w/a was to pick up a trailer there at the OC and go to Gastonia, NC 27 miles away and get loaded. No problem so far. The delivery was to Kutztown, PA 555 miles and deliver by 1000 est on Saturday. After quickly thinking it through I called the dispatchers and informed them it could not be done as assigned. After a little "negotiating" they relented and agreed to 1300 est Saturday. We have a deal.
Friday was fine, but quite long. We figured if we could get 350 miles out of the way by 2000 then we could get on the road by 0600 and arrive by 1230, giving a little room for error. We got our part done, and stopped at a rest area around Staunton, VA.
Saturday started fresh in the Shenandoah Valley. Really pretty and green. Around Harrisburg, MD we got a shower and some ice for the road, we're doing pretty good we think we're going to OK. Then the proverbial "shit hit the fan."
We're on I81 in PA headed north and blow a tire on the trailer. I pull over and check it out. Skinny shoulder. I contacted SEM, emergency maintenance and we agree I can hobble on upt the the Carlisle OC, about 30 miles. We're carrying 39,000 pounds. Each tire can carry 7,000 and there are 7 left, so we're good. Without too much delay they got us taken care of. I contacted the consignee (where we're delivering) to let them know I was going to be about an hour late. Being patient, they agreed. So we headed out.
We now have about 80 miles to go. 65 miles later the coolant alarm goes off. So I pull over again, at least this time I can get well off the road. Yep, blown water hose.
I contact SEM again. After an hour I get a message that they have contacted someone to come get us back in order. Then the guy calls and he doesn't think he has the part. By that time I have a Mcgyver repair in order and have put almost a case of our drinking water in. I had no idea how much it held or how much I water had been lost.
The guy arrives two hours later and likes my Mcgyver repair then adds 3 more gallons of antifreeze. How naive was I to think a case of drinking water was going to work ? Teresa got a good laugh about that.
We sat on the freeway for 3 full hours and were 12 miles from our delivery. Now it's 1615 and I call them again. Remember it's Saturday. They were about to shut down but said a couple of guys would wait and unload me. They did and I really appreciated it.
I contacted SEM one more time and told them it was jerry rigged and I needed to get back to the Carlisle OC for a permanent repair. We got back last night at 2000 and it was fixed by 2100.
Many thanks to my navigator/team domestic for her patience throughout the day.
You want to know the repair? I took the guts out of a bic pen and shoved it between the two pieces of hose and clamped it. Wasn't pretty but it held for 100 miles and that's all I needed.
Now you can call me Mcgyver Bob, if you want !!!
It's Sunday. No w/a yet, and that's fine. We're out of dinners, salad stuff, cereal and milk. So a trip to WalMart is on our list this morning.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Back in the Saddle
Had a great TAH. Somebody remind me why we have to always go back to work!!!
Yesterday was tougher than the regular tough first day back at it. As per usual we hit the road at 0600 and thankfully did not forget anything. Checked in at the truck at 0805 and yep there's the first w/a. The little ones are a pain, basically no miles. We bobtailed up to Edmond and picked up a trailer - have to wonder why when there were empties in the lot. Then back to Waste Management to pick up paper to be recycled then back to the drop lot for someone else to take to Alabama. Don't ask me, as I can't figure it.
Then we picked up an empty there at the drop lot ( the drop lot is where we park the truck during our TAH ). Then we headed to Ardmore and dropped the trailer and picked up a loaded one full of tires headed for Laurens, SC. Since we were passing pretty close to Dallas I figured to pull in and give another try at getting the PM done.
We pulled in at 1815 and by 2115 they were done. Three hours and I'm pretty sure the tires are all aired up properly. Anything else I can't tell. But at least it's done for the next 20,000 miles.
We left Dallas this morning at 0700 and had breakfast on the road in Texas, lunch somewhere in Louisianna and skipped right on through Mississippi and had dinner at the Alabama welcome center. Real nice place. Then we pushed forward to Tuscaloosa to stop for the night - 597 miles. We'll drop the trailer by 1300. I am hoping to get to Charlotte tomorrow. If it works out maybe we'll get to say hi to Ron and family. Then spring training at 0700 on Friday.
We're good and pooped and ready for TV and bed. Good night, everyone !!!
Yesterday was tougher than the regular tough first day back at it. As per usual we hit the road at 0600 and thankfully did not forget anything. Checked in at the truck at 0805 and yep there's the first w/a. The little ones are a pain, basically no miles. We bobtailed up to Edmond and picked up a trailer - have to wonder why when there were empties in the lot. Then back to Waste Management to pick up paper to be recycled then back to the drop lot for someone else to take to Alabama. Don't ask me, as I can't figure it.
Then we picked up an empty there at the drop lot ( the drop lot is where we park the truck during our TAH ). Then we headed to Ardmore and dropped the trailer and picked up a loaded one full of tires headed for Laurens, SC. Since we were passing pretty close to Dallas I figured to pull in and give another try at getting the PM done.
We pulled in at 1815 and by 2115 they were done. Three hours and I'm pretty sure the tires are all aired up properly. Anything else I can't tell. But at least it's done for the next 20,000 miles.
We left Dallas this morning at 0700 and had breakfast on the road in Texas, lunch somewhere in Louisianna and skipped right on through Mississippi and had dinner at the Alabama welcome center. Real nice place. Then we pushed forward to Tuscaloosa to stop for the night - 597 miles. We'll drop the trailer by 1300. I am hoping to get to Charlotte tomorrow. If it works out maybe we'll get to say hi to Ron and family. Then spring training at 0700 on Friday.
We're good and pooped and ready for TV and bed. Good night, everyone !!!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Home at Last
We cheated on the last load. Instead of stopping in Wichita we got all the way to OKC, dropped the trailer and back to Ponca City by 2000. We're home...
Got a bit of golfing in on Friday, and a nap. Yesterday Teresa, Grandpa and myself we went to Stillwater and watched the OSU Cowboys baseball team beat the Baylor Bears. We enjoyed the game.
It was forecast to have 100% rain on Friday, 60% on Saturday and clear on Sunday. Well, it never rained on Friday, misted on Saturday and is pouring today. Those meteorologists, how do they keep their jobs with that kind of record ?
For dinner I made Pepper Jack Chicken pita pockets. Pretty good.
The big annual event here in Ponca City is the Prom Walk. The prom attendees all walk around t
the old Marland Mansion.
Somehow I talked myself out of attending, but Teresa went. The kids are very handsome.
This morning is Biscuits and Gravy and then check out Grandma's computer. Surely a nap for this afternoon.
Glad to be home and not moving all the time.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Still Still in Council Bluffs
We're still in Council Bluffs and I'm even snippier. We're at the end though. We have a w/a to pick up in Omaha this morning at 0900 then to deliver in Ft. Worth tomorrow. The snippier side came out yesterday afternoon when we finally got a w/a. After calculating our times I figured we could not reasonably deliver in Ft. Worth and still make it back up to OKC by end-of-day on Friday so I indicated to dispatch that we were going to drop the load in OKC on our way down. I figure we'll stop tonight around Wichita, KS and be in OKC by about 1000 tomorrow and then someone else can take it on down to Ft. Worth.
We've will have been out 26 days and we're ready to get out of the truck for a few days.
Yesterday we picked up groceries to cover us for the next couple of days and a Red Box movie; "Seven Pounds." Very good movie. Teresa didn't cry, but almost. I really like Will Smith.
Craig and Diane; I agree with Craig, "adapt and overcome" but that doesn't mean it isn't any less frustrating. I had the same feelings the last two days.
We're on the last leg and headed for the barn. We're betting we can put the top down on the VW bug when we head home tomorrow. Yippee.
We've will have been out 26 days and we're ready to get out of the truck for a few days.
Yesterday we picked up groceries to cover us for the next couple of days and a Red Box movie; "Seven Pounds." Very good movie. Teresa didn't cry, but almost. I really like Will Smith.
Craig and Diane; I agree with Craig, "adapt and overcome" but that doesn't mean it isn't any less frustrating. I had the same feelings the last two days.
We're on the last leg and headed for the barn. We're betting we can put the top down on the VW bug when we head home tomorrow. Yippee.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Still in Council Bluffs
Don't mind me if I'm a little snippy, I get that way when I've been sitting too long, and we've been sitting since yesterday at 0745. We got unloaded pretty fast yesterday and came back to the Pilot in Council Bluffs yesterday. We got here by 0830 and have been w/a-less since.
I called this morning and they say we're first on the list, but for the moment there are no loads. So I'm frustrated as heck, hence the snippy part.
Historically, I should mention that years ago, 1984, my middle child, Adam was born here in Omaha when we lived here.
On the bright side I got a replacement speaker for the "blown" one at the Freightliner shop close by and Teresa got a pedicure so things aren't as bad a they could be. We'll probably take a spin over to the WalMart close by and pick up a movie and some fruit a bit later.
In the meantime, I'm going to stay snippy till we get moving. Since we've been out a long time we really are ready to head home.
TAH - 2 days, if we can get there.
I called this morning and they say we're first on the list, but for the moment there are no loads. So I'm frustrated as heck, hence the snippy part.
Historically, I should mention that years ago, 1984, my middle child, Adam was born here in Omaha when we lived here.
On the bright side I got a replacement speaker for the "blown" one at the Freightliner shop close by and Teresa got a pedicure so things aren't as bad a they could be. We'll probably take a spin over to the WalMart close by and pick up a movie and some fruit a bit later.
In the meantime, I'm going to stay snippy till we get moving. Since we've been out a long time we really are ready to head home.
TAH - 2 days, if we can get there.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Council Bluffs, IA
As of writing Thursday night we were assignmentless. About 0430 Friday morning we heard beeping on the QC. That's a new one. Usually after the ignition is off for 15 minutes the QC goes to sleep and doesn't do anything until we turn the ignition back on. We heard the first beep and kind of sleepily passed it off, then another, then another. It takes about 6 messages to get the whole work assignment. I got up to check'er out. Our next work assignment is to pick up the trailer that we brought in from Saginaw last night and were told could not be late. Needless to say even leaving Dallas by 0500 there was no way we were going to make it by 0700. We got in just before 1000, which what I had estimated on Thursday before it was taken away.
While delivering in Houston we got our next w/a; deadhead back to Dallas and on Saturday morning pick up a load of Frito Lay chip and take them to Denver. Initially I had assumed we would be heading right back up I35 to Salina, KS and then west on I70 to Denver. I was confused why the work assignment indicated 777 miles, and our plan was about 880. Hmmmm, something's wrong with this picture. I re-requested the mapping and yep, it was different. Pretty much all the way up US287 from Ft. Worth to Limon, Co, and right through Dumas, TX.
Then I remembered I have people in Dumas. We stopped there Saturday night, dropped the trailer and picked up some pizza and visited with my great-aunt Winnie. We chatted for a couple hours then. She's 86, lives alone and still walks almost a mile every day. She played the piano at my request.
Was a great evening. Boy have we been lucky to see lots of family this week.
Somewhere along the way in Texas we spotted this Serengeti, filled with camels.
I asked for samples when we picked up the Fritos, but they didn't have any broken boxes at that time.
After dropping in Denver we picked up a relay load of HEAVY paper destined for Omaha with an 0600 deliver tomorrow. So we're holed up in Council Bluffs, IA for the evening.
TAH on Friday... wonder what the rest of the week holds for us ? You too ?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Dallas OC
I suppose it's about time for an update... been a busy week. We delivered fine at Sears in SLC and got our next w/a. We were to dead head to Green River, WY and pick up a load of Arm and Hammer products bound for Ottawa, KS. Exciting stuff.
Despite there being snow on the Wasatch Mountains ringing SLC it was pretty warm in town. We passed through Park City, UT and over the mountains to Green River and it was still shirt weather. We headed east on I80 to Rawlins, WY and it turned cold. Teresa got to see DWTS.
Wy is long and empty. Not much to see but Antelope and snow. We made it through Denver and on to Colby, KS on Tuesday and delivered in Ottawa on Wednesday. Our next w/a was to pick up a loaded trailer and take it to Sealy, TX, warmth at last.
We realized that our w/a was going to take as down I35 to Dallas so we called Teresa's Mom and Dad to meet us in Blackwell, OK for dinner. Nice to see them, course we'll be back next weekend for TAH. Seems they still like to see us and we them.
This morning we left Blackwell at 0530 planning to get to Dallas and for me to attend a spring training class and get the PM done on the truck. Then finish tomorrow.
All was going fine until they sent a computer message to relay our load and to a "load save" on another load. A "load save" is when they have committed to pick it up and for some reason the assigned driver can't make it.
So I pull in and drop the trailer and sweep/clean/hook up another trailer and head out. We're going through traffic to Saginaw, TX to pick up a load of flour that HAS to be in Houston Friday by 0900. A little tough, but so are we. When we got there we learned that the health inspector had not been there to inspect the trailer or the product. He was supposed to have been there by 0900 today. He never came. So they sent us to another flour mill a block away to pick up a different load also to Houston. I guess the load did not need to be saved all along.
In the meantime they assigned us our next w/a after unloading in Houston we were going to pick up load of potato chips destined for Maryland.
So now it 1530 and we're working the second load of flour. I get there and am informed the trailer needs to be washed out. Oh heck, we jump back in Dallas/Ft. Worth traffic and get it washed out and back to the shipper to drop the washed trailer and pick up the load.
When they assigned us the second flour load it was supposed to be in Houston by 0700 on Friday and they said "no problem" if it's a little late. Through all the mess I had calculated our arrival to be between 0900 and 1000 and entered it in the QC. Whoa Nelly, we get a message that the load can't be late and we're to drop it at the Dallas OC for someone who has hours left to run available to pick it up and deliver on time.
So that means we're not going to Houston and subsequently not going to Maryland, drat !!!
As of now, we have dropped the trailer and have no idea where we're going tomorrow. All I know is we're showered and the laundry is getting done.
As you can see, today was a mess and time consuming and very little pay for our efforts.
But we're tough.
Despite there being snow on the Wasatch Mountains ringing SLC it was pretty warm in town. We passed through Park City, UT and over the mountains to Green River and it was still shirt weather. We headed east on I80 to Rawlins, WY and it turned cold. Teresa got to see DWTS.
Wy is long and empty. Not much to see but Antelope and snow. We made it through Denver and on to Colby, KS on Tuesday and delivered in Ottawa on Wednesday. Our next w/a was to pick up a loaded trailer and take it to Sealy, TX, warmth at last.
We realized that our w/a was going to take as down I35 to Dallas so we called Teresa's Mom and Dad to meet us in Blackwell, OK for dinner. Nice to see them, course we'll be back next weekend for TAH. Seems they still like to see us and we them.
This morning we left Blackwell at 0530 planning to get to Dallas and for me to attend a spring training class and get the PM done on the truck. Then finish tomorrow.
All was going fine until they sent a computer message to relay our load and to a "load save" on another load. A "load save" is when they have committed to pick it up and for some reason the assigned driver can't make it.
So I pull in and drop the trailer and sweep/clean/hook up another trailer and head out. We're going through traffic to Saginaw, TX to pick up a load of flour that HAS to be in Houston Friday by 0900. A little tough, but so are we. When we got there we learned that the health inspector had not been there to inspect the trailer or the product. He was supposed to have been there by 0900 today. He never came. So they sent us to another flour mill a block away to pick up a different load also to Houston. I guess the load did not need to be saved all along.
In the meantime they assigned us our next w/a after unloading in Houston we were going to pick up load of potato chips destined for Maryland.
So now it 1530 and we're working the second load of flour. I get there and am informed the trailer needs to be washed out. Oh heck, we jump back in Dallas/Ft. Worth traffic and get it washed out and back to the shipper to drop the washed trailer and pick up the load.
When they assigned us the second flour load it was supposed to be in Houston by 0700 on Friday and they said "no problem" if it's a little late. Through all the mess I had calculated our arrival to be between 0900 and 1000 and entered it in the QC. Whoa Nelly, we get a message that the load can't be late and we're to drop it at the Dallas OC for someone who has hours left to run available to pick it up and deliver on time.
So that means we're not going to Houston and subsequently not going to Maryland, drat !!!
As of now, we have dropped the trailer and have no idea where we're going tomorrow. All I know is we're showered and the laundry is getting done.
As you can see, today was a mess and time consuming and very little pay for our efforts.
But we're tough.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Salt Lake City, UT
We've had a great trip to SLC, UT. The Funny Lady HAD to stop at an orange grove and pick her own orange. Can't get any fresher she thought until I told her it was probably part of last years' crop and wouldn't be any good. Was fun for her anyway.
It really is a beautiful ride through Utah.
We had a great afternoon yesterday with Aunt Charlene and Uncle Jim.
Lunch at the Macaroni Grill was a first for us, very good. We had the whole afternoon to chat and Jim drove us around SLC and showed us the sights. Thanks, Cha and Jim.
This is the Mormon Temple, quite lavish.
Haven't figured out why yet, but there were protesters there. Go figure.
We've had a great trip, now I'm getting antsy to put a few miles on. We'll see what happens after delivering this morning.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Headed North
After updating the blog yesterday I went out to the truck and checked for our next w/a. Started the truck to get it warming up and waited. After very little delay our next w/a came in. Go back to the Sears distribution center and pick up a load to deliver at a Sears store in Salt Lake City, UT - 730 miles to deliver on Monday at 0800. Not a great paying trip 730 miles and three days. But it has its advantages.
We pulled into Las Vegas at 1530 pst and found the next bus headed downtown was leaving in 5 minutes. We changed out of our shorts and into long pants (no we didn't forget them in our haste, just the camera) and grabbed jackets and ran for the bus. LV has a great system. You can get almost anywhere in the city. You can get an all day pass for $4, which we did. Of course any and everyone that can't afford a car rides the bus, you see all kinds. And that's the adventure of it. We headed to the Sahara casino for their buffett. Good but not great.
Checked out the location of where we're staying in June and headed back.
We never get lost because we always ask those around for directions and help and they are always eager to assist. One lady we asked directions from was a recent ex-Swift truck driver. She and her husband were going to be teaming but in the end he had something on his driving record that precluded him from getting hired. She tried it for a few months on her own but decided there were too many obstacles for a single lady out on the road.
On the way back to the truck stop we stopped off at the Fremont Experience - that's the old strip downtown. They were setting up for a live band so we hung around to see who it was. Teresa was sooooo excited - Julianne Hough one of the dancers for DWTS. She did great. She has good stage presence and can really sing. The said she's touring this summer with George Strait. That would be a great concert.
We headed out this morning and are in Payson, UT. Beautiful ride and some snow. We walked up to get an ice cream. I don't know why, it was lightly flurrying and the mountains all around are covered in snow and we're eating an ice cream. Go figure.
Tomorrow we're going to my Aunt Charlene's place in Salt Lake. Haven't seen her for several years. Looking forward to it. She was my babysitter when my Mom worked as a single mom long ago. Obviously we were close.
Teresa picked up a couple of movies and she's getting anxious to go watch one so I've got to sign off for now.
We pulled into Las Vegas at 1530 pst and found the next bus headed downtown was leaving in 5 minutes. We changed out of our shorts and into long pants (no we didn't forget them in our haste, just the camera) and grabbed jackets and ran for the bus. LV has a great system. You can get almost anywhere in the city. You can get an all day pass for $4, which we did. Of course any and everyone that can't afford a car rides the bus, you see all kinds. And that's the adventure of it. We headed to the Sahara casino for their buffett. Good but not great.
Checked out the location of where we're staying in June and headed back.
We never get lost because we always ask those around for directions and help and they are always eager to assist. One lady we asked directions from was a recent ex-Swift truck driver. She and her husband were going to be teaming but in the end he had something on his driving record that precluded him from getting hired. She tried it for a few months on her own but decided there were too many obstacles for a single lady out on the road.
On the way back to the truck stop we stopped off at the Fremont Experience - that's the old strip downtown. They were setting up for a live band so we hung around to see who it was. Teresa was sooooo excited - Julianne Hough one of the dancers for DWTS. She did great. She has good stage presence and can really sing. The said she's touring this summer with George Strait. That would be a great concert.
We headed out this morning and are in Payson, UT. Beautiful ride and some snow. We walked up to get an ice cream. I don't know why, it was lightly flurrying and the mountains all around are covered in snow and we're eating an ice cream. Go figure.
Tomorrow we're going to my Aunt Charlene's place in Salt Lake. Haven't seen her for several years. Looking forward to it. She was my babysitter when my Mom worked as a single mom long ago. Obviously we were close.
Teresa picked up a couple of movies and she's getting anxious to go watch one so I've got to sign off for now.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Delano, CA
First an update on the New-Skin repair to the truck speaker. So far I would call it 90% effective. At the same time the results were a vast improvement. When a speaker is "blown" usually, from over powering it, there is a tear somewhere on it. This speaker had a tear about 3 inches long around the perimeter where it joins the frame. The intent of using the New-Skin was to keep it from vibrating. Most of it worked, except one small piece of the speaker warped a bit from the wetness, but it does not vibrate against the frame so it doesn't seem to be effecting the sound. I previously had to adjust all of the bass out of the sound to make it tolerable. It is much better now. Though I will probably just stop by a Freightliner shop some day and buy a new one.
Of course Wednesday we changed our plans once again. Since we were carrying a "high-value" load of shop vacs for Sears we were reluctant to leave the truck sitting while we would be moteling. We stopped in Tonopah, AZ for the night.
We enjoyed the sunset and sunrise in the desert and the stars out there were like a blanket on top, so close it seemed you could touch them. With very little light polution there were really immense.
While fueling in Quartzsite, CA. A fellow named Scott came over and introduced himself. You never know who you're going to run into... He runs a little shop across from the Pilot there and wanted to personally invite us for breakfast. He and his wife run a place called the Desert Rat Cafe. After fueling and getting coffee I stopped in and had a chat and got a burrito for the road, Chorizo and egg. Pretty good.
We passed the plane bone yard north of Tucson.
And passed Picacho Peak. At this point we could choose to go I8 west and around Phoenix or continue on I10 through. Since it was about 1400 there I wanted to go through.
Across the way from the truck stop was what looked like a little abandoned place. We walked over to investigate. It was Eldorado Hot Springs. The brochure said "like bathing in silk." They even had a nude section for a maximum of 16 people, and a family section - not together. We passed but enjoyed the walk.
Thursday we headed on. There were thousands of wind turbines in the Twenty-nine Palms area, and let me tell you they have wind...
We made it pretty easily over the I5 Grapevine - we only had 15,000 pounds on. But you could see the trucks loaded with 44,000 pounds of bananas were having a rough go of it.
We delivered at the Sears distribution center at 2:3o in Delano and headed into town and found a quaint motel, the Coachman, seemed to fit us and stayed. We were looking forward to pool and jacuzzi. Of course they didn't tell neither were ready for visitors until after we were in our suits ready to dip in. No worries.
Dinner at Kong's and a nice big bed and we're ready for our next w/a.
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