Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you. You know how it is. Right now the bear is getting me. I spent last night at the Indianapolis OC and left this morning for University Park, IL, on I57 just south of I80. My delivery was a drop at 1500. I got there at 0900 - had to wait somewhere. Instead of a drop, which is quick and easy, it was a live unload, which is not. Five hours. Now I'm at the Gary OC for the night.
I dropped the empty and picked up the loaded one. Delivers tomorrow 0730 in Waukegan, which is just north of Chicago. I'll leave here between 0530 and 0600 to make sure I miss traffic. Probably closer to 0530.
Today I covered 210 miles and so far tomorrow is 68. More dog bites in the butt, and not headed home yet.
We'll see what comes up after I arrive in Waukegan...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ashville, KY
I know, lagging again, I'm blaming it on the Funny Lady for not being here to keep me in line !!!
I've been from Syracuse, NY to Pittsburgh, VA to West Virginia over to Winchester, VA thru the Washington beltway and down to the southern most part of Virginia and now in Ashville, KY.
Took 2 hours to travel 30 miles last night down I95 from D.C. I hear on Friday's it's even worse.
The load I have now was a 3 stop picker upper and it delivers in Evansville, IN tomorrow. I figure about noon.
I am pretty sure I have been over 2 of the hardest routes in my year and a half on the road, and they are both in Virginia. One is WV-55 over to VA-55. I took the other today VA-58 from Martinsville, VA to I-81. Ten percent grades and not quite hairpin turns, could hardly keep my tandems in my own lane around the sharp corners.
AND SLOW... I've had enough of the hills in VA, ready for some relatively flat land of the midwest.
This load is headed for TJ Maxx. I've got Ralph Lauren Polo stuff, roasted red peppers and artichokes and Nautica stuff.
In a perfect world I should be home some time Tuesday for TAH, looking forward to it.
Next TAH we're headed for Boise for Scott and Jennie's wedding.
Not much else to report.
I've been from Syracuse, NY to Pittsburgh, VA to West Virginia over to Winchester, VA thru the Washington beltway and down to the southern most part of Virginia and now in Ashville, KY.
Took 2 hours to travel 30 miles last night down I95 from D.C. I hear on Friday's it's even worse.
The load I have now was a 3 stop picker upper and it delivers in Evansville, IN tomorrow. I figure about noon.
I am pretty sure I have been over 2 of the hardest routes in my year and a half on the road, and they are both in Virginia. One is WV-55 over to VA-55. I took the other today VA-58 from Martinsville, VA to I-81. Ten percent grades and not quite hairpin turns, could hardly keep my tandems in my own lane around the sharp corners.
AND SLOW... I've had enough of the hills in VA, ready for some relatively flat land of the midwest.
This load is headed for TJ Maxx. I've got Ralph Lauren Polo stuff, roasted red peppers and artichokes and Nautica stuff.
In a perfect world I should be home some time Tuesday for TAH, looking forward to it.
Next TAH we're headed for Boise for Scott and Jennie's wedding.
Not much else to report.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Binghamtom, NY
I was trying to talk myself out of updating our blog this evening. Obviously I lost that one.
The w/a I had to be in NJ by 0900 tomorrow was canceled, the driver doing the pickup didn't make it. How does that happen ? I haven't figured it out either.
By the time I got to Warren, OH I was really pooped and hungry, not that many miles (521) but some of it was Sunday afternoon traffic and construction. Most of all the route from Canton to Youngstown was horrific. I couldn't keep track of how many 1 light towns I went through, some at 25 mph.
After delivering I was headed to a Pilot I knew of in Youngstown on I80. Didn't make it. I passed an outdoor mall with a Cici's Pizza and a Border's bookstore. Teresa doesn't particularly like Cici's, but for $5.71 I figure you can't go wrong, so I took advantage of the opportunity and then wandered around the bookstore for an hour. The parking lot was empty so I got a good quiet night of sleep.
While I was eating my next w/a came in; pick up a relay at the Seville OC and deliver in Norwich, NY between 0700 and 1000 tomorrow. So I've stopped in Binghamton for the night. Let me tell you it won't be a quiet nights rest...
Funny thing, last week Joe was giving me a geography lesson related to the location of the Watkins Glen racetrack. Guess what ? I had not yet been through the Finger Lakes region. Now I have. Drove right through on I86, beautiful country. I have also discovered the worst interstate in the country, also I86.
Tomorrow after delivering I am to deadhead to Canada. I don't have the w/a yet, just instructions to get to the shippers location.
I almost ran myself out of hours the past 7 days. I have 7 1/2 hours left for tomorrow. Will be enough to get to Ontario, but not very far after. Guess I need my navigator and watchdog...
By the way, my bruised dog bit butt has healed.
I just talked to Teresa she's just leaving Bartlesville, OK, should be home within the hour. Sounds like she had a wonderful week with Andrea and Tracie, she's a lucky lady.
The w/a I had to be in NJ by 0900 tomorrow was canceled, the driver doing the pickup didn't make it. How does that happen ? I haven't figured it out either.
By the time I got to Warren, OH I was really pooped and hungry, not that many miles (521) but some of it was Sunday afternoon traffic and construction. Most of all the route from Canton to Youngstown was horrific. I couldn't keep track of how many 1 light towns I went through, some at 25 mph.
After delivering I was headed to a Pilot I knew of in Youngstown on I80. Didn't make it. I passed an outdoor mall with a Cici's Pizza and a Border's bookstore. Teresa doesn't particularly like Cici's, but for $5.71 I figure you can't go wrong, so I took advantage of the opportunity and then wandered around the bookstore for an hour. The parking lot was empty so I got a good quiet night of sleep.
While I was eating my next w/a came in; pick up a relay at the Seville OC and deliver in Norwich, NY between 0700 and 1000 tomorrow. So I've stopped in Binghamton for the night. Let me tell you it won't be a quiet nights rest...
Funny thing, last week Joe was giving me a geography lesson related to the location of the Watkins Glen racetrack. Guess what ? I had not yet been through the Finger Lakes region. Now I have. Drove right through on I86, beautiful country. I have also discovered the worst interstate in the country, also I86.
Tomorrow after delivering I am to deadhead to Canada. I don't have the w/a yet, just instructions to get to the shippers location.
I almost ran myself out of hours the past 7 days. I have 7 1/2 hours left for tomorrow. Will be enough to get to Ontario, but not very far after. Guess I need my navigator and watchdog...
By the way, my bruised dog bit butt has healed.
I just talked to Teresa she's just leaving Bartlesville, OK, should be home within the hour. Sounds like she had a wonderful week with Andrea and Tracie, she's a lucky lady.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday in Charlotte
Looks like I lost my update from yesterday.
Anyway I stopped Thursday night at the Atlanta OC. Showered and DID MY OWN LAUNDRY!!!! Yes I can do it.
This morning I left at 0430 headed for Orangeburg, SC. Only got misdirected twice. I say misdirected as I knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be but I also knew where I was supposed to be. I just couldn't find the correct roads to get there. NO ROAD SIGNS.
As I was trying to get to the Husqvarna plant my next w/a came in. From Orangeburg I went down to Savannah, GA and picked up a load and 4 hours later went right back through Orangeburg enroute to the Charlotte OC. I made it using all of my 11 and 14 hours available for the day. Hopefully I can lighten up or I'll be forced to do a reset for the first time in a year.
This load is headed for a Kmart distribution center in Warren (north of Youngstown) Ohio.
I already have my next w/a. Pick up an empty trailer there at Kmart and deadhead over to the Seville OC (also Ohio) and pick up a relay load 450 miles headed to Somerset, NJ with a 0900 AT delivery on Tuesday.
Busy Bobby...
Teresa and the girls are back in Champaign, IL. Party is over tomorrow their going to move Andrea and Josh into their new apartment.
Teresa just called and she and Tracie are relaxing in the hot tub at the Hilton Garden Hotel. Andrea got them an employee discount.
And here I work my butt off so they can soak. Something is wrong with this picture, don't you think ? NAH.
Anyway I stopped Thursday night at the Atlanta OC. Showered and DID MY OWN LAUNDRY!!!! Yes I can do it.
This morning I left at 0430 headed for Orangeburg, SC. Only got misdirected twice. I say misdirected as I knew I wasn't where I was supposed to be but I also knew where I was supposed to be. I just couldn't find the correct roads to get there. NO ROAD SIGNS.
As I was trying to get to the Husqvarna plant my next w/a came in. From Orangeburg I went down to Savannah, GA and picked up a load and 4 hours later went right back through Orangeburg enroute to the Charlotte OC. I made it using all of my 11 and 14 hours available for the day. Hopefully I can lighten up or I'll be forced to do a reset for the first time in a year.
This load is headed for a Kmart distribution center in Warren (north of Youngstown) Ohio.
I already have my next w/a. Pick up an empty trailer there at Kmart and deadhead over to the Seville OC (also Ohio) and pick up a relay load 450 miles headed to Somerset, NJ with a 0900 AT delivery on Tuesday.
Busy Bobby...
Teresa and the girls are back in Champaign, IL. Party is over tomorrow their going to move Andrea and Josh into their new apartment.
Teresa just called and she and Tracie are relaxing in the hot tub at the Hilton Garden Hotel. Andrea got them an employee discount.
And here I work my butt off so they can soak. Something is wrong with this picture, don't you think ? NAH.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lonely Trucker, Again
While I'm out driving my tail off, Teresa is out playing with the girls. They checked into the Sheraton in downtown Chicago right on Lake Michigan. Rough life, huh ?
Monday I deadheaded east from OKC to Siloam Springs, AR and picked up a load of pet food from a chicken processing plant. The south side of the plant is for picking up chicken and the north side is for picking up pet food. What we don't get, our pets do.
Delivered this morning at Dollar General in Alachua, FL and within 30 minutes got my next w/a. Go across the street and pick up a load (can't tell what it is) but it's headed for a Sysco center in Calera, AL. I covered 480 miles today and am 23 miles south of my delivery point in Clanton, AL. I already have my next w/a; deadhead to Russellville, Al and get loaded and then to Orange(something), SC. That load delivers Friday. Looks like I'm having a pretty busy week.
It's all good. Good morning, Grandma Joannie... she reads this at about 0400. Better than sleeping she says.
Monday I deadheaded east from OKC to Siloam Springs, AR and picked up a load of pet food from a chicken processing plant. The south side of the plant is for picking up chicken and the north side is for picking up pet food. What we don't get, our pets do.
Delivered this morning at Dollar General in Alachua, FL and within 30 minutes got my next w/a. Go across the street and pick up a load (can't tell what it is) but it's headed for a Sysco center in Calera, AL. I covered 480 miles today and am 23 miles south of my delivery point in Clanton, AL. I already have my next w/a; deadhead to Russellville, Al and get loaded and then to Orange(something), SC. That load delivers Friday. Looks like I'm having a pretty busy week.
It's all good. Good morning, Grandma Joannie... she reads this at about 0400. Better than sleeping she says.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Sadly, back to work tomorrow
Sadly, time to head back to the truck tomorrow. I may have mentioned that Teresa is not going out with me this trip. We scheduled it to be short, only 17 days. She's going to drop me at the truck in OKC by about 0800 then head up to Chicago to spend the week with Andrea and Tracie.
Guess you know I'll miss her, but like I said 17 days, I'll be working and she'll be having fun. What a life, huh ?
We enjoyed our TAH... Rodeo for two nights, baseball in Wichita, KS; the National Baseball Conference World Series. Watched two games.
Every Rodeo has a queen, here are a couple of the entrants.
Hard to get a shot at night, but I guess it shows action...
Here's my queen and her Dad, I guess I can share her with him.
Me and my queen...
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Many Firsts !!!
Final note on the WindCreek Casino. Very nice, just opened July 4th. The pool and surrounding area are also very nice. We thoroughly enjoyed our morning there.
Delivered in the basement at the Kimberly Clark toilet papermill. We delivered some sort of "starch" there. So you ask what would a what in the world do they use starch for. They use it to make a glue to seal the end of each roll of toilet paper. You know, the end you hate to have to fool with when you really need it.
Our next w/a had us run up to Pennington, AL for a pickup at 2100. We typically have good luck and are able to pick up early. NOT THIS ONE... We arrived about 1500 and sat there till after the 2100 p/u time. Then went to bed. I got up at 0500 and hooked up and hit the road. This was a Georgia Pacific plant - a load of toilet paper. Of course I love those loads- 15,000 pounds !!! Headed for Stuarts Draft, VA. No problem we delivered at 1100 on Saturday.
Our next w/a had us all set up to get home from VA; Down to Danville, VA for a pickup then relay in Indianapolis on Monday, then pick up a different relay there and head for Emporia, KS for a Tuesday morning delivery.
When we got down to Danville (140) miles turns out they close at 1200 on Saturday. We arrived at 1500. Schneider dispatch thought they were open 24/7. Schneider took both loads off of us, darn.
About an hour later we got a new w/a. Head up to Covington, VA to pick up a load of cardboard headed for Tuscaloosa, AL. By 1900 we were out of gas - physically. We overnighted in Roanoke, VA. Ran up to Covington than on through Beckley and down through Knoxville and Chatanooga. We're about 30 south of Chatanooga in Rising Fawn, GA on I59.
Beautiful countryside. We took a nice long walk through the country. We were almost back to the truck stop when a couple of big dogs came out to greet us. They "seemed" friendly, I figured the best thing might be to ignore them. Wrong idea ! The big one sort of circle around us and as we continued past he bit me in the BUTT. Not just a nibble, actually broke the skin without even going through my shorts. I've got a fang scrape about 5 inches long on my left butt cheek. Teresa wants a picture... so far I've been able to avoid it.
And yes I had a tetanus shot a few years back after the motorcycle accident. Think I'm OK.
Tomorrow we deliver at 1200, then we're hoping to head more westerly. Got to get to the Rodeo on Thursday...
Delivered in the basement at the Kimberly Clark toilet papermill. We delivered some sort of "starch" there. So you ask what would a what in the world do they use starch for. They use it to make a glue to seal the end of each roll of toilet paper. You know, the end you hate to have to fool with when you really need it.
Our next w/a had us run up to Pennington, AL for a pickup at 2100. We typically have good luck and are able to pick up early. NOT THIS ONE... We arrived about 1500 and sat there till after the 2100 p/u time. Then went to bed. I got up at 0500 and hooked up and hit the road. This was a Georgia Pacific plant - a load of toilet paper. Of course I love those loads- 15,000 pounds !!! Headed for Stuarts Draft, VA. No problem we delivered at 1100 on Saturday.
Our next w/a had us all set up to get home from VA; Down to Danville, VA for a pickup then relay in Indianapolis on Monday, then pick up a different relay there and head for Emporia, KS for a Tuesday morning delivery.
When we got down to Danville (140) miles turns out they close at 1200 on Saturday. We arrived at 1500. Schneider dispatch thought they were open 24/7. Schneider took both loads off of us, darn.
About an hour later we got a new w/a. Head up to Covington, VA to pick up a load of cardboard headed for Tuscaloosa, AL. By 1900 we were out of gas - physically. We overnighted in Roanoke, VA. Ran up to Covington than on through Beckley and down through Knoxville and Chatanooga. We're about 30 south of Chatanooga in Rising Fawn, GA on I59.
Beautiful countryside. We took a nice long walk through the country. We were almost back to the truck stop when a couple of big dogs came out to greet us. They "seemed" friendly, I figured the best thing might be to ignore them. Wrong idea ! The big one sort of circle around us and as we continued past he bit me in the BUTT. Not just a nibble, actually broke the skin without even going through my shorts. I've got a fang scrape about 5 inches long on my left butt cheek. Teresa wants a picture... so far I've been able to avoid it.
And yes I had a tetanus shot a few years back after the motorcycle accident. Think I'm OK.
Tomorrow we deliver at 1200, then we're hoping to head more westerly. Got to get to the Rodeo on Thursday...
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