Russell, IL

So cold. Can't type. Must set truck afire for heat.

The temperature is -9 and "feels like" -23. Why bother with technicalities? If it "feels like" -23, it's -23! Whatever. I made my first delivery this morning after a protracted effort. Upon my arrival, there was no one to be found at the facility. So, in sub-zero weather, I rang the door-bell, knocked on the door, and walked around the building, all to no avail. Finally, the guy shows up. All by himself. One guy to unload twenty-seven pieces of furniture. Before we even get to that point, I have to get backed into the dock; the downward-sloping, snow-filled dock. I had a slight blind side back to get in, but to the warehouse guy's credit, he stood out there the entire time and helped guide me. Time to open the trailer doors. Only, the padlock I had so studiously put on was now frozen. Getting it off involved about a half-hour of standing outside. Did I mention it was really cold outside? Once again, Warehouse Guy (that's his name) was out there helping me. So, after all that, I thought the least I could do was help him unload the trailer. Great, done. Time to go. Naturally, I can't get out of the dock. I tried putting cardboard under the drive wheels to gain traction. Warehouse Guy, on the other hand, tried putting cardboard under the trailer tires (I said he was helpful, not bright). After 30 minutes of that junk, Warehouse Guy went to the hardware store down the road and got some salt, with which I was finally able to free the truck from the slippery dock.

My second delivery was problem free and I headed to my third, and final, delivery in Wisconsin, but got sidetracked by hunger. After stopping, I didn't really feel like getting back on the road, so I called the receiver and was told it would be no problem for me to deliver in the morning. Awesome.

I'll hang out here for the evening and head into Wisconsin in the AM.