South Dakota: Check
I made good time to Kansas City this morning. After calling to see if the load was ready early, and learning that it was, I hit the road around 9am. After a drop and hook, I made my way back to Missouri for some fuel and lunch. Not much excitement in Missouri, just in case you were wondering. Ditto for Iowa.
South Dakota, not to be outdone by Iowa's bridge work, tore up the entire northbound lanes of I-29 for a good many miles. Thus, I found myself driving north in the southbound lanes once again. Unlike Iowa, however, since the speed limit in SD is 75mph, their idea of a safe speed through the construction zone is 65mph. I didn't even have to touch the brakes. And traffic was flowing smoothly. I think some other cities should take note: Chicago *cough* Atlanta *cough*
I'm only a few miles from the receiver, so my morning drive for a 7am appointment should be pretty quick. I'm down to about 6 hours on my 70-hr clock, so tomorrow should be a relatively light day.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Percival, IA - 5/30/09
Today brought a couple new experiences, which is (usually) a welcome thing. As I was cruising on I-74 this morning, it occurred to me that I would be passing the famous Iowa 80 Truckstop around lunchtime. The place advertises 800 parking spots, and though I didn't count, I believe them. The place was, how do you say? Oh yeah, huge. I grabbed some lunch and browsed around for a bit before getting back on the road.
For those of you that don't know, I'm a fan of police car chase shows; it's always entertaing to see someone suddenly cross the median and drive the wrong way on the interstate. Sadly (and fortunately, I suppose), I didn't witness such a police chase. I did, however, cross the median myself and drive the "wrong way." Four times. I just wanted to see what it was like. Actually, it might have had something to do with my side of the interstate being closed for bridge work. What do you know, they really do use those stimulus dollars.
For those of you that don't know, I'm a fan of police car chase shows; it's always entertaing to see someone suddenly cross the median and drive the wrong way on the interstate. Sadly (and fortunately, I suppose), I didn't witness such a police chase. I did, however, cross the median myself and drive the "wrong way." Four times. I just wanted to see what it was like. Actually, it might have had something to do with my side of the interstate being closed for bridge work. What do you know, they really do use those stimulus dollars.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Senatobia, MS - 5/28/09
I just went inside to brush my teeth before going to bed; who knew an entire bathroom could smell like wet dog. I have no idea why, but hey, I am in Mississippi.
I managed to do just over six hundred miles today, which means I'm freakin' tired. It's time to get some sleep so I can get up and make it through Memphis before the morning rush. I think I can miss Memphis traffic, but Nashville might be a different story.
I managed to do just over six hundred miles today, which means I'm freakin' tired. It's time to get some sleep so I can get up and make it through Memphis before the morning rush. I think I can miss Memphis traffic, but Nashville might be a different story.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Houston, TX - 5/27/09
After leaving this morning, just after my 10-hr break was over, the goal was to get to the receiver by eleven; one hour ahead of my appointment. I wasn't wasting time and couldn't have gotten there any sooner. Which is why I found it amusing that I had to pull over and stop to read my "urgent" qualcomm message (can't use Qualcomm while vehicle is in motion) telling me to "get to the receiver ASAP and don't wait until noon!" Ok. I was gonna.
I ended up arriving at eleven-thirty, thanks to a construction zone snafu. Apparently, another truck driver had two flat tires, and instead of pulling off at one of the 9,743,247 truckstops before the two-lane, jersey-barrier laden construction zone, opted to mosey through it. So the kind, patient, and understanding souls (not really) on the CB radio said, anyway.
After being unloaded, I made my way downtown to the shipper for my next load. My appointment wasn't until six this evening, but I didn't have anything else to do. It couldn't hurt to try, right?after checking in almost five hours early, I was told to wait in the dirt lot and they'd call my cell phone when they were ready for me. Fine with me; my book was just reaching it's climax, so I was content to read the afternoon away. And I did. When six o'clock rolled around with nary a phone call, I headed back to the shipping office. "Oh yeah, you can back into door three." What I said was, "Thanks." What I was thinking was, "Now or three hours ago?"
After backing in, I felt a few bumps in the back and then it settled down. A while later I had finished my book. Well, nobody has come to give me my paperwork, so I guess I should fix some dinner. Of course, as soon as I take a bite of my sandwich, there's a pounding on my door. My fourteen-hour clock was almost up, so I'll be hanging out here until the morning. I'm supposed to deliver in Kentucky Friday.
I ended up arriving at eleven-thirty, thanks to a construction zone snafu. Apparently, another truck driver had two flat tires, and instead of pulling off at one of the 9,743,247 truckstops before the two-lane, jersey-barrier laden construction zone, opted to mosey through it. So the kind, patient, and understanding souls (not really) on the CB radio said, anyway.
After being unloaded, I made my way downtown to the shipper for my next load. My appointment wasn't until six this evening, but I didn't have anything else to do. It couldn't hurt to try, right?after checking in almost five hours early, I was told to wait in the dirt lot and they'd call my cell phone when they were ready for me. Fine with me; my book was just reaching it's climax, so I was content to read the afternoon away. And I did. When six o'clock rolled around with nary a phone call, I headed back to the shipping office. "Oh yeah, you can back into door three." What I said was, "Thanks." What I was thinking was, "Now or three hours ago?"
After backing in, I felt a few bumps in the back and then it settled down. A while later I had finished my book. Well, nobody has come to give me my paperwork, so I guess I should fix some dinner. Of course, as soon as I take a bite of my sandwich, there's a pounding on my door. My fourteen-hour clock was almost up, so I'll be hanging out here until the morning. I'm supposed to deliver in Kentucky Friday.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Port Allen, LA - 5/26/09
The first time I typed this e-mail, I hit "send" and my phone immediately died - while it was plugged in. It's been charging for a few minutes, so there should be enough juice to get the job done this time. I'll keep it short.
I drove. I ate. I drove. I got pulled into the scales. I had to park and go inside the scale house. I showed the nice DOT man my paperwork and he let me go. I drove. I parked.
I logged just over eleven hours today, so I'm a little worn out. I have to get up early (surprise), so I'm going to bed early.
I drove. I ate. I drove. I got pulled into the scales. I had to park and go inside the scale house. I showed the nice DOT man my paperwork and he let me go. I drove. I parked.
I logged just over eleven hours today, so I'm a little worn out. I have to get up early (surprise), so I'm going to bed early.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Birmingham, AL - 5/25/09
After a relatively long weekend, I'm back on the road. It's too bad, really. Something about being at home and not working for a few days just makes me want to stay at home and not work. Ever. It's interesting how that works.
I don't have to be in Cherokee until the morning, so I made the hop from Atlanta to Birmingham this evening. After Cherokee, it looks like a load to Texas is on the horizon (that's what the pre-plan says anyway).
I don't have to be in Cherokee until the morning, so I made the hop from Atlanta to Birmingham this evening. After Cherokee, it looks like a load to Texas is on the horizon (that's what the pre-plan says anyway).
Friday, May 22, 2009
Lawrenceville, GA - 5/22/09
I arrived at the receiver around 5:30am this morning and after checking-in and bumping the dock, promptly went back to bed. A couple hours later, I was quite relieved upon being awakened by a beep with a message letting me know I could go home after picking-up the next load. Awesome.
It took six hours and three-hundred dollars to get the trailer unloaded, and then I was on my way back to....I-20, exit 49; fortunately, this time I was not in search of a truckstop. I arrived at the shipper and pulled onto the scales, as is customary with recycling facilities, before being instructed to back into any open dock. Just as I was setting up to back in, a gentleman came hustling over to the truck to tell me I could drop my empty trailer in the gravel lot and pick-up my loaded trailer in the same. Awesome.
After scaling the loaded trailer, I was on my way home. Enter Atlanta traffic -everywhere: I-20, I-285, I-85. It was inescapable. And a pain. But I made it. I'm going to enjoy a few days off and spend some time with the family this weekend.
It took six hours and three-hundred dollars to get the trailer unloaded, and then I was on my way back to....I-20, exit 49; fortunately, this time I was not in search of a truckstop. I arrived at the shipper and pulled onto the scales, as is customary with recycling facilities, before being instructed to back into any open dock. Just as I was setting up to back in, a gentleman came hustling over to the truck to tell me I could drop my empty trailer in the gravel lot and pick-up my loaded trailer in the same. Awesome.
After scaling the loaded trailer, I was on my way home. Enter Atlanta traffic -everywhere: I-20, I-285, I-85. It was inescapable. And a pain. But I made it. I'm going to enjoy a few days off and spend some time with the family this weekend.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Atlanta, GA - 5/21/09
Just in case you were wondering, there is not a truck stop at exit 49 off I-20, regardless of what the truckstop guidebook tells you.
I left Huntsville this morning and headed to Cherokee, making a quick drop and hook before heading south. I made a fuel stop in Birmingham and checked the truckstop guidebook to figure out how close I could get to my delivery in the morning. Ah, how convenient: two Citgos AND a QT, with two of them having overnight parking. And all within a few miles of my delivery. So, off I went, cruising along I-20 into Georgia, knowing I would soon stop at exit 49 and be done with my day.
I did, in fact, stop at exit 49. After wasting thirty minutes proving that the guidebook didn't know what it was talking about - yeah, books talk - I decided to head over to the Petro, a place I was certain existed. So, here I am. It's just as close, really. The downside is it's not free parking, which isn't actually much of a downside for me since the company is paying for it, but I try to save 'em a few bucks when possible.
I'm supposed to pick-up in Atlanta after my delivery tomorrow, and then....I'm not real sure. My dispatcher was rather non-committal regarding the weekend, so we'll see how things shape up tomorrow.
I left Huntsville this morning and headed to Cherokee, making a quick drop and hook before heading south. I made a fuel stop in Birmingham and checked the truckstop guidebook to figure out how close I could get to my delivery in the morning. Ah, how convenient: two Citgos AND a QT, with two of them having overnight parking. And all within a few miles of my delivery. So, off I went, cruising along I-20 into Georgia, knowing I would soon stop at exit 49 and be done with my day.
I did, in fact, stop at exit 49. After wasting thirty minutes proving that the guidebook didn't know what it was talking about - yeah, books talk - I decided to head over to the Petro, a place I was certain existed. So, here I am. It's just as close, really. The downside is it's not free parking, which isn't actually much of a downside for me since the company is paying for it, but I try to save 'em a few bucks when possible.
I'm supposed to pick-up in Atlanta after my delivery tomorrow, and then....I'm not real sure. My dispatcher was rather non-committal regarding the weekend, so we'll see how things shape up tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Huntsville, AL - 5/20/09
Despite the receiver's attempt this morning and the shipper's attempt this afternoon to ruin my schedule, I have made it to my desired destination for the evening within my desired time frame. So there.
I made my way down I-75 this morning and hit a bit of traffic, but after I got on the bypass, it was pretty smooth all the way down I-85 to the receiver. I checked-in an hour early for my 10am appointment and bumped the dock as instructed, curious to see if they'd start unloading early. I can tell you, no, they did not. The sign in the office said they have a two-hour time frame to unload the trailer, beginning at your appointment time, not your time of arrival. Perfectly logical; I'm okay with that. However, when the big-hand and the little-hand were both on "12" and the unloading process had yet to commence, I decided it was time to make an inquiry. By the time I got back outside to the truck, my dock light had changed from green to red, meaning they were unloading. Once they actually started working, I was empty and out of there in about an hour.
I made my way back through Atlanta and up I-75 to Dalton, arriving at one of our regular shippers with an hour to spare. I'm a pretty familiar sight to the lady at the front desk, so I'm generally spared the spiel of what to do and where to go; I give her the required numbers and she says, "see you in a little bit," i.e., to get my paperwork after being loaded. It's a nice arrangement. The problem with this place generally arises after I leave and go a few miles down the road to scale at the Pilot. And today was one of those days. For a reason I have yet to discern, the forklift guys usually place one last bale of scrap paper at the very end of the trailer, inevitably putting my tandems overweight, as was the case today.
I don't think I've ever driven with my tandems slid all the way back, mostly because it's not very conducive to making turns, but also because there are laws in some states limiting the distance between the trailer king-pin and the tandems. Fortunately, Georgia and Alabama are not among those states. And we'll just pretend that I didn't drive through Tennessee.
So, realizing at 5pm that I'm overweight would generally present more of an issue; however, I was able to balance the weight by sliding the tandems back. And on I went. I'm set to deliver in Cherokee in the morning, and then pick-up a load heading back to Atlanta.
I made my way down I-75 this morning and hit a bit of traffic, but after I got on the bypass, it was pretty smooth all the way down I-85 to the receiver. I checked-in an hour early for my 10am appointment and bumped the dock as instructed, curious to see if they'd start unloading early. I can tell you, no, they did not. The sign in the office said they have a two-hour time frame to unload the trailer, beginning at your appointment time, not your time of arrival. Perfectly logical; I'm okay with that. However, when the big-hand and the little-hand were both on "12" and the unloading process had yet to commence, I decided it was time to make an inquiry. By the time I got back outside to the truck, my dock light had changed from green to red, meaning they were unloading. Once they actually started working, I was empty and out of there in about an hour.
I made my way back through Atlanta and up I-75 to Dalton, arriving at one of our regular shippers with an hour to spare. I'm a pretty familiar sight to the lady at the front desk, so I'm generally spared the spiel of what to do and where to go; I give her the required numbers and she says, "see you in a little bit," i.e., to get my paperwork after being loaded. It's a nice arrangement. The problem with this place generally arises after I leave and go a few miles down the road to scale at the Pilot. And today was one of those days. For a reason I have yet to discern, the forklift guys usually place one last bale of scrap paper at the very end of the trailer, inevitably putting my tandems overweight, as was the case today.
I don't think I've ever driven with my tandems slid all the way back, mostly because it's not very conducive to making turns, but also because there are laws in some states limiting the distance between the trailer king-pin and the tandems. Fortunately, Georgia and Alabama are not among those states. And we'll just pretend that I didn't drive through Tennessee.
So, realizing at 5pm that I'm overweight would generally present more of an issue; however, I was able to balance the weight by sliding the tandems back. And on I went. I'm set to deliver in Cherokee in the morning, and then pick-up a load heading back to Atlanta.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Ringgold, GA - 5/19/09
Well, it turns out making it to Cartersville was a fairy-tale wish - a fact I would have known last night had I done my 70-hr recap. Unfortunately, my desire for sleep precluded me from doing so. After updating my logbook recap this morning, I realized I only had seven
hours available today. Thus, the fine town of Ringgold is home for the evening.
It was a rather easy day today, save for some annoying rush-hour traffic in Chattanooga. I'm hoping to leave early enough in the morning to avoid the morning jam-up on I-75 into Atlanta. For that, I need to get to sleep.
hours available today. Thus, the fine town of Ringgold is home for the evening.
It was a rather easy day today, save for some annoying rush-hour traffic in Chattanooga. I'm hoping to leave early enough in the morning to avoid the morning jam-up on I-75 into Atlanta. For that, I need to get to sleep.
Mt. Vernon, IL - 5/18/09
I just finished eating dinner and apparently my server doesn't speak English. I ordered a quesadilla and received a chicken fajita wrap. Later, after finishing my glass of water (which I DID order), I looked at the bill, only to discover the server attempted to charge me $1.99 for tea. She kind of looked European. Maybe I should have tried ordering in Dutch.
I managed to sleep until 8am this morning. It was wonderful. I didn't want to show up six hours early for my 3pm appointment, so I drove to a nearby truckstop to kill some time. Yeah, would've been nice if I'd realized last night the truckstop was close. Anyway, after taking the scenic route to the shipper, I arrived a mere three hours early, hoping they would start loading me ahead of schedule. They didn't. Instead, they gave me plenty of time to read and nap. It was wonderful.
I should be able to make it to Georgia tomorrow evening. My delivery isn't until Wednesday morning, so I'm thinking I'll be in good shape if I make it to Cartersville tomorrow. Any farther than that would be icing on the cake.
I managed to sleep until 8am this morning. It was wonderful. I didn't want to show up six hours early for my 3pm appointment, so I drove to a nearby truckstop to kill some time. Yeah, would've been nice if I'd realized last night the truckstop was close. Anyway, after taking the scenic route to the shipper, I arrived a mere three hours early, hoping they would start loading me ahead of schedule. They didn't. Instead, they gave me plenty of time to read and nap. It was wonderful.
I should be able to make it to Georgia tomorrow evening. My delivery isn't until Wednesday morning, so I'm thinking I'll be in good shape if I make it to Cartersville tomorrow. Any farther than that would be icing on the cake.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Elwood, IL - 5/17/09
A joke: "What's green and has two wheels?" (answer at end of post)
Days such as this leave my head spinning. I started off in Russell, IL, dropped/hooked at the yard in WI, delivered in Green Bay, picked-up in De Pere (suburban Green Bay), and finished the day back in Illinois with a delivery here.
Chicago is still a pain, chiefly because the roads are under construction. As if speeding cars, rude drivers, and an abundance of traffic weren't sufficient, they decided to take away travel lanes, throw up some jersey barriers, and kick in a few lane-shifts. Well, here, I shot some video; take a look for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yco1deXOzN8.
After I delivered tonight, I wasn't really sure where I was going to park for the night. I only had 45 minutes of drive-time left and it appeared I was pretty much out in the sticks. Before leaving, I decided to ask the guard and another driver if they knew anywhere nearby to park. "Yeah. You can park in the parking lot right around the corner of the building." That's close enough for me. My pick-up tomorrow is about an hour away but isn't scheduled until 3pm. I don't much feel like sitting around here all morning, so we'll see what happens.
Answer: "Grass. I lied about the wheels."
Days such as this leave my head spinning. I started off in Russell, IL, dropped/hooked at the yard in WI, delivered in Green Bay, picked-up in De Pere (suburban Green Bay), and finished the day back in Illinois with a delivery here.
Chicago is still a pain, chiefly because the roads are under construction. As if speeding cars, rude drivers, and an abundance of traffic weren't sufficient, they decided to take away travel lanes, throw up some jersey barriers, and kick in a few lane-shifts. Well, here, I shot some video; take a look for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yco1deXOzN8.
After I delivered tonight, I wasn't really sure where I was going to park for the night. I only had 45 minutes of drive-time left and it appeared I was pretty much out in the sticks. Before leaving, I decided to ask the guard and another driver if they knew anywhere nearby to park. "Yeah. You can park in the parking lot right around the corner of the building." That's close enough for me. My pick-up tomorrow is about an hour away but isn't scheduled until 3pm. I don't much feel like sitting around here all morning, so we'll see what happens.
Answer: "Grass. I lied about the wheels."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Lamers
Russell, IL - 5/16/09
Eight and a half hours might be my new record. That's how long it took to get from Osceola, AR to Chicago. And I didn't have time to stop. But by golly, I made my delivery with fifteen minutes to spare.
I dropped my loaded trailer and then proceeded to go on a wild goose chase for the empty trailer I was to pick-up. "If there's an empty, it'll be over in that drop yard," said the guard. Well, it wasn't. "If it's here, then it must be on the other side of the building." Well, it wasn't. Finally, it was discovered the trailer was about 200 feet from where I dropped my loaded trailer to begin with. Nice.
The plan now is to take this empty trailer to the yard. I don't really know why; I'm getting paid, so I just drive where they tell me. From there, I'm supposed to pick-up a load to Green Bay. But right now, I'm more interested in getting some sleep.
I dropped my loaded trailer and then proceeded to go on a wild goose chase for the empty trailer I was to pick-up. "If there's an empty, it'll be over in that drop yard," said the guard. Well, it wasn't. "If it's here, then it must be on the other side of the building." Well, it wasn't. Finally, it was discovered the trailer was about 200 feet from where I dropped my loaded trailer to begin with. Nice.
The plan now is to take this empty trailer to the yard. I don't really know why; I'm getting paid, so I just drive where they tell me. From there, I'm supposed to pick-up a load to Green Bay. But right now, I'm more interested in getting some sleep.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Osceola, AR - 5/15/09
Jesus loves me. Well, according to the piece of paper that some little boy held to the window as his van passed me yesterday. You know you're in the South when...
After stopping in North Little Rock, AR last night, I got up this morning and made it to Martin, TN for my delivery before dead-headed a whopping 170+ miles to Pontotoc, MS to pick-up my next load. Ahh, furniture. My fave. This is a "heavy" load at around 9k lbs. Most furniture loads I've had in the past were 5k lbs or less. Doesn't matter either way, really. Feels like I'm pulling an empty trailer.
I have to get another early start in the morning. I'm supposed to be in the Chicago area by 3pm. Hopefully traffic will be light.
After stopping in North Little Rock, AR last night, I got up this morning and made it to Martin, TN for my delivery before dead-headed a whopping 170+ miles to Pontotoc, MS to pick-up my next load. Ahh, furniture. My fave. This is a "heavy" load at around 9k lbs. Most furniture loads I've had in the past were 5k lbs or less. Doesn't matter either way, really. Feels like I'm pulling an empty trailer.
I have to get another early start in the morning. I'm supposed to be in the Chicago area by 3pm. Hopefully traffic will be light.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lewisville, TX - 5/13/09
Oh yeah, everything was going just peachy when I last left you. Friday morning even started off okay. I left west Georgia upon the expiration of my 10-hr break and arrived in Norcross half an hour early for my 5am appointment. Pretty good, eh?
Well, I knew the load would take at least a few hours to unload. Heck, maybe even four, or five at the most. I ate breakfast and caught up on the morning's news before deciding I might as well sleep. Afterall, sleep always seems like a good option at 5am. So I slept for a couple hours, waking when they started to unload me and the truck began to bounce around.
Being that it took two hours simply to begin the unloading process, getting out of there in three hours was obviously not going to happen. And I was right - it took nine hours. I was 15 miles (yeah, I checked) from home at 5am and all I had to do was unload, pick-up a load 8 miles away, and then go home, but you know, Murphy hates me. And to prove it (as if further evidence was needed), I hit Friday's early rush hour traffic when I finally did get on the way home. Son of a...
For the sake of historical reference, here's what I've been up to the past couple days: I was off Saturday and Sunday and left Monday evening to go to Cherokee. After delivering in Cherokee Monday night, I picked up my next load Tuesday afternoon and began heading back to Georgia. I was halfway to Birmingham when I got a message to swap loads with another driver and go back to Cherokee. So I delivered in Cherokee...again. And picked-up in Cherokee...again. I'm now sitting outside the receiver in Lewisville, TX and am set to deliver at 6am. Hooray.
Well, I knew the load would take at least a few hours to unload. Heck, maybe even four, or five at the most. I ate breakfast and caught up on the morning's news before deciding I might as well sleep. Afterall, sleep always seems like a good option at 5am. So I slept for a couple hours, waking when they started to unload me and the truck began to bounce around.
Being that it took two hours simply to begin the unloading process, getting out of there in three hours was obviously not going to happen. And I was right - it took nine hours. I was 15 miles (yeah, I checked) from home at 5am and all I had to do was unload, pick-up a load 8 miles away, and then go home, but you know, Murphy hates me. And to prove it (as if further evidence was needed), I hit Friday's early rush hour traffic when I finally did get on the way home. Son of a...
For the sake of historical reference, here's what I've been up to the past couple days: I was off Saturday and Sunday and left Monday evening to go to Cherokee. After delivering in Cherokee Monday night, I picked up my next load Tuesday afternoon and began heading back to Georgia. I was halfway to Birmingham when I got a message to swap loads with another driver and go back to Cherokee. So I delivered in Cherokee...again. And picked-up in Cherokee...again. I'm now sitting outside the receiver in Lewisville, TX and am set to deliver at 6am. Hooray.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Temple, GA - 5/7/09
As planned, I got rolling good and early this morning, arriving in Cherokee almost seven hours later. Yesterday, I called the receiver and was told by the guard that I wouldn't be unloaded early. Apparently, sometime between then and today he changed his mind, as I checked in five hours early and he didn't say anything. Well, alright then. That's a good start. I went through the gate before he changed his mind and around to the docks to give the warehouse folks my paperwork and to see when my next load would be ready. Surprisingly, more good news: I could drop my trailer in a dock and my load should be ready any minute. Wow, if this works out, I may not have to drive all night.
Sure enough, my load was ready in about fifteen minutes and I was out of there. I couldn't have planned it any better. I'll have to head out of here by 3:30am, but 3:30-5am is better than 10pm-5am.
Sure enough, my load was ready in about fifteen minutes and I was out of there. I couldn't have planned it any better. I'll have to head out of here by 3:30am, but 3:30-5am is better than 10pm-5am.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Mt. Vernon, IL - 5/6/09
The fun is almost over. My day of sitting seems to have gone by faster than I anticipated. Much of the morning I spent glued to my iPhone to get my daily fix of Internet. I finally took a shower and went out for lunch at Chili's across the street. After lunch, I figured I'd peruse the local China Bazaar, err, I mean Wal-Mart.
When I got back to the truck, I decided I should start thinking about my schedule since I had been assigned a pre-plan to Georgia for Friday. It didn't take long before I realized my 4pm Thursday delivery in Alabama combined with a 5am Friday delivery in Georgia meant I would soon have to adopt a nocturnal nature. Crap. Driving through the wee hours of the morning is not conducive to my, uh, what do you call it? Oh yeah, sleep.
As such, I will be attempting to get to sleep extra early this evening with the intention of getting up early in the morning to begin my transition to nocturnalism. Crap.
When I got back to the truck, I decided I should start thinking about my schedule since I had been assigned a pre-plan to Georgia for Friday. It didn't take long before I realized my 4pm Thursday delivery in Alabama combined with a 5am Friday delivery in Georgia meant I would soon have to adopt a nocturnal nature. Crap. Driving through the wee hours of the morning is not conducive to my, uh, what do you call it? Oh yeah, sleep.
As such, I will be attempting to get to sleep extra early this evening with the intention of getting up early in the morning to begin my transition to nocturnalism. Crap.
Mt. Vernon, IL - 5/5/09
And so begins my first 34-hr reset on the road. I technically have two hours available with which to drive, but there isn't anywhere within two hours that I desire to be. So, I shall sit here tonight and all day Wednesday and head to Alabama Thursday, at which time I will have all 70 hours available again.
I left Wisconsin this morning and took my time getting down here; after seeing a state trooper pull over the truck in front if me, I was in no hurry. I stopped for lunch and to repair a light on my latest trailer. This is the third trailer I picked up this week that had a bad light - further evidence there are some lazy drivers that would rather let the next driver fix the problem than tend to it themselves. Scoundrels.
The highlight of my day tomorrow might be browsing the Wal-Mart across the street. Or actually having the opportunity to start reading my book. We shall see.
I left Wisconsin this morning and took my time getting down here; after seeing a state trooper pull over the truck in front if me, I was in no hurry. I stopped for lunch and to repair a light on my latest trailer. This is the third trailer I picked up this week that had a bad light - further evidence there are some lazy drivers that would rather let the next driver fix the problem than tend to it themselves. Scoundrels.
The highlight of my day tomorrow might be browsing the Wal-Mart across the street. Or actually having the opportunity to start reading my book. We shall see.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Edgerton, WI - 5/4/09
I drove some today. It's been known to happen. I made my drop in Neenah, WI and had to wait an hour or so for them to finish loading my next load, which is going to Cherokee.
I've been logging 10+ hour days this past week, so I'm getting low on my 70-hour clock. I'm planning on doing 8-9 hours tomorrow and then I'll have to shut down.
I ate lunch at a diner in Fond Du Lac, WI. As you might imagine, there were a few locals there (certainly the employees). This paragraph was going to stereotype Wisconsonian and, for good measure, Canadian colloquialisms. Instead, I'll just say I enjoy listening to different dialects, eh. Don'cha know?
I've been logging 10+ hour days this past week, so I'm getting low on my 70-hour clock. I'm planning on doing 8-9 hours tomorrow and then I'll have to shut down.
I ate lunch at a diner in Fond Du Lac, WI. As you might imagine, there were a few locals there (certainly the employees). This paragraph was going to stereotype Wisconsonian and, for good measure, Canadian colloquialisms. Instead, I'll just say I enjoy listening to different dialects, eh. Don'cha know?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bloomington, IL - 5/3/09
I made my way to Cherokee yesterday. It was a pretty easy drive without much traffic, even with some kind of big event going on in Kentucky. Something about horses, I don't know.
I was able to get loaded last night, so I took my 10-hr break at the shipper and got rolling this morning. I've set myself up for a relatively short day tomorrow (300 miles) so I'm hoping to have some down time and be able to relax a little by tomorrow afternoon. Of course, that all depends on how early I get up and on the road in the morning. Considering I'm planning on taking a shower and replacing a light on the trailer, it may not be as early as hoped.
I was able to get loaded last night, so I took my 10-hr break at the shipper and got rolling this morning. I've set myself up for a relatively short day tomorrow (300 miles) so I'm hoping to have some down time and be able to relax a little by tomorrow afternoon. Of course, that all depends on how early I get up and on the road in the morning. Considering I'm planning on taking a shower and replacing a light on the trailer, it may not be as early as hoped.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Jeffersonville, OH - 5/1/09
I got jerked around so much today I got whip-lash. It went a little something like this: I got taken off Load A, assigned Load B, taken off Load B, assigned Load A, taken off Load A, and ultimately re-assigned Load B. If you think that sounds like a pain in the *%#, you're right.
This morning, the load planner took me off Load A and gave me Load B because I couldn't get to the shipper in time. Fine. I'd be lying if I said I didn't see that one coming. I knew I couldn't get there before 2pm. So, while I'm unloading this afternoon, I look up the directions and make plans to go to Shipper B. Only, 10 minutes into the trip, my dispatcher calls to tell me she got me Load A back and I need to hustle because I don't have much time (Load A gets me home, so she was trying to help me out). So, I scramble to figure out how to get there and start heading that way. This is the part where Ohio's 55mph speed limit does me no good. I got there 45 minutes after they stopped loading trucks. I checked in, but to no avail - the dock workers were clocking out and I wasn't going to get loaded. Well, that was a fun little side trip. It'll be interesting to see if those miles show up on my pay check.
I was taken off that load for obvious reasons and reassigned Load B, which does not get me home. The good part is I have a load. I got the feeling there was no Plan C. If I couldn't get Load B loaded, I might have been stuck in Ohio all weekend. That's a good way to make a cranky truck driver. But no crankiness here - I'm going to bed and I don't have to set the alarm. That's wonderful.
This morning, the load planner took me off Load A and gave me Load B because I couldn't get to the shipper in time. Fine. I'd be lying if I said I didn't see that one coming. I knew I couldn't get there before 2pm. So, while I'm unloading this afternoon, I look up the directions and make plans to go to Shipper B. Only, 10 minutes into the trip, my dispatcher calls to tell me she got me Load A back and I need to hustle because I don't have much time (Load A gets me home, so she was trying to help me out). So, I scramble to figure out how to get there and start heading that way. This is the part where Ohio's 55mph speed limit does me no good. I got there 45 minutes after they stopped loading trucks. I checked in, but to no avail - the dock workers were clocking out and I wasn't going to get loaded. Well, that was a fun little side trip. It'll be interesting to see if those miles show up on my pay check.
I was taken off that load for obvious reasons and reassigned Load B, which does not get me home. The good part is I have a load. I got the feeling there was no Plan C. If I couldn't get Load B loaded, I might have been stuck in Ohio all weekend. That's a good way to make a cranky truck driver. But no crankiness here - I'm going to bed and I don't have to set the alarm. That's wonderful.
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