Good morning and more useful or not useful information!

I just thought I would throw in some useful or not useful traveling information.  This might just interest my foster niece and nephew.

After we left the foundry, Jeff took a wrong turn and we ended up at Brooklyn, IL, which neighbors Granite City.  Brooklyn was established in the 1820s across the Mississippi River from St. Louis and the slave state of Missouri. It was started as a settlement of African Americans escaping slavery, and later became the first black town in America to be incorporated.

Check out the book, America's First Black Town: Brooklyn, Illinois, 1830-1915, for more information!

It is not the richest town....at least the side we went through, actually, it was quite intimidating but I can't speak for the whole town!

Good evening from MM 19, Hwy 55 S

Good evening from another Pilot Truckstop just short of the Arkansas border.  Yes, we did get two loads today, a shag run from Granite City, IL to the drop yard and from the drop yard to Jonesoro, AR.  It really wasn't much of a run as we will be at our destination in two hours tomorrow morning but at least I drove for a few hours.  Yes, I am getting my lil daily allowance but each day I don't drive, means more time I am stuck in this truck and as we all know; I am getting to the point where solitude is my dearest friend!

On a good note, I had a good day of "on the street" or in this case, "the foundry" interveiws.  Granite City is the home of United Steel and a few foundries that support this town......a very UNION town.  This particular foundry makes the bottom carriage/parts for trains......everything but the wheels.  It is called Amstad Rail and currently employs roughly 2500 individuals. 

I interviewed David (Miss Kelly), who has been working here for 8.5 years.  Justin, who has been here for 7 years (started at the age of 18); and Ron (Goat), who has been here for 17 years.  I joined them all for lunch (a very bad lunch I might add) and they shared a little about themselves.  The biggest news they had was old news and that was back in 2009, when 2000 were laid off which left a crew of 500 to run the place.  Things have since returned to normal as of last summer.

They produce 200-250 bolsters and sideframes a day!  A bolster weights 1500 pounds while the sideframe weighs in at 1000.  It was quite fascinating to watch the large equipment move these parts around and how quickly they were processed from beginning to end........the end of our truck to be exact.  Check out the pictures!

Miss Kelly & Justin

Goat

I would have taken more pictures but I wasn't surpose to take the ones I did......notified after the fact ;).  So this is it for today!

On time, in real time!

Good morning from Troy, IL!  Yes, the same place as yesterday that I did not know the name of but after spending the day walking the 10 block town (kidding but the place is very small), and seeing the water tower with the name on it, it was easy to figure out.

I had a great evening with family members from Vegas to Seattle on a multi video chat (thanks to sister Rhonda for covering the small fee).  My sister Lorene stated that her hubby was amazed with technology that we discussed  back in the day that this would happen.  But then again, our own parents were amazed to see man walk on the moon!  Gads, did I just give away my age? ;)

So I got to see my son, James, sisters Lorene and Rhonda (with a cameo shot of Jim) and Rhonda's foster daugher, Breianna (?) I know the spelling of her name is wrong but it looks hot with my name in the middle of it!  We had good laughs, made plenty of faces at each other and just enjoyed each others's company while miles apart.  Now all we need is MOM to join us!  Love you all!

We woke to light snow and a full truck stop.  I actually had to wait for a shower!  I thought, what world did I wake up to that truckers are waiting in line for a shower......a bored one!  With no traveling, there is no time like the present to clean those fried chicken and donut crumbs from the belly button!  Ewwww, talk about a visual to crush that urge to eat breakfast! 

No word yet on a load or how long we are going to sit here.  As of this morning, I have only one show left to get caught up on and then I am on to Netflix.  Let's hope we hit the road before then.  If no load, I will hit the streets for an exciting interview with any one that smiles at me as I am getting bored of myself.  I feel sorry for my fellow readers  ***knocks on the PC screen***  get some coffee!  Check in later!

Stuck Somewhere!

Gads, I need to pay attention to the locations we travel but since we arrived in the dark, I am taking the 5th.  We are stuck at a Pilot truckstop just west of the Mississppi River roughly 24 miles from Milton, PA.  AND....we aren't moving, at least, until tomorrow.

You know, you really shouldn't upset the hand that feeds you and as I have shared with you, Jeff, has no issue expressing himself; even if it means, losing a meal or two because of it.  Since he expressed just how exhausted we are, we are not allowed to take a load......today.  You know, I still get my daily allowance but this will not look good on Jeff's paycheck.  Someone is being punished as far as I am concerned.

On another note, I could run, but sadly, it is be dang cold again (light snow this morning) and this truckstop has no gym.  On another up note, I can get ALL caught up with my shows!  I might even take a nap this afternoon as I did not get to sleep until 1:30 this morning.  Please enjoy the few pictures I have today and give me a ring if you are free, as I have the TIME!

You should have heard his growl before I asked him to smile :)

Looks like someone's tire was a tad too hot!

3/24/11 Stand back everybody, Jeff is still breathing!

3/23/11

It was a late night at Sam’s Club and I was at least able to watch 15 minutes of NCIS before we were unloaded.  Sam’s Club is one of the few locations that I have been to that offers free internet to its customers that I can access.  Those fifteen minutes of NCIS was a terrible tease as I miss what few shows I do watch which total four hours a week.  So out of a seven day week of being on this truck training, I am only lucky enough to watch two hours of TV.  That sucks!

We spent the night in the parking lot of the mall where Sam’s is located as it was 1:30 AM when we were finally unloaded and we are currently at our next pick up.  I don’t know where it is or where we are going as I have lost all desire to give a damn today.  I am just going to read until it is my time to drive, if that happens as someone prefers to drive as I sit and take pictures.  So as long as I am safe, have fun Jeff!

I will jump off this pity wagon and return to my book.  Better roads are ahead of us tomorrow!

It is 9:45 PM and we are at Hazelwood, MO, at the Post Office waiting to get unloaded.  Since this is a government facility, the odds of this being on time is just as likely as the loading of the bulk mail we picked up this morning.  We were to be loaded and ready at 10 AM……and we left, at 2 PM.  So with those odds on our side, we might leave here at midnight if we are lucky.  Now we know why bulk mail is so cheap and so time consuming in delivery.

Jeff realized today that a laughing Reia is much better than an unhappy Reia……….that is all I am going to say on that matter as my friends and family totally know the unhappy side of me.  If I am not happy, there is always the door!  ;)  Let’s just say…..it is still closed at the moment.

We are finally getting unloaded so hopefully we will be at the truck stop soon so I can upload.  Sweet dreams!

Went on a walk yesterday morning and came across some "Werner" roadkill!

3/23/11 12:30 AM at Sam's Club........tired!

3/22/11

Good morning from MM #45, Hwy 77 N, West Virginia, on our way to Wal-Mart in Gas City, IN.  We woke to a cool and sunny morning, moved our tandems to spread the weight of the load to make us legal, and look forward to a nice trip.

 We arrived early enough in Wytheville, VA,  that I was able to enjoy a country jog (a very hilly county….hence the jog).  It felt so good to be moving with my two feet instead of 18 wheels!  Now I know how my ole mare felt after being locked up in the horse trailer too long!  That being said, I am amazed that more drivers don’t do the same.  I receive smiles and an occasional honk when seen running through the truck yard from those big ole boys who won’t leave their trucks except to eat, use the restroom and gosh forbid, take a shower!  See this boy and you will know what I am talking about!  It just gives me more incentive to leave the truck as much as possible!

While having a light late dinner, I found out that Gatorade and Sobe are produced here!  The factory employs 350 locals and the water is piped in from Reed Creek and New River, el natural!  Just some useful or not useful information!

It has been a long day and Jeff is lucky to be alive.  His behavior has been on the less positive side with me and staff and I have had enough for today or should I say, this morning.  I could request another trainer but with what I have witnessed so far, unless I find myself in a less than safe situation, I have to tough it out.  I miss the laughter and joy of learning with my previous trainer.  This excess of drama.....is so draining!

Better day tomorrow my fellow truckers!

My very first time at "Bojangles" and the great staff that made my fried chicken!

Self Portrait......thinking of all the ways I want torture someone!

Awesome tunnels in West Virginia!

Saw this and thought.........please,don't let it happen here!

In Roanoke, VA!

Just a quick note that we have arrived in Roanoke, VA, on time and it is beautiful!  The weather is perfect and and everything is budding and GREEN!  I am using the client's web access while Jeff is doing the paperwork.  We will be leaving shortly.

Waves to Rhonda and her lovely family!  I had a great time during our video chat......gotta love McDonalds and boys in high heels (winks)!

Jeff is on the right!

3/20/11 Good morning from Cheese State!

3/19/11

Good morning from a very chilly (24F) in Fargo, ND!  Of course, Jeff kept the truck at Florida temperature (75+) all night long.  I am use to waking up with it being 60F or below.  We have the same issue when driving as he loves the heat and it puts me to sleep, not a good thing when I am driving! Either he gets a quilt or I drive in my bikini……that could be scary!

This last trip with Office Max was an excellent trip with four drops and nearly 1700 miles.  We covered a lot of miles and on time deliveries.  Our next pick up is here in Fargo, at Integrity Windows and Doors for delivery in Roanoke, VA….due Monday at 10 PM.  It could be whole doors and windows or parts that have to be assembled in Roanoke.  We will be driving 600 miles per day to make our delivery on time.

For your information, I found out where Laura Ingalls Wilder was born!  We drove by De Smet, SD, the home of Laura Wilder, the author of the Little House stories.  You would think that they would have produced the series here in her home town instead of Independence, Kansas; but after spending the night here, it is MUCH warmer in Kansas!  Your tidbit of useful or useless information for today!

Time to eat my apple and hit the road as a heavy meal is out of the question as I had my usual Friday night dinner of either steak or fish and let me tell you, the Petro on Exit  348, Hwy 94, does not know how to season a prime rib!  Go for the $7.99 all you can eat buffet….Jeff sure enjoyed it!

Good afternoon from the same location as this morning!  We arrived at our shipper this morning to find a flat tire on the trailer!  Back to the truck stop we went!  Now, three hours later, we are still sitting in the shop waiting on approval for the repair work.   Don’t think we are hitting our planned sleeping destination tonight and it is raining.  Between the cold temps and the rain, there is no way I am running!  I did see a gym across the street but Jeff stated we could get approval at any time.  I could have ran 6 miles by now and hit the weights.  I think if this happens when I have my own truck, they can call me when it is done!

Off to walk the restaurant……….

3/20/11

It took nearly 5.5 hours to replace a bad tire!  We arrived late last night at the Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 69, Hwy 90-94 in Mauston, WI.  Jeff was a darling and let me sleep in as we didn't get to sleep until nearly 11 PM.  We woke to rain and are slowly getting ready to hit the road. 

Yes, we had a roll over and I have fallen and can't get up!  Jeeze!

This came across our computerized system yesterday...you have to be kidding me!  Jeff had to steer hard to miss a car that pulled in front of us and the roll over sensor was activated.  If we rolled over, would my first thoughts be of responding to such a question????

Half that barn is gone!

Gotta love his expression!

I can finish my training!