I am not pleased to announce that the motel gave me $10 off my credit card. Personally, I would have been happy with $30 which would have brought my bill down the $40 that was posted outside. I will never stay there again but the odds of me doing another 34 hour break at that same location, 1 in 5000 at least!
We drove nearly 580 miles today from our morning drop of the pallets in Illinois, to Missouri, and back to Illinois. I was lucky on the pickup of the live load as the appointment was for 3 PM and I squeaked in at 1 PM and was on the road by 2:15. I am hoping I am just as lucky tomorrow. We are only 9 miles from our drop but the appointment isn't until 10 AM. The shift starts at 6 AM and I am hoping if I am there and waiting, that they will let me squeak in as well.
My parking job at the truck stop leaves little to be desired but it is intentional. I took two parking spaces as the back of the trailer is in the lane next to me. I pulled in directly behind another truck on the outside lane. Remember the last time I did that? I was blocked in by another driver who was a total JERK and wouldn't move so I could get out. I was assisted by another driver in getting the one driver to move and they nearly started swinging fists! With this angle, if someone does try that again, I will be able to get out. Of course, this might piss off a driver if they wanted to park in the lane next to me but oh well! I have seen many truck stops packed to beyond full........if that driver can make a spot, it will be taken!
It is good to be back in the truck......kinda! The view of the open road is much better than the view from that motel room ;)
See you all in the morning!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Good afternoon from a well rested professional commercial driver :)
I had an awesome night's sleep in the second room (first room had a bad TV) which provided a king size bed and very soft pillow (much better then the two twins in the first room). I slept........10 hours! I needed the break obviously.
When it was time to take that long awaited bath..........the drain plug was broken! I told you last night, this place isn't much and full of false advertising. I saw a billboard that stated $36 a night and semi parking, so I stopped of course. While waiting in line, I overheard that the rooms where $69 but $59 for truck drivers and the big sign outside the motel, stated $40 a night! This place is only worth $36 a night. I went straight to the office to discuss the drain and they offered me a third room (the only one left) and I turned it down, it was worse than the one I am currently in! They are suppose to be making it right by me so we will see what they will offer to make me want to return. The motel............Motel 6!
I just finished watching a new series called "Hell on Wheels". It reminded me of "Deadwood" but without all the nudity and vulgar language (which of course, make it awesome, as that is how it was back then). I enjoyed the four in a row shows and hope that I will be able to follow it as my driving allows. Check it out! You can never go wrong with westerns as far as I am concerned!
As for the past week, it has been a hit and miss of decent days and days of which, no one should get out of bed for. I had one day of just searching for a dang trailer and was sent to 4 locations before it was found (much to the relief of the client as his share of this load to the consignee was past due). The only problem with this client...his load was too big for his share (trailer had a partial load from another shipper) of the trailer! They had to manually load the trailer with boxes of memory foam pads like a giant puzzle, trying to use as much space as possible. They were able to get 5/8s of their original load in but due to the delay, my clock was up and I had to spend the night there......on a brand new memory foam topper! Even though Planning messed up this load and had it running a week late, the client appreciated the fact that I would stay until their load was ready to go.
It looks like rain is in the forecast when we head out tomorrow but it will be getting colder as we head west. As long as I keep running my day hours, we should be ok as the roads will likely stay clear. I don't understand those night drivers that drive at the worst possible time as the temps get colder once that sun goes down which of course, brings on ice and snow.......and with less vehicles on the road, it can stick! Not only that, the plow trucks are well known to be out in force just before morning and evening rush hour traffic (if equipped to do so). I have better odds of reaching my drops (and driving safely) moving during daylight hours.
Off to make lunch and maybe work on that draft I have been writing about all week!
Pictures of the trucks that were either caught off guard or plain crazy that were tipped over in Utah two days ago. Glad I wasn't one of them!
When it was time to take that long awaited bath..........the drain plug was broken! I told you last night, this place isn't much and full of false advertising. I saw a billboard that stated $36 a night and semi parking, so I stopped of course. While waiting in line, I overheard that the rooms where $69 but $59 for truck drivers and the big sign outside the motel, stated $40 a night! This place is only worth $36 a night. I went straight to the office to discuss the drain and they offered me a third room (the only one left) and I turned it down, it was worse than the one I am currently in! They are suppose to be making it right by me so we will see what they will offer to make me want to return. The motel............Motel 6!
I just finished watching a new series called "Hell on Wheels". It reminded me of "Deadwood" but without all the nudity and vulgar language (which of course, make it awesome, as that is how it was back then). I enjoyed the four in a row shows and hope that I will be able to follow it as my driving allows. Check it out! You can never go wrong with westerns as far as I am concerned!
As for the past week, it has been a hit and miss of decent days and days of which, no one should get out of bed for. I had one day of just searching for a dang trailer and was sent to 4 locations before it was found (much to the relief of the client as his share of this load to the consignee was past due). The only problem with this client...his load was too big for his share (trailer had a partial load from another shipper) of the trailer! They had to manually load the trailer with boxes of memory foam pads like a giant puzzle, trying to use as much space as possible. They were able to get 5/8s of their original load in but due to the delay, my clock was up and I had to spend the night there......on a brand new memory foam topper! Even though Planning messed up this load and had it running a week late, the client appreciated the fact that I would stay until their load was ready to go.
It looks like rain is in the forecast when we head out tomorrow but it will be getting colder as we head west. As long as I keep running my day hours, we should be ok as the roads will likely stay clear. I don't understand those night drivers that drive at the worst possible time as the temps get colder once that sun goes down which of course, brings on ice and snow.......and with less vehicles on the road, it can stick! Not only that, the plow trucks are well known to be out in force just before morning and evening rush hour traffic (if equipped to do so). I have better odds of reaching my drops (and driving safely) moving during daylight hours.
Off to make lunch and maybe work on that draft I have been writing about all week!
Pictures of the trucks that were either caught off guard or plain crazy that were tipped over in Utah two days ago. Glad I wasn't one of them!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Hands out the cyber jar for your pocket change.....
Now I feel like a bell ringer at Walmart! :)
OK, I am behind for a few days and plan on getting you all caught up for the past few days tomorrow. As for now, I am staying in a motel that cost me a day's wages for two days and since I don't get paid much, there is nothing to brag about this room except there is room to move (Gonja hasn't realized that yet and is at my feet) and a BATHROOM, a room I sooooo use to taking that for granted!
We are taking a 34 hour restart in Lebanon, IN and there is a storm coming in tonight (what is left of what hit CA, UT and anywhere in between). Not only did the sound of spending tight quarters with Gonja due to rain sound...... sooooo ....... wet dog hair stinky but to hear more dang nab it crap from possible over idle when I am not driving, so worth using the credit card tonight. It has been three weeks, we need a break from the truck.
And.......I got my NAILS done! I almost feel.....fem! Wait, need to shave these trees first, we will discuss the lack of (shave the legs room) in showers at truck stops at a future time ;)
Off to make dinner and walk the dog........
And everyone, say HI to my sister, Rhonda, who finally joined the blog.......after what, nine months??
Later!
OK, I am behind for a few days and plan on getting you all caught up for the past few days tomorrow. As for now, I am staying in a motel that cost me a day's wages for two days and since I don't get paid much, there is nothing to brag about this room except there is room to move (Gonja hasn't realized that yet and is at my feet) and a BATHROOM, a room I sooooo use to taking that for granted!
We are taking a 34 hour restart in Lebanon, IN and there is a storm coming in tonight (what is left of what hit CA, UT and anywhere in between). Not only did the sound of spending tight quarters with Gonja due to rain sound...... sooooo ....... wet dog hair stinky but to hear more dang nab it crap from possible over idle when I am not driving, so worth using the credit card tonight. It has been three weeks, we need a break from the truck.
And.......I got my NAILS done! I almost feel.....fem! Wait, need to shave these trees first, we will discuss the lack of (shave the legs room) in showers at truck stops at a future time ;)
Off to make dinner and walk the dog........
And everyone, say HI to my sister, Rhonda, who finally joined the blog.......after what, nine months??
Later!
We went to the Kraft factory......hair nets required!
I am going to guess the name......Dicks Lounge in the Woods. Your ideas?
What is left of that lounge!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Good afternoon from Deepwater, NJ
We arrived just after lunch as I was too low on hours to make it to my pickup and head north....AUGH! Yuppers, we are heading back to Canada. I told my dispatcher that my passport was getting close to flying out the window as these trips north are just becoming more stressful as winter nears. And the dreams of spending the winter driving south only, are just that, dreams. Either I get on a southern route (which means moving) or just wish for the best. I will not drive when it is unsafe so my 10 to 11 hours of driving will slowly dwindle down to the point to where either I or my dispatcher will make much during the winter.
Oh.........I am feeling almost normal now, and go figure, as my daily runs will be shorter.........when I needed the rest!
No word on this week's over idle so I haven't drafted that dang letter yet but that has been far from my mind the past few days. Most important......my nails need to be done, they are dreadful!
Oh.........I am feeling almost normal now, and go figure, as my daily runs will be shorter.........when I needed the rest!
No word on this week's over idle so I haven't drafted that dang letter yet but that has been far from my mind the past few days. Most important......my nails need to be done, they are dreadful!
Life after people...........the plants did just fine!
Good (sneeze) evening from somewhere in NE New York State……..
I am too tired to care where I am at the moment. We were on the road at 4:15 AM this morning to pick up that load in Huntsville, ON. It was a dark and very wet drive. I HATE driving on roads where the lines are not reflective and barely seen against the black asphalt and the drenching rain. There have been times where I almost take an exit due to low visibility of street markings………that is scary to think about if you are not paying attention and hit the end of that exit at full speed!
We got our load, the client was not happy with the trailer I dropped (pulled my lower back out just trying to lock in the tandems) as it had ceiling leaks which I did not know about besides the four BALD tires. They rejected the trailer but let me leave with my load and I bet ya, that trailer will sit there for a month before it is removed and repaired.
We got through the border just fine and then hit the back roads of New York on our way to New Jersey. So far, temps are up but the rain is relentless. I plan on hitting the sheets here soon and sleeping in an hour if my body will let me. I will not leave until I have a hot shower (it has been two days) and we are to drop this load by 10 AM. I got to get rid of this dang cold……..I have lost all energy and that is not good for me or Gonja.
Good evening Toronto, Canada….city of 2.5 million people!
I just dropped that load I picked up in Alabama (picked up this dang cold there too) and we are heading north 130 miles in the morning to pick up a load to take to New Jersey. And, there will be no rest for the weary for at least two weeks unless this cold kills me! I doubt I will be running my hours hard as this cold is draining me so our next break might be home time in Yuma.
My dispatcher did come through for me and added $100 to my trip for the late appointment and bald tires. I knew I would gain something from not finishing my hours, a good meal, a good rest, and more money than I could have made it I drove. Go figure!
Oh! Our US dollar is only worth 90 cents now! I think I better head to Mexico, Canada is getting too big for its buck ;)
Off to play cards and an early bedtime………
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Made it to Ohio...and the load will be late!
We drove 550 miles today in 10.25 hours of solid rain from Alabam to our current location. As I predicted, my down hours yesterday were transferred to tonight so they expect me to deliver this load in Canada tomorrow. If the trailer inspection and customs is uneventful, we should drop this load late tomorrow afternoon. So........I will be spending the night out of the country.
So I am signing off for a few days..........I know, I will be missed ;)
So I am signing off for a few days..........I know, I will be missed ;)
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