Super Bowl? Bah. Stanley Cup? Humbug. The Pirates beat the hell out of the Tigers tonight? Phooey. My baseball team is still in first (for now) and theirs is in last (for now). Yeah, so I'm reaching at this point. After seeing so many 'For Sale' signs in the neighborhoods and business districts back home during the past week, and after hearing Mister "I don't know anything about cars" on the radio, there has to be something left to which we can cling. I don't know. Whatever. I would have to say that, over the course of the seven games, the better hockey team definitely won this time around.
I think I'm about halfway back to a drive by day and sleep by night schedule. I'm not sure exactly when I fell asleep last night but I managed to get out to the highway around noon today. I'm still not setting an alarm for tomorrow but I think I'll probably be up and moving at some point in the morning. Today's drive was a solid 600 miles across Kentucky, then down through Memphis and into Arkansas. As has become my default practice, I stayed away from the route into Nashville and over to Memphis, instead taking the parkway over to US-51.
The drive was largely uneventful, with light weekend traffic and nice weather along the entire route. There was one stretch that brought a few extra prayers to St. Christopher along the way though. On I-30 in Benton, Arkansas there was a pretty grizzly scene. Both sides of the freeway were being diverted onto the frontage road and a truck was burning on the eastbound side. Nothing is showing up on the local news sites at this point so we can only hope that the driver managed to escape with his life. It didn't look too freaking good.
My abbreviated pay week will wrap up with 1,769 miles. When I'm home until Thursday night, we have to take this as a pretty solid outcome. I'll have around 650 miles or so left to reach Laredo tomorrow night. At this point I'm leaning toward dropping down on US-59 through Houston. Satan's Driveway is what it is and I don't really feel like going twenty miles out of the way to catch US-287 this time around. As long as there are no major snafus, I think I should make pretty decent time through the eastern part of Texas.
I left Taylor on Thursday and I stopped for fuel in West Memphis today. Neither of those terminals appeared to be terribly crowded, so it would be tempting to hope for a similar scene in Laredo. Now that I've said that, we should expect that I'll find a hundred trucks on the board and I'll sit there eating fajitas for a day or two. Time will tell.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
6/12/09
Some might consider my rather juvenile sleeping pattern while I'm at home to be irresponsible. I consider it to be a form of training. I was most definitely dragging ass by the time I got to my consignee this morning but I made it without incident. Some of you "normal" types might have had a rough time pulling that one off after having been awake all day yesterday. Luckily I've spent my life training for just such a thing... or something like that.
Some of my friends are starting to get the hang of this trucking routine, I think. One called to see if I was rolling last night. After hearing that I was picking up in Plymouth and going to Indiana she asked, "Don't they usually set you up with one to Laredo when you deliver in Indiana?" Very astute observation. Alas, I got no pre-plan this time around. Just the pickup and the overnight run. My first pleasant surprise came when I saw that I had 33,000 pounds of water instead of the usual 47,000. No need to worry about finding a scale in that case. My second pleasant surprise came when I got my dispatch... along with a pre-planned load heading for Laredo. Well I'll be damned. Very astute indeed.
I was hanging tough for the most part through the whole trip but those last forty miles out of Indianapolis were definitely a struggle. I pulled into the consignee's lot at 5:15am (ahead of a 7am appointment) and looked for a place to hide out. I really didn't find any convenient places to park but I did see that their receiving office opens at 5am. Good deal. They had me unloaded quickly and I was off for North Vernon to make my next pickup.
Some of those states in the Midwest are a little quirky with their spoken dialects. The English that is spoken in the bulk of Indiana tends to sound like that of Southern Michigan or Northern Ohio for the most part. When you get up into Wisconsin and Minnesota you have that weird Nordic sounding English. An hour north of Detroit you would swear that the people were all Canadians. Then you get to the fine folks in North Vernon, Indiana. Re-draw the Kentucky border maybe? Nah, just observing one of the interesting things about our vast country. The traditional definition of 'the South' doesn't tend to include the bottom halves of Indiana or Ohio, but it probably should.
Once I was loaded with 13,000 pounds of miscellaneous nonsense from a couple of warehouses in North Vernon, I skipped back over to I-65 and headed southward. My 14 hour clock had enough time left to get me through Louisville so that was the plan. As it turns out, my internal 'quitting time' clock ran out of batteries at just the same time. I had to circle the lot at the Pilot in Brooks a few times before I could find a spot. That's not generally the best scenario when you're dead tired. If you're getting the last spot you're not going to have a whole lot of space to maneuver. I got 'er in there without hitting anything though. Good enough.
By the time the hockey game is over, I'll be legal to hit the road again. I don't think I'm going anywhere tonight though. I'm due in Laredo by Monday morning so I'll probably spend the night here and knock out two long shifts over the weekend.
Some of my friends are starting to get the hang of this trucking routine, I think. One called to see if I was rolling last night. After hearing that I was picking up in Plymouth and going to Indiana she asked, "Don't they usually set you up with one to Laredo when you deliver in Indiana?" Very astute observation. Alas, I got no pre-plan this time around. Just the pickup and the overnight run. My first pleasant surprise came when I saw that I had 33,000 pounds of water instead of the usual 47,000. No need to worry about finding a scale in that case. My second pleasant surprise came when I got my dispatch... along with a pre-planned load heading for Laredo. Well I'll be damned. Very astute indeed.
I was hanging tough for the most part through the whole trip but those last forty miles out of Indianapolis were definitely a struggle. I pulled into the consignee's lot at 5:15am (ahead of a 7am appointment) and looked for a place to hide out. I really didn't find any convenient places to park but I did see that their receiving office opens at 5am. Good deal. They had me unloaded quickly and I was off for North Vernon to make my next pickup.
Some of those states in the Midwest are a little quirky with their spoken dialects. The English that is spoken in the bulk of Indiana tends to sound like that of Southern Michigan or Northern Ohio for the most part. When you get up into Wisconsin and Minnesota you have that weird Nordic sounding English. An hour north of Detroit you would swear that the people were all Canadians. Then you get to the fine folks in North Vernon, Indiana. Re-draw the Kentucky border maybe? Nah, just observing one of the interesting things about our vast country. The traditional definition of 'the South' doesn't tend to include the bottom halves of Indiana or Ohio, but it probably should.
Once I was loaded with 13,000 pounds of miscellaneous nonsense from a couple of warehouses in North Vernon, I skipped back over to I-65 and headed southward. My 14 hour clock had enough time left to get me through Louisville so that was the plan. As it turns out, my internal 'quitting time' clock ran out of batteries at just the same time. I had to circle the lot at the Pilot in Brooks a few times before I could find a spot. That's not generally the best scenario when you're dead tired. If you're getting the last spot you're not going to have a whole lot of space to maneuver. I got 'er in there without hitting anything though. Good enough.
By the time the hockey game is over, I'll be legal to hit the road again. I don't think I'm going anywhere tonight though. I'm due in Laredo by Monday morning so I'll probably spend the night here and knock out two long shifts over the weekend.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
6/11/09
Ahh yes, posting from a loading dock... a time-honored tradition upon returning to work after time off. Tonight's overnight run will be water from Plymouth and not beer from Howell, but it's still heavy and the schedule still sucks. Such is life.
I got up and called the terminal at 7am to get myself on the board and hoped to hear that I was at least #10. A little more sleep was definitely in order as far as I was concerned. The dispatcher said that I was #12 so I went back to bed. When I woke an hour later I was #16. Not sure what that was all about. I steadily climbed up to the top through the course of the afternoon and got my assignment around 4pm. Good old overnighter down to Bloomington, Indiana.
I had dinner at home and then headed up to the yard to get myself settled back in for work. My battery was utterly and completely dead when I got there. No turning over, no click, no nothing. It fired up instantly when the dispatcher connected the charger though. Weird. I left the truck running while I picked up my empty trailer and then shut it off for maybe five minutes while I topped off my fuel tanks. It just barely fired up when I was done. After my 23 mile drive to the shipper, the voltage was just above 12 so I've had it running the whole time. Now, after over an hour of sitting here with the engine idling, the voltage is only at 13. I sincerely hope this gets sorted out once I drive down the highway for a while. The last thing that I need after a long and expensive break at home is to put my truck in the shop.
My delivery in Bloomington is set for 7am and, if history is any guide, these peckerheads at the water plant won't have me rolling any time soon. Looks like I'm due for some old school trucking tonight so I guess I had better take a nap for a while now.
I got up and called the terminal at 7am to get myself on the board and hoped to hear that I was at least #10. A little more sleep was definitely in order as far as I was concerned. The dispatcher said that I was #12 so I went back to bed. When I woke an hour later I was #16. Not sure what that was all about. I steadily climbed up to the top through the course of the afternoon and got my assignment around 4pm. Good old overnighter down to Bloomington, Indiana.
I had dinner at home and then headed up to the yard to get myself settled back in for work. My battery was utterly and completely dead when I got there. No turning over, no click, no nothing. It fired up instantly when the dispatcher connected the charger though. Weird. I left the truck running while I picked up my empty trailer and then shut it off for maybe five minutes while I topped off my fuel tanks. It just barely fired up when I was done. After my 23 mile drive to the shipper, the voltage was just above 12 so I've had it running the whole time. Now, after over an hour of sitting here with the engine idling, the voltage is only at 13. I sincerely hope this gets sorted out once I drive down the highway for a while. The last thing that I need after a long and expensive break at home is to put my truck in the shop.
My delivery in Bloomington is set for 7am and, if history is any guide, these peckerheads at the water plant won't have me rolling any time soon. Looks like I'm due for some old school trucking tonight so I guess I had better take a nap for a while now.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
6/10/09
Okay man. Here's the deal. At this time tomorrow, I promise to have no alcohol in my system. You know... unless there's no freight and I'm still here and such. (Obviously we must allow for contingencies.)
I did spend another few minutes tending to some sort of work-related activity today. This means, of course, that I stopped by the terminal and put clean sheets on the bed in my truck. That's about as far as the 'trucking blog' angle will go tonight. Sorry.
I've been meaning to get together with a friend for the last few months and the timing of my trips home hasn't worked out, so today seemed like a good day to meet her for lunch. Some girly nonsense for her and a big old cheeseburger for me. That was nice. The afternoon involved a lengthy nap and then I was due to visit another friend. This time around the meal consisted of grilled sausages and peppers. That also was nice. One almost might think that I eat too much or something. I don't know. Who am I to judge? I did manage to knock back my half of a twelve pack along the way though.
One the way home I was compelled to stop by a local pub and catch the back end of a pretty good victory for the Tigers. Still in first place... for now. Then you know how it goes. Had to grab a couple of talls from the Middle Eastern gents on the corner to round out the night. I'm due at work by 7:30am so I guess it's bedtime now. Cheers.
I did spend another few minutes tending to some sort of work-related activity today. This means, of course, that I stopped by the terminal and put clean sheets on the bed in my truck. That's about as far as the 'trucking blog' angle will go tonight. Sorry.
I've been meaning to get together with a friend for the last few months and the timing of my trips home hasn't worked out, so today seemed like a good day to meet her for lunch. Some girly nonsense for her and a big old cheeseburger for me. That was nice. The afternoon involved a lengthy nap and then I was due to visit another friend. This time around the meal consisted of grilled sausages and peppers. That also was nice. One almost might think that I eat too much or something. I don't know. Who am I to judge? I did manage to knock back my half of a twelve pack along the way though.
One the way home I was compelled to stop by a local pub and catch the back end of a pretty good victory for the Tigers. Still in first place... for now. Then you know how it goes. Had to grab a couple of talls from the Middle Eastern gents on the corner to round out the night. I'm due at work by 7:30am so I guess it's bedtime now. Cheers.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
6/9/09
I intended to do a little less driving and a lot less eating today. Fail. I had dinner plans at 6pm in Livonia and I was sitting around with nothing to do at 3pm, so I went out for a leisurely drive to kill some time. Something just doesn't seem right about that. I need to drive less, not more. It was a nice ride though. You can, in the span of two miles, go from the upscale neighborhoods in the old part of Dearborn to some pretty depressing areas just to the north. All a part of living in the Rust Belt, I suppose.
I still didn't manage to take long enough, so I spent some time at the Barnes & Noble right near the restaurant where I would be meeting some friends. I killed an hour picking up books that I had no intention of buying and then putting them back on the shelf. Before I left the bookstore I thought that I would grab a glass of iced tea for the road. I went into the little café and then changed my mind. Coffee tastes awful to me but a banana smoothie sounded terrific. A smoothie would be much better than an iced tea. I think the chick was mocking me as she handed it over. Damned coffee snobs. I must not be sophisticated enough for the year 2009.
At the restaurant I made a lovely discovery. Buca di Beppo now has a baked rigatoni on the menu. Oy! That was fantastic. And I ate way too much. Story of life these days. Unfortunately I also have a lunch engagement tomorrow. Maybe I can eat something light. Haha, I know, that one made me chuckle too.
So that hockey game was pretty entertaining, eh? Hopefully we'll get another good show for Game 7 on Friday. I'll be back to work at that point, but I'll try and find a fast enough internet connection wherever I am.
I still didn't manage to take long enough, so I spent some time at the Barnes & Noble right near the restaurant where I would be meeting some friends. I killed an hour picking up books that I had no intention of buying and then putting them back on the shelf. Before I left the bookstore I thought that I would grab a glass of iced tea for the road. I went into the little café and then changed my mind. Coffee tastes awful to me but a banana smoothie sounded terrific. A smoothie would be much better than an iced tea. I think the chick was mocking me as she handed it over. Damned coffee snobs. I must not be sophisticated enough for the year 2009.
At the restaurant I made a lovely discovery. Buca di Beppo now has a baked rigatoni on the menu. Oy! That was fantastic. And I ate way too much. Story of life these days. Unfortunately I also have a lunch engagement tomorrow. Maybe I can eat something light. Haha, I know, that one made me chuckle too.
So that hockey game was pretty entertaining, eh? Hopefully we'll get another good show for Game 7 on Friday. I'll be back to work at that point, but I'll try and find a fast enough internet connection wherever I am.
Monday, June 8, 2009
6/8/09
There was kinda sorta something work-related that happened today... for a minute anyway. I was on a turbocharged take-no-prisoners laundry kick at a laundromat in Riverview this afternoon when I walked out to my car to grab a book to read. My phone was lying on the front seat and there was a 'missed call' message on the screen. "CFI Operations," said the caller ID. (I haven't changed the nomenclature on my phone, nor do I see any need to do so.)
I then saw that I had a voicemail message. Not exactly anxious to see what this was about, I went ahead and listened. The folks in Missouri wanted to confirm that I was set to return to work on Thursday morning. Eh, yeah. That's what I told the dude in Taylor when I got here last week. So I made a quick call and confirmed my return date. I have no idea what that was all about. And this concludes the part of today's post that was kinda sorta work-related.
I got everything done that needed to be done before 5pm, so the rest of the day was earmarked for relaxation. Mom called at some point and said that my brother and his new bride were on their way down from Traverse City and would be stopping by for dinner. I had his golf clubs in my car and I'm never one to pass up a good cheeseburger, so Mom's house for dinner it was. Cheeseburgers... mmmm.
After dinner I hung out and watched the Tigers as they gave a rather lackluster performance against those thugs from Chicago. It turns out that my parents have cable TV and lots of beer left from the weekend. Yeah, really, who knew? (Hint: I knew.) And another late night ensued from that point. I should probably get some more rest one of these days.
I then saw that I had a voicemail message. Not exactly anxious to see what this was about, I went ahead and listened. The folks in Missouri wanted to confirm that I was set to return to work on Thursday morning. Eh, yeah. That's what I told the dude in Taylor when I got here last week. So I made a quick call and confirmed my return date. I have no idea what that was all about. And this concludes the part of today's post that was kinda sorta work-related.
I got everything done that needed to be done before 5pm, so the rest of the day was earmarked for relaxation. Mom called at some point and said that my brother and his new bride were on their way down from Traverse City and would be stopping by for dinner. I had his golf clubs in my car and I'm never one to pass up a good cheeseburger, so Mom's house for dinner it was. Cheeseburgers... mmmm.
After dinner I hung out and watched the Tigers as they gave a rather lackluster performance against those thugs from Chicago. It turns out that my parents have cable TV and lots of beer left from the weekend. Yeah, really, who knew? (Hint: I knew.) And another late night ensued from that point. I should probably get some more rest one of these days.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
6/7/09
I can say this much for certain - I'm not driving anywhere far away tomorrow. This weekend was a lot of fun, but by the time I had to drive home today I was pretty damn worn out. I think a typical weekend of work is less tiring.
It looks like tomorrow will be one of those tedious 'getting things done' kind of days around here. Then, aside from a few social engagements, I don't have a whole lot on my plate between now and whenever I go back to work. Just some good old relaxation. The time is right.
It looks like tomorrow will be one of those tedious 'getting things done' kind of days around here. Then, aside from a few social engagements, I don't have a whole lot on my plate between now and whenever I go back to work. Just some good old relaxation. The time is right.
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