THE PEOPLE YOU MEET

Well on Monday, I delivered my Load of BUD in DALLAS. While unloading

I met a driver who was driving for the FUN of it. He recently purchased his own truck with CASH. To make a short story long, He didn't need to work. DAVE and his sistes inherited family land with natural gas wells. This 59 year old makes upwards of $37000 NET each week, his share of what the wells produce. NOW I ask you is life fair?? HE stated that his children don't have any idea of what he's worth.

On the other end is the working man, another driver I met in MISSOURI. CURTIS (44 years young) and I were sitting and talking driving at a VOSS TRUCK PLAZA at exit 208 on I-44. He has a HOBBY FARM with beef cattle at ODESSA , MO. HE was very interesting to talk to. He hauled FLATBED. It was a great way to spend an evening. SEE the FOTO...By the time the evening was over, he invited me to ODESSA if and when I'm in the area around Kansas City.

On Tuesday, I got a qualcom message to pick up a new student in OHIO, on my way to deliver in Pennsylvania. I did so today. His nme is LOUIS (LOU, LOUIE)..He's recently out of the military and seems that he has his head on right. dedicated, his dad come from trucking. I'm looking forwards to these next 2 weeks. I'll add pictures as the weeks go on

Well sitting in SEVILLE, OH waiting to deliver in Pennsyvania tomorrow. probably will start out at 4A. M. and deliver a day early. MORE loads, More $$$.

OF BAILING WIRE, DUCKTAPE AND PEN CASING

What do the above 3 items have in common?? Answer later.



Finally got out of Colorado (Pueblo) on thursday afternoon. The shop helped me strap on the old driveshaft to take back to SCHNEIDER.

Picked up a trlr @ Target DC, and headed to Anhauser Busch for a load in Fort Collins. Spent the night at Denver TA with Idle Aire. The load for Dallas wasn't supposed to be ready until Friday @ 11 P.M. So what's new. I've never gotten out of AB before midnight, so I decided to take my time. Then plans changed, when I chose to get there early, drop my trailer after having it powerwashed (AB bound trlrs require washing the inside before going to Fort Collins), and then take the Budwiser tour. Afterall, I had a day to KILL.



Arriving at Budweiser, I checked in and was informed that my load was already ready, (OR IS THAT ALL READY?) and that I could take it. This was almost 12 hours too soon. I hadn't planned for this. Well, one more day to drive and take it easy over the road.



Headed out, I made it to GAYLORD, TX and spent the night at a small LOVES (about 12 parking spots is all they have). Using the CB, I asked a trucker who was flying by on US287, where to stop for the night. He suggested this little LOVES.



Got up at about 7 in the A.M. and headed to Dallas, Planning to make use of a layover combined with a restart. The load couldn't be delivered till MONDAY (tommorrow).



Somewheres near HEDLEY, TX I got a call over the CB from a trucker following me, informing me that my trailer lines were dragging. I made it to the next rest area and proceeded to check it out and fix the problem. I found that one of the suspension springs had broken, causing the lines to drag. The lines, by the way, give air to the trailer BRAKES. Here's where the title items comes in.



Looking at what I had available, I took a PEN CASING, cut off the tip, and inserted it as a splice between the two sections of hoseline. I then used BAILING WIRE to secure the hose around the pen casing. Then using DUCK TAPE, I put a covering over the repair. (FOTOS INCLUDED) IT WORKED and got me to DALLAS OC where a fitting was replaced by mechanics, only to be told my repair was ILLEGAL by DOT standards.


At At the rest area, I met a new friend who came over to assist THIS OLD/VETERAN TRUCKER. OLD MAYBE, VETERAN NOT!! This new friend was THOMAS JENKINS, who drove for SHAFER TRUCKING. HE had FIVE years to my ONE. After reparing the line we parted our ways. HE first, me after breakfast in the cab or the truck. About 150 miles later I past him comming out of another rest area. We hooked up on the CB all the way to DALLAS. Hopefully we'll run into each other again. THOMAS, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, THANKS FOR BEING THERE NEW FRIEND. THE LORD DOES PROVIDE!!



Now I'm sitting in the cafeteria, had a good breakfast, and meeting new friends/acquaintences. The OC also gives me the chance to catch up on laundry, emails and computer work, and shopping at walmart. THat's for later in the day.

2morrow, 2morrow, my truck may come 2morrow

Well, one more day it seems. The driveshaft was to be here in Pueblo 2day but never got here. The shop called and said 2morrow. Supposedly the driveshaft was held up at Canadian Customs.

Doesn't look like I'll make Green Bay on time. Hopefully we can make up the lost miles.

MAYBE 2Morrow

Well, been waiting in Pueblo, CO for the past 5 days. Chances are good that the driveshaft will be here tommorrow, and can be put in in about 3 hours. Perhaps I'll be on the road for a short day in the afternoon. Depending on where CHRIS sends me, I may get my TE recert at either, Green bay, Dallas, or Fontana. If none of these work out, then INDY in MAY.

I hope Chris can make up the miles I lost by dropping my driveshaft.

The DAYS INN has been a gr8 place to stay, with several restaurants in walking distance, a pool hall about 1/2 mile away. I got out and walked about 5 miles a day for the last 3 days. did some shopping and now am only waiting till tommorrow for the OK to roll.

ANOTHER DOWN DAY

Well I was on my way to SEATTLE, when at exit 27 northbound on I-25 in Colorado, my truck lost it's driveshaft (became DESHAFTED). The truck bounced and rocked, naturally I ran over the shaft. Not knowing what had just occurred, I thought I blew a TIRE. Knew different when I realized I had no POWER. Just coasting, Got over to the right shoulder, stopped, walked around the truck, put out safey triangles, looked back down the highway only to see the driveshaft laying on the shoulder about 1/2 mile away.

I walked the 1/2 mile, and saw that the universal joint had come apart. See fotos of the differential joint. I contacted SEM who sent out a tow. Sat for about 1 1/2 hours since the tow came from exit 101 in Pueblo, CO. At least I had great scenery while sitting. more fotos.

Arriving at the shop in Pueblo, I was told I could have the truck as early as SATURDAY afternoon, or as late as some time MONDAY. I hope I don't lose this load.

Schneider put me up in the hotel, Days Inn was the only close one to take a comm check. I checked at least 5 hotels. I'm also walking distane to the shop.

Had a great pasta dinner and went to sleeeeeep. Must be the BLUE MOON!!!

COntacted my board this morning again to give an update and get codes to pay for the room.

I'll stop by the shop in a little while to check on the status of my truck. There's a chance I can stay on this load if Schneider can't fing a SWAP driver in the area. They'll just have to reschedule the laod for more time for me.

Now later in the day, about 3 P.M., another driver showed up for the load. He had just made a delivery at a TARGET DC in the area. He was hoping to stay near for soon to have TAH. He's concerned that he'll get stuck in the NW. GOOD LUCK!!!

I expect that when I get my truck back, Chris will start headed me to GREEN BAY.

GREAT DAY

Well spent time at Dallas and got mainenance done on my truck. delivered my load this morning at Fort Worth (actually Roanoke, TX). wasn't able to get a student ut of Dallas, but did get a great load to KENT, WA.. about 2400 miles total including picking up a trailer and the load.

made it to Gainsville, TX where I'll spend the night. Found a good CHINA KING BUFFET. excellent menu and food. Shrimp, Froglegs, etc., etc., etc. (WHAT MUSICAL IS THAT FROM?) They even have free internet here. that's why I'm able to update this blog today. The restaurant is located just EAST of I35, on highway 82. Truck parking in the rear, and alos near a WALMART for shopping.

It started storming about 30 minutes ago. but thats OK. Will go get some sleep and start out early in the morning. got about 2200 miles to go by Monday. Then on the way back to GREENBAY, WI for a TE recert class.

FOTOS for the trip to KENT will follow in time.

hurry up and wait

Well back on the road. took a trailer to gm/gg, to drop and pick up a loaded trailer. waited 4 hours only to be told that the load was canceled. I got another decent load afterwards, spent time with my wife for supper at a Petro close to home. My friend SHANE (A SCHNEIDERITE)also showed up. after my wife went home, shane and I exchanged stories and GPS mapping points. The next day I headed to WISCONSIN to deliver my load, while he headed for neely's landing. In wisc I droppepd my load, picked up another for Missouri. enroute that load became a relay at sturdevant, wi. I then got a load out of there to Jackson ville, IL.

The foto is of a fellow schneider driver having to pick up a loaded trailler. CHeck where he found it...in the mud. Who was STU??? enough to have left it there. He managed to jack it up, get under it and pull it out. He earned his money that day.



From Jacksonville, I got a load to Fort Worth. Am at Dallas OC now having some maintenance work done. The story here is that our governors are going to be jacked down from 63 to 60 (maybe 57). It'll take us longer to get a load delivered. there goes on time service.



On the way down, I crossed the mighty MISSISSIPPI. heres a foto of the crossing..Years ago (25+) I had occasion to walk with my family across the MISSISSIPPI. That was an experience. We also walked up the center of it for about a mile or so. Any idea where that was possible?


I wish I was able to get a foto of a trailler I'd seen on US69 North of Muskogee, OK. The trailer lost its tandems out the rear along with its DOT bumper.

Tommorrow I plan to deliver early, maybe spend more time here at DALLAS. espeially if I can get a new student out of here. on FRIDAY. I PRAY I DO.

TAH

Well am finally at home. Catching up on the past week. Things on the road got better. While at Albaquerque I took a few shots of hot air balloons over my truck in an IDLEAIRE spot.

On Sunday morning I sent in a few QC messages and got a call from Mike at trip planning. He felt the only way he may get me home on time was to leave my truck at Albaquerque and put me on a greyhound. NOT!!! I suggested deadheading me to some market like Dallas, Oklahoma, ETC, ETC. and was told that Schneider wouldn't do that. After having breakfast, I suggested by QC, DENVER...Guess what. I got deadheaded to DENVER to get a load to Kansas CITY, MO. From KC, a load to Lima, OH. Since Lima is east of my home, my trip planner, CHRIS, managed to get me a SWAP at ROCHELLE, IL...a hop, skip and jump from home. Thanks CHRIS. You're good. Arriving at Rochelle PETRO, the next driver was waiting for the load. We made the swap, and I BOBTAILED HOME.

Having gotten home, my wife and I went to visit my son and his family. Now relaxing at home for a few days.. MAY update more later.

Now at home, things will settle down. Was told I have a new student for when I go back on the road. Looking forward to the company.

hurry up and wait

Well, having drivin through sojme beautiful parts of the US of A, UTAh, ARIZONA, COLORADO and NEW MEXICO, I have a lot of fotos to add. The other day was a semi-disaster, waiting over twelve hours at Budweiser for a load, only to drive all night to get it delivered on time in Albaquerque. IT was done. In spit of a major accident north of Alobaquerque closing the southbound lanes, requiring a deture of about 15 miles. Thanks GREG for the GPS. Took a nap along the way at perhaps the worst truckstop food place along I25. It was at exit 110 in COLO. Great parking/BAD food.

BY THE WAY..This last FOTO, NAME the movie/MUSICAL this city was used in. HINT L
EE MARVIN and CLINT EASTWOOD.

Am in Albaquerque waiting on a load. Soon I should be into LAYOVER MONEY. NEED a load headed EAST for TAH on the 9th. They always get me home on time. Waiting may mean picking up late for a rushed delivery. I guess well see what gives. I realy dont want to have to refuse a load. HAVE TO BE HOME BY THE 9th.

I've been following ROB's blog www.truckingfunks.blogspot.com and it seems he getting quite an experience. truckers knife fighting at a truckstop??? Well he wasn't involved.

Another reminder...LOOK at www.gremlenmusicianservices.com for your music needs.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

yeSTERDAY WAS PERHAPS ONE OF MY WORST DRIVING DAY EVER. Not because of roads or other drivers, but because of the consignee. When I arrived on time to nload, the consignee required an appointment number. It seems that somebody at the company gave me directions calling for the load to be delivered BUY 0800, and not AT 0800. Because it wasn't an AT, I had to take the load back to our operating center for a delivery to be done AT sometime today. Very frustrated, and already assigned another load to Colorado, I got hold of my handlers Wilie and Kimmie, who were wonderful, got my load relayed to the OC, and me on my way to Colorado.

Enroute, I spent the night in my truck at my favorite mexican restaurant on the I-15. Just north of BARSTOW at exit 191. It sits on the West side of the highway at GHOST TOWN ROAD. They also GIVE a 20% TRUCKER's DISCOUNT. The food and service are great. View the pictures I attached. I had the Enchilada plate. and took a breakfast burrito to go for today. I reheat it in my truck oven. Its large enough for two meals. The owner, Gabriella, with here family make for a very warm welcome, as does Melinda. Very friendly.

I spent the night under their sign, leaving at about 530 AM. I managed to make it to Green River, UTAH where Ill sleep tonight. Tomorrow in Denver AREA. Delivery on Thursday.

Today I past through some beautiful scenery through Bryce Cannon and along I-70 through UTAH. I stopped a a few overlooks for fotos which Ill add later.