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.