Thursday, May 14, 2026

 I left at 2:30 AM CDT and drove the rest of the way to Weston, Wisconsin, and delivered the telehandler.  There was a Thermo Kind dealer about 20 minutes away, so I went there.  I got there just after they opened.  They took my truck right into the shop and started working on it.  Only took a couple of hours, and I was back on the road again.  I drove down to the Daily terminal in Bettendorf, Iowa.  The shop wanted to put the bumper back on and straighten it out so it doesn't hit the tire.  

With that done, I stayed there for the night.  600 miles exactly today.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

 I left at about 11 PM CDT last night.  Was doing really well until I got north of Des Moines, Iowa.  A deer decided to commit suicide and ran out in front of me.  I struck and killed the deer. Unfortunately, it damaged the truck.  

I had the cops come and make out a report.  Couldn't get anyone to come out to work on the truck until sunrise, when everything opened up for the day.  So I sat on the side of I-35 until someone came out.  They finally arrived at 8:30 AM CDT.

They removed the damaged part of the bumper and replaced the tire.

Then I drove up to the Petro in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  Stopped there because I was very low on hours today.   Parked for the night, and now my APU doesn't work!!!  Good grief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Have to get that fixed tomorrow after I deliver.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

 I left at 2 AM CDT when my 10 hours were up.  Had a very good day on the road.  Drove 654 miles to the Love's truck stop in Cameron, Missouri, for my 10 hours.

Monday, May 11, 2026

 Delivered the excavator first thing this morning.  Drove down to Waco, Texas, and loaded a Caterpillar TH1055 Telehandler that is going to Weston, Wisconsin.

Left there and went up to the TA truck stop in Hillsboro, Texas, for my 10 hours.  447 miles today.

Sunday, May 10, 2026

 This morning I went for donuts, and then over to Walmart to resupply a few things.  While I was out, it is not very often I could bobtail around, so I decided to do a few "touristy" things.  I drove out to the Cadillac Ranch.  I have been past it on I-40 a zillion times, but I was never able to stop by and get a closer look.  There were several other cars there and a tour bus.

Back in Amarillo, The Big Texan is trying to cash in on the Cadillac Ranch popularity.  Right next to the Big Texan RV Ranch, which is down the road from the restaurant, they made the Slug Bug Ranch.  

Went back, connected to my trailer, and settled in for the rest of the weekend.

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Saturday, May 9, 2026

 I left half an hour before sunrise this morning.  Drove 517 miles nonstop to Amarillo, Texas.  Dropped my trailer at the Caterpillar dealer where I am delivering on Monday morning.  Then I went straight over to the Big Texan to eat. 

It was fairly crowded today.  There was one guy doing the 72-oz Steak Challenge.  Unfortunately for him, time ran out before he could finish.  I had the 16-oz prime rib.  I ate it all, plus a salad and 2 rolls (not pictured).  It was delicious!! 

I waddled back to the truck and drove back to the Caterpillar dealer to sit with my trailer for the night.  Gonna sleep good tonight!!!!!

Friday, May 8, 2026

 I left a half-hour before sunrise this morning.  Good day on the road.  Only a small amount of bumper-to-bumper traffic today.  Drove 600 miles to the TA truck stop in Kilgore, Texas, for the night.