Saturday, February 17, 2018

Very good day on the road today.  Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Started off dry but quickly changed to light snow, then very heavy snow.  Can't tell from the photo, but the snow flakes were huge. They were about the size of a quarter, so I knew the snow was soon going to change to rain.

Sorry about the windshield wiper in the middle of the shot

About ten miles before I got to Kentucky it had change over to all rain.  Continued to rain the rest of the day.  My pilot escort car was waiting for me at the Illinois / Kentucky state line.  He fell in behind me as I went by.  Had another good one today.  He did an excellent job.  Went through Nashville in the rain and had no traffic problems.  That is rare in Nashville.  Same thing in Chattanooga.  When I crossed over into Georgia he dropped off because I don't need him in Georgia.  I didn't go much further and stopped at a truck stop in Ringgold, Georgia for the night. Tomorrow will be a short day.

Friday, February 16, 2017

Not a great day today.  Left the truck stop at 3 am and drove down to Decatur, Illinois.  Got there at 6:30.  First one there.  They don't start loading until 7:30.  When they opened, I was first in line.  Another typical day of how things go for me.  They loaded two other trucks ahead of me.  Then changed the crane rigging and unloaded another truck.  Then they changed the crane rigging back to the way it was.  Then it was break time.  After their break, they loaded a Caterpillar 772G Dump Truck on my trailer that is going to the Port in Savannah, Georgia.  

They have a scale there so everyone scales up before they leave.  Found out that they loaded me over 2,700 pounds too heavy on the trailer axles.  Now I'm really pissed!!  Pulled back to where I started  and had to remove EVERYTHING, including all the dunage, and basically start over again.   After they had their lunch they brought the crane back over and moved the dump truck forward about 2 feet.  Then I put all ten chains back on, then put the dunage back on the trailer.  Scaled up again.  This time the numbers were just fine - barely.  My gross weight is over 130,000 pounds (58,967 kg).  Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Effingham, Illinois for the night.  Had to stop there because I ran out of hours.  I need a pilot escort car in Kentucky and Tennessee.  He was going to meet me this afternoon at the Illinois / Kentucky line.  He will be meeting me tomorrow morning instead.  My back is really sore and I'm exhausted.  Will be going to bed early tonight and sleeping on the heating pad again.  Good night!!!

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Had absolutely no problems with the St. Paul rush hour traffic. Made it to Hugo, MN and delivered the excavator.  Next load is tomorrow in Decatur, Illinois.  High tailed it that direction.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in South Beloit, Illinois.  Will be starting very early in the morning.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Getting through Dallas was not too bad today.  Had some heavy traffic and a few slow downs, but we all kept moving.  Continued on through Oklahoma and up into Missouri.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Lamar, MO.  Tomorrow I have to time my departure to get to Kansas city when the curfew ends at 9 am.  

There was a Pizza Hut about a quarter mile down the road, so I walked down there and got a pizza.  When I got back to the truck I opened the box and found a pizza that was partially cooked.  The crust was still white!!!! It wasn't cooked!!  I was a bit peeved - I'm putting it nicely.  I went back and got my money back.  Then went next door to McDonald's.  

Monday, February 12, 2018

After two very much needed days off, I was in Victoria, Texas bright and early this morning.  Loaded a Caterpillar 336F Excavator that is going up to Hugo, Minnesota. 

Was out of there by 9 am and on the road.  Drove up to the TA truck stop in Dallas for the night.