Friday, December 31, 2021

 

Thursday, December 30, 2021

 Got a quickie load to do between doctor's appointments.  Drove up to the Port of Savanah, Georgia this afternoon and loaded a Caterpillar 725 Articulating Dump Truck that is going to Ocala, Florida. 

Left there and drove back to the Daily yard in Jacksonville, FL until Monday.  Everything is closed for the holiday.  AND once again, my APU air conditioner quit working!!!   Always on a holiday weekend! 

Saturday, December 25, 2021

 

Monday, December 20, 2021

 Left real early this morning and drove down to Sanford and delivered the boom lift.  Was out of there by 7:30.  Drove back to the Daily yard in Jacksonville.  Will be there until at least the 4th of January. I'm off for the Holidays.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

 As soon as my 10 hours were up I left Kenly, NC.  That was at midnight.  Drove to the Daily yard in Jacksonville, Florida.  I'll be here until Monday morning.

Friday, December 17, 2021

 I was at the JLG plant in Shippensburg, PA first thing this morning and loaded a JLG 660 SJ Boom Lift that is going to Sanford, Florida.

Left there in great time!!  Decided to chance it and went the Washington DC route to hopefully save some time.  I got lucky.  No traffic issues in DC but a small area of bumper-to-bumper traffic south of DC.  Didn't lose much time at all with that.  Traffic was heavy, as usual.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Kenly, North Carolina.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

 Left this morning a half hour before sunrise. Drove straight through to Lancaster, PA and delivered the tractor.  My next load is in Shippensburg, PA.  I went to the Daily yard in Carlisle, PA for the night since it was too late in the day to load.  I'll load first thing in the morninmg.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

 Nothing at all interesting today.  Left a half-hour before sunrise.  The permit route they have sent me on is WAY out of the way and quite a bit longer.  I stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop in Lodi, Ohio.  I have run out of hours on my 70-hour clock so I'm stuck here until Thursday morning.

Monday, December 13, 2021

 Delivered the grader first thing this morning then drove up to Waterloo, IA and loaded a John Deere 8R 340 Tractor that is going to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Left there and drove to the Daily yard in Morton, Illinois for the night.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

 Nothing interesting today.  I left when my 10 hours were up and drove 522 miles to the Flying J truck stop in DeMoines, Iowa.  Got here in time for breakfast. I deliver on the other side of the Interstate from here in the morning.

Saturday, December 11-2021

 Once again, as soon as my 10 hours were up I left.  Drove to the Daily yard in Houston.  There waiting for me was a Caterpillar 140 Motor Grader that is going to Altoona, Iowa.  I loaded it.

I was back on the road again at 3 AM.  No traffic problems in Houston, Dallas, or Oklahoma City.  I love driving at night!!  Stopped when I ran out of hours, and after driving 581 miles, at the Petro truck stop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Going to bed now so I can go again when my 10 hours are up.  Phone is off.  Good night.

Friday, December 10, 2021

 As soon as my 10 hours were up I left.  Drove the rest of the way to Grand Prairie, Texas (basically Dallas), and delivered the power module.  Did it a day ahead of schedule!!  My next load is over in the Daily yard in Houston.  I started off that way but had to stop because I ran out of hours.  Another 676 miles today.  Phone is off.  Going to sleep.  Good night.

Thursday, December 9, 2021

 Left at about 3 AM this morning and drove the 3 hours to Simpsonville, SC and loaded a Caterpillar Power Module that is going to Grand Prairie, Texas.

Left there around 10 AM.  Had minimal traffic issues going around Atlanta.  Continued to the TA truck stop in Meridian, Mississippi for the night.  631 miles today.  Not too shabby.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

 Since before Thanksgiving my truck was in the repair shop.  I finally got it back this morning. Then I took it to Thermo King and got the APU fixed - hopefully.  My next load is tomorrow in Simpsonville, South Carolina.  I started off in that direction.  Stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop in Yemassee, South Carolina.

 

Thursday, November 25, 2021

 

Friday, November 19, 2021

 I left at about 11:15 PM last night.  Drove straight through to Savannah, Georgia, and delivered the engines.  I then drove to Jacksonville, Florida to the Daily yard.  I'll be here for about a week for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Over 700 miles today.  Not too shabby!!

Thursday, November 18, 2021

 Went to Lafayette, IN this morning and loaded a couple of Caterpillar engines and a couple of parts boxes that are going to Savannah, Georgia.  

Left there and drove to the Flying J truck stop in Waddy, Kentucky.  As soon as my 10 hours are up, I'm outa here!!

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

 Left around 1 AM and drove into Hammond, Indiana and delivered the wheel loader.  My next load is in Lafayette, Indiana, and loads tomorrow morning.  I drove to the Petro truck stop in Remmington, Indiana for the night.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

 Left about 1 AM CST.  Drove straight through only stopping for the required stupid 30 minute break.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Sullivan, Missouri.

Monday, November 15, 2021

 Went the rest of the way into Carlsbad, New Mexico this morning and loaded a Caterpillar 930 Wheel Loader with bucket and forks that are going to Hammond, Indiana.

Left there and drove back to Amarillo, Texas for one more meal at The Big Texan!!  Tonight I had the limo pick me up and bring me back t the truck stop.

I had the prim rib tonight.  It was fantastic!!

Just before I left, someone was attempting the 72oz challenge.

I didn't stick around to see if he finished it.  Time for bed!!  Good night.

Sunday, November 14, 2021

 This morning I drove to a Love's truck stop in Eunice, New Mexico.  I'm about an hour and a half from Carlsbad, NM where I load in the morning.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

This was a disgusting win.  The defense was absolutely HORRIBLE!!!!!!

Now it is time for another delicious steak at The Big Texan.

If you are interested in seeing the menu, scan the QR code below.

Here is one of the three limos they had running tonight.  They will come to get you and bring you back.  Nice free service.  Of course, you should tip the driver.

Here is my steak tonight...

If you were wondering if anyone ever won the 72 oz challenge, here is a list of this month's winners.  Last night's challengers were not on the list.

Well, all good things must come to an end and I'm leaving here in the morning.  Heading to Carlsbad, New Mexico to load Monday morning.

Friday, November 12, 2021

 I left Earle, Arkansas last night at 9 PM and drove the rest of the way to Amarillo, Texas, and delivered the wheel loader.  Then I went to Thermo King in Amarillo to get my APU fixed.  I checked in there and waited.  After a couple hours, he brought it in to work on.  He fixed it and I left.  Next stop, Wal Mart to refill a prescription. After that, I went over to my favorite place to eat, The Big Texan, to park for the night and to get dinner.  They have their Christmas decorations up already.  Here is a panoramic photo of the place.

A few more inside.

Two people went for the challenge tonight!!! In case you don't know about the challenge, it is if you can eat a 72-ounce steak, baked potato, dinner salad, 3 shrimp, and a dinner roll in one hour the meal is free.  If you fail, it costs $72.  Here are the two meals (minus the shrimp and dinner rolls - they weren't ready yet).

Here is what I ordered.  The first course...

When that was done...

It was cooked to perfection and tasted great!!!!!  When that was finished I checked to see how the guys were doing with the challenge...

I don't think they will make it.  Only had 23 minutes left and a lot of food to still devour.  I waddled back to my truck.  Over 700 miles, unloading, getting the truck fixed, plus a few errands. Long day with no sleep.  Exhaustion is setting in big time!!  Time to make up for that!!  Good night.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

 Left at 1 AM this morning.  Once again, the Interstate was shut down from an overturned semi-truck that blocked all the lanes.  I was able to get around it by diverting down to Athens, GA.  Lost about a half-hour but saved several hours by going around the mess.  I was almost in Alabama when the road started to open.  The rest of the drive was uneventful.  Drove through a weather front in Mississippi.  Was finished before noon today after driving 649 miles. Stopped at the TA truck stop in Earle, Arkansas.   I'll be able to start real early tonight so I'm going to bed now and the phone is off!  Oh, I almost forgot...my APU crapped out AGAIN!  I'll worry about that later.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

 Left early this morning to go in and deliver.  Got stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic from a wreck.  Took 20 minutes to go one mile.  After I got through that mess, I went to my first stop.  Had to get the radiator shrink-wrapped.

 

Then I went about 5 miles down the road and delivered the radiator.  My next load was in Newberry, South Carolina.  Drove up there and loaded a Komatsu WA320 Wheel Loader that is going to Amarillo, Texas.

Left there, but didn't go very far.  Stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop just down the road from where I loaded.  Will get started at about 1 AM. 

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

 Left at midnight.  No problems until Atlanta.  Got to Atlanta right at rush hour.   Big wreck on the south bound beltway, all lanes blocked.  Traffic was backed up for a long way on the beltway, both directions and on I-75 trying to get to the beltway.  I ended up staying on I-75 going through the middle of Atlanta.  Made better time doing that. Still had more bumper to bumper in downtown Atlanta, but nothing like what was happening on the beltway. Drove 657 miles today and stopped at Grady's Truckstop in Metter, Georgia for the night.  Ran out of hours.  Good thing I didn't have to go any farther.  About 5 miles ahead a log truck rolled over scattering all the logs all over the Interstaste.  All lanes blocked.  Glad I'm staying here until tomorrow morning.  That mess should be all cleared up by then.

Haven't put one of these up here in a while.  Something like this happens just about every day, but this is a good one!!  

Notice my speed and he hits the breaks right in front of me.

Monday, November 8, 2021

 Left a half-hour before sunrise this morning and drove into Indianapolis and delivered the excavator.  Next load was up in Lafayette, Indiana.  Drove up there and loaded a Caterpillar Radiator and two parts boxes that are going to Garden City, Georgia.  

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Seymour, Indiana.  As soon as my 10 hours are up, I'm back on the road.  Going to sleep now.  Good night.

Saturday, November 6, 2021

 Only about a half-day today.  Drove to the Petro truck stop in New Paris, Ohio.  Will be here until Monday morning.  Now it is time for some football!!!

 

Sure hope they do better than last week!!!

Friday, November 5, 2021

 As soon as my 10 hours were up I left.  That was at 2 AM.  Drove into the Port of Baltimore and delivered the tractor.  Then went to a different part of the Port and loaded a Caterpillar 320 Excavator that is going to Indianapolis, Indiana.  

Left there and drove out to the Love's truck stop in Cumberland, Maryland.  Had a flat tire on the truck.  Two and a half hours later I had two new tires on the truck.  Stayed there for the night.

Thursday, November 4, 2021

 Left a half-hour before sunrise this morning.  Seemed like it took forever to get out of Ohio, but I finally did.  Met my pilot escort car at the West Virginia line and continued on.  Here is my WV route.

At the Maryland state line he dropped off and I continued on to a truck stop in Grantsville, Maryland.  I'll get started as soon as my 10 hours are up.

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

 Left a half-hour before sunrise this morning.  I got to Indiana about 15 minutes ahead of my escort car.  Once he got there we left.  It was mostly back roads today.  Here is my permit route in the Chicagoland area.

And here is my Indiana permit route.

The autumn foliage was really nice today.  Stopped at a Mom & Pop truck stop in Mendon, Ohio for the night.

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

 When the mechanics came in at 8, I pulled my trailer into the bay.  After looking under the trailer they said that I was going to have to unload the trailer because they had to lift the trailer to work on it.  There was more wrong with it than just a simple fix.  I pulled back outside and unloaded the trailer.  I really love driving that machine!!  They drive so darned nice!!!  Anyway, I took the trailer back in and dropped it there.  In the meantime, the office staff had to reschedule my escort cars.  Here is part of the problem that had to be rewired.

It is amazing that any of my lights worked.  They replaced that harness then got to work on the initial problem, the ABS (Antilock Braking System).  They took off one of the wheels, checked the system, and replaced a sensor.  Once all that was done, I picked up my trailer and went outside, and reloaded the tractor on the trailer.  Then I parked for the night.  Will leave here in the morning.