Saturday, December, 9, 2023

 Last night just as I got settled in I got an email that said my truck was due for an oil change and routine maintenance service.  I called the shop at the truck stop where I was.  They said they had no wait and come on over.  I did.  I got the oil change done and out of the way.  Then I went to sleep.

Since I got to bed late, I got started a little later than I wanted. Even so, I still got started very early this morning.  Had a very nice uneventful day on the road.  A coyote ran across the road in front of me and when he got to the side of the road he stopped and looked at me as I passed him by.  Always like to see wildlife.  I also saw a great shooting star.  It was a very bright downward streak of light with a bright "pop" type flash as it burned out.  Very cool!!!  Drove 602 miles to a small truck stop in Monticello, Utah for the rest of the day and part of the night.

Friday, December 8, 2023

 I was asleep around 6 PM last night.  Woke up a couple times during the night, but basically slept good.  Left a little later than normal because I really needed the extra sleep.  It felt good!!   Drove up to The Big Texan this evening for a really good meal. The place always looks great at Christmas.

This time I had the 18oz ribeye steak.

A woman was trying the 72oz challenge, but she couldn't finish it.  She didn't even get half of it eaten.  Now with a full belly, I'm going to sleep.  Good night. 

Thursday, December 7, 2023

 

Early this morning I went back to where I left the flatbed trailer and secured the load with chains.

That is the chassis for a rock crusher.  I took it 8 miles down the road to where it will be assembled.  After unloading I went back to the Daily yard, dropped off the flatbed, and picked up my trailer.  My next load was in Waco, Texas.  I drove down there and loaded a bunch of parts for something, I have no idea what.  They are going to Salt Lake City, Utah.

I left there but didn't go very far.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Waco, Texas.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

 Went the rest of the way to Wichita this morning and was early for my appointment.  Loaded a New Holland C362 Skid Steer that was going to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  

Daily wanted me to go to the OKC terminal before I delivered.  I was to drop my trailer and take a flatbed trailer to a place in OKC and load a Terex chassis.  It was going about 13 miles away to be delivered.  Then go back and get my trailer and deliver the skid steer.  When I got to the Daily terminal in OKC I got the other trailer and was told that I would only need straps to secure the Terex chassis.  I went over there to load.  When they brought the chassis over and loaded it on the trailer I knew that straps would not work.  I needed chains.  They were back on my trailer at the Daily yard. I left the trailer there and Bobtailed back to the yard.  By this time it was too late to deliver the flatbed load so I got my trailer and went over and delivered the skid steer.  At least that was done.  Then went back to the Daily yard for the night.  I'll finish the flatbed load in the morning.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

 I left when my 10 hours were up.  Drove the rest of the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and delivered the motor grader.  My next load is tomorrow morning in Wichita, Kansas with a loading appointment of 9:40 AM CST.  I headed that way.  Stopped for the rest of the day and night at a very small convenience store with truck parking in Leon, Kansas.

Monday, December 4, 2023

 When the Port opened at 8 AM CST, I went in and loaded a Caterpillar 150 Motorgrader that is going to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The last one I had was steered with a steering wheel.  This one was done using joysticks.  I like the joysticks so much better.  I left there in pretty good time considering that there were over 20 trucks there to load this morning. Stopped at a scale and found out that I was 2,420 pounds overweight.  This was supposed to be a legal load.

Called the office and they ordered a Texas permit for me. Didn't need an Oklahoma permit because I'm registered for 90,000 pounds in Oklahoma.  So there I'm legal.  Waited a little over an hour for it to come in, then I left.  I stopped at the TA truck stop in Dallas, Texas for my 10 hours.  Didn't get anywhere near as far as I wanted to today.

Sunday, December 3, 2023

 This morning I went to Walmart then to the truck wash and fuel.  After that, I drove to the Port of Galveston where I'll be until tomorrow morning when I load there.