Tuesday, June 9, 2026

 I left at about 2 AM EDT and drove to Ocala, Florida, and delivered the wheel loader.  From there, I drove to the Daily terminal in Jacksonville, stopping to get the truck washed along the way.  509 miles today.

Monday, June 8, 2026

 I went over to Simpsonville, South Carolina, first thing this morning and delivered the excavator.  Then I drove the five-hour drive over to Clayton, North Carolina, and loaded a Caterpillar 938 Wheel Loader that is going to Ocala, Florida.

Left there and drove to the Petro truck stop in Florence, South Carolina, for the night.

Saturday, June 6, 2026

 I left Baltimore at 4 AM EDT.  There was a crash on the Baltimore Beltway that shut down the interstate.  That cost me about a half hour.  The rest of the day was uneventful, except for this idiot...

Drove 569 miles to the TA truck stop in Duncan, South Carolina. That is just west of Spartanburg.  I'll be here until Monday morning.

Friday, June 5, 2026

 I left at 11 PM EDT last night.  Drove all night and arrived at the Port of Baltimore before they opened.  When they opened, I loaded a Caterpillar 320 Excavator that is going to Simpsonville, South Carolina.

I didn't have a whole lot of hours left for today, so I went over to the TA truck stop in Baltimore for the rest of today and tonight.  

I forgot to post this from the other day.  I almost got another one.  This time I was loaded and going uphill, so I was going a lot slower and had more time to move over a bit.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

 I left at 1 AM EDT today.  Scaled before I left.  Found out I was over 8000 pounds overweight. 

 I left anyway.  Drove the rest of the night.  Got a bit of a scare at the Connecticut weigh station; it was open.  Fortunately, I made it through without getting stopped.  All the rest of the weigh stations along the route were closed.  Delivered the material handler in Milford, Massachusetts.  From there, I went to the TA truck stop in Willington, Connecticut, for the night.  535 miles today.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

 I left at 1 AM EDT and drove the rest of the way to Girard, OH. Delivered the excavator. Then drove back to the Port of Baltimore and loaded a Caterpillar. MH3022 Material Handler that is going up to Milford, Massachusetts. 

From there, I went over to the TA truck stop in Baltimore.  Had less than half an hour left on my clock for today.  610 miles today.  I'm very tired, and my back really hurts.  Hard to walk any distance.  

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

 I left at about 1 AM EDT and drove to the Port of Baltimore.  Loaded a Caterpillar 315 Excavator that is going to Girard, Ohio.  

Left there and drove to the AC&T truck stop in Hagerstown, Maryland for the night.

Monday, June 1, 2026

I got a late start this morning because I couldn't go over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge until 8:30 AM EDT, so I left at 7:30 AM EDT. Drove to Milford, Massachusetts, and delivered the wheel loader.  My next load is tomorrow back in Baltimore. I started that way and stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  This place is a zoo!!!  I hate it!!!   Trucks lined up 3 and 4 deep just to get fuel.  Parking is tight and difficult to get into.   I got here at about 2:30 PM EDT and barely got a parking spot.  I waited over an hour to get a shower.  Then, when I finally got in, there was almost no hot water.  I HATE NEW ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, May 29, 2026

 Started at 4 AM EDT. Had everything timed perfectly so that I could deliver today.  After fueling up in Scranton, PA, I noticed that the nimrods in the office didn't have the start date for my NY, CT, and MA permits until Monday!!  I called the office to get them reordered so that I could continue.  I stopped at the Onvo truck stop in Greentown, PA, to wait.  After a few hours had gone by, they started to come in.  All but New York.  So I couldn't move.  New York never did come in, so I'll be here until Monday morning.  More wasted time!!! Good job, Carlisle!!!  

Thursday, May 28, 2026

 I got my truck back again this morning, and everything worked on it!!!  I drove to the Port of Baltimore and loaded a Caterpillar 972 Wheel Loader that is going to Milford, Massachusetts. 

It took two attempts to get the machine straight on the trailer.  I guess I am a bit rusty from sitting so much!  Didn't have any permits, so I went to the TA truck stop in Baltimore for the night.  My permits didn't start to come in until 4:40 PM EDT.  Got all but Massachusetts. 

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

 Well, I got my truck back, and it looks nice.  Then my APU quit working, so I took it right back and dropped it off to get it repaired.  I'm still in the hotel.

Friday, May 22, 2026

 Nothing much new.  I'm still in a hotel.  My truck has made its way to the paint shop over at Kenworth.  At least they are working on it.  Still have no idea when it will be done.

Blog readers for the past 7 days...

Monday, May 18, 2026

 I left at about 4:45 AM EDT and drove the rest of the way to the Port of Baltimore.  Delivered the parts load.  From there, I drove to the "home office" in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Got the truck washed.  Then took the truck to Kenworth to get the deer damage fixed.  I'll be in a hotel for a little while.  They say, at least a week. Hoping I can get a spare truck and do some local stuff while I'm waiting.  We'll see what materializes. 

Saturday, May 16, 2026

 At about 1:45 AM EDT, when my 10 hours were up, I left.  I finally had an uneventful day on the road.  No load issues and no critters running out in front of me.  Drove 546 miles to the AC&T truck stop in Hagerstown, Maryland.  I'll be here until Monday morning.

Friday, May 15, 2026

 I left early this morning and went to Decatur, Illinois.  Almost hit another deer on the way there.

Loaded a bunch of Caterpillar parts that are going to the Port of Baltimore.

Left there and drove 153 miles when two of the straps broke on part of the load, and it fell over.  I immediately pulled over and put it all back together and re-secured it.  There were a lot of paint scratches on it, so Carlisle had to get involved.  I went to the Love's truck stop in Pittsboro, Indiana, to wait for their decision whether to continue or go back to Decatur for them to repair it.  Looks like it is OK to keep going.  I'll get out of here in 10 hours.

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.

Blog readers for the past 7 days...

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.

Thursday, May 7, 2026

 Well, I'm back to work again.  Feels good to be moving!!  Went up to Brunswick, Georgia, and loaded a Caterpillar 320 Excavator that is going to Amarillo, Texas.

Left there and got a lot farther today than I thought I would, despite all the bumper-to-bumper traffic in Atlanta.  Stopped for the night at a convenience store with truck parking in Heflin, Alabama.  436 miles today.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

 This morning, I went over to the Port in Jacksonville.  What a screwed-up Port that is!!!  Brunswick is a very well-run Port, Jacksonville is not!! Anyway, I loaded a Caterpillar 950 Wheel  Loader.

I left there and drove to Ocala, Florida, and delivered it.  From there, I went back to the Daily terminal in Jacksonville, stopping to get the truck washed along the way.  I'll be here for a little while, taking care of a medical issue.

Monday, April 27, 2026

 This morning, I went to the Port in Brunswick, Georgia, and loaded a Caterpillar 320 Excavator.

Left there and drove to Ocala, Florida, and delivered it.  From there, I drove back to the Daily terminal in Jacksonville.

Friday, April 24, 2026

 I drove to the Keen yard in Brunswick, Georgia.  It is across the street from the Port.  Their computers went down, and they were working to fix them.  Sat there for over an hour waiting.  I was the 8th truck in line, and there were many lined up behind me.

When I finally got checked in and in to load, they sent me to the wrong place in there, SO I had to go to another area.  Finally got loaded with a Caterpillar 330 undercarriage that is going to CZM in Ellabell, Georgia.  That is just west of Savannah.  

Left and drove up there.  Got stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic at I-95 and I-16.  The geniuses in the road department thought it was a good idea to bring 4 lanes of traffic to one in the daytime to fix a guard rail.  Finally made it and delivered.  From there, I drove back to the Daily terminal in Jacksonville for the weekend.

Thursday, April 23, 2026

 I left at about 1:30 AM EDT and drove to Ocala, Florida, and delivered the wheel loader.  Then drove back to the Daily terminal in Jacksonville.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

 I left at sunrise this morning and drove the rest of the way to Charlotte, North Carolina.  Got stuck in some slow-n'-go rush hour traffic in Charlotte.  Delivered the dozer.  The next load was back in Clayton, NC.  Drove there and loaded a Caterpillar 938 Wheel Loader that is going to Ocala, Florida.

Left there and drove to the Pilot truck stop in Dunn, North Carolina for the night.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

 I left Carlisle at about 4:30 AM EDT and drove to the Port of Baltimore.  Loaded a Caterpillar D5 Dozer that is going to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Left there is pretty good time, unfortunately got stuck in a lot of slow-n'-go and bumper-to-bumper traffic going around Baltimore and Washington D.C. After that, it was pretty smooth sailing.  Drove to the Petro truck stop in Mebane, North Carolina, for the night.  475 miles today.

Monday, April 20, 2026

 Went over to the Caterpillar dealer in Perrysburg and delivered the excavator.  In the process of unloading, one of the air lines got cut when the excavator ran over it. 

Fortunately, they were able to fix it there by applying a splice.

My next load is tomorrow morning, back at the Port of Baltimore.  I left there and drove to the "home office" in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Took my trailer to the shop and had the air line replaced.  I'll leave here in the morning.

Saturday, April 18, 2026

 I left at about 1 AM EDT when my ten hours were up.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Perrysburg, Ohio.  Will deliver on Monday morning.

Blog readers for the past week...

Friday, April 17, 2026

 I drove to the Port of Baltimore this morning.  Was there before they opened.  After checking in, I loaded a Caterpillar 313 Excavator that is going to Perrysburg, Ohio.

This machine is exactly 8 feet, 6 inches wide, so it had to be perfect on the trailer so that nothing hung over the side.  I left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Wheeling, West Virginia, for my ten hours.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

 Drove over to Clear Brook, Virginia, this morning and delivered the remaining excavator when they opened.  From there drove up to the "home office" in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  They wanted to do a little more work on my truck.  Spent all day there.  I'll load tomorrow morning in Baltimore

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

 I left at 1:30 AM EDT when my 10 hours were up.  Drove to Annapolis, Maryland, and delivered one of the excavators.  From there, I went over to the TA truck stop in Jessup, MD.  This place is really bad.  I  avoid this TA as much as possible.  They charge $35 a night to park here.  Everything else is way overpriced, too.  Horrible place!!!!  The only reason I'm here now is that I didn't have enough hours left to go anywhere else.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

 I took a nice ride over to Athens, Georgia, this morning to load.  One of the machines I was to load was broken, and they had to fix it.  I sat there for over an hour waiting. Finally loaded two Caterpillar 306 Excavators.  One is going to Annapolis, Maryland, and the other is going to Clear Brook, Virginia.

Just as I was ready to check out, they went to lunch.  SO, I had to wait again!!!!  Once they came back from lunch, it took another 45 minutes for them to finish their paperwork so I could leave.  I finally got out of there and drove in heavy traffic to the TA truck stop in Cowpens, South Carolina, for my 10 hours.