Sunday, January 22, 2012

So far nothing has come from the sky today.  It is very overcast, cold and some fog.  The trees have a coat of ice on them. The parking lot is still very icy.  

The locals here tell me that it is supposed to rain/ice tomorrow morning.  I sure hope they are wrong.  May not even get out of here tomorrow. 

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Not much snow fell last night.  It rained a bit and it is all ice here.  Right now it is a misty rain/snow mix.  Everything around me is solid ice. 

The "Snow Emergency Plan" is in effect.  That means that my oversize permit is not valid until the S.E.P. is lifted so I can't move.  With a valid permit I could only drive until noon today and no driving permitted on Sunday.  I will be here until Monday morning.  Internet connection here is real slow!  I get 3 over the air TV channels so I won't see any football.  Thankfully I have satellite TV!!!

The snow plow came by at about noon.  It took him over three hours to plow the parking lot.

After that it got real foggy!  Could barely see the other end of the parking lot.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Checked out of the hotel this morning and went back to Peterbilt.  After fixing the coolant hose, and during the test drive, he found an oil line that goes to the air compressor was leaking.  He fixed that too.  $733 later I was back on the road.  Left there at 1:30 in the afternoon.  Drove as far as I could today, which wasn't very far. Along I-68 in western Maryland the DOT was pre-treating the roads, never a good sign.

I stopped for the night, because I ran out of day light (can't drive oversize after sunset), in Grantsville, Maryland.  I-68, exit 22. There is about an inch or two of fresh snow on the ground here. 

Forecast is for more tonight.  It is snowing flurries as I type this.  Here is the view out the front of my truck tonight.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Went into the Port of Baltimore and loaded a Caterpillar excavator.  Oversize load.  Got on the road and made it as far as I-70 west of Baltimore when I saw white clouds from the back side of my truck.  I quickly pulled over as the temperature gauge started to go up.  When I opened the hood a huge cloud of steam came out and I could see the liquid on the ground under the truck.  Yup, you guessed it!!  I blew a coolant hose.  A road service guy came out and found which hose it was (cus' I didn't know).  It was a coolant line that is behind the turbocharger.  He had the hose with him but, because of it's location, he could not change it on the side of the road.  Much bigger job than originally thought.  Called a tow truck and was towed back to Baltimore to the Peterbilt shop.  So far I have spent $975 and have not even started to fix the hose.  That comes tomorrow.  Hope it is fixed tomorrow!!  Tonight I'm in a Best Western hotel spending more money!!  Hope tomorrow is better and I can get back on the road again.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Left Salisbury, NC real early this morning and drove up to Ashland, VA (just north of Richmond) and dropped off a generator.  Then drove down to Chesapeake, VA and delivered the rest of the stuff.  As I drove in toward Chesapeake I saw that there were two aircraft carriers in port and two of those new stealth destroyers(?) in port also.  On the way in I was too far away to get any good photos for you so on the way out I took the long way around and got a little closer.  These are the best I could do.

Here is how it looked:

Now with a bit of editing you can see them a bit better.  You can see the two carriers. In front of the carrier on the left you can see the top of the stealth ship.

After that I drove up to Baltimore for the night.  My next load is at the Port of Baltimore going to West Virginia.  Drove 633 miles today and made two deliveries.  Not too shabby!!!!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The crane arrived early this morning, which was a good thing.  I was ready and waiting for it when it got there.  Unloaded the vaporizer and left for South Carolina.  Got to Newberry to  a place that was only open a few days so they didn't have their "routine" down yet.  Was a bit disorganized.  I gave the guy in charge of the shipping area a few "pointers" on how do organize things a bit.  He was most grateful.  Finally got loaded with three Caterpillar Generators going to Virginia.

Then it was off for stop number two in Simpsonville, SC to pick up the second half of the load.  Picked up two Caterpillar Marine Engines and two boxes of parts for them.  They are also going to Virginia.  First stop in Ashland and the second in Chesapeake, VA.

Those plastic bags won't last long.

Finally got out of there and on the road.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Salisbury, North Carolina.  I-85, exit 71.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Looked on Google maps satellite view at where I'm going to deliver Tuesday.  They have a huge parking lot out front with no fence or gates.  There are no truck stops in Athens on the route I have to take.  I decided to go there today and park in their parking lot out front so I can deliver first thing in the morning.  After that head to Newberry, South Carolina for my next load.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

This morning went across the parking lot to the shop and had routine maintenance done on the truck.  Oil changed, oil filters, fuel filter, water filter, air filter, and chassis grease.  Was way over due on that.  Glad its done.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Drove to the Petro truck stop in Atlanta this morning.  Will be here until 9 am Tuesday morning.  Deliver in Athens Tuesday.  I hate holiday weekends!!  At least there is football today and tomorrow.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Left Bald Knob as soon as the sun came up.  Stopped at a Wal-Mart and bought a new printer, so I'm back in business again.  Other than that nothing else exciting today.  Drove to Lincoln, Alabama on I-20 to a truck stop for the night. 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

It sure did get colder and windy last night.  Got more than a dusting and less than an inch of snow last night too.

It is still real windy.  Went over and picked up my next load. It is a vaporizer.  Have no idea what it is for. 

It is going to Athens, Georgia for a Tuesday delivery.  Drove to a truck stop in Bald Knob, Arkansas - yes, that really is the name of the town.  AND my printer finally quit working tonight!!  It lasted 3 years bouncing around in this truck.  Not bad but really lousy timing.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Went over to Thermo King and had my APU serviced this morning.  It was WAY overdue.  The fuel filter was starting to clog up making it run bad.  Works great now!!  Then back to the truck stop for the rest of the day.  All my permits are here already so I'll be good to go in the morning.  Loading appointment is at 9 am local time.  The weather here today is great!  Sunny and clear.  Supposed to get real cold and windy later on.  They are forecasting a light dusting of snow tonight as the cold front moves through.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Good news and bad. 
Good news:  Finally got a load. 
Bad news:  Doesn't load until Thursday!!
Loads in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 
Drove up to Tulsa today to spend some time at a truck stop in Tulsa.  Livin' on Tulsa time!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Went in to Irving and delivered the engines first thing this morning. After that drove to the TA truck stop in Rockwall, Texas and replaced my right front tire. Still no loads available so I went to the TA truck stop in Terrell, TX and stayed there for the night. Didn't like the other TA.  No food there.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Very easy day today.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Dallas, Texas this morning.  Was there, refueled, and parked before 10 am (9 am local time).  Will be here until Monday morning.  Deliver in Irving, TX first thing.  Don't have a load out of here yet so I may be right back here after I deliver Monday.  Until then its a football weekend!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Left the TA in Jackson this morning and drove a few miles over to Griffin, GA to pick up four Caterpillar engines and four boxes of parts. 

They are going to Irving, Texas.  Got on the road and drove to the Petro truck stop in Shreveport, LA for the night.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Delivered the first tractor in Manning, SC as soon as they opened this morning.  Then up to Boiling Springs, NC and delivered the other one.  Loads are still not plentiful yet.  Next one is in Griffin, GA.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Jackson, GA for the night.  Made it through Atlanta with hardly any bumper to bumper traffic again!!  Amazing!!  And on a weekday too!!!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Having time off and spending it with the people that mean the most is a great thing!!  But now it is back to reality!!  Swapped out trailers today.  Picked up a 48 foot expandable flat bed trailer.  Expanded it to 53 feet long - notice the gap in the middle of the trailer.  Needed it for my next load.  Went down to Alachua, FL and loaded a well drilling machine mast. It is going to Blount Island, FL.

After loading I took off and drove up to Blount Island, FL and delivered the mast.  Then went back to the yard and dropped off the flat bed trailer and picked up the step deck trailer that I have been using.  Left there and drove up to Brunswick, GA to the port and loaded two John Deere tractors.  Yes, I got to drive those too. 

 I loaded them on the trailer, chained them down and left. Drove up to Manning, SC to the TA truck stop for the night. I drop off one tractor about 3 miles from here in the morning. The other one goes up to Boiling Springs, NC.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Had a fantastic Christmas with family and friends. 

While I have been off had some work done to the truck.  New rear brake pads and a new brake drum. Also had RGN ramps put on.  RGN ramps are for the rollers on a RGN (removable goose neck) trailer to attach the trailer to the truck by rolling up the ramps to the fifth wheel. Still don't have a load yet but don't want one until January.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Easy day!!  Went into Blount Island and delivered this morning and then back to the yard.  A whopping 18 mile round trip!!  Now I'm off until next year.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

I looked at my Florida permit again and saw that Florida allows driving on Saturday AND Sunday until noon.  I was happy and got on the road.  Drove to our yard in Jacksonville and parked.  I'm home now!!  I'll go deliver at the port at Blount Island tomorrow morning.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Left Manchester, TN as soon as the sun came up.   Made it all the way through Atlanta with no bumper to bumper traffic!  Got as far as Lake Park, GA on I-75 (exit 2).  Can't drive in Florida past noon on Saturday so I had to stop. I'll be at the TA truck stop until Monday morning sun up.

Friday, December 16,2011

Left Bloomington, Illinois as soon as the sun came up,  Very uneventful day on the road.  Was not able to get through Chattanooga, TN before curfew so I had to stop early tonight at a truck stop in Manchester, TN. Had a great diner at Charlie's Steak House two doors down from the truck stop.  I'm stuffed!!  Finally a good meal out here!!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

This morning drove into West Allis, WI and delivered the counterweight.  Then drove over to Mequon, WI and picked up my next load.  It is a rock crusher screen and two boxes of parts.  It is going to the port in Jacksonville, FL.  From there it is being shipped to Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Once that was loaded and tied down I got on the road.  Didn't get too far before I ran out of daylight.  Stopped at the TA truck stop in Bloomington, Illinois.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Left Bloomsburg, PA early this morning.  Once I got to Ohio it started to rain.  It rained the rest of the day and is still raining. Very uneventful day on the wet roads.  Hit some bumper to bumper traffic in Chicago (what else is new??!!??).  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Racine, Wisconsin.  Deliver not too far from here in the morning.  Here are the photos of my load:

Hard to believe that white thing weighs 20,000 pounds!!  It is a counterweight for a machine like this:

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Went into the Port of Newark (NJ) to deliver this morning.  Because I had to wait until sunrise I got stuck in a lot of bumper to bumper traffic on the way in.  Finally made it. Then I waited!!  Didn't get unloaded until about 1:30. Fortunately my next load was only a few blocks away.  Went over there and got loaded with a box of crane parts and a 20,000 pound counterweight.  Photos will be tomorrow.  This load is going to West Allis, Wisconsin.  That is just north of Milwaukee.  By the time I got out of the port I hit afternoon rush hour traffic and got stuck in more bumper to bumper traffic.  Needless to say, I didn't get very far today.  Stopped at the TA truck stop in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania for the night.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Got on the road at sun up this morning and drove through Pennsylvania to the TA truck stop in Columbia, New Jersey, that's I-80, exit 4.  Stopped there for the rest of the day because I would not be able to get into the Port of Newark, unload and re-load before they closed for the day.  I would also run out of hours.  So I'll go in tomorrow morning and, as Larry The Cable Guy says, Git 'R Done!!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Nothing special today.  Got on the road as soon as the sun came up. Drove to the Petro truck stop in Girard, Ohio.  That is just west of the Pennsylvania state line on I-80. Got there at 12:30.  My Pennsylvania permit does not allow me to drive on Saturday after 12 noon (another STUPID Government regulation!!) or on Sunday.  I'll be here until the sun comes up Monday morning.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Went into Granite City first thing this morning.  Loaded a laser cutting machine.  It is one of those machines that cuts metal with a laser.  It is being shipped to Brazil. 

Fortunately there was another Daily truck there loading other parts for this machine going to the same place.  We worked together tarping this monstrosity!  The photos don't show all the sharp edges and things that would rip up a tarp.  Also the top was all open, except for those two orange bars. That gave very little support to the tarps.  It took a while but finally got it done.

After finishing my truck we worked on his.  Fortunately I got the easier one!!  His was really a mess!! Neither one of us could have tarped our loads alone.  What a mess!!  We finally finished and got on the road.  Didn't get very far before running out of daylight.  Stopped for the night at a rest area on I-70 in Indiana east of Indianapolis. 

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Left Hebron, Ohio (just east of Columbus) early this morning and drove into Riverdale, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and delivered the crane stuff.  My next load is on Friday morning down in Granite City, Illinois.  That is on the Illinois side of St. Louis.  I drove down to the TA truck stop in Troy, Illinois to wait until Friday. The load is only a few miles from here. The next load is an oversize load and requires a crane to load.  The crane is scheduled for Friday morning.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Went into the Port of Baltimore to pick up my next load.  It takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r in there!!  Union workers go at their own pace, S-L-O-W !!!!  Its amazing that anything gets moved in or out of there.  Anyway, I finally got loaded.  Two counter weights that are 20,000 pounds each and a small box of crane parts that are going to Riverdale, Illinois.

This is thre crane that they go on:

Fortunately the rain held off, for the most part, while I got loaded.  But it rained for the rest of the day.  Not heavy rain, just rain.  I could tell when I crossed the cold front. The temperature went from 54 degrees to 42 in just a short time.  Now its down in the 30s.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Hebron, Ohio. 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Had my front axle aligned this morning and then put a new tire on the left front.  Drives much better now. My next load picks up tomorrow at the port in Baltimore, MD. After I finished getting the truck fixed I drove down to the TA truck stop in Baltimore for the night.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Left the service plaza on the Ohio Turnpike this morning fairly early.  Shortly after getting started it started to rain. After a while it changed over to snow. By the time I got to the east side of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania and western New York it was snowing hard. That heavy wet snow. Slight accumulation in the grass and on the road only on the bridges.  As I continued east it changed back to rain and then stopped. The rest of the trip was clear. Drove in to Covington, PA and delivered the wheel loader. Then drove to Halifax, PA and delivered the skid steer. After that drove to the Petro truck stop in Carlisle, PA for the rest of the weekend.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Drove the rest of the way into Dubuque, IA and picked up a John Deere skid steer.  Then drove down to Davinport, IA and picked up the last part of this load, a John Deere 544 Wheel Loader. Both are going to Pennsylvania. One to Covington and the other to Halifax.

Drove to a service plaza on the Ohio Turnpike east of Toledo, Ohio for the night.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Left the truck stop this morning and drove into De Witt, IA to deliver the generator.  The crane was late and then when he got there he drove past us three times before he figured it out. Us flagging him down helped too.  To get the generator off my truck and placed where it was going to live the crane had to go into the parking lot and lift the generator off my truck and then up and over the trees. 

After that drove across the state to Vermillion, South Dakota and dropped off the feeder.  Then turned around and went back to Elk Run Heights, Iowa to the Flying J truck stop for the night.  Next load is in the morning in Dubuque, Iowa.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Started off again in the rain and a short period of sleet.  It stopped after a few hours.  Then it got clear, a lot colder, and very windy.  Blew me all over the place.  Drove to the world famous Iowa 80 truck stop in Walcott, Iowa for the night.  Deliver the generator about half an hour from here in  the morning.  Crane is scheduled for 8 am local time. Then off to South Dakota to drop off the feeder.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Went into Woodruff, SC this morning and picked up the first load.  Easy one.  It's a feeder going to South Dakota.

Then drove a short hop over to Mauldin, SC for the second one.  This is a Caterpillar C-15 Generator.  It is going to Iowa.

Got on the road and drove in the rain all day.  Glad I loaded both loads inside!!  Rained real hard in some places.  Drove (again) up the prettiest Interstate highway east of the Mississippi River.  I-40 between Asheville, NC and where I-81 meets I-40 in Tennessee.  Its a little bit up and down but is is VERY twisty and turny.  Drive through a gorge. Takes a while to get through the approximately 75 miles of it.  Very nice scenery, even in the rain. Stopped for the night at the Pilot in Georgetown, Kentucky.  That's just north of Lexington.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Had an absolutely fantastic week off.  Really enjoyed being home.  It went by so fast. Now I'm back out on the road.  Drove up to Enoree, South Carolina to a small truck stop for the night. I pick up two loads tomorrow morning.  First one is just a few miles from here in Woodruff, SC.