Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Went in to Seattle this morning and loaded a large crate full of stuff going to Chrysler in Kokomo, Indiana.  That was the easy part.  

Then it had to be tarped!  Check out these corners and edges.  Do you know what they do to tarps?

Once that was finally finished I got on the road.  Drove a total of 519 miles to the TA truck stop in Missoula, Montana.  Maybe now you will understand why I was tired.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Another wasted day!!  I load tomorrow in Seattle.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Just as I feared, nothing.  Stuck here for another day.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Last night had routine maintenance (you know, oil change and stuff like that) done on the truck.  It was overdue.  

Left Spokane early this morning and drove straight in to Tacoma and delivered the chiller.  After that was done, went to the Love's truck stop that was a couple blocks from where I delivered.  Don't have another load lined up yet so I may be here a couple days.  The weather here is sun off and on, rain off and on and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Hit the road early this morning.  Here is a Montana sunrise.  See the rainbow?

Had a lot of light rain on and off today.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Spokane, Washington.

Thursday, June 27, 2014

My Washington permit is not good until Saturday so I have a bit of extra time.  I decided to stop in Billings, Montana and have the shocks on both back axles replaced.  When it was time to pull my truck into the bay it wouldn't start.  GREAT!!  At least it happened at the Kenworth shop and not out on the road someplace.  Finally got it running and into the shop.  Replaced the starter too.  When all that was done I went down the road to the Pilot truck stop for the night.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Fortunately it didn't take too long for my Minnesota permit to come in and I was finally on the road.  Very nice relaxing day on the road.  Stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Murdo, South Dakota.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

This morning I went over to Wal Mart and restocked a few things.  After that went back to sleep. Just after lunch they decided that the chiller was not going anywhere so they unloaded it from my truck.  I was reloaded with another chiller that is going to Tacoma, Washington.  From there it is going to Korea.  This one is a little smaller than the other one.

After loading I went back to the parking lot to wait for my permits to come in.  Wisconsin permit came in but still waiting on Minnesota.  Since I am only a couple miles from Minnesota I really can't go anywhere until it comes in.  Hopefully it comes in early tomorrow morning.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Started just before sunrise this morning.  Drove to Bloomington, Minnesota and delivered the excavator.  Next load is over in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Drove over there and loaded a chiller that is going to Russia.  

Now here is the kicker!  There are five of these going.  They are not sure how they are going to get to Russia.  They may send Antonov to get them...

 ...or may send them on a ship.  So they aren't sure where to send all the chillers.  So they can't finish the paperwork or tell us where to take them.  We have to sit here and wait.  So I am waiting in the parking lot for now.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

There is a little weather headed this way.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Left Lodi, OH just before sunrise. Pushed it pretty hard today to try to make up a bit of time that I lost yesterday.  Still didn't get as far as I had hoped to.  

Just north of Janesville, Wisconsin I passed a pick up truck that rolled over on the other side of the Interstate.  

Kind of difficult to see in that photo so I zoomed in for you.

Decided to put a couple videos of people cutting me off today.  This happens every single day.

Here is another one.

Stopped for the rest of the weekend at the TA truck stop in DeForest, Wisconsin.

Friday, June 20, 2014

This morning went down the road a few miles and loaded a Link-Belt LBX 235 Excavator that is going to Minneapolis, Minnesota.  I am 103,320 pounds with this one.

Left there and headed west.  Took forever to get out of Pennsylvania going across the mountains.  Lots of up and down.  Seemed like more up than down!!  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Lodi, Ohio.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Left Wheeling very early this morning and drove in the the Port of Baltimore and delivered the screen machine.  My next load is tomorrow morning up in Carlisle, PA.  Drove up to the "home office" for the night.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

They got started first thing this morning repairing all the things that I needed them to do.  They replaced my TV antenna (it quit working and was still under warranty), did routine maintenance on my generator, calked around one of the windows and a bunch of things on the roof to stop the water leak, fixed a bunch of little things relating to the sleeper.  They also replaced both air bags that support the back of the sleeper.  

Here are the old dry rotted air bags.

And here is one of the new ones.

They finished before noon and I was back on the road.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Wheeling, West Virginia for the night.  Thunderstorms are on the way so I'll see if all the calking worked.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Drove over to ARI in Shipshewana, IN this morning.  They are very busy here.  Hopefully they can get my truck finished tomorrow.  

Monday, June 16, 2014

Morning finally arrived and I made the hour and a half trip up to Unionville to deliver the hub. Got there at 7 am.  Didn't get out of there until noon.  After that I drove down to Durrand, Michigan for my next load.  Loaded a Terex Screen Machine that is going to the Port of Baltimore in Maryland.

Making a slight detour on the way and will be stopping at ARI in Shipshawana, IN so I can have some things fixed on the truck's sleeper.  Made my way down to the Petro truck stop in Angola, IN for the night.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Absolutely gorgeous day today!!  Perfect weather!!  Sunny, dry, and in the low to mid 70s.  Did a lot of "fix it" things on the truck today.  The kind of things that are not critical, but needed to be done.  I have put them off because it was either too hot, too cold, or too wet outside to do them.  But I got them all done!!  

Friday, June 13, 2014

Left this morning and had a nice leisurely drive. Nothing exciting at all.  Stopped for the weekend in Emmett, Michigan at a hole in the wall truck stop.  It is cold up here.  Still need a jacket.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Left Cullman, AL this morning after sunrise.  Was going to get to Nashville, TN a little too early (can't go through until after nine) so I stopped and had some breakfast.  On the other side of the Interstate at the exit a crash had just occurred.  The front end of a car, with an elderly woman in the drivers seat, was gone!  It was scattered all over the interstate.  From the windshield forward was gone!  There were several other vehicles stopped over there but I couldn't tell what hit her.  I pulled into the truck stop and had breakfast.

After I finished eating I got back on the road.  Very nice day.  Stopped at the TA truck stop in Walton, Kentucky for the night.  Had to stop a little early because my Ohio permit does not start until tomorrow.  I can sleep in tomorrow.  Can't go through Cincinnati until after nine.

While I was typing this tonight I heard a tapping noise on the side of the truck.  I got up and looked out the front driver's side window into the mirror to see what was there.  A red cardinal was attacking his reflection in the window on the sleeper.  Never a dull moment.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Yesterday afternoon my Direct TV receiver took a dump!  Lots of sparks inside the box and nothing else.  After a lot of phone calls I was lucky enough to get someone to bring a new receiver to my truck.  I'm back in business!!

Got lucky and was able to load today instead of tomorrow.  When I was called to go in and load, I loaded a GE Wind Energy Hub that is going to Unionville, Michigan.  Secured it and was ready to go.  When doing the paperwork realized that they loaded the wrong one.  Had to un-secure it and take it off and put on the correct one.  

Got that one secured and hit the road.  Drove to a small truck stop in Cullman, Alabama for the night.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Left the truck stop this morning and drove to Baker, Florida to deliver.  This stuff was going to the high school.  When we arrived they had not done any of the site prep.  We had to wait in the road until they took down the gates and fencing. The crane was in already but the crane support trucks, there were two, were stuck behind us.

They had to remove a gate and a bunch of chain link fence.  Once they finished clearing the way, we went in.  It was a very tight squeeze.  He is 103 feet long.  I'm only 82 feet long.

We both had to drive up on the grass next to the wood fence to round the corner.

After we got in there the crane support trucks could finally get in.  They put the crane together and unloaded the tank from the other truck first.  Then it was my turn to back in and get unloaded.

My next load is in Pensacola.  The load that I thought I had was canceled but I got a different one instead.  Unfortunately it doesn't load until Thursday.  Went to the Kangaroo that has some truck parking in Pensacola to wait until Thursday. 

Monday, June 9, 2014

Left this morning at sunrise and drove in to deliver. It was only 7 miles down the road at the VA Medical Center.  Got there before the crane.  When the crane arrived he backed into position.

After he got all set up it was my turn to back in.

Then I got unloaded.

And off it goes...

From there I went down to Manchester, TN for my next load.  Picked up a bunch of parts for a large tank that is going to Baker, Florida.

The truck with the tank was just finishing loading when I arrived.  He waited for me and after loading we traveled together.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Wallace, Alabama for the night.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Left just after sunrise this morning.  Made it around Atlanta without any bumper to bumper traffic.  Amazing!!  Stopped at the Pilot truck stop in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for the weekend.  Deliver just a couple miles from here Monday morning.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

After a hectic few days at home I'm back at it again.  This afternoon drove to Thomasville, Georgia and loaded a boiler that is going to Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

 My Georgia permit is not valid until tomorrow so I couldn't go anywhere.  Went over to the local truck stop for the night.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Got up real early and drove down to Orlando and delivered the wheel loader.  After that drove back to Jacksonville.  Will be home for a few days.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Left real early this morning and drove all the way home to Jacksonville, FL.  Will be here until Monday morning.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Got up real early this morning and drove to Elmhurst, IL and loaded a Caterpillar 924K Wheel Loader that is going to Orlando, Florida.

Left there and got stuck in the normal Chicago bumper to bumper traffic.  After I made it through that mess I continued down to more bumper to bumper traffic going around Nashville.  That was caused by a car fire.  Made it through Cincinnati without any slow downs.  But south of Lexington, Kentucky had more bumper to bumper traffic.  This time it was a five car wreck.  Made it past that, went a little farther and stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Williamsburg, Kentucky.  Gonna start very, very early tomorrow.  

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Left Marion, Illinois this morning and drove straight up to Davenport, Iowa and delivered the excavator.  Stopped by the Daily terminal in Bettendorf, IA and dropped off some stuff that I had for them.  Next load is over in Elmhurst, Illinois.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Morris, IL for the night.  

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Was first one in and loaded this morning.  Glad I was there all night.  There was eight trucks waiting this morning when they opened.  Loaded a John Deere 250G Excavator that is going to the John Deere plant in Davenport, Iowa.

Here is a short video for you to think about. I am doing 55 mph entering a construction zone on a bridge where the lane narrows. There is only 6 inches clearance on either side of the truck going through, and it narrows even more right at the end.  Take another look at the photos above and see how much of the excavator is hanging over the side of the trailer.  OK, now watch the video.  

Do you think you could do that without hitting anything?

Made great progress today and got a lot farther than I thought I would.  Stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Marion, Illinois.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

I didn't think noon would ever arrive!!  It finally did and I drove to Raleigh, NC and delivered the building.  Here is a video if them unloading all 48,000 pounds of it.

Sorry, I know it wasn't very exciting.

After that I drove to Kernersville, NC for my next load.  Because of the stupid regulation keeping me from starting today until  noon, I arrived too late to load today.  Parked there for the night and will load first thing in the morning.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

My computer has been acting up lately but last night it really went bonkers.

After a while I got this one.

So this morning I went in search of a replacement.  Yup, bought a new one.  Spent the rest of the day setting it up and installing all my data files and programs.  Quite a job.  Still not done, but the important ones are there.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Got started this morning just after sunrise.  Surprisingly no problems going around Atlanta.  Stopped at Bill's Truck Stop in Linwood, N.C.  Since this is a holiday weekend more really STUPID, STUPID rules kick in.  In North Carolina, permit loads have to be off the road by noon Friday, today.  Can't start back up again until, get this!!, noon Tuesday.  Yup, that's right, noon.  STUPID, STUPID, STUPID regulations. Another one of the millions of reasons why this country is going right down the toilet!!!  Regulation Nation!!!!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

When my generator is way overdue for routine maintenance it has ways of letting me know.  It has been letting me know for about a week or so.  Last night it let me know again.  This morning I drove to Cummins in Jackson, Mississippi and had it serviced.  The governor was also worn out and needed replacing. That was what was giving me all the "fix me" signals.  After that was done, and it took all morning, I drove to the Petro truck stop in Atlanta for the night.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Since I didn't have to load until noon, I got up at 3 am and did four loads of laundry.  When that was done I went back to bed.

Went over  to Bossier City for my noon (local time) loading appointment.  Got there at 11:30 and checked in.  They couldn't find my paperwork.  All the others were there, but not mine.  Once again, nothing goes smoothly for me - and it gets worse. There were five trucks ahead of me.  So, while waiting I put some more stuff away in the headache rack and did some other minor "fix it" kind of things. Also found a tire that was almost flat.  At 1:45 they pulled my in to load.  Loaded a cell tower building that is going to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Left there and went to a tire shop and had the tire looked at.  Initial inspection revealed a bolt stuck in the left, rear, inside tire.

But when he took it off the rim, couldn't see it coming through.  It was only superficial.  The REAL culprit was a nail that was not visible from the outside.

He patched it and put the it all back together.

Got back on the road.  Obviously, I didn't get very far.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Tallulah, LA.  Went to the restaurant for dinner.  Took so long to get a server I went to the salad bar, got a salad, and half finished it before she paid any attention to me.  Took 45 minutes to get the steak that I ordered.  And it was the usual crummy TA steak. Was not a happy camper.  After showering I went back to the truck to do paperwork. For some reason my computer stopped recognizing my printer.  Spent two more hours fiddling with that.  Finally got that fixed and finished the paperwork at about midnight.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Easy day today.  Drove the rest of the way to Shreveport, LA this morning and delivered the roller.  Next load is tomorrow in Bossier City, LA.  Doesn't load until noon.  Went to the Petro truck stop in Shreveport for the rest of the day.  Got there just before noon.  

Monday, May 19, 2014

Drove the rest of the way in to Louisville, Mississippi and delivered the forklift.  Then drove to Adairsville, Georgia for my next load.  Loaded a Sakai 540 Vibratory Asphalt Roller that is going to Shreveport, Louisiana. 

Left there and drove to the Petro truck stop in McCalla, Alabama for the night.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Left Midway early this morning.  Drove through some rain north of Memphis.  Just enough to get the truck dirty again.  Stopped at the Pilot truck stop in Winona, Mississippi for the rest of the weekend.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Didn't sleep very well last night so I was fighting the "sleepy monster" all day.  Started very early this morning.  Stopped and got the truck washed.  Had to get all that snow dirt off it.  Other than that, pretty boring day.  Drove 703 miles.  Stopped for the night at the famous Midway Truck Stop in Columbia, Missouri.  For those of you that don't know, this place is featured on The Travel Channel with it's own TV show.  I have driven past it a zillion times.  This is the first time I have stopped here.  I must tell you that I'm not impressed.  It is old and pretty dumpy.  I won't go out of my way to stop here again.