Monday, September 28, 2015

This morning a half hour after sunrise I left and went the 6 miles to Austell, GA and delivered the excavator.  Here is a quick video of me unloading.  Sorry, It's not very good.

Next load was not too far away in Peachtree City, GA.  Went over there to load.  As usual, things got all screwed up.  To make a very long story short, it took  hours to load the Sany 215 Excavator that is going to someplace in Oklahoma.  Not sure yet where.

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Cartersville, Georgia for the night.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

This is what I look like when I'm behind you.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Long day!!  Started at sunrise this morning and drove all day in the rain.  No problems at all until 1 mile before my exit to stop for the night.  Bumper to bumper.  Finally made it into the Petro truck stop in Atlanta.  Glad to be here!!!  Made it in time to see the second half of the Gator game.

This game was amazing!!   Did not expect this!!!  For a rebuilding year with a new coach, they are doing much better than anyone expected !!!!!!!

Tennessee (2-2, 0-1 Conf)	7	10	3	7	27
Florida (4-0, 2-0 Conf)	7	0	7	14	28

Friday, September 25, 2015

Left Hagerstown this morning timing it so that I would arrive at the Baltimore beltway right at 9 am when curfew was over. Went into the Port of Baltimore and unloaded the combine.  They use a lift that is used for moving shipping containers around.   Lifted it off and set it on the ground.  There are a LOT of these combines coming so they are lining them up and when they all get here they will put the tires on them all at once.  It is cheaper to have the crew come one time than a whole bunch of times.

Here is a closer look.

My next load was in Myersville, Maryland.  Went there and loaded a Caterpillar 320 excavator that is going to Austell, Georgia.

Left there and drove to the Petro truck stop in Raphine, Virginia for the night. No more clean truck, it's raining here.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Started off this morning with 3 Daily trucks.  We left just before sunrise.  After a few hours the third truck had to stop for a mechanical problem.  We continued on at his insistence.  Just after crossing into Maryland on I-68 The second truck blew something in his fuel pump and was dumping fuel all over.  We both pulled into the rest area and checked out his truck.  After waiting with him to make sure he had food and stuff and that a service truck was on the way, I left.  Made it to the Pilot truck stop in Hagerstown, Maryland for the night.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

I may have been first on the list but I was fourth to load this morning.  Loaded a John Deere S660 Combine that is going to the Port of Baltimore.  I backed into the loading dock.  They drive the combine in the building to the loading area, jack it up and remove the tires.

Then they "fly" it to my trailer using a gantry crane.

Then secured to the trailer and ready to go.

Still couldn't leave because my permits had not come in yet.  They finally came in and off we went.  I was running with another truck today. We are both going to the same place.  We stopped at a rest area for lunch.

Continued on to the Goasis truck stop in New Lisbon, Indiana for the night.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Very early this morning went over to the shop at the Flying J and had my generator serviced.  When that was done I drove back to the Iowa 80 truck stop and had the truck washed.  Then had an early lunch.  Since the truck was clean I took some photos of it for you. Sure does look good when it's clean.  Too bad it doesn't stay that way very long.

From there I drove to the John Deere Combine Plant in East Moline, Illinois where I will be loading in the morning.  I'm first on the list for loading tomorrow.  I'll stay in their parking lot tonight.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Left just before sunrise this morning. I really surprised myself and made it all the way to Altoona, Iowa and delivered this afternoon.  After delivering I was pretty much out of hours for today so I stopped at the Flying J truck stop in Altoona for the night.   My next load is Wednesday morning in East Moline, Illinois.  I'll head that way in the morning.  But now it is time for.......

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Wow what a pleasant surprise!!!!!

FINAL	1	2	3	4	T
Florida (3-0, 1-0 Conf)	7	7	0	0	14
Kentucky (2-1, 1-1 Conf)	3	0	0	6	9

Now it is NFL time!!!!!

I love this time of year!!!!!!!!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Left this morning at sunrise.  Drove from North Carolina through Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and finally came to rest at the Petro truck stop in Greensburg, Indiana.  601 miles (967.2 km).  Beautiful drive through the mountains today.  Went through the area of North Carolina that The Andy Griffith Show was from.  The sun lit up Pilot Mountain (Mt. Pilot on the TV show) real well this morning.

But now it is time for football!!!  I'm afraid that my Gators are going to get creamed tonight.

Friday, September 18, 2015

This morning I finally got a load.  It was down in Clayton, North Carolina.  I drove down there and made it just in time to get loaded today.  Loaded a Caterpillar 938M Wheel Loader that is going to Altoona, Iowa.

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Whitsett, NC for the night.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Nothing.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Got started well before sunrise this morning and drove to Belle, West Virginia and delivered the first blade and parts box.  After that drove to the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, Maryland and delivered the other blade.  Don't have another load yet so I went to the TA truck stop in Baltimore to wait for the next one.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

This morning went over to Caterpillar in Oswego, Illinois and loaded another dozer blade.  The first one is going to Belle, West Virginia.  This one is going to the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, Maryland.

Left there and had a great day on the road. Beautiful weather and light traffic.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Jackson, Ohio.

Monday, September 14, 2015

It took a while but I finally got a load.  Actually it is two loads.  For the first one I went down to the Daily yard in Morton, Illinois and loaded a Caterpillar D6 dozer blade and a box of parts.  

The second one is up in Oswego, Illinois.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Morris, Illinois for the night.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

It was an ugly win, but at least they won.  I don't think we will see too many more wins this season.

SatSep 12

Final

East Carolina

(1-1, 0-0)

Florida

(2-0, 0-0 SEC)

@

		1	2	3	4		T
ECU		7	0	7	10		24
FLA		10	0	14	7		31

Today it is pro ball!!

Fortunately I have the Sunday Ticket so I can watch all the games!!!!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

This morning I left Waterloo and went back to Iowa 80 truck stop in Walcott, Iowa.  When I got there I went to the service bay and had my truck chassis greased.  Then over to the truck wash to get it clean again.  After that did some more minor repairs. Now its time for football!!!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Left Iowa 80 just before sunrise this morning and drove to Hampton, Iowa.  Delivered the boiler.  Don't have another load yet so I went back to the Flying J truck stop in Evansdale (Waterloo), Iowa for the night.  Going back to Iowa 80 in the morning.  Much better place to spend the weekend.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Left Nashville, TN at sunrise this morning. Traffic was no problem.  Had a very good day on the road.  Nothing exciting at all today.  Drove to the world famous Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott, Iowa for the night.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Was at Clever Brooks in Thomasville, GA at 6:45 this morning.  Loaded a boiler that was initially going to Sheldon, Iowa.  That changed today and I don't know where it is going now. Only know that it is in Iowa.  

Left there in good time.  Had a very good day on the road.  No problems going around Atlanta.  BUT Nashville was a totally different story.  LOTS of bumper to bumper traffic, about three hours worth. Ended up stopping for the night at the TA truck stop in down town Nashville.  This is the truck stop right next to the stadium where the Tennessee Titans play.  Hope the traffic is better in the morning.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Had a great time at home but it's time to go back to work.  I load tomorrow morning in Thomasville, Georgia.  I drove over there to a small truck stop for the night.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

New Mexico State (0-0, 0-0 Away)	0	13	0	0	13
Florida (0-0, 0-0 Home)	7	27	13	14	61

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Left a half hour after sunrise this morning and drove in to the Port of Jacksonville and delivered the excavator.  After that drove to the Daily yard in Jacksonville.  Will be home for about a week.

Monday, August 31, 2015

At 7 am this morning I started making phone calls to find my part.  Found a place that had one.  I went straight there and bought it.  Installed it in their parking lot.  Then drove back to the Daily yard in Baltimore and picked up my trailer.  Then over to the Port of Baltimore and loaded a Caterpillar 323 Excavator that is going to Blount Island, Florida.

Left there and drove down to Pedro's Truck Stop in the world famous tourist trap, South Of The Border at the north Carolina and South Carolina state line.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Half hour after sunrise I got started and drove all the way around Washington DC and into Arlington and delivered.  Was out of there in 45 minutes.  Then drove up to the Daily yard in Baltimore to swap back into my trailer.  Everything was going so smooth.  No bumper to bumper traffic at all.  Got to the yard and swapped my equipment over to my trailer.  Then went to hook up to my trailer and that is when it all caught up with me.

As I backed up under my trailer it high sided again.  Took a long time to get it back out from under there.  Of course it broke the cylinder again.

Went to a parts house to get one.  They didn't have one.  Went to another that was south of the Fort McHenry Tunnel ($8.00 toll each way).  They didn't have the right one even after I called them on the phone first.  Then, being a Saturday, all the parts houses that are even open  are all closed by 1 pm.  Now I have to wait until Monday to start all over again.  Went to the TA truck stop in Baltimore for the rest of the weekend.

Friday, August 28, 2015

Left Wheeling, West Virginia at sunrise this morning and drove to the weigh station at I-95 and I-495 on the Washington DC Beltway.  I deliver in the morning in Arlington, Virginia.  Just hope the cops leave me alone while I'm here.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Left Bloomington, Illinois half hour before sunrise this morning.  Had a very good day on the road.  Ate a full lunch with no problems.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Wheeling, West Virginia.  Went across the street to a real restaurant and had a delicious dinner and desert!  I'm all done being sick!  Back to normal!!!   

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Thought the problem was fixed last night, but it wasn't. First thing this morning had my inverter replaced.  Much better now!!!  After that headed for my next load.  It was down in Chillicothe, Illinois.  That is just north of Peoria.  Loaded a fuel tank and some stairs for a large genset.  They are going to Arlington, Virginia.  Have a Saturday morning crane appointment.

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Bloomington, Illinois for the night.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Finished this morning at ARI and went over to the Petro truck stop in Fremont, Indiana.  Needed to weigh the truck and trailer to see if I could take a load.  Turns out that I was too heavy for the load.  I ate some breakfast and went back to sleep.  A little while later I had another issue pop up with the sleeper so I went back to ARI.  They fixed it at about 9 pm.  I stayed there in their parking lot for the night.

Monday, August 24, 2015

This morning I got started early cleaning the inside of this truck. For the past week I only had enough energy to make a mess. It looks a lot better now.  Also went to the laundry mat and did five loads of laundry.  After I got everything put back together inside they were ready for me in the repair shop.  They replaced the TV antennae, my water pump was leaking and was replaced, a pop off valve in the hot water tank was bad and replaced, serviced the generator, and replaced a light that was bad.  Have one more thing to fix tomorrow morning and I'm done.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

This morning drove the short way over to ARI in Shipshewana, Indiana.  I am having a few things repaired on the sleeper tomorrow.  One thing is my over the air TV antennae.  It fell apart a month or so ago.  I like being able to get the local weather reports using that.

Able to eat some more solid food today.  Still not much, but more than yesterday.  Be glad to have my strength back.  Still have no energy at all.  Getting there slowly but surely.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Much better today.  No more throwin' & goin'.  Glad that has stopped. Was able to eat some solid food today.  Not much, but it's a start.  This rest is what I needed.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Another rough day.  Not as bad as yesterday, but still rough.  Finally made it in to Lockport, Illinois and delivered.  Thought I was never going to get there.  After that went to the Petro truck stop in Gary, Indiana for the rest of the weekend.   I'm so glad to be here!!!!!

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Another rough day.  Was stopping at every rest area all afternoon.  Took all day to drive 380 miles,  At the Iowa 80 truck stop for the night.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Yesterday was not a great day.  The Colorado permit didn't come in until about 1 pm local time.  Then there were curfews in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver.  Stopped last night at the Love's truck stop in Hudson, CO.

I have had food poisoning for the past few days.  Been very sick.  I was up all night stomach cramps, chills, throwin' and goin' !   It was not fun. What little strength I had left is all gone now.  Have not had solid food for three says.

This morning felt a little better and hit the road again.  Had to stop early because I was still sick.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in York, Nebraska.  Hope tonight is better than last night.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Too tired to post.  I'll do it tomorrow.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Left this morning and drove up to Questa, New Mexico to a mine that was being shut down.  I was to load a Ford F-650 and two excavator buckets. They are going to Lockport, Illinois.  I met the person from the mine out on the road at a Chevron station.  She had to check me out and my truck.  The safety regulations in place by the company are absolutely ridiculous!!  She had to make sure all my lights worked, there was no cracks in the windshield, I had a 5 pound fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.  I had to have steel toed boots, long sleeve shirt, safety vest, hard hat, gloves, and safety glasses.  Then we went in to load.  When we got to where the stuff was they didn't have a way to get the truck on my trailer.  So we loaded the two buckets.  Now here is the really stupid regulation!  I was not allowed to get on my truck trailer to secure the buckets.  Had to do it standing on the ground!!!  STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm all in favor of doing things safely but there is a point at which it becomes totally asinine!!!!!  So I rigged a couple chains to hold them in place until I got off their property so I could properly secure them.  Now how safe is that?????  STUPID!!!!!!   Then we drove about 5 to 10 miles to another location where they had a loading ramp.  My trailer was higher than the ramp so they had to build it up so they could drive the truck up on my trailer.  Once that was done I measured the height.  Too high!!  14 feet 4 inches. (13 feet 6 inches is highest legal)  After several phone calls and waiting around for a decision, they finally decided to get permits for being over height. Secured the truck and left.  Drove to a section of road that had a pull off.  There I finished securing the load. How freggin' stupid!!!  Can you tell I was (AND STILL AM) pissed???

Didn't have any permits yet but I wasn't staying there so I left.  Drove to a truck stop in Walsenburg, Colorado for the night.  I'll wait here until my permits get here.  Also no camera because Sprint sucks here.