Monday, January 8, 2018

Was over at Caterpillar in La Grange, GA first thing this morning to load.  Loaded a Caterpillar 522B Forester that is going way up to Londonderry, New Hampshire.

Left there in pretty good time.  The weather was a concern today.  Ice storm was predicted for this morning.  It started to rain as I was loading.  Rained all day.  Had no difficulty getting around and past Atlanta!!  Amazing!  But from Atlanta north the State had shut down for the storm.  I stopped for lunch in Cartersville, GA.  While there heard that the Interstate north of there was closed due to a 40 car pile up that happened earlier this morning.  I did some research and found pout that they had just opened up the Interstate again and traffic was moving fine.  Whew!!  I continued on to the Petro truck stop in Knoxville, Tennessee for the night.

Tonight The College Football National Championship Game!!  Can't wait!!  

Doesn't matter who wins, the trophy is back in the SEC where it belongs!!  Ya baby!!

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Left this morning and drove the rest of the way down to La Grange, Georgia.  Will spend the rest of the weekend here at the Pilot truck stop.  Had breakfast at McDonald s.  Here is the fountain out front.  Yup, it is still cold down south!!

Friday, January 5, 2018

Went back over to the Port first thing this morning and pick up my trailer.  Was out of there and on the road a little after 8 am.  

I-95 road conditions and traffic were just fine this morning.  There was a lot of evidence of yesterdays "festivities".  Several cars that had spun out on the ice were still left off in the ditch along side the road and up near the tree line.  They all were up side down or on their side.  Saw a  U-Haul truck that had a car on a trailer.  They were both on their side over by the trees. Saw an overturned semi truck too.  Could see were the people that got stuck in traffic when it was at a stand still yesterday had made snowmen along side the road.  There were a lot of them. I made the right decision yesterday by waiting until today.

I made it up to West Columbia, South Carolina and delivered the excavator.  Next load is Monday in La Grange, Georgia.  Headed that way.  Decided to stop a little early to avoid the Atlanta Friday rush hour traffic.  I'll go the rest of the way in the morning when there isn't as much traffic - hopefully.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

The Port did not open until 1 pm this afternoon.  I was there at 1 to load.  I loaded a Caterpillar 323FL Excavator that is going to West Columbia, South Carolina.  On my way over found out that there was a 7 semi-truck crash in the north bound side of I-95 at mile marker 29 in South Carolina.  Traffic was backed up into Georgia and the Interstate was closed.  

After I got the excavator secured to the trailer I left the trailer there for the night.  I'll go back first thing in the morning and get it.  Hopefully the Interstate will be back open again.  I bobtailed back to the TA truck stop in Richmond Hill, GA for the night.

Wednesday, January 3, 2017

Well the weather was just as bad as they predicted.  Started off early this morning with rain, then freezing rain.  After a while it turned to snow.  It snowed hard!  For lunch I went into the restaurant here at the TA and sat at a table, a dirty table.  All the open ones were dirty.  Sat there for ten minutes and no one came over to me so I left.  Checked out the other restaurants in the area.  McDonalds, Arby's, Taco Bell, and KFC.  All closed.  The only ones open were the restaurant in the TA, Waffle House, and Wendy's.  I went to Wendy's.  They had only 2 people in there working.  I stood in line for an hour before placing my food order.  Then waited another half hour to get it.  They closed while I was in there.  Here is what it looked like outside:

Here is what the roads looked like:

Doesn't look like much but in the south, where this doesn't happen, it's a big deal.  Tell me more about "global warming".  Idiots!!

Here is a palm tree in the snow:

At about 3 this afternoon the snow had stopped.  At about 5:30 I went into the TA to try to eat at the restaurant again.  This time it was closed.  The only one open was the Waffle House.  I went there and had dinner.  The place was packed and standing room only. They had a limited menu and the staff there had been working since 6 am.  They were exhausted.  While I was eating, they too closed.  I got there just in time!!!  Tomorrow should be a lot better.  Hope they open the Port so I can load.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Well it is time to go back to work.  This morning I took the truck in for routine maintenance.  It was due.  This afternoon I got my next load.  It is tomorrow up at the Port in Savannah, Georgia.  I left and drove up to the TA truck stop just south of Savannah in Richmond Hill.  BUT the weather is supposed to get bad here tonight and tomorrow.  They are saying that we could get several inches of snow after we get freezing rain.  The big problem with that is that this is Georgia!!!  There is absolutely no snow removal equipment here.  No sanders, no plows, NOTHING.  Everything is shutting down tonight.  The Port is closing indefinitely - so I can't load.  It will be a total mess here.  I'm parked here in the truck stop and not moving until its over.  Great way to start off the new year.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Back to work, but only for today.  Took a trailer from the yard in Jacksonville up to Pembroke, Georgia and dropped it there for another driver.  

 Then went back to Jacksonville.  Traffic on the way up was fine, but not on the way back!  Just as soon as I got back on the Interstate got into bumper to bumper traffic.  Here was the culprit:

Finally made it past that mess and then to Jacksonville.  Will be off again until after New Year's Day.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Left this morning a half hour before sunrise.  Drove down to Lutz, Florida and delivered the Excavator.  From there drove home to Jacksonville, Florida.  Will be off for the Christmas holiday.  Won't be back until December 28th at the earliest.  Everyone have a Merry Christmas.  And to all of you that submitted comments, THANK YOU.  I enjoy getting them, keep them coming.  If there is anything you would like to see or hear about let me know.  Once again, thank you for your comments.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Got up early again and went back to get my trailer. As soon as it was sunrise, I pulled out of there.  Had a very good and uneventful day on the road. Stopped at the Pilot truck stop in Kingsland, Georgia.  It is 1 mile from the Florida state line.  Had to stop because Florida does not allow permit loads to be on the road after noon on Saturday or Sunday.  Another very STUPID and unnecessary Government regulation!!!   I'll just camp out here until Monday morning.  When I got here I saw that one of the blocks the machine is sitting on had shifted a little.  I took off the chains and had to lift the machine, then pull the block back into it's proper place.  Then put the machine back down and re-secured the machine.  Now it's all good again.

Friday, December 15, 2017

I left very early this morning.  In doing so I was able to get through Atlanta before all the really heavy rush hour traffic.  Got to Austell right when they opened and delivered the wheel loader.

My next load was to be Monday in Kernersville, North Carolina.  I headed that way.  I made such good time this morning that I was able to get to Kernersville 5 minutes before they stopped loading for the day.  Loaded a Hitachi 300ZX Excavator that is going to Lutz, Florida. 

By the time i finished loading and securing the machine, I was out of hours for the day.  I pulled outside the gate and dropped my trailer in an area across from the security guard.  I'll get it in the morning.  Then I went to the TA truck stop in Whitsett, NC for dinner, a much needed shower, and a good nights sleep.  Unloaded, Reloaded and drove 514 miles (827 km) today.  I'm tired.  Good night.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

This morning I drove the rest of the way back to Clayton, NC and loaded a Caterpillar 930M Wheel Loader.  It is also going to Austell, GA.  Stupid me, I forgot to take pictures!!  Oh well, I'll get them tomorrow.  This machine is smaller than the last two.  It is the first load I have had with this trailer that does not need permits!!  Drove to the Love's truck stop in Thompson, Georgia.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Left Spartenburg, SC just after sunrise this morning and drove in to Austell, GA.  LOTS of bumper to bumper traffic going around Atlanta.  Delivered the wheel loader.

Left there and headed back toward Clayton, NC for another one.  LOTS MORE bumper to bumper traffic going back around Atlanta.  Then more in Columbus, SC.  Finally made it to the Petro truck stop in Florence, SC for the night.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Was over to load at 7:30 this morning.  Once again there were 12 trucks there, most came in after me.  They had 2 to load with a crane.  ALL those trucks were loaded before me.  I didn't get out of there until 11:30.  Loaded another Caterpillar 938M Wheel Loader that is going to Austell, Georgia again.

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Spartanburg, South Carolina for the night.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Last night the snow continued.

Didn't take long for the truck stop to be packed full.

At about 9 this morning the snow finally stopped.  The sun came out and a lot of the snow melted.  The Petro ran out of fuel this morning too.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Started off this morning in the rain.

Radar From This Morning

Had no problems until about 50 miles north of Atlanta on I-85.  It changes to snow.  Big flakes, heavy, wet snow.  It was not sticking to the roads - yet.  BUT the people that live here don't know how to drive in snow so when they get it, they panic!!  They also have very little snow removal equipment.  By the time I got to Atlanta things were moving very S-L-O-W-L-Y.

I-285 South Bound, West Side of Atlanta

I finally made it to the Caterpillar dealer in Austell to deliver.  They had let all their staff go because of the weather.  There was only a couple guys left and they were about to leave.  The snow was starting to accumulate on the roads, especially the side streets and everything in the Atlanta area was shutting down.  They had me drop my trailer there and would unload me Monday.  

Yancy Brothers Caterpillar, Austell, Georgia

Fortunately I was only a few miles from the Atlanta Petro truck stop.  They told me how to get there on the back roads - the Interstate was a parking lot.  The back roads were jammed up full too.

Back Roads En-route to the Petro Truck Stop

Made it to the Petro and found a place to park.  Glad I was bobtail, made parking a lot easier.  Will be here until Monday morning.  More snow predicted tonight.  Local news is wall-to-wall coverage.  

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Left this morning and got to Caterpillar in Clayton when they opened.  It took forever to get loaded this morning.  Of the 10 trucks in there today, I was the last one out.  Loaded a Caterpillar 938M wheel Loader that is going to Austell,  Georgia.  

Because it took so long to get out of there today, I didn't get anywhere near as far as I wanted to.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Blacksburg, South Carolina.  Weather is supposed to get bad here and all the way to Atlanta tonight and tomorrow.  Local weather reporters are saying snow and ice.  Oh goodie!!  

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Drove into West Columbia, South Carolina and delivered the excavator.  Next load is in Clayton, North Carolina tomorrow morning.  I drove over to the Petro truck stop in Kenly, North Carolina for the night.  579 miles (932 km) and unloaded too.  Not a bad day.  

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Started off in the fog this morning.  Fortunately it was not too heavy and after a few hours it was gone.  Things were just fine until this afternoon.  It rained. It rained very hard.  Of course when that happens the idiots really show themselves by crashing all over.  Traffic quickly became bumper to bumper.  It took me over 30 minutes to go 4 miles.  I decided to stop a little earlier than I had wanted to but it was better than sitting in that mess.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Shorter, Alabama.

Monday, December 4, 2017

Left San Antonio early this morning in the fog.  On my way to Victoria I passed (again) the Baptist church in Sutherland Springs that in the news for the mass shooting.  There was still a make shift memorial out front.  It was too dark to get any photos.  If it is still there next time I pass by, I'll try to get some.  Got to Victoria when they opened and loaded a Caterpillar 336F Excavator that is going up to West Columbia, South Carolina.

Left there and got a lot further than I thought I would.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Egan, Louisiana. 

Saturday, December 2, 2017

As soon as my 10 hours was up I left.  Here is sunrise in New Mexico this morning.

Another really good day on the road.  Drove another 604 miles (972 km) today.

I love Texas !!!!

 Stopped for the rest of the weekend at the Petro truck stop in San Antonio, Texas.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Once again I timed it perfectly and got to Tucson right at 9 am.  Continued on up to Eloy, Arizona and delivered the wheel loader.   My next load is way back in Victoria, Texas.  I started back that way.  Passed a place that I always like to look at as I pass by on I-10 west of Tucson.  It is Pinal Air Park.  Click on the name to get more information on it.  It has a very interesting history.  I think it is pretty cool seeing all those 747s sitting in the middle of the desert.

Google Maps Satellite View

Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Another real good day on the road. Stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop in Benson, Arizona.  Knocked off another 566 miles (910.8 km) today.  Will get a very late start tomorrow.  Can't go into Tuscon until after 9 am.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Couldn't go into Houston until 9 am so I timed my departure so that I wouldn't.  As it turned out, I was perfect again.  Got to Houston right at 9 am.  Didn't have too much trouble getting around Houston.  A small amount of bumper to bumper traffic But it was not bad at all.  Once you get past San Antonio the speed limit goes up to 80 mph (128.7 kph).  I love Texas!!  Didn't quite make it as far as I wanted to today.  Ran out of daylight so I had to stop for the night at a rest area in Iraan, Texas.  Only 537 miles (864 km) today.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Left Quincy, FL a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Had a great day on the road.  No traffic problems at all.  I stopped only twice all day.  Once at the weigh station in Pensacola, FL and the other time was for that stupid required 30 minute break.  That was all.  Stopped for the night, 638 miles (1026.76 km) later, at the Petro truck stop in Beaumont, Texas.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Yesterday morning I drove up to Savannah, Georgia to the TA truck stop.

This morning I went over to the Port and loaded a Caterpillar 980M Wheel Loader that is going out to Eloy, Arizona.

 I couldn't have loaded it any more perfectly.

Left there and drove to the Flying J truck stop in Quincy, Florida.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Monday, November 20, 2017

Be patient, I'm still off on personal time with family and friends. Will be back Sunday, November 26, 2017 after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Drove home this morning.  Will be off work for a few days.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Left a half hour after sunrise this morning.  Drove straight through to Washington, North Carolina and delivered the skidder.  They had no trouble putting the wheels on and I was out of there pretty fast.  Stopped for the night at a very small truck stop in Greenville, NC.  

Monday, November 13, 2017

Went over first thing this morning and loaded a Caterpillar 555D Skidder that is going up to Washington, North Carolina.  He had a very hard time getting the wheels off.  Finally did.

Left there but didn't get very far.  Ran out of hours.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Siloam, Georgia.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Left real early this morning.  Drove the rest of the way down to Georgia.  Stopped for the rest of the day at the Love's truck stop in Hogansville, Georgia.  Load a few miles from here in the morning.