Thursday, September 19, 2019

Still no load so I drove back to Jacksonville, Florida.  Much better there than sitting in a truck stop.  After doing some chores there I took a short trip to see the cargo ship that turned over near Brunswick, Georgia.   The "X" on the map below marks the location of the ship.

As I drove on US-17 over the bridge I could see it very well.  In the photo below it looks farther away than it really is.

I continued on to St. Simons Island and went to the fishing pier.

It is next to the light house.

Here is the view walking to it from the parking lot.  You can't miss it!!!

Here is the view from the fishing pier.  The arrow points to the bridge and location on the bridge I took the first photo from.

It's not every day you see a huge cargo ship laying on it's side like that.  Pretty cool!!!  That is the exact same type ship that transports the stuff I bring to and from the ports.  The ship is the "Golden Ray".  Click on the name for details on the ship.  Here is what it looked like upright.

Internet Photo

Thought you might find that as interesting as I did.  Wanted to share that with you.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Left at sunrise this morning and drove the rest of the way to Pembroke, Georgia and delivered the drill rig. Didn't have another load yet so I went to the TA truck stop in Richmond Hill, GA to wait.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

After breakfast this morning I drove back over to get my trailer.  As I was finishing up readying it to go, my escort car arrived.   Shortly after that we left.

Pretty uneventful trip through Maryland.  Had some minor traffic delays, but nothing bad.  Just before the Maryland / Virginia state line on I-95/495 (Woodrow Wilson Bridge) my escort car dropped off.  Only needed her in Maryland.  When going over the bridge I saw the "Air Force One Experience".  It is a mock up of Air Force One (the airplane that the President flies on).  Haven't seen that before.  Looks weird seeing that there.

Here is a close up...

While driving south on I-95 I went through the very outer bands of Hurricane Humberto.  All it was was some clouds and a few sprinkles of rain.  Big whoop!!

As I was passing through mile marker 95 just north of the Richmond bypass, I saw a silver pick up truck, heading north, veer off the road, go airborne into the median and slam into several trees.   Made a huge boom!  If anyone survived it was a miracle!!  I had both dash cams running at the time.  They caught most of it.  It happens very fast so you may have to watch the videos several times to see it good.

Camera 1

Camera 1 Zoomed In

Camera 2

Camera 2 Zoomed In

That was pretty cool!!!   The rest of the day was uneventful.  Stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Dunn, North Carolina.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Was over at the Port of Baltimore before they opened.  Very busy day at the Port.  Lots of trucks lined up to get in.  Once I got in and through security I was first in line to check in.  Checked in at 8 am when they opened and then went over to the crane to unload.  It took them forever to unload it.  They couldn't figure out how to lift it off.  Didn't know where the lift points were.  When something weighs 65,000 pounds you don't just lift it from anything.  Lift points are built into it.  Anyway, they finally got it off and I went to Pasadena, Maryland to load a CZM Drill.   They didn't know I was coming and weren't ready.  They did, however, get it ready quickly.  Put it up on the trailer.  

Had a rear overhang that was WAY too long.  That wasn't going to work.  Not only that, none of my permits allow rear overhang.  We spent hours trying to make it better. That is the very abbreviated version.  Finally got it better, but still have an overhang.  

Daily was not real happy because they had to re-order all my permits.  Just hope I don't have to move the machine.  Won't know that until I get to a scale.  By now it was too late in the day to go anywhere, plus I don't have my new Maryland permit yet.  I also need an escort car in Maryland.  That won't be here until tomorrow morning.  After securing the machine to the trailer I left it there and drove bobtail over to the TA truck stop in Jessup, MD for the night.  

Sunday, September 15, 2019

It wasn't pretty, but it is a WIN!!

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Left at sunrise this morning.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Baltimore, MD.  Now it's time for FOOTBALL !!!!!!

Friday, September 13, 2019

Left early this morning and timed it just right.  Got to Erie, PA to load right when they opened.  Loaded a crated engine that is going to the Port of Baltimore. Yes, that is one engine in that box.  It is huge!!!

Then it had to be tarped.  Some of you have asked how the tarp gets up there?  This is how...

Here is the finished product.

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Lamar, Pennsylvania for the night.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Yesterday I finally got my truck back from Kenworth with both fuel tanks repaired.   No more leaks!!  This afternoon I started off for Erie, Pennsylvania where I have an 8 am crane appointment to load tomorrow morning.  Feels good to be moving again.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Brookville, PA.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Had my truck back in the Daily truck shop again first thing this morning.  This afternoon I got the "good" news (I'm being very facetious!!) BOTH of my fuel tanks have cracks in them.  The truck has to go to Kenworth to have them replaced.  It will be out of service for about two weeks!!  J-u-s-t great!!!!  Daily set me up with a hotel room and a rental car.   

So I took the truck over to Kenworth and dropped it off.  Enterprise picked me up.  After finishing the paperwork with Enterprise I went to the hotel and checked in.  And here I sit.  Happy, happy, joy joy!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Had my truck in the truck shop first thing this morning.  Unfortunately, they didn't finish it today so I'll have it back in there tomorrow morning. It also has to go to Kenworth for more work.  I was supposed to load in Portsmouth, Virginia (next to Norfolk) tomorrow morning. That's not gonna happen.  Holiday restrictions kick in Friday at noon in most states.  Makes doing anything difficult.  We will see what tomorrow brings.  Thought you would like to see the travel restrictions, so here they are.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Left at 1:30 am and drove to the Daily yard in Carlisle, PA. Once there, did a few things in the office.  Then went to Wal Mart, then did 4 loads of laundry.  After that, did some work on my trailer. Now I'm going to bed.  They are going to do more work on the truck tomorrow morning.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Little bit of a late start this morning then had to stop and wait for about an hour before I got to Connecticut.  Once my permit came in I was back moving again.  Drove to Milford, Massachusetts and delivered the dozer.  Then started towards Carlisle, PA.  Have several things to do at the "home office".  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Willington, CT.  Will be leaving here at 1:30 am.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Last night was a great way to start off the football season with a win over Miami.  They were very sloppy, but at least they won!

Got started at sunrise this morning.  Just before I got to the New York state line I looked at my permit again.  Saw that someone screwed up!  It was valid for weekend travel on Saturday until noon only.  Since it was not valid again until tomorrow, I turned around and went back to that truck stop that I started from.  Another wasted day.  Now I need a new Connecticut permit because it was only valid Saturday and Sunday.  Sooooo stupid!!  

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Another uneventful day on the road.  Stopped for the night at a small truck stop in Greentown, Pennsylvania.

My favorite time of year!!!!!!!!!

7 pm Eastern on ESPN

Friday, August 23, 2019

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Nothing very exciting today.  All back roads through Indiana and Ohio to avoid the toll road.  Seems like it takes forever to get through there that way.  Lots of stop lights that, of course, I got mostly red.  Stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop in Burbank, Ohio.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Went the rest of the way to Rockdale, IL and delivered the excavator.  Then went back to the TA truck stop to wait for my next load.  Fortunately I didn't have to wait long.  Went back down to Creve Coeur, Illinois and loaded a Caterpillar D6 Dozer that is going up to Milford, Massachusetts.  

Left there and drove to the Petro truck stop in Wilmington, Illinois for the night.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Was back at it again at 1:30 am.  I love being able to start that early!!  Scales are closed and minimal traffic.  Drove 663 miles today.   Stopped, with only 4 minutes left on my clock, at the TA truck stop in Morris, Illinois. I'll deliver in the morning not too far from here. But for now, I'm going to sleep!!!!

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Loaded a John Deere 250 Excavator first thing this morning.  It is going to Rockdale, Illinois.

Got out of there in real good time.  No traffic issues today, and that is a very good thing.  Drove to the Petro truck stop in Knoxville, Tennessee. As soon as my ten hours are up I'll be back on the road.  That should be about 1:30 am.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Left a half hour after sunrise this morning and drove the rest of the way to Albany.  Passed a little wreck on the way.

Delivered the dozer.  Next load is tomorrow up in Kernersville, North Carolina.  Drove up there and will spend the night in the parking lot at the John Deere plant there.  Load first thing in the morning.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Left at about 3 am EDT.  Took my stupid 30 minute break at the Tennessee / Georgia state line on I-75 because I was a little bit early getting to Georgia.  Had a couple construction traffic slow downs just south of Atlanta.  One of them was at the end of the runway at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  Having the planes landing right over my head made the traffic slow down much more enjoyable.  Continued to the Pilot truck stop in Vienna, Georgia.  Will be here until Monday morning.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Didn't do much today.  Only had a few hours to work with.  I drove to the Flying J truck stop in Oak Grove, Kentucky.  I'll have more hours tomorrow so I can actually go somewhere.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Left real early again this morning.  Drove to the world famous Iowa 80 truck stop in Walcott, Iowa, had breakfast, and took a nap.  Still didn't have another load. At about 9 am CDT I got my next load.  It was in Creve Couer, Illinois.  I drove over there and loaded a Caterpillar D6 Dozer ( a little one!!! ) that is going to Albany, Georgia.  

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Mt. Vernon, Illinois for the night.  Tomorrow will be a very short day.  I'm bumping up against my 70 hour clock.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Got about two hours sleep yesterday.  Left the TA in Commerce City as soon as my 10 hours was up, that was 11 pm MDT.  Drove through a little thunderstorm that had pea sized hail.  Fortunately my windshield stayed intact.  Drove for a little over four hours then had to stop for a nap.  A little more refreshed, I left again.  Stopped when I ran out of hours, and driving 656 miles, at the Love's truck stop in Clive, Iowa.  Basically that is Des Moines.  Phone is definitely off today.  Good night.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Couldn't start when I wanted to this morning.  Fog had set in and visibility was crummy.  About an hour later the fog had lifted.  I left.  At the Kansas / Colorado state line the fog was back again.  I stopped and waited another hour for it to lift.  Finally able to make it up to Commerce City, Colorado and delivered the excavator.

That's where I left it

Don't have another load yet, and couldn't get hold of my dispatcher so I went over to the TA truck stop in Commerce City to eat and get a shower.  I'll stay here tonight then head toward Iowa.  Hopefully I'll get some better news tomorrow.

Monday, August 12, 2019

Left at 9 am CDT after the Kansas City curfew was over.  Very pleasant and uneventful day on the road.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Colby, Kansas.  I'll deliver tomorrow.

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Had to time it this morning so that I didn't get to Illinois earlier than a half hour before sunrise.  I left at 2 am CDT. No problems at all.  The permit that I didn't get was Kentucky.  I went through Kentucky anyway without seeing any cops and made it to Illinois right at a half hour before sunrise.  In Illinois I watched a guy that was busy playing with his phone hit a bridge.

Other than that, nothing else exciting today.  Stopped for the rest of the day at the Petro truck stop in Oak Grove, Missouri after driving 612 miles.  That is just east of Kansas City. Will sleep in tomorrow.  Can't go into Kansas City until 9 am CDT.

Saturday, August 10, 2019

All my permits, except one, came in late yesterday afternoon.  This morning I left at sunrise.  Had a very uneventful day.  Drove to the Love's truck stop in Baxter, Tennessee for the night.  Going to sleep now so I can leave as soon as my ten hours are up.  Good night.

Two weeks from today!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, August 9, 2019

Left Jacksonville at 1 am and drove straight through to Kernersville, North Carolina.  Wasn't supposed to load until Monday but I got there and was able to load today.  Loaded a Hitachi ZX350LC Excavator that is going to Commerce City, Colorado.  

Because I was early none of my permits had been ordered.  When I was finished loading I waited in the truck parking area for my permit.  

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Yesterday slept all afternoon, woke up and ate dinner, then went back to sleep.  Slept all night.  This morning went into Port Wentworth and delivered the radiators.  

After that drove home to the Jacksonville terminal.  More trailer Gremlins to be fixed again.  Also needed a couple new tires on my truck's lift axle.

My next load is up in Kernersville, North Carolina Monday morning.  I'll leave here tomorrow or Saturday.  Depends on when he gets rid of the Gremlins.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Didn't get as much sleep yesterday as I had hoped for, only a few hours.  Left at midnight.  Nice driving at night. Stopped along the way for a 1 hour nap.  Then stopped for the rest of the day at the Pilot truck stop in Hardeeville, South Carolina.  My delivery appointment is at 9 am tomorrow morning.  Going to go to sleep now, phone's off, good night.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Went the rest of the way to Lafayette, Indiana this morning and was a  little early for my 7:30 am loading appointment.  Loaded a couple Caterpillar Radiators that are going to Port Wentworth, Georgia.  Easiest load I have had in a long time!!  Legal load too!!

Left there and drove down to a small truck stop in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky.  Going straight to bed.  Getting started very early in the morning. Actually in the middle of the night.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Checked out of the hotel this morning.  Finally got another load, although it is not much of a load.  It is over in Lafayette, Indiana.  So I drove over to a truck stop in Lebanon, Indiana for the night.