Monday, June 22, 2020

This morning I went back to the job site very early to get the trailer ready.  On the way in I took some better pictures of the area that was VERY tight getting in.  Where the culvert is, there is a 3 to 4 foot drop off into the running water.  Can't see it because the weeds were all grown up around it.

And here is where they unloaded me.  I backed up in front of the crane, they lifted the thing off, and I pulled out.

Here they are unwrapping their million dollar "Christmas" present.

After I got empty I left and drove up to the home office in Carlisle, PA.  They have a lot of maintenance work to do on my truck.  When I got there I got my company furnished rental car, did more laundry, had dinner, and settled in for the night.  Tomorrow start off for home.

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Left at sunrise this morning.  When I got to the Maryland state line I met my Maryland pilot escort car.  He fell in behind me as we continued on.  Fortunately had no traffic issues going around Washington DC.  At the Virginia state line my escort car dropped off as I continued on.  In the Fredericksburg area had about 10 miles of bumper to bumper traffic.  Then another few miles of bumper to bumper traffic a little north of Richmond.  After that it was smooth sailing down to Wilson, North Carolina.  At the job site a guy came out and met me on the main road.  He said that one of the trucks had arrived and was in there already.  He said that they had a hard time getting him in.  They had made a construction entrance that was curvy and narrow.  They built it for normal construction traffic, not extra long trailers.  On either side of the gravel temporary road it was very soft mud.  

Construction Road

There was one really difficult spot to go through.  It doesn't look very bad in the photo below but trust me, it was.  On a slight curve had to go over a culvert with running water flowing through it.   Directly across it there was a power pole with 2 metal poles around it.  I made it through with 1/4 inch clearance of the load on the left, and less than 6 inches from my right trailer tires going into the culvert.   Quite a "pucker factor" .  

Section with the culvert and power pole

I dropped my trailer in there.  The crane is already set up and the other trailer is in there too.  These units have to be unloaded in a specific order.  Thank God, mine is the first!!!  

Where I dropped my trailer until Monday

Monday morning should be quick to get out.  After dropping my trailer I left and went o the Kenly 95 truck stop until Monday.

Friday, June 19, 2020

Drove the rest of the way to Allentown to load.  When I got there two other trucks had been loaded and they were just finishing up with their tarps. They are going to the same place I am.  While they finished up I stretched out my trailer and got ready.  Then backed in under the crane and they loaded my piece.  I chained it down while they draped my tarp over it.  They tried two other smaller tarps to finish it but they didn't fit at all so they took them back off.  To make a very long story short. Someone from Carlisle drove another big tarp up to me.  When it got there they were busy loading the last truck that was going.  Four total.  They finished tarping his truck then finished mine.  

I left.  That's when things really went wrong.  Because of construction on I-78, Pennsylvania routed me around it on some really unbelievable back roads.  I missed my first turn so I had to find a place to turn around.  Not an easy task in Pennsylvania.  I found a place and got back on my route.  It didn't get better.    Here is the route Pennsylvania sent me on.

I did pretty good until I got to Kempton.

Had to make a hard left curve with a wall along the side of the road going around the curve. 

In order to make the curve without hitting the wall I had to take the truck off the side of the road.  That's when the trailer bottomed out on the hump.  I was stuck blocking the entire road.

I called the State Police, then our shop.  Our shop sent a wrecker.  After a while the State Police arrived.  They were great.  Helped a lot.  They couldn't believe that the State would route me on these roads.  Three of them showed up.  Then the wrecker got there.

Took about a half hour of lifting, moving, and repositioning to get un-stuck.  Had to reposition about four times.  Its not as easy as it looks.  It is very easy to tip the entire thing over doing that.  Have to do it very slow and easy.   Finally got it free.  The cops said that they would escort me on the last leg of this back road adventure. The wrecker stayed with me too.  They knew what was ahead.  We got to the next obstacle.  A left turn directly on to an old narrow bridge with guard rails next to the road all around. 

No way I was going to make that turn.  Remember my trailer is stretched out.  I am 89 feet long.  Made a right turn instead into that open area and made a "U" turn to go the correct direction.

The cops stopped all the traffic and the wrecker positioned himself in case I got stuck again.  Fortunately, I made it without difficulty.  Continued on toward I-78.  The cops did a great job escorting me back out.  It was needed too.  The roads were very narrow and winding.  Once out on I-78 they took off.  I stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Bethel, PA.  Thoroughly exhausted and totally drained, I showered, tried to eat something and fell into bed.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Left early this morning and drove in to Baltimore.  Got there when they opened.  Got unloaded real fast.  Very surprised!!!  Left there and drove back up to Carlisle, PA to the Daily yard.  Had to swap trailers.  Got another one just like the one I had except there is SUPPOSED to be nothing wrong with it.  After all that fun stuff was done I started off toward Allentown, PA where I am loading tomorrow morning.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Manada, PA.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Left at 2 am.  I only had a few hours available today before my 70 hour clock ran out.  I had to stop at a Ritter's convenience store, that has truck parking, in Miloy, PA.  I'll get almost 11 hours back tomorrow so I can deliver.  Until then I think I'll sleep a lot.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

I was wide awake at midnight.  Since it was too early to leave I decided to make good use of the time.  Did 4 loads of laundry.  When it was time to leave, I left.  Drove the rest of the way to the Caterpillar dealer in North Canton, Ohio and delivered the dozer.  My next load was about a half hour away in Hudson, Ohio.  Drove up there and loaded some stuff that is going to Baltimore, Maryland.

Now that it was on, it had to be tarped.

When all that was done, I left.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Barkeyville, Pennsylvania.  Thoroughly exhausted (that's an understatement!) I ate, showered, and fell into bed.  Phone is off.  Leaving very early tomorrow.  Good night.

Monday, June 15, 2020

When my permits came in I left.  My Ohio permit was wrong so they had to re-order it.  Illinois State Police were all over the place stopping big trucks.  I saw at least 10 of them along I-74 in the Champaign area with trucks pulled over.  It is safer for them to screw with big trucks, not much chance of an ANFIFA idiot shooting at them from a big truck.  We are too busy trying to earn an honest living.  That makes us an easy target for them.  My new Ohio permit arrived shortly before I stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in New Paris, Ohio.  Will be going to sleep very early.  Getting an early start in the morning.

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Ten years ago today I started this blog.  I started it to give my family and friends a place to go to keep up with me, where I am, and what I'm doing. Since then I have added readers from over 50 different countries around the world.  I enjoy hearing your comments and like to know exactly where you all are from.   I never expected anything like that to happen.  Thank you.

I left the Flying J as soon as my 10 hours was up.  That was 2 am CDT.  While on the way, I looked at my paperwork for tomorrow's load.  Much to my surprise, The machine was at the Daily yard in Morton, Illinois and not at the Caterpillar plant.  That was a very good thing!!!   I drove there.  I was the only person at the Daily yard.  Loaded a Caterpillar D7R Dozer that is going to North Canton, Ohio.

I was finished at 10:15 this morning.  Settled in for the rest of the day.  I don't have any of my permits yet so I can't leave right away in the morning.

Saturday, June 13, 2020

As soon as my 10 hours was up I was back on the road.  Stopped at a Wal Mart along the way and bought a brace for my elbow.  That helped a lot, but it still hurts a lot. Very uneventful day on the road.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Avoca, Iowa.

Friday, June 12, 2020

We left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  We were making real good time.  Then about 40 miles from Limon, Colorado he had a tire on his trailer blow out.  He was able to limp it all the way to Limon.  We stopped at the TA truck stop there and got a new tire. That took about 2 1/2 hours.  

By this time we were pushed for time to beat the Denver curfew that started at 3 pm.  We left there and made it to Denver.  Then bumper to bumper traffic.  Once we got past that mess we continued to the Vestas plant in Brighton, Colorado.  We checked in at the guard shack and parked in the truck parking lot.  Took off all the chains and straps to be ready for our 7 am unloading appointment tomorrow.  Just as I was starting to settle in for the night they called on the phone and said to go in and unload.  I was overjoyed!!!  They called us both in.  When I got in I was 8th in line to unload.  It went fairly fast.  They used a huge fork lift to unload instead of a crane.  That makes it a whole lot faster.  After I got empty I drove back to the TA truck stop in Commerce City for the night.  Thoroughly exhausted and hurting all over again, all I wanted to do was eat, shower and sleep.   They had 3 restaurants here.  Only Popeye's Chicken was open.  How stupid!!!!  I wasn't eating that crap.  Had to wait 30 minutes to get my shower.  After that, I had Grub Hub bring me food.  OH!!   and while unloading, I smacked my right elbow on something.  I think I may have chipped a bone in there.  Whatever I did, it hurts like the devil!!!  Can't do much with that arm.  Always something.  

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Had no traffic problems going through Fort Worth.  Got lucky!!!  Pretty uneventful day.  Our permit route was a bit weird.  Stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop in Dumas, Texas.  Felt better today, but still stiff and sore.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Went in to the Port of Galveston, which was across the street, at 8 am when they opened.  Was second in line to load.  When it was my turn, loaded a gear box for a wind energy nacelle that is going to the factory in Brighton, Colorado. It is a heavy one.  It was very hot, mid to upper 90s and high humidity.  Not pleasant at all.  I have been running with another driver since Kansas.  We have stayed together.  He helped me load and I helped him load.  Fortunately he had a ladder because we needed it to get the upper chains on.  

When we were finished we were both exhausted!!!!  Left there and drove 289 miles to the TA truck stop in Hillsboro, Texas.  Stopped along the way and scaled.  His was fine.  I was way too heavy on the trailer axles. When we got to the TA made some adjustments.  It took a while but finally got the weight right.  Fortunately we will get to sleep in a little.  Can't go through Fort Worth until 9 am.  After today we both can use the extra rest.  I hurt all over and can hardly move.  My back is so sore.  Feels great to lay down.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

This evening drove down to Galveston and parked just outside the gate to get in to where I load in the morning.

Monday, June 8, 2020

Looks like I'll be loading Wednesday.

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Drove the rest of the way to Houston.  Stopped along the way and got the truck washed.  Boy, did it need it!!! 

Friday, June 5, 2020

At about 1 this afternoon I finally got something to do.  I load next week sometime at the Port in Galveston, Texas.  I left and started that way.  Drove to the Daily terminal in Oklahoma City, OK for the night.  Had Door Dash bring me some dinner when I got there.  

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Much to my surprise I went in to unload this morning.  Followed a nacelle in.  On the way in the roads were not as good as before.  Even though they were dry, they were soft in places.  In two places the nacelle was going up hill and lost traction.  Had to back down and try it again.  At the top of one hill his trailer bottomed out.  He had to raise it up all the way.  Even with it all the way up  he still scraped.  I did not have those problems.  My trailer is shorter and my load was not as heavy.   Behind us was a couple tower sections and three blades.  The first tower section was a base.  His truck got stuck on one of the hills.  His truck couldn't pull he hill.  He had everything blocked behind him.  The driver of the Nacelle in front of me dropped his trailer and went back to get the tower section that was stuck.  He hooked up the the base and pulled it up.  The last hill before getting up to where I was, he lost traction and got stuck.  A road grader was with us and pulled him the rest of the way up.  When he got up to level ground he dropped that trailer and got back under his.  The cranes set up and unloaded the nacelle.  Then they unloaded me.  As I was making my way out to head back to get another one I got an email from Daily in Carlisle saying not to go to Garden City, they were shut down.  He didn't know why.  So I went back to the Sac & Fox Truck Stop where I started from.  Will sit here until I know where I'm to go next.  They are really backed up here.  There are 5 hubs, and quite a few nacelles and blades all over the place waiting.

**I just found out why Garden City was shut down.  Someone backed over someone and killed him.  Lots of investigations going on from City, State, OSHA, etc. **

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Another day of sitting and waiting. 

One of the 2 hubs ahead of me went in today to unload.  One more to go then me. 

Monday, June 1, 2020

Nothing new today.  Nobody moved.  They say it may be a week before they are able to unload us.  The pads at the job site are not ready.  So here I sit.

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Flew home last Monday because I had a very important doctor's appointment to go to.  Then flew back again yesterday.  

This morning I left and drove back up to the Sac & Fox truck stop in Powhattan, Kansas.  I may be here a while, there are already 3 other hubs waiting ahead of me.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Last night had a lot of rain and thunderstorms.  That made the place where I load a big muddy mess. Went over first thing this morning and loaded another hub that is going to the same place as all the others, Goff, KS.  Almost got stuck in the mud a couple times.

Since I'm flying out of here Monday I didn't leave there with it.  Went over to a parking area and dropped the trailer there.  Then went to the Love's truck stop for the weekend.  I'll go back Monday and attach to my trailer before I go to the airport.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Left Salina at 4 am and drove down to the Kenworth dealer in Dodge City.  Was there when they opened.  They took my truck into the shop and fixed the "Check Engine" light.  It was a sensor in the pollution crap in the exhaust.  Left there and went to the Thermo King shop to get my APU fixed.  Much to my surprise he was just finishing up a truck.  Put me in the shop and fixed the APU.  The blower fan was totally shot.  He replaced it and checked out the system.  Could not believe that I got both done today.  That almost never happens!!!!  Left there and drove to a truck stop in Garden City.  I'll go over and load tomorrow morning.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Went in to unload this morning.  Was empty and back on the road at 1:15 CDT.  Heading to the Kenworth dealer in Dodge City to get the "Check Engine" light taken care of.  Stopped for the night at the Petro in Salina.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Drove the rest of the way back to the Sac & Fox.  My home away from home!  There were 2 other hubs already here waiting.  They had been there for four days.  Bad sign!!  I settled in and took a nap.  When I woke up they were gone.  Good sign!!  Hopefully I will go in tomorrow.  There is a lot of other stuff here waiting to go in too.  Only time will tell.  On a different note, my APU A/C fan still doesn't work, so I have to idle the truck.  Today another gremlin popped up - my "Check Engine" light came on.  Hopefully I'll get empty tomorrow so I can get these things fixed before I fly home next week.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Was over to load at 7 am today.  They weren't as busy today as they were the other day.  Didn't take long for them to bring me back to where my hub was sitting waiting.  A little while later they came over and loaded another hub on my trailer.  Fortunately it wasn't very windy this morning.  How exciting!!  Another hub!!!!

Left there in pretty good time.  Drove to the Petro in Salina.  Had to have a mud flap repaired on the trailer.  Shop took me right in and fixed it.  Then I parked for the night.  Wasn't able to beat the Topeka curfew.  The fan on my APU air conditioner quit working tonight.  Have to idle the truck.  It's always something!!!!

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Drove the rest of the way to Garden City this morning.  I'm at the Love's truck stop until tomorrow morning.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Followed 3 blades and a nacelle in to unload this morning.  They unloaded the three blades then brought the nacelle in and me next to him.  

Fortunately it didn't rain last night so the pad was in pretty good shape.  Also they hadn't dug the hole yet either.  Once the two cranes took care of the nacelle, the one spun around and lifted my hub off and I was outta there!  Heading back to Garden City for another one.  Stopped for the night at the Petro in Salina, KS.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Well, we had another thunderstorm last night.  More heavy rain and hail.  

Weather today was perfect!!  Anyway, I still didn't get unloaded today.  Went and did some laundry then Wal Mart and got my prescriptions refilled.  Did get some good news tonight.  He said I will probably be going in tomorrow morning.  Lets hope so. 

Thursday, May 14, 2020

At about 4 am we had a nice little thunderstorm.  Lots of rain and some hail.  The pads were a mess without the rain.  I would imagine that they were a real mess this morning.  I'm sure that slowed things down bringing stuff in to unload.   At 9:30 nothing had moved yet.

But just before 10 they started to bring in stuff.  They brought all the blades and some of the towers in.  But not me.  I went back to bed.  At 4 this afternoon I talked to the guy on the phone.  He said he didn't know when I would get empty.  He still didn't have any pads available for hubs yet.  I went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant up the road a bit and then back to my little corner of the parking lot.   Sooooo here I sit.  Looks like we are gonna get another storm tonight.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

This morning everything that was parked in here last night went in to deliver EXCEPT me.  Heard through the grape vine that another tower section got stuck.  This one, they say, was really bad.  Don't know anything more about that. Tonight this place really filled up.  9 blades, 6 tower sections, and another hub.  Hopefully I will get in tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Didn't sleep well last night.  Went back early to get my trailer.  A little after a half hour before sunrise I left.  Had to get out of Garden City before 7 am. That is when curfew starts.  Did good on the road.  Drove up to the staging area at the Sac & Fox Truck Stop in Powhattan, KS.  When I checked in he told me that I might be here a while, he didn't have a pad for me yet.  There are 2 other hubs here ahead of me.  After a short nap I went to dinner with the drivers that had the other hubs.  One of them said he had just talked to the guy and was optimistic that we would get unloaded tomorrow.  Lets hope so!!  After dinner a quick trip to Wal Mart.  Was getting low on Mt. Dew.    There are 4 blades, a nacelle, a tower, and 3 hubs in here now.  

Monday, May 11, 2020

After I left the lab that drew my blood, I drove down to Garden City.  It was very busy in the yard today.  I waited 2 hours before they brought me back to load.  I was 3rd in line.  Waited another 2 hours before they loaded me.  I helped the other two ahead of me with their tarps and they helped me with mine.  That's why it looks better.  It was very much appreciated.  It was raining a bit and very windy too.  By the time we were all finished it was too late to leave so I dropped my trailer there and drove to the truck stop for the night.  Working with tarps on three trucks took it's toll on my back.  Standing and walking is not pleasant.  

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Didn't do much today.  Drove 93 miles to Hays, KS to a convenience store with truck parking.  Have to have lab work done tomorrow at Quest.  This was the closest place that had a place where I could drop my trailer to get there.  Then I'll head down to Garden City to get another hub.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

They finally came by to unload us late this morning.  After the nacelle was unloaded it was my turn.  I pulled up next to the crane once again to the edge of the hole for the tower substructure.  This is what it looks like before they pour the concrete.

Once empty I drove to the Petro in Salina, KS for the night.

Friday, May 8, 2020

At about 7:45 this morning we were told that one of the members of the unloading crew (there are two crews) has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.   Both crews are on "stand down".

A short time later we were told that they have a crew together to unload us today.  They brought in a tower section and 3 blades to join us in the staging area.

They started off with the tower section.  He started in towards the pad.  His rear steer person apparently didn't do a very good job and put it in the ditch.

They brought in a crane to lift it out.  He was sunk in the mud to the frame.

They got him unstuck then brought in another tower section followed by the 3 blades.  Then it was our turn.  It was 4:30 pm CDT.   I followed the nacelle in to the pad where we were to unload.  And there we sat.  Nobody there to unload us.  At 6 pm found out that we were there for the night.  I dropped my trailer there.  A friend followed me as we went into town for dinner.  The restaurant was finally opened for dine in food.  I had a big steak.  It was delicious!!!!   So good to have real food again.  Then went back, re-connected to my trailer, and settled in for the night.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Drove the rest of the way back to the staging area at the Sac & Fox Truck Stop.  Took a nap.  Got a call saying to follow the nacelle in.  At 2:45 we left and drove to another staging area very close to the delivery site.  We were going to wait there for the night.  I took the tarp off, rolled it up, and put it away.   I dropped my trailer and went into town and picked up dinner.  Returned and hooked back up to my trailer and settled in for the night.   

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Was over to load at 7 am CDT.  I haven't been here for many years.  It really has grown!!  Here is what it looks like from Google Satellite. 

Went in and went over to where my hub was and waited for them to load me.

Once all that was done, I was out of there at noon CDT.  Started back toward Goff, KS.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Salina, KS.  They have good showers here.  Also needed to do a load of laundry.  My back was doing pretty good tonight until I started carrying that laundry around.  Of course I'm parked in the back of the parking lot so its quite a hike to the building. Now it is hurting pretty good.  I'm sure it will feel better in the morning.  Laying down always helps.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Early this morning I went back and hooked up to my trailer and waited.  The had to bring the tower in first - he was blocking the way in.  Once he got in to unload they brought the crane over and I pulled in to unload.  The tower section didn't need the crane.  The trailer he had is one where he can unload himself.  Didn't get stuck today.  The ground was a bit firmer.  

Once again the front of my truck was right at the edge of the hole where the substructure of the tower was.  This is the part you normally don't see.

Once empty I drove down to Garden City, Kansas.  I load there in the morning.  Another hub going back up to Goff.  

Monday, May 4, 2020

Followed a tower section in this morning.  We left at about 7 am CDT.  It takes about an hour to get to the pad from here.  Got to the pad when we got the word that operations were suspended due to lightening in the area.  Not really the best of ideas to be working with a crane when there is lightening all around.  

I hurried up and got the tarp off and everything put away as it was sprinkling. Shortly after that they shut everything down for the day.  I dropped my trailer there and went back to the truck stop.  Try again tomorrow.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning in a thunderstorm.  After a while I drove out of it and eventually it became sunny.  Made it up to the staging area in Powhattan, KS before 10 am CDT.  Still didn't feel very good so I went to sleep.  Woke up mid afternoon and felt better. This evening, after dinner,  I got a call from the guy up here.  I'm going in to unload first thing in the morning.  Excellent!!!!!