Monday, February 10, 2025

 The State Police showed up this morning and completed an inspection of my truck.  Then my two new pilot escort cars arrived.  We left. One escort car was in the lead followed by a State Trooper.  I was in the middle followed by my other escort car with the second Trooper bringing up the rear.

We had no problems at all today.  We drove to the Love's truck stop in Bridgeton, Missouri for the night.  The place was very full and finding a place to park was difficult.  Finally did and I settled in for the rest of the day.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

 Blog readers for the past 7 days...

Friday, February 7, 2025

 The permit issues have all been solved.  Monday the Missouri State Police, two of them, will be here at 7 AM CST.  They will do an inspection of my truck and then we will go.  My two new pilot escort cars will be here too.  It will take two days to complete the route in Missouri.  We will be stopping on the north side of St. Louis. Tuesday we will complete the journey.  The only concern is that we are supposed to get between 2 and 10 inches of snow between Tuesday and Thursday.  Hope we can get it up there before the snow starts.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

 We left at sunrise this morning.  Didn't get very far.  Stopped at the Love's truck stop in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  Had to wait for the Missouri route survey and the Missouri Permit.  After waiting for over three hours, the route survey came in.  Still no permit.  I was told that Missouri was behind in their permits because they were having trouble with their computer system.  I found a new truck stop that had just opened up across the Arkansas / Missouri state line in Missouri.  We moved up there.  On the way I was told that Missouri was requiring a police escort BUT they were not going to do it until Tuesday.  Daily was trying to get them to come on Monday, But I doubt that they will.  When I got to the truck stop I parked and settled in for a long wait.  The closest town to here in Arkansas is Paragould, and the closest town in Missouri is Cardwell.

The arrow points to where I'm parked.

The two pilot escort cars that I had left.  They weren't waiting around, and I can't blame them.  So, I'll have to have two new escort cars next week.  

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

 We left at sunrise this morning.  Misty rain and fog all day.  Lots more back roads again.  Stopped at the Road Ranger truck stop in Brinkley, Arkansas for the night.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

 I went over to the Port of Houston this morning and loaded an "Inner Ring for a Mill Grinding Machine".  I have no idea what it is or what it does.  It isn't heavy, just wide.  I am 16 feet 6 inches wide. It is going up to Hannibal, Missouri.

My two pilot car escorts were waiting for me when I left the Port.  One got in front, the other brought up the rear, and off we went.  My permit route had us on a lot of narrow two-lane roads.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Henderson, Texas.  Will be starting at sunrise in the morning.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

 Didn't do too much today, just two loads of wash.  

Blog readers for the past week....

Friday, January 31, 2025

 Last night I left Mercedes, TX at about 9 PM CST.  I drove to the Daily Terminal in Houston, TX.  Will be here for the weekend.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

 Last night I left Hammond, LA at about 9 PM CST.  Drove the rest of the way to Mercedes, Texas, and delivered the wheel loader.  I went to the closest truck stop with very little time left on my clock.  I stopped at the Pilot truck stop in Mercedes, TX.  656 miles today.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

 When my 10 hours were up, I left.  That was about 10:45 PM EST.  It was nice to have a full day on the road without any interruptions, although I did stop and get the truck washed.  Boy! did it need it!!  It was also nice to get back down south where I don't need a jacket or coat.  Drove to the Petro truck stop in Hammond, Louisiana for my next 10 hours.  597 miles today.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

 As soon as my 10 hours were up I left.  That was about 12:30 AM EST.  I was doing good until about 2:55 AM when I ran over some road debris.  

In the process, it broke the muffler to my APU, and then it wedged in tight under my trailer. 

I limped to the next exit, pulled into a small convenience store, and parked there.  Had to get road service to come out to remove it.  The first to arrive was a wrecker that had to lift the trailer up in the air to get the thing out from under the trailer.  It turned out to be a road sign.

Just after the wrecker left, the road service guy arrived and fixed the APU muffler.  Then I was back on the road again.  I'm startin' to think that this trailer is bad luck!  I drove to the Petro truck stop in Knoxville, Tennessee.  My truck was due for an oil change so I had it done when I got there. Only 455 miles today.

Monday, January 27, 2025

 This morning I drove to Harrisburg, PA, and delivered the parts boxes.  Then, I went back to Daily in Carlisle.  The new trailer that I had when I was involved in that bad crash in December was repaired and ready to go.  The shop was holding it there for me. So I swapped back into that trailer.  Glad to get it back.  From there I went to Shippensburg, PA to the Volvo plant and loaded a Volvo L110H Wheel Loader that is going to Mercedes, Texas.  Mercedes is way down near Brownsville at the US/Mexican border.

I left there but didn't go very far.  I was tired and getting a headache, so I stopped at the Flying J truck stop in Winchester, Virginia.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

 When my 10 hours were up, I left.  Drove to the "home office" in Carlisle, Pennsylvania for the rest of the weekend.

Friday, January 24, 2025

 I left early this morning and arrived in East Peoria, Illinois at 7:30 AM CST.  Loaded a real easy load.  A few Caterpillar parts boxes that are going to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Left there and drove to the Love's truck stop in Springfield, Ohio for my 10 hours. 599 miles today.

Thursday, January 23, 2025

 I left at about 2:30 AM CST and drove the rest of the way up to Virginia, Minnesota, and delivered the excavator.  It was a bit chilly this morning.  -12 degrees F.  My next load is tomorrow morning in East Peoria, Illinois.  I started off that way.  After driving 591 miles and running out of hours I stopped at the Petro truck stop in Portage, Wisconsin for the night.  I am very tired!!!

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Wednesday, January 22, 2025

 When my 10 hours were up, I left.  That was about 12:45 AM.  -2 degrees this morning. The best time to go through Chicago is at 2 AM!!!  No traffic at all.  There was some snow between Portage, WI, and Eau Claire, WI.  Other than that a very good day on the road. Drove to Savage, Minnesota, and delivered the dozer blade.  From there I went to the Love's truck stop in Columbus, Minnesota for the night.  642 miles today.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

 I had more problems with my APU last night.  I left at about 12:45 AM and drove to Thermo King in Milbury, Ohio.  Got there before they opened.  When they opened, they took my truck in right away.  They spent all morning working on it.  I left there at about 12:30 PM and drove to the Petro truck stop in Angola, Indiana for my 10 hours.

Monday, January 20, 2025

 Yesterday we got about 6 inches of snow.

Today the roads were plowed and the sun was out.  I had a 9:25 AM loading appointment a couple miles down the road.  I was there at 9 AM.  Finally loaded a Komatsu 138 Excavator that is going to Virginia, Minnesota.  Also loaded a dozer blade that is going to Savage, Minnesota.

I didn't leave there until 12:30 PM.  Left there and drove to the service plaza on I-76 in Summerset, Pennsylvania for my 10 hours.

Saturday, January 18, 2025

 It is the calm before the storm.  We are under a Winter Storm Warning.  They are forecasting that we will get between 3 and 6 inches of snow tomorrow.  They say it will start around 10 AM EST and end by 6 PM.  Then very cold and windy. Glad I'm not going anywhere.

Friday, January 17, 2025

 At 9:30 PM EST last night I left and drove the rest of the way to Carlisle, PA.  It snowed most of the way, but the plows/sanders did a great job keeping the roads clear.  I arrived in Carlisle at about 1 AM and went to sleep.  This morning they took my truck into the shop and fixed (I hope) everything that needed fixing.  My trailer went into the shop a little later on.  Both got fixed and I'm ready to pick up my load Monday morning.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

 I left last night at 11 PM EST and drove the rest of the way to New Albany, Ohio.  Snowed a lot starting south of Columbus, Ohio.  Where I delivered was at another huge data center job site.  This one was for Google.  If you have never seen one of these places, they are massively huge!!!.  After I got unloaded I started toward Carlisle, PA.  Have to get some work done on the truck and trailer.  Stopped at the TA truck stop in Wheeling, West Virginia when I ran out of hours.  587 miles today.   We got about 2 or 3 inches of snow.  The plows did a pretty good job keeping the Interstates clear. Back roads, not so much.  I'm tired.  Good night.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

 As soon as my 10 hours were up, I left.  Drove 622 miles to the Petro truck stop in Kingston Springs, Tennessee for my next 10 hours.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

 This morning I loaded a Caterpillar engine in Seguin, TX that is going to New Albany, Ohio.

I left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Rockwall, Texas for the night.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

 This morning I drove to the TA truck stop in San Antonio, Texas.  Stopped and got the truck washed along the way.  I'll be here until Tuesday.

Blog readers for the past 7 days...

Saturday, January 11, 2025

 I drove the rest of the way to Lubbock, Texas this morning and delivered the wheel loader.  My next load is Tuesday morning in Seguin, Texas.  I started off that way.  Ran out of hours so I stopped at the TA truck stop in Sweetwater, Texas.  642 miles today.  When I got there I did two loads of laundry.

Friday, January 10, 2025

 When my 10 hours were up I left.    I drove 652 Miles today to the Petro truck stop in Shreveport, Louisiana. I'll leave again in 10 hours.  That will be at about 11:30 PM  CST.  Good night.

Thursday, January 9, 2025

 I drove the rest of the way to the Port in Brunswick, Georgia.  The load I was scheduled to get was not available.  SO, instead of doing that I loaded the load I was getting after that one.  I loaded a Caterpillar 938 Wheel Loader that is going to Lubbock, Texas.  It was supposed to be a permit load but I took the bucket off and made the load a legal load - no permits needed!!!  The bucket is what made it an oversized load. Thats great when I can do that!!!!

Left there and drove to the Flying J truck stop in Midway, Florida for my ten hours.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

 I left at sunrise this morning and drove the rest of the way to Garner, North Carolina and delivered the dump truck. From there I headed toward Brunswick, Georgia for my next load.  Stopped at the TA truck stop in Richmond Hill, GA for the night.

Tuesday. January 7, 2025

 I went over to the Port of Jacksonville this morning and loaded a Volvo A30G Articulating Dump Truck that is going up to Garner, North Carolina.

Left there and drove to the Petro truck stop in Florence, South Carolina for the night.  Our truck shop wanted me to have my truck batteries checked so I had that done when I got there.  It took 4 hours!!!  

Monday, January 6, 2025

 Delivered the dump truck first thing this morning.  Then drove back to the Daily terminal in Jacksonville.  I'll go back to the Port of Jacksonville in the morning and load another dump truck.

Saturday, January 4, 2025

 I left at sunrise this morning.  Traffic was still heavy on I-95, but not as bad as yesterday.  I drove the rest of the way to Piedmont, South Carolina and parked in front of where I'll deliver Monday morning.

Friday, January 3, 2025

 Had a great Christmas holiday season celebrating with family and friends but all good things must come to an end.  Back to work this morning.  I drove over to the Port of Jacksonville and loaded a Volve A30G Articulating Dump Truck that is going to Piedmont, South Carolina. 

I left there but didn't get far until I blew an airline on the trailer.  

Tried to fix it but it wouldn't hold.  Had to have road service come out and fix it.  After about two hours, the road service guy came, fixed it, and I was back on the road again.  Traffic was slow n' go and bumper-to-bumper from south of Savannah, GA to where I got off for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Hardeeville, SC for the night.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

 

Thursday, December 26, 2024

 

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

 

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

 

Monday, December 23, 2024

 

Sunday, December 22, 2024

 Last night when my 10 hours were up I left.  That was at about 10 PM EST.  Drove the rest of the way to Jacksonville, Florida.  Will be home for the Holidays.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

 Yesterday afternoon was the Gators last game until September. 😒

I left at midnight last night.  Nice drive today.  629 miles to the TA truck stop in Mariana, Florida for my 10 hours.   Now it is time for three games of the College Football Playoffs.

Friday, December 20, 2024

 I left early this morning and arrived in Grand Prairie, Texas just before they opened.  Once they finished unloading the tank, I left and headed toward Jacksonville, Florida.  Ran out of hours and stopped at the Petro truck stop in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

 It was not a great day today. I left at sunrise this morning and did just fine until mile marker 23 on I-30 in Arkansas. A mile and a half ahead, a very serious crash happened, and traffic was totally stopped.  It had just occurred before I got there.  I couldn't see it.  Radio reports said that 2 semi trucks and 2 cars were involved and the entire westbound lanes were blocked.  A total of 6 cop cars, several fire trucks, and an ambulance went past on the shoulder.  Two helicopters landed and transported several from the scene.  After two and a half hours of sitting there, they finally opened the Interstate.  Unfortunately, that made delivery today impossible.  I continued on to the TA truck stop in Rockwall, Texas for the night. Only 404 miles today.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

 I left at about 12:30 AM EST.  Pretty good day.  Lots of heavy rain in Tennessee.  Drove 668 miles to the TA truck stop in Earle, Arkansas.  Had only 10 minutes left on my clock when I stopped.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

 At 2:30 AM EST, my 10 hours were up and I left.  Drove the rest of the way to Sandusky, Ohio and loaded an empty asphalt tank that is going to Grand Prairie, Texas.

I was ready to go at about 7:30 AM but had to sit there and wait for my permits to come in.  They came in at about 9:15 AM.  I left.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Walton, Kentucky for the night.  495 miles today.

Blog readers for the past 7 days...

Monday, December 16, 2024

 We got a nice little layer of snow yesterday.  Just after lunch, they took my truck into the shop to fix a few minor things.  Then I attached to my next trailer and headed toward Sandusky, Ohio for my next load.  Stopped for my 10 hours at the service plaza in New Stanton, Pennsylvania.

Sunday, December 15, 2024

 I left a little after midnight and drove the rest of the way to Carlisle, PA.  Unloaded the truck, parked it, and parked the trailer.  I was done and in bed just after 5 AM EST.  I did good.  There is weather on the way and I beat it, as I had hoped to do.

Weather radar at 5:20 AM EST...

Saturday, December 14, 2024

 At about 2 AM EST I left and headed toward Carlisle.  No issues on the road today, just the way I like it.  I stopped for 10 hours at the TA truck stop in Ashland, Virginia.  602 miles today. I did 628 yesterday.

Friday, December 13, 2024

 When my 10 hours were up, I left.  That was a little after 1 AM EST.  Drove to Claxton, Georgia, and delivered the rollers.  It took a while to get the dead one off the trailer, but they finally did it.  My next load is at the Daily Terminal in Jacksonville, Florida.  I headed that way.  At mile marker 12 in Georgia, traffic came to a stop because of a wreck ahead.  Took 45 minutes to get to exit 3.  Made my way to the terminal.  A driver had brought his company truck to the terminal and quit.  The truck and trailer needed to go to Carlisle.  I dropped the step deck trailer and hooked up to the other trailer, Loaded the truck on it, and settled in for my 10 hours.  That truck is an automatic transmission.  I didn't know we had any of those.  It was weird to drive, don't like it.  I kept trying to step on the clutch pedal that wasn't there.

I'll get started when my 10 hours are up.

Thursday, December 12, 2024

 This morning I went back to the Port.  Fortunately, the sun was out today!! We, myself and the guys from the Port, tried to get the machine started.  It wouldn't start no matter what they did.  They brought over a big fork lift, picked it up, and sat it down on my trailer.  I secured it and left. Don't ever buy one of these thing.  Apparently, they always have problems with them. Both of them are going to Claxton, Georgia.

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Stony Creek, Virginia for my 10 hours.

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Wednesday, December 11, 2024

 Last night after sleeping for about 5 hours I got up and went back to continue working on my truck.  That was at about 11 PM.  Worked on it until 2 AM and went back to the hotel and slept until 7 AM.  All of that was in the rain. Went back and finished.  It is a new International but the color is horrible!!!!

Got a step deck trailer and left for the Port of Baltimore. I was supposed to load two rollers.  I loaded the first one, no problem. 

Still raining, but now the heavens opened up!!  The second one wouldn't start.  The guys from the Port came over and after an hour of trying to get it to run, they gave up.  It was now quitting time for them.  So I left and went to the TA truck stop in Baltimore.  Told Daily about the problems.  They said to go back in the morning and have them put it on the trailer with a forklift.  After a while at the truck stop my APU, my brand new APU, was not working properly.  The perfect ending to a really crappy day.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

 Went over to the Daily yard and started swapping into my new truck.  Worked on it all day in the rain.  Still not done.  Going back early in the morning to finish it.

Monday, December 9, 2024

 Not a good day today.  Didn't feel very well.  Aches and pains all over.  Stayed in bed most of the day. My replacement truck was ready this afternoon and I'll start moving into it tomorrow.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

 This morning I drove back to West Alexander, PA to get my truck.  I couldn't load the truck until payment was made to the wrecker company.  That took several hours.  Not easy to get someone on a Sunday during hunting season.  But payment was finally made and I loaded the truck on the trailer.  Had a lot of difficulty reattaching the trailer.  It is so old !!  After 45 minutes of struggling with it, I got it and left.  I drove back to Carlisle and unloaded the truck.  Had more difficulty reattaching but it didn't take as long this time.  I parked both trucks, got in my rental car, got dinner, and returned to the hotel.  I'm exhausted!!!  Good night.