12/19/2009

Sarted the day at 3am and made it over to Corsicanna by 5. Had to step up the trailer I was pulling into glass mode. Having done that I grabbed my new load and headed off toward Richland, Ms. I wasn't going to have enough time in my log to make the entire way so I decided to pull off and do a reset in Greenwood, La. There is a Flying J there and so far it looks just fine. I'll stay here until Sunday evening and take off early enough that by the time I get unloaded I will have a fresh 14 hour clock available. Hopefully they will get me moving early enough to get another load that closes this week. With Thursday being Christmas eve we will just have to wait and see. Here is hoping though.

Have a good weekend

Bookerz out

12/18/2009 Jarrel, TX part 2

It seems that for the last 2 weeks I-35 in one portion of the coutry or another has been my home. Today consisted of a run down to Laredo, Tx and dropping a load of steel.

On my way down there I got a preplan. One to never complain about a preplan, but this one had an additional message. The preplan involved picking a load up in Laredo, Tx and taking it to Richland, Ms. The additional message spoke of a trlr I was picking up in Corsicanna, TX with a trlr number.

On the initial read I was going from Laredo to Richland, Ms with a load and then going to Corsicanna to a as yet undetermined location. I've gotten preplans before, but never two at once. So a quick call to the boss was in order and mustering all the intelligence I have "HUH? What is this telling me?". The email machine was fired up and after just a moment or three an answer was forth coming. I am to proceed to Corsicanna, TX and repower a load to Richland, MS.

With that all cleared up I proceeded to Laredo to get unloaded. On the way in I turn left one street too soon. Fortunately (in this case) it was a dead end and didn't have much traffic. I was able to back up a quarter mile and then turn to the right to get on the right street. Pulled in popoped the brakes and then was told were to go to check in. The guy I checked in with has as much personality as a rock. But I was unloaded and on my way in 20 minutes.

I had planned on fueling in Laredo at the Pilot on the north end of town, but there was a train gumming up the works there with a 1/2 mile of trucks backed up waiting to get in there. So a plan 'B' was needed. There is another Pilot northeast of San Antonio (176 miles away). At that point I would hace put 1100 miles or so on this tank of fuel. Meaning that I had enough fuel to get there but do I want to run the tanks that low and risk sucking up all that grime up into the engine. I don't think so. So a plan 'C' was needed. Grab a mere 50 gals at the Luv's at mm33 and then top off at the Pilot northeast of San Antonio. Plan in place and off I go.

Rest of the day was just a nice drive back upto the rest area I spent the night at yesterday.

Have a nice day

Bookerz out

12/17/2009

Well loading this morning went extremely good. I spoke to an on site representative of our and he explained the process pretty much step-by-step. He also explained how to set up the trailer. And low and behold he was right on all accounts. Pulled in the gate at 6am rolled out of the gate at 6:30. Slid back over to our terminal, pop 4 chains on the load and away I went. Last night I plotted out my journey and todays target was a Flying J 140 miles north of San Antonio, TX. Well the Flying J was full but about 10 miles north there was a fine Texas rest area. As there is grub in the truck and I can make coffee in the truck for in the morning I'm all set.

Plan is to take off early enough to be on the far side of San Antonio, Tx at 6am and in Laredo by 9:30-10 am. Perhaps I'll get back on the board early enough to get a decent load. Only time will tell.

Have a good day

Bookerz out

12/16/2009 -- Two mints in one..

How I forgot to write a missive yesterday is beyond me but here we are.

Quick summary of yesterday:

Got to Dewitt, IA at about 4am and it was COLD! outside. Dropped the trailer I was pulling. The dropping would have went faster but the landing gear was in bad need of greasing. So bad I had to lower the damn thing in low gear. At any rate it was very slow going and did I mention it was cold outside. Grabbed the new load and made it out of there about 5:30. Most of the time the security guards at these places are dry as a bone and they treat you like your an intrusion to their day. Well this one was nice, almost too nice and about talked my ear off. I made it down to Lamar, MO and that just left me only a two hour drive to my first stop.

Alright took off early enough this morning to pull in an hour early at my first stop. It was in the middle of what would normally be considered a residentual area. On the way in I turned left instead of right and almost ended up in a bind thank god I can adjust my passenger to take a look down the right side. Becuase I was about ready to waylay a damn tree in this very tight turn. Anyway backed up a bit and reapproached the turn and made it safely around the corner. Got the two racks for that stop unloaded and proceeded to the Pilot in Springdale, AR to fuel. Went up to Roger, AR got the other eight racks unloaded. Sent in my empty call.

"Head to Fort Smith, AR" was the message I got about 5 minutes later. It is only 90 miles away and we have a terminal there so off I went. Almost as soon as I pulled into the yard there 'BEEP'. Work assignment to pick up steel across the street and head to Laredo, TX another 770 miles with the DH included. It is going to be another banner week, SWEET!

Have a good day

Bookerz out

12/14/2009

Well shortly after 8am got the beep. Proceed to Dewitt, IA. Fired it up and off I went for about 5 miles then for the next 25 miles crawled along 10-20 mph. Gotta love Minneapolis-ST Paul during morning rush with snow fall still being cleared. I'd been better off waiting an hour or 2 and then going, but live and learn.

Rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Except for the 18 wheeler with his cab and part of the trailer hanging off the over pass south of Owatonna. Hope he/she made it and no one was hurt.

About 2 pm got my next work assignment grab a load out of Dewitt and proceed to Springdale, AR for a Thursday am delivery. With that damned headache trying to work its way back I decided to pull up a bit short of Dewitt and make my way there in the am. It is a preloaded trailer so I can pretty much get in there as early as I want and take off with it. Plan to proceed to just north of Joplin, MO Wednesday. That will leave me with a 110 miles for a 9am appointment. Should be doable if the power that be at Dewitt have there ducks all lined up in a row.

Have a good day

Bookerz out

12/13/2009

Today's drive was a breeze. Stop off at Walmart in Bethany, Mo to get some coffee for the coffee maker and a bit of holiday cheer in the form of eggnog. I don't remember the brand, but it was a bit to sweet.

Topped off the tanks in Clear lake, IA and meandered the rest of the way in to Albertville, MN. There is a C-Store there with a bit off truck parking. Got the final fuel results for the quarter and I'll will be receiving a .02 fuel bonus for the shortened quarter. I glad they shortened it because I think in one more week I'll be down to .01 cpm. Especially with spending as much time as I have lately in the great white north.

At 1am Monday morning I headed over to the consignee and attempted to enter the way they want us too. It consists of a left turn with a steep grade. Normally this wouldn't be a problem butttttt, there is a fresh layer of snow and I almost get to the top before the drives loose all hope of going any further. Finally their reciever came out and told me to come in the other way. So I ended up nosing into the building. When I leave I'll have to back out but that will be easier than the blind side back in would have been.

I actually woke up with a headache. The only thing I can figure is I didn't consume enough caffine yesterday. With that thought in mind I brewed a pot of coffee and popped 2 Tylenol. At this point the headache seems to be receding and here's hoping it continues to do so. Not sure what next on the agenda and won't know anything until the load planners get to work about 8am central. So I'll pull out of here and take a nap until the QC dains to give me a beep.

Have a good day

Bookerz out