Thursday, December 17, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween in South Carolina
Another day, another drive. I started out this morning around 7AM. Woke up at sunrise down in Jacksonville, FL. There were two Geocaches there at the small truck stop, so I found those before taking off.
At 8:00 I hit the road northbound. About an hour later, I had to stop at a T/A in Brunswick, GA to have a D.O.T. Inspection performed on the trailer. Today was the last day for it to be legal. It only took them about 30 minutes and while they were doing that, I went next to the Waffle House for breakfast.
By 10:00 I'm again rolling northbound on I-95.
I stopped at a Pilot in Bowman, SC along I-26 for fuel. After that I turned north on I-77 and arrived in Rock Hill, SC at 3:30 PM. There I parked behind the Michael's craft store where I'll make my delivery at 5:00 AM on Monday.
This afternoon I looked up some Geocaches in the area and found 4 of them. The rest of the time I just played on the Internet and listened to old thriller and suspense shows on the XM Satellite Radio Classics channel.
That's about it for today. See you again tomorrow.
At 8:00 I hit the road northbound. About an hour later, I had to stop at a T/A in Brunswick, GA to have a D.O.T. Inspection performed on the trailer. Today was the last day for it to be legal. It only took them about 30 minutes and while they were doing that, I went next to the Waffle House for breakfast.
By 10:00 I'm again rolling northbound on I-95.
I stopped at a Pilot in Bowman, SC along I-26 for fuel. After that I turned north on I-77 and arrived in Rock Hill, SC at 3:30 PM. There I parked behind the Michael's craft store where I'll make my delivery at 5:00 AM on Monday.
This afternoon I looked up some Geocaches in the area and found 4 of them. The rest of the time I just played on the Internet and listened to old thriller and suspense shows on the XM Satellite Radio Classics channel.
That's about it for today. See you again tomorrow.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Back To Work Again
I'm Back! Hello again everyone. I had a wonderful couple of days off and now sadly it's back to work. I'm already homesick!
Well this is going to be brief today. I drove down to the truck, signed in ready to go back to work this morning at 7AM, and drove back home. The truck is parked about 2 miles from home which is really nice.
I drove the kids to school and made breakfast for my wife and I upon returning. Then we ran out and did a few errands. By the time we finished, we picked up my sons again from school and returned home.
Throughout this whole time I kept checking in either by phone or via the internet to see if I had been assigned a load. It wasn't until about 3PM before I was assigned a load picking up in Jacksonville tonight.
Finally I decided to head out and my wife drove me down to the truck around 5PM. After the pretrip check and all, I was rolling by 6PM and arrived in Jacksonville at 8:45.
I hooked up to the loaded trailer and went just down the street to a small truck stop. The load doesn't deliver in SC until Monday morning, so I got plenty of time to get there!
That's it for now. See ya tomorrow.
Well this is going to be brief today. I drove down to the truck, signed in ready to go back to work this morning at 7AM, and drove back home. The truck is parked about 2 miles from home which is really nice.
I drove the kids to school and made breakfast for my wife and I upon returning. Then we ran out and did a few errands. By the time we finished, we picked up my sons again from school and returned home.
Throughout this whole time I kept checking in either by phone or via the internet to see if I had been assigned a load. It wasn't until about 3PM before I was assigned a load picking up in Jacksonville tonight.
Finally I decided to head out and my wife drove me down to the truck around 5PM. After the pretrip check and all, I was rolling by 6PM and arrived in Jacksonville at 8:45.
I hooked up to the loaded trailer and went just down the street to a small truck stop. The load doesn't deliver in SC until Monday morning, so I got plenty of time to get there!
That's it for now. See ya tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Finally Going Home!
Well I finally made it home! I was awakened at 3:30 AM this morning by the driver who brought me my next load. He had brought it down from NJ and now I'm to take it down to Hollywood, FL.
Since my original delivery appointment was tomorrow morning, I still had plenty of time to deliver. So this morning after hooking up to the loaded trailer, I finished up my blog post from yesterday. Then at 5AM, I get rolling.
I-295 south to I-95 south all the way down non-stop to Ft Pierce, FL. There I stop at the Pilot Travel Center for fuel and breakfast at McDonald's.
By 9:30 AM, I'm rolling again heading south.
When I arrived in Hollywood, I checked in with the customer which is one thing you always want to do. Because instead of waiting until morning to unload, they were able to unload me then. So by Noon, I'm empty and waiting to hear where to go next. Do I get to go home finally?
Well after sitting around and waiting all afternoon, at 5PM they FINALLY send me home empty. Just in time for rush hour traffic. Argggg! But hey, at least I'm going home!
Straight home 225 miles non-stop. Two days off so I'll be seeing you back on Friday. Until then, take care.
Since my original delivery appointment was tomorrow morning, I still had plenty of time to deliver. So this morning after hooking up to the loaded trailer, I finished up my blog post from yesterday. Then at 5AM, I get rolling.
I-295 south to I-95 south all the way down non-stop to Ft Pierce, FL. There I stop at the Pilot Travel Center for fuel and breakfast at McDonald's.
By 9:30 AM, I'm rolling again heading south.
When I arrived in Hollywood, I checked in with the customer which is one thing you always want to do. Because instead of waiting until morning to unload, they were able to unload me then. So by Noon, I'm empty and waiting to hear where to go next. Do I get to go home finally?
Well after sitting around and waiting all afternoon, at 5PM they FINALLY send me home empty. Just in time for rush hour traffic. Argggg! But hey, at least I'm going home!
Straight home 225 miles non-stop. Two days off so I'll be seeing you back on Friday. Until then, take care.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines...
Well not quite in that order, but I did pay a visit to each one of their bases today.
I started out at 6AM this morning in Kings Bay, GA and the Naval Submarine Base. First stop, security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared. Then over to the vehicle inspection bay where they did a full x-ray on the tractor and trailer! Cleared. Drove around a bit and I finally find the right building I'm unloading to. I was hoping to see some subs or something cool. But it was too dark and what I could tell, I wasn't anywhere close.
Next stop, 40 miles south across the Florida border. I arrived at the Blount Island Marine Base around 8:30. First stop, security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared. Then over to the vehicle inspection bay. No x-ray this time, but they did check it over real good. Cleared. Found the building to where I was unloading and a few minutes later, I was rolling again. Nothing worth taking a picture here. Just a lot of green or beige HumVee's.
Next stop was 16 miles away at the Mayport Naval Station. First stop, vehicle inspection bay. Thought I was going to say security off first huh? Nope. Cleared. The I went to the security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared. I had two stops in here. The first was at an Army Depot Supply building. Then a few miles away within the base was another stop to unload a few more pallets. At this 2nd location right across the street were about a dozen ships there in the port. Now that looked pretty cool so I took a few pictures.
After I left there, I circled Jacksonville over to the Jacksonville Naval Complex and Air Force Base. First stop, security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared again. Then over to the vehicle inspection bay. Cleared again. Boy I'm getting tired of this! Good thing it's the last one. I had three different stops in here. There were some pretty cool planes in here, but I wasn't able to get any pictures from my vantage point.
As I exited the base and was waiting for the light on Roosevelt Blvd to turn green, There was a guy standing on the corner with an anti-Obama sign and t-shirt. I then noticed a bunch of other people parked across the street with lawn chairs or standing, most with cameras all looking towards the base. I waved the protester guy over and asked what was going on. He said Obama was getting ready to land there any minute. Well I was already outside security and the light had changed to green. Now I'm NOT an Obama fan, but it would have been cool to get some pics of Air Force One!
By now though, what's most on my mind is food! I haven't eaten a thing all day and it's after 3PM. And I'd like to get a shower. I drive south on I-95 to the truck stops. FULL! No parking was available. So I drive back up into Jacksonville, around the west side I-295 loop, and west on I-10 to Baldwin, FL and the truck stops there. FULL! No parking available.
By now I also got my next load assignment. A relay with another driver in the morning at the Michael's warehouse. So I drive back east on I-10 to just before the I-295 loop in Jacksonville. I park at the Michael's warehouse, drop my trailer, and bobtail 3 miles over to the Holiday Inn. It's 5PM now and they have an excellent buffet and at a reasonable price!
I start with a crisp fresh salad, then sliced ham, stuffed cabbage, beef and peppers, rice, and mashed potatoes. Then a slice of spice cake and pecan pie. I would like to have had 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths on the dessert, but I was already stuffed! SOOOO GOOD!
I picked up 3 Geocaches on the way back to Michael's. Now I sit and wait here until morning. My stomach's plenty full, but still no shower. Maybe it will rain...
See you back tomorrow.
I started out at 6AM this morning in Kings Bay, GA and the Naval Submarine Base. First stop, security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared. Then over to the vehicle inspection bay where they did a full x-ray on the tractor and trailer! Cleared. Drove around a bit and I finally find the right building I'm unloading to. I was hoping to see some subs or something cool. But it was too dark and what I could tell, I wasn't anywhere close.
Next stop, 40 miles south across the Florida border. I arrived at the Blount Island Marine Base around 8:30. First stop, security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared. Then over to the vehicle inspection bay. No x-ray this time, but they did check it over real good. Cleared. Found the building to where I was unloading and a few minutes later, I was rolling again. Nothing worth taking a picture here. Just a lot of green or beige HumVee's.
Next stop was 16 miles away at the Mayport Naval Station. First stop, vehicle inspection bay. Thought I was going to say security off first huh? Nope. Cleared. The I went to the security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared. I had two stops in here. The first was at an Army Depot Supply building. Then a few miles away within the base was another stop to unload a few more pallets. At this 2nd location right across the street were about a dozen ships there in the port. Now that looked pretty cool so I took a few pictures.
After I left there, I circled Jacksonville over to the Jacksonville Naval Complex and Air Force Base. First stop, security office to get a pass and background check. Cleared again. Then over to the vehicle inspection bay. Cleared again. Boy I'm getting tired of this! Good thing it's the last one. I had three different stops in here. There were some pretty cool planes in here, but I wasn't able to get any pictures from my vantage point.
As I exited the base and was waiting for the light on Roosevelt Blvd to turn green, There was a guy standing on the corner with an anti-Obama sign and t-shirt. I then noticed a bunch of other people parked across the street with lawn chairs or standing, most with cameras all looking towards the base. I waved the protester guy over and asked what was going on. He said Obama was getting ready to land there any minute. Well I was already outside security and the light had changed to green. Now I'm NOT an Obama fan, but it would have been cool to get some pics of Air Force One!
By now though, what's most on my mind is food! I haven't eaten a thing all day and it's after 3PM. And I'd like to get a shower. I drive south on I-95 to the truck stops. FULL! No parking was available. So I drive back up into Jacksonville, around the west side I-295 loop, and west on I-10 to Baldwin, FL and the truck stops there. FULL! No parking available.
By now I also got my next load assignment. A relay with another driver in the morning at the Michael's warehouse. So I drive back east on I-10 to just before the I-295 loop in Jacksonville. I park at the Michael's warehouse, drop my trailer, and bobtail 3 miles over to the Holiday Inn. It's 5PM now and they have an excellent buffet and at a reasonable price!
I start with a crisp fresh salad, then sliced ham, stuffed cabbage, beef and peppers, rice, and mashed potatoes. Then a slice of spice cake and pecan pie. I would like to have had 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths on the dessert, but I was already stuffed! SOOOO GOOD!
I picked up 3 Geocaches on the way back to Michael's. Now I sit and wait here until morning. My stomach's plenty full, but still no shower. Maybe it will rain...
See you back tomorrow.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Just When You're About To Have A Good Day...
...something happens to change all that!
I woke up early this morning, about 6:30 AM, because I wanted to get to my stop early in the afternoon. I had barely over 400 miles to drive, so I was expecting maybe around 2PM. I was headed to Kings Bay, GA which is right on the southeast corner along Florida and the Atlantic Ocean. This would have been plenty of time to go for a nice bike ride.
So I headed out of Kenly, NC at 7:15 this morning. Drove for about an hour and a half before making a quick McDonald's stop for breakfast.
Continuing south on I-95 about halfway through South Carolina, another trucker calls me on the CB and tells me that one of my brake chambers is hanging down. A couple miles later, I pull into a rest area to check it out. ARRGGG!! Yep, the mounting studs broke off and it's hanging on by the air lines and the main shaft. Just swell!
I look up in my truck stop guide to see where the nearest T/A to get it fixed. Well I can back track north 20 miles or go south 100 miles. Better play it safe, so I back track to Manning, SC. I pulled into the T/A and see that there is only one other truck in the shop. Great! I can get in and out quickly! NOT!!
The one mechanic there does tires and other lite mechanical stuff. I have to wait for the other mechanic who's out on a road service call. FOUR HOURS LATER, I'm finally done and out of there.
By the time I arrive in Kings Bay, GA, it's 7PM, the sun is setting, and no time to ride my bike and explore the nearby islands. Oh well, it just wasn't meant to be.
After I parked, I go inside the truck stop and had Church's Fried Chicken for dinner. So much for a good afternoon planned.
That's it for today. Tomorrow morning at 6AM, the Naval Sub Base for my delivery! See you back again.
I woke up early this morning, about 6:30 AM, because I wanted to get to my stop early in the afternoon. I had barely over 400 miles to drive, so I was expecting maybe around 2PM. I was headed to Kings Bay, GA which is right on the southeast corner along Florida and the Atlantic Ocean. This would have been plenty of time to go for a nice bike ride.
So I headed out of Kenly, NC at 7:15 this morning. Drove for about an hour and a half before making a quick McDonald's stop for breakfast.
Continuing south on I-95 about halfway through South Carolina, another trucker calls me on the CB and tells me that one of my brake chambers is hanging down. A couple miles later, I pull into a rest area to check it out. ARRGGG!! Yep, the mounting studs broke off and it's hanging on by the air lines and the main shaft. Just swell!
I look up in my truck stop guide to see where the nearest T/A to get it fixed. Well I can back track north 20 miles or go south 100 miles. Better play it safe, so I back track to Manning, SC. I pulled into the T/A and see that there is only one other truck in the shop. Great! I can get in and out quickly! NOT!!
The one mechanic there does tires and other lite mechanical stuff. I have to wait for the other mechanic who's out on a road service call. FOUR HOURS LATER, I'm finally done and out of there.
By the time I arrive in Kings Bay, GA, it's 7PM, the sun is setting, and no time to ride my bike and explore the nearby islands. Oh well, it just wasn't meant to be.
After I parked, I go inside the truck stop and had Church's Fried Chicken for dinner. So much for a good afternoon planned.
That's it for today. Tomorrow morning at 6AM, the Naval Sub Base for my delivery! See you back again.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Rain Rain Go Away!
It's been raining almost the entire day today. I started out this morning at the T/A in Harrisburg, PA. After getting up and in between showers, I decided to go inside and have breakfast there. The buffet wasn't too bad, so that's what I choose.
I still had a few hours yet and the rain has gone yet again. There were two Geocaches in the parking lot so I thought I'd go for them. Couldn't find the first one, but found the second one. On the way back to the truck I noticed a Perkins Restaurant across the street. Arrgggg! I suffered through the T/A restaurant when I could have had better. Oh well.
Got back to the truck and drove 17 miles over to New Cumberland, PA where I'm to pickup at noon. There's a tiny truck stop for me to wait at. It's still just 10:45 AM, so I again look up some caches there. Turns out there were 3 just within 1/4 mile and again a break between showers. So I went for a walk and found all three. YEA!
Finally at 11:45, I drive over to the shipper to get my load and checked in a few minutes later. It still wasn't ready yet, but by 1:00 PM I was loaded and rolling. I-76 west to US15 southbound.
US15 was a new route for me and when I crossed over from Pennsylvania into Maryland there was a welcome center there. The rain had let up again, so I pulled in to look up Geocaches. I was in luck, there were two.
The first was a micro just 400' from where I parked. Just as I found it, the rains came back! I stood under the tree for a minute and then walked about 100' to the nearest picnic table with a roof. OK, so now I'm wet. I then decide to just go for the other one since I'm already wet. I walked to the back of the rest area and found the 2nd cache. Then back to the truck. NOW I'M SOAKED!! So I dry off and change into some dry clothes and once again get rolling.
US15 south to I-270 east towards Washington DC. I take the I-495 beltway south to I-95 south. A quick stop at the Pilot in Richmond, VA for fuel and continue on.
Another hour later and I stop at the McDonald's for dinner in Skipper, VA. Again another hour later and it's parking time in Kenly, NC at 9PM. Sitting here at another T/A and I'm done for the night.
Off and on rain all day, some flooded sections of highway causing traffic delays, but I still managed to find 6 caches! So not all was bad!
That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
I still had a few hours yet and the rain has gone yet again. There were two Geocaches in the parking lot so I thought I'd go for them. Couldn't find the first one, but found the second one. On the way back to the truck I noticed a Perkins Restaurant across the street. Arrgggg! I suffered through the T/A restaurant when I could have had better. Oh well.
Got back to the truck and drove 17 miles over to New Cumberland, PA where I'm to pickup at noon. There's a tiny truck stop for me to wait at. It's still just 10:45 AM, so I again look up some caches there. Turns out there were 3 just within 1/4 mile and again a break between showers. So I went for a walk and found all three. YEA!
Finally at 11:45, I drive over to the shipper to get my load and checked in a few minutes later. It still wasn't ready yet, but by 1:00 PM I was loaded and rolling. I-76 west to US15 southbound.
US15 was a new route for me and when I crossed over from Pennsylvania into Maryland there was a welcome center there. The rain had let up again, so I pulled in to look up Geocaches. I was in luck, there were two.
The first was a micro just 400' from where I parked. Just as I found it, the rains came back! I stood under the tree for a minute and then walked about 100' to the nearest picnic table with a roof. OK, so now I'm wet. I then decide to just go for the other one since I'm already wet. I walked to the back of the rest area and found the 2nd cache. Then back to the truck. NOW I'M SOAKED!! So I dry off and change into some dry clothes and once again get rolling.
US15 south to I-270 east towards Washington DC. I take the I-495 beltway south to I-95 south. A quick stop at the Pilot in Richmond, VA for fuel and continue on.
Another hour later and I stop at the McDonald's for dinner in Skipper, VA. Again another hour later and it's parking time in Kenly, NC at 9PM. Sitting here at another T/A and I'm done for the night.
Off and on rain all day, some flooded sections of highway causing traffic delays, but I still managed to find 6 caches! So not all was bad!
That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
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