In Mississippi, on the way to Louisiana

Last I posted, we were sitting in Wildwood, Fl waiting on a load. Turned out to be quite the wait. We had gotten there on Monday and had to wait until Thursday before we finally got out of there. To top it off, the load we got wasn't that great, but at least it got us out of Florida. It was only 400 miles up to Troy, Alabama. That delivered on Friday which gave us plenty of time to get it there. We drove up to Troy and parked at the Walmart since there weren't any truck stops near our delivery point. We did some shopping to get the truck fully stocked. They had a redbox so we rented a movie called In Time with Justin Timberlake. It was pretty good. One of those movies that kinda messes with your mind. We ate dinner and went to sleep.

Got up early the next morning and headed to the consignee. Made our delivery and drove almost 40 miles to the nearest truckstop. Parked and went back to sleep waiting for the next load. We started getting load offers right away but they were pretty crappy. The first one was too heavy. The second one was a train wreck. There was so much about the load that we didn't like that we wouldn't even make our carrier an offer on it. The third one was too short. Finally, we took the fourth one which again wasn't great, but was better than the prior ones and it was getting late on Friday and we didn't want to spend the weekend without any load at all. This one picked up in Alabama and will deliver in Shreveport on Monday.

Once again, we will be taking our time on the load. 530 loaded miles in 3 days is pretty pathetic. It's nice to be able to take your time and do other things along the way, but you don't make a lot of money that way. Next week should be better now that we have everything with the truck taken care of and we will be up in better freight lanes.

I've got our bookkeeping paperwork all caught up. I also started a new project. This one involves gathering all the information I can find online from other truck drivers and compiling it into one area. The information is for daytrips that are accessible to truck drivers. So many times we are laid over somewhere and would like to do something but not sure what is available in the area and where we could park the truck. The information is out there, but is so scattered that it would be a pain to try and find it when you're in a hurry. So, I'm working on putting it all into one spot so I will have easy access.

I've run across several exciting things to do in Las Vegas. Two involve driving cars. Exotic cars and Nascar type cars. The other involves flying in acrobatic stunt planes. I'm sure John would absolutely love driving some of the cars I saw listed on the websites.

Now that we've been out on the road for over two years and have our own truck, paid for and the repairs caught up, it seems like the job is getting easier and we are to the point where we can start having some fun out here. This is what we've been working toward and the time is finally here!

One other thing that I'm pretty excited about. John has always said that the biggest drawback of this job was the inability for him to get a workout. I've never been much into working out so it hasn't really bothered me so much, but as I'm getting older, I do feel like I need to start doing something to keep from rusting up. I recently found out from a trucking web forum about a fitness chain that has 24/7 access and BEST PART has private showers! This is great because it allows a truck driver to get their workout at any time, and get a shower before getting back into the truck. The shower part is a big deal. There are ways out here on the road to get your workout in, but without access to a shower, who wants to work out and get all sweaty and then get back in the truck? I will definitely be looking into getting us a membership for this fitness center. They have almost 1800 locations throughout the US and your membership allows you entry into all of them.

Busy busy. On the road again!

We ended up getting a load out of Los Indios TX delivering in Michigan. We were a little worried about driving even further south into Texas since we had no confidence in the repair work that was done to the truck. We did some Googling and found that there is an International shop in Pharr TX so we figured in worst case scenario we could go there if the truck gave us problems again. Fortunately the trip went smoothly and we had a nice drive to Michigan. It felt so good to get out of that ridiculous heat. In Michigan we could sleep with the windows open. No need for AC.

After we delivered we got another load right away picking up in Howell Michigan delivering in North Charleston South Carolina. We delivered and got a load picking up about a mile away delivering in Vance Alabama. On the way there we got another load picking up in Toone TN delivering in Bensenville Il. After that we took the day off to get some rest. We were pretty wore out. We did laundry and took showers. Caught up the paperwork. We watched Lebron and the Miami Heat finally win the championship.
Woke up this morning and right away got a load picking up in Goshen In delivering in Aurora Nebraska on Monday. Pays very nicely and we can take our time on it. Now we just need two more good loads to finish out next week and then time off for the holiday!

Off to Alabama..or not

We delivered in Ohio this morning and had our next load within an hour. Nice load picking up in Ohio and going almost 700 miles to Alabama. The pickup was almost deadly for John. The docks were so close together the truck next to us almost ran over him when he was lowering our dolly legs. The other driver said he never saw him. Broad daylight and John wearing a bright yellow shirt. Very scary!

Luckily it turned out okay and I headed out to Alabama. Truck was running great I had the cruise on and was doing about 60 mph. 165 miles into the trip the cruise kicked off, the truck slowed down and finally died, engine light came on. I managed to get onto the shoulder and tried restarting. No luck. Called our carrier. They were going to send a tow truck to take us to the International shop 25 miles away.

 I tried starting it again and this time it started and we made it to the shop. Repair only took half an hour but we had to give our load up since we werent sure how long it would take. Turned out to be an ecm idb fuse harness shorting out. New one and $200 we were good to go but now our sleep schedule is messed up so we are not accepting any loads till in the morning. Time for some gooood sleep!

Our first Ferry Ride

Waiting in line for the ferry 

We left our comfy hotel room on Monday and made a pickup in Maple Grove, Mn. We delivered that load to Lebanon, Ohio and immediately made another pickup in Cleves, Ohio with a delivery in Athens, Tn.

From there, we next picked up in Anniston, Alabama and delivered in Colchester, Vermont. This was not the most pleasant of drives as it involved a LOT of small two lane twisting winding highways. Some drivers prefer those kind of roads for the scenic view, but I'm not one of them. I prefer to stay on interstates and large highways.

After our delivery we found a so called truck stop and headed there to wait for the next load. We went inside to eat and they had some brochures near where we were sitting that happened to catch my eye. I picked up a couple and they were ferry schedules. I took them back to the truck with me and studied them. For some reason, they were interesting to me.

The ferry pulling into the dock

As luck would have it, our next load was picking up in Liverpool, NY. I studied the map and saw that there was a big lake between where we were and where we wanted to go. We could either take the highway down, around and back up the lake, or......we could take the ferry across!

I was pretty excited about it. John was not thrilled at all! He did not like the thought of taking the truck onto a ferry. This was a new experience for both of us. I had read about other drivers having to take their trucks on ferrys to get where they needed to be so I wasn't too worried about it. I had to convince John of the safety though.

Our view out the windshield while on the ferry

I got my brochures back out and figured out which ferry we wanted and took off. John said since it was my idea, I could do the driving. Fine with me! I found the ferry with no problem and we got in line. As luck would have it, we were first in line which meant that we got loaded onto the ferry first. They motioned me forward until I swear I thought we were going to go right off into the water, but we didn't. We now had front row seats to enjoy the view across the lake!

We made it to the other side!

Luckily it was a pretty calm day and there weren't a lot of waves. After John's nerves calmed down, he actually was able to enjoy it also. The ferry took us across to the other side and we drove off and continued on to our next destination. Simple!

Working Hard

Nothing much to really write about. The truck has kept running and thankfully we are building our savings back up.

After the 4th of July that we got to spend at home with friends, we went back into service and immediately got a load. We kept busy the rest of the week. The loads went like this:

Mayport, Fl to Anniston, Al
Rome, Ga to Wapakoneta, Oh
Dayton, Oh to Lansing, Mi
Lake Station, Il to Avon, Mn

Because it is so hot out and our truck isnt equipped with a generator, we decided to get a hotel room for the weekend. We found a nice Red Roof Inn. They allow pets for no additional charge. It really is a nice place. It almost seems like a campground atmosphere here. Some of the guests have grills outside and we were invited to join in with them, but we declined. Sometimes, we are just not very sociable.

A small circle

We got back into the swing of things after a nice long Thanksgiving at home. We picked up in Atlanta and took that load to Ft. Valley, Georgia. Next up was a load picking up in Atlanta, a little deja vu..

We took that one out of Georgia over to Fairfield, Alabama. For some reason, I do like Alabama. It's not as warm as Florida, but it's still a pretty state and the people there seem really friendly.

From there we next picked up in Sylacauga, Alabama. That's a mouthful! That one had to be taken to Auburn Hills, Michigan. Back up north. Brrr. Same day we picked up in Madison Heights, Michigan and headed to Rome, Georgia. 

We stayed busy this week but kind of traveled in a small circle. Doesn't matter. It all pays well no matter where it's going.

Home for Thanksgiving

We did get Sunday off to rest up. After our delivery in Vance, Alabama we were next dispatched to pick up in Anniston, Alabama. From there we were sent to Ft. Stewart, Ga. As it is so close to Thanksgiving, we had a request in to get home for the holidays and our dispatchers did an awesome job making that happen.

From Ft. Stewart they had us pick up a load in Jacksonville, Florida that was delivering in Tampa, Florida. It was a short load, but got us within 90 miles of home. What more could you ask for?

We are so excited to get home for the holidays. This is the first time we've had a job that allows us to be off during holidays and be able to relax and enjoy ourselves. With this job, when we are off, we are off. No phone calls, faxes or worrying about what's going on at work. It's an amazing feeling to be able to do that.

A lot of people wonder how we can tolerate being away from home so much with this job. I guess it works for us because it allows us the freedom to be home when we want or need to be and the freedom to enjoy ourselves when we are here. Going away from home to do our job just makes it feel like a vacation when we come home for hometime.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Trying to stay South

After spending a cold weekend in dreary Michigan we got a load picking up on Monday in Hamtramack, Mi. This one took us to our favorite state, Tallahassee, Florida! More sunshine and palm trees. We were hoping to get to stay a day or so, but freight is busy right now and we immediately got a load picking up in Byron, Ga.

From Georgia, we headed to Marion, Il. Cold, dreary and gray skies. Winter is so depressing in the north. Thankfully we didn't wait there long. We picked up in Clarksville, Tn and headed back to the warm south. All the way to Laredo, Texas. Laredo is a fascinating place. I wouldn't want to live there, but going there for our job is not bad.

After delivery in Laredo we picked up the next day in the same area and headed back up to Vance, Alabama. This load delivers on Saturday so more than likely we will sit until Monday now. At least the weather isn't too bad here.

Making Up For Lost Time

We made our delivery in Kansas City, Mo. Picked up in St. Joseph, Mo and delivered next in Adrian, Mi followed by a pickup in Homer, Mi. That load took us south to Tuscaloosa, Al. From there we picked up in Helena, Ar and delivered next to Miami, Fl. I love Florida! The moment you cross the state lines and enter Florida it just feels like you're going on vacation.

I love the palm trees, the sunshine, the sand, the warm weather, everything about the state! We have never regretted moving here from Indiana.

Since our last load took us to Miami, we decided to take the opportunity to make a quick trip home and check the mail and make sure all is good. We won't stay long since we were down so long with the repairs from the deer hit.

But that's okay, because Thanksgiving is coming up and we will back home soon for the holidays!

Heading Home for the First Time

After our delivery to Winnipeg, we deadheaded back down into the states. We delivered on Friday and had to wait until Tuesday for our next load. This one picked up in Mounds View, Mn and was delivering in Wrightstown, Wi.

I enjoyed the drive through Minnesota and Wisconsin. Very pretty scenery. A lot of references to cheese in Wisconsin. It brought back some good memories of a family vacation that we took with my sister and her family a few years back. We all rented a condo in Wisconsin Dells and had a great time. We went in August and it was already chilly outside. We visited an indoor water park, rode the ducks, John, Shelley and Rob got tattoos and Shelley and Johnny did a tandem skycoaster together. Those two are crazy!

From Wrightstown we headed to Portage, Wi for a pickup, Delivered that one to Morenci, Mi. We highlighted for hometime which at our carrier means that they will look for loads for you that get you closer to home. We are so ready for our visit home after being out here on the road since February!

Dispatch came through for us and we next picked up in Wyandotte, Mi and delivered in Opelika, Alabama. This still left us almost 500 miles from home but it was a Saturday and experience has shown that we wouldn't get any other load offers until Monday at the earliest. We decided to deadhead home and get started on our hometime vacation.

We plan to stay home about two weeks. We have a lot of catching up to do there!