After another weekend off, it was back to work on Monday. We picked up in Pryor, Ok and delivered next day to Goshen, In. Then a pickup in Lima, Oh and a delivery in Green Bay, Wi. The only thing I think about when I hear Green Bay is Brett Favre. Yes, I am a fan!
After that it was a pickup in Green Bay, Wi with a delivery to Somersworth, Nh. Unfortunately, back to the northeast. Only thing worse would be a trip to Canada.
After our deliver we went to a truckstop to rest up, eat and shower. Our truck has an apu on it so when we park we run the apu for heat and air and to keep the batteries charged. It has a voltage monitor that will make it start automatically if the batteries get down to a certain level. We have now learned that if your batteries are bad, they will drop voltage faster than the apu can react and it will not be able to start in time to charge up the batteries. We learned this the hard way by having them go dead and leaving us with no way to start the truck or the apu.
We contacted the owner who wanted us to see if we could find a truck driver in the area who would be willing to jumpstart us. We didn't have any luck with that so we had to call mobile repair service to come out and jump us. The owner looked around for a place nearby to get the batteries changed out. She said she didn't see any so we just have to keep the apu running until we can get the batteries replaced.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Twic Card
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| Dad and John in a game of Cornhole |
Wow, two weeks off with no worries. We never had that in our former jobs. Another benefit to be had from expediting. We camped in a state park with several members of the family.
Other family who live nearby were able to come and visit so it was a nice family reunion. We played a lot of cornhole.
Ate a lot, went for a swim in the river and played many many games of cards. We were all sad when the time came to leave. Hopefully we can do it again next year.
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| Mom and Dad |
When we left there, we drove up to Hammond, Indiana to apply for our Twic Cards. Our carrier has agreed to reimburse us for the cost so we figured why not? It wasn't too bad of a procedure and it's done. It'll take a few weeks to get the cards and then we'll see if anyone really wants to see them or not.
After that it was back to work. It was Crane, Indiana to Ft. Hood, Texas. Austin, Tx to Round Rock, Tx. Brownwood, Tx to Midwest City, Ok.
Nothing exciting, but good money and a weekend off. Love it!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Family Camping Trip
After delivering in Brampton, Ontario we went to a truckstop in Missasauga. How very entertaining! The place doesn't have a lot of room, but it does have a lot of trucks who want to come in and fuel up. They end up stopping out on the road while they're waiting for their turn to come in. Traffic gets backed up and tempers flare. Horns are honking, fingers are waving. Good stuff.
We ended up getting a load picking up nearby and we took it Ithaca, New York. Not sure that I like New York much better than Canada, but at least we can use our phones and internet.
From there, it was a pickup in Archbald, Pa with a delivery in Waterloo, Iowa followed with a pickup in Anoka, Mn and a delivery in Montreal, Quebec. We had a hometime request in for northern Indiana. We have a family camping trip planned so I turned the Quebec load down. Of course, dispatch was desperate for it to be covered so they agreed to pay us for the load and for the deadhead back to Indiana. Grr. Didn't really want to do it. But we did.
Anyway, we are now in Indiana and getting ready to enjoy a much anticipated family vacation! Can't wait because I know we will have a blast. We are taking our truck to the campgrounds and other members of the family will have their campers and tents there.
We ended up getting a load picking up nearby and we took it Ithaca, New York. Not sure that I like New York much better than Canada, but at least we can use our phones and internet.
From there, it was a pickup in Archbald, Pa with a delivery in Waterloo, Iowa followed with a pickup in Anoka, Mn and a delivery in Montreal, Quebec. We had a hometime request in for northern Indiana. We have a family camping trip planned so I turned the Quebec load down. Of course, dispatch was desperate for it to be covered so they agreed to pay us for the load and for the deadhead back to Indiana. Grr. Didn't really want to do it. But we did.
Anyway, we are now in Indiana and getting ready to enjoy a much anticipated family vacation! Can't wait because I know we will have a blast. We are taking our truck to the campgrounds and other members of the family will have their campers and tents there.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
1st 2 Dod loads
We sat the weekend of the July 4th holiday. Not unexpected with this job. We managed to find someone to come out and replace our windshield.
We also got a call from dispatch with our very first government load offer. We accepted it even though I was a nervous wreck. I just knew that I would screw something up. Fortunately, it all worked out and things went fine.
The load picked up in Graham, Ky and we took it to East Camden, Ar. I won't say a lot about the load for obvious reasons, but I will say it wasn't what I expected.
The next load was also a military load. This time picking up in Mcalestor, Ok and delivering in Richmond, Ky. There is a truckstop down the road from the base in Mcalestor. There is also a casino next door to the truckstop. We didn't go in but we might in the future if we get back there.
After having two military loads under our belt now, I feel much better about things. The stress level has gone down considerably.
Next up was a load picking up in Vonore, Tn and going to our favorite place. Brampton, Ontario. Yippee!
We also got a call from dispatch with our very first government load offer. We accepted it even though I was a nervous wreck. I just knew that I would screw something up. Fortunately, it all worked out and things went fine.
The load picked up in Graham, Ky and we took it to East Camden, Ar. I won't say a lot about the load for obvious reasons, but I will say it wasn't what I expected.
The next load was also a military load. This time picking up in Mcalestor, Ok and delivering in Richmond, Ky. There is a truckstop down the road from the base in Mcalestor. There is also a casino next door to the truckstop. We didn't go in but we might in the future if we get back there.
After having two military loads under our belt now, I feel much better about things. The stress level has gone down considerably.
Next up was a load picking up in Vonore, Tn and going to our favorite place. Brampton, Ontario. Yippee!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Happy 4th of July!
We took our time getting back to Fargo. Thank goodness there were no more Alberta loads waiting on us. We had the entire weekend off and didn't get our next load until Tuesday. It was a shortie picking up in Fargo and delivering in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Just one hospital bed. We got to the pickup site and found out that we really needed a liftgate because the place had no dock. The shipper found a piece of metal that they leaned up against the truck and used it as a ramp to wheel the bed up. Those beds are very heavy and have to be treated with kid gloves. If they get scratched, the hospitals won't accept them.
After that, we got a load picking up in Medford, Wi delivering in Milwaukee, Wi. Another shortie but working our way back into the freight zones.
Next, we picked up in Machesney Park, Il and delivered that one to Olive Branch, Ms. From there we picked up in Memphis, Tn and took that one to Morganfield, Ky. Along the way we received notice from our carrier that we finally received our DOD clearances so we are available for government loads now. I have mixed feelings about that. Yes, the money is better, but nervous about all the extra security protocols and communications that are involved with those loads. It's been a while since we had our training so I hope I can remember it all when the time comes.
On an earlier trip in New York, a rock flew up and hit our windshield. It didn't do a lot of damage at the time, but now that it's getting warmer out, the sun seems to be making the crack grow. We are going to have to have the windshield replaced.
After our delivery we went to a truckstop to spend the weekend and another couple in an expediter truck parked next to us. I saw them looking our truck over and made eye contact with the lady. She came over to the truck and I rolled the window down. It turned out that they were friends with the owner of the truck we drive. They recognized it by the decal on the back doors. We talked to them for awhile and it was sad to hear about all the fun they had together and how it all suddenly came to an end with the death of the owners husband. He was only 42 when he had a heart attack. Fortunately, they were at home when it happened. It could have been a lot worse. Especially if he had been driving.
After that, we got a load picking up in Medford, Wi delivering in Milwaukee, Wi. Another shortie but working our way back into the freight zones.
Next, we picked up in Machesney Park, Il and delivered that one to Olive Branch, Ms. From there we picked up in Memphis, Tn and took that one to Morganfield, Ky. Along the way we received notice from our carrier that we finally received our DOD clearances so we are available for government loads now. I have mixed feelings about that. Yes, the money is better, but nervous about all the extra security protocols and communications that are involved with those loads. It's been a while since we had our training so I hope I can remember it all when the time comes.
On an earlier trip in New York, a rock flew up and hit our windshield. It didn't do a lot of damage at the time, but now that it's getting warmer out, the sun seems to be making the crack grow. We are going to have to have the windshield replaced.
After our delivery we went to a truckstop to spend the weekend and another couple in an expediter truck parked next to us. I saw them looking our truck over and made eye contact with the lady. She came over to the truck and I rolled the window down. It turned out that they were friends with the owner of the truck we drive. They recognized it by the decal on the back doors. We talked to them for awhile and it was sad to hear about all the fun they had together and how it all suddenly came to an end with the death of the owners husband. He was only 42 when he had a heart attack. Fortunately, they were at home when it happened. It could have been a lot worse. Especially if he had been driving.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Back to Back Alberta loads
After delivering in New Jersey on a Friday, we sat until Tuesday waiting for the next load. Surprising to sit that long in that area, but okay with us. We needed a break.
Tuesday we headed to Hazelton, Pa for a load going to Auburn, Ga. After that it was a load picking up in Duncan, South Carolina delivering in Columbia, Mo. Pretty routine on all pickups and deliveries.
After that, we again got to go to the dreaded chemical plant in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. It was just as frustrating this time as it was the first time. The load we picked up delivered in Eau Claire, Wi. That made me happy because I love the scenery in that area. As long as it's not winter time anyway.
We made our delivery and found a truck stop to park, shower and eat. After all those things were accomplished, we still didn't have a load so we both laid down to sleep. In the middle of the night, dispatch called with a load offer picking up in Roberts, Wi and delivering in Duffield, Alberta, Canada. Not knowing where that was, I had to pull out the map. I wasn't thrilled with what I saw.
I turned the load down and the negotiations began. Again, another driver had a load going to Canada, but the driver doesn't go there. I really had no interest in going that far out of our freight zone so I kept turning it down and the dispatcher kept after me. Finally, he wore me down and we agreed on an amount. The amount included a return trip to St. Paul, Mn empty. I was shocked that he agreed to it, but apparently the load was paying well enough that they could afford it.
I had to wake John up and tell him where we were going. He was less than thrilled. It was a 1300 mile trip, each way. We got to the swap point and took over the freight. The other driver was in a tractor trailer and the freight was one pallet. What a waste! I guess it's not my problem though. We took off and drove and drove and drove. Made it across the border with no problems. I guess the reason it seemed like such a long trip is that most of it was done in Canada. No cell phone and no internet. Makes for a really boring trip.
We eventually got near our delivery point and I was having trouble figuring out the exact place we needed to go to. I called dispatch and was advised to stop and ask the locals. Great. I went to a truck stop and asked the guy working there and he was no help either. I took back off and drove around in BFE until I spotted the lights of the power plant. I kept working my way closer and closer and we finally got there. Got unloaded and began the long drive back to the US.
We were getting so close to the border and getting excited about being back in the US when dispatch called. Unbelievably they had another load that needed to be picked up from a driver who doesn't do Canada, going back to Alberta. This time the load picked up in Fargo, ND and delivered in Calgary, Alberta. I tried to tell them no, but they kept pressuring me and finally I agreed to do it for the same deal as the first one. The trip had to include return mileage back to St. Paul, Mn. They agreed.
We went to Fargo and stopped off for a shower and a meal before heading over for the swap. We got the freight and once again started the journey. This time was even worse because we were tired and we already knew what the route and all the scenery was going to look like. It was a long boring trip. We got there and it turned out to be a mall that was undergoing renovation so there were no docks and total chaos. Luckily John handled it and got us unloaded. We went to the nearest truckstop and slept for 14 hours straight. After that, we started the drive back to Fargo. We took our time and enjoyed the sights along the way. This time we decided to exit Canada thru Sweetgrass in Montana and then drive across to Fargo. It added some miles to the trip but was worth it to us. On the way down to Sweetgrass we had the Rocky Mountains to our west. This was our first time to ever see them and they were impressive!
Driving through Montana seemed like we had gone back in time to the Old West. I don't think things have changed much there. All in all, it was an enjoyable drive because we took our time and got to see some places that we had only heard about before that.
Hopefully, there are no more Alberta loads waiting on us when we get back!
Tuesday we headed to Hazelton, Pa for a load going to Auburn, Ga. After that it was a load picking up in Duncan, South Carolina delivering in Columbia, Mo. Pretty routine on all pickups and deliveries.
After that, we again got to go to the dreaded chemical plant in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. It was just as frustrating this time as it was the first time. The load we picked up delivered in Eau Claire, Wi. That made me happy because I love the scenery in that area. As long as it's not winter time anyway.
We made our delivery and found a truck stop to park, shower and eat. After all those things were accomplished, we still didn't have a load so we both laid down to sleep. In the middle of the night, dispatch called with a load offer picking up in Roberts, Wi and delivering in Duffield, Alberta, Canada. Not knowing where that was, I had to pull out the map. I wasn't thrilled with what I saw.
I turned the load down and the negotiations began. Again, another driver had a load going to Canada, but the driver doesn't go there. I really had no interest in going that far out of our freight zone so I kept turning it down and the dispatcher kept after me. Finally, he wore me down and we agreed on an amount. The amount included a return trip to St. Paul, Mn empty. I was shocked that he agreed to it, but apparently the load was paying well enough that they could afford it.
I had to wake John up and tell him where we were going. He was less than thrilled. It was a 1300 mile trip, each way. We got to the swap point and took over the freight. The other driver was in a tractor trailer and the freight was one pallet. What a waste! I guess it's not my problem though. We took off and drove and drove and drove. Made it across the border with no problems. I guess the reason it seemed like such a long trip is that most of it was done in Canada. No cell phone and no internet. Makes for a really boring trip.
We eventually got near our delivery point and I was having trouble figuring out the exact place we needed to go to. I called dispatch and was advised to stop and ask the locals. Great. I went to a truck stop and asked the guy working there and he was no help either. I took back off and drove around in BFE until I spotted the lights of the power plant. I kept working my way closer and closer and we finally got there. Got unloaded and began the long drive back to the US.
We were getting so close to the border and getting excited about being back in the US when dispatch called. Unbelievably they had another load that needed to be picked up from a driver who doesn't do Canada, going back to Alberta. This time the load picked up in Fargo, ND and delivered in Calgary, Alberta. I tried to tell them no, but they kept pressuring me and finally I agreed to do it for the same deal as the first one. The trip had to include return mileage back to St. Paul, Mn. They agreed.
We went to Fargo and stopped off for a shower and a meal before heading over for the swap. We got the freight and once again started the journey. This time was even worse because we were tired and we already knew what the route and all the scenery was going to look like. It was a long boring trip. We got there and it turned out to be a mall that was undergoing renovation so there were no docks and total chaos. Luckily John handled it and got us unloaded. We went to the nearest truckstop and slept for 14 hours straight. After that, we started the drive back to Fargo. We took our time and enjoyed the sights along the way. This time we decided to exit Canada thru Sweetgrass in Montana and then drive across to Fargo. It added some miles to the trip but was worth it to us. On the way down to Sweetgrass we had the Rocky Mountains to our west. This was our first time to ever see them and they were impressive!
Driving through Montana seemed like we had gone back in time to the Old West. I don't think things have changed much there. All in all, it was an enjoyable drive because we took our time and got to see some places that we had only heard about before that.
Hopefully, there are no more Alberta loads waiting on us when we get back!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
New Brunswick & Bangor
We made the beautiful drive up to St. John, New Brunswick. I had no idea where this was even at when dispatch called us about the load. I had to get the map out and look it up. I wondered about the possibility of getting another load out of that area, but it was someplace we hadn't been to before and I wanted to see it. So of course, we took it.
The drive was pretty hectic going up through the northeast until we got into Maine, and then traffic died down and the landscape became more and more remote. It was really incredibly beautiful. Along the way, we got a phone call from our carrier who informed us that we needed a permit to go to New Brunswick. She had already taken care of it and was wondering how to get it to us. We have internet service in our truck along with a laptop and a printer. I signed up for efax service so she was able to fax it to us and I printed it out. Technology is great!
We crossed over into Canada with no problems. The scenery got better and better the farther north we went. We eventually made our way to the consignee and had a little bit of a headache getting into the place. It was in a tricky area with a lot of traffic congestion but thanks to the drivers being courteous and stopping to allow us in and out, we made it.
After delivery, we decided to head back to the US. The nearest large city was Bangor, Maine, so that's where we headed. We got there and made our way to a truckstop called Dysart's. I pulled into the fuel lane and was going to get out and fill up. A worker came up to the door and told me that he would take care of it. He also washed my windows. You don't get that kind of service just anywhere!
We got parked and went inside for showers and food. I talked to the cashier a little bit and asked her about my favorite author, Stephen King. I know from reading his books that this is his hometown. She did indeed know him and she knew exactly where he lived. For some reason, I thought it was awesome to be there in his town!
John had to buy a tshirt that read Dysart's and then under that it said Bangor, Maine. In his twisted dirty mind, the Bangor part gives him the giggles. Do men ever really grow up?
The lady who owns the truck we drive had told us we were crazy for taking this load because we could end up sitting a very long time waiting on the next load. At the time, we didn't care because we were again exhausted. We were okay with sitting a few days. Who knew? Maybe if we sat long enough, I could go look up Stephen King?
As usual, it didn't work out that way and we got a load the very next day picking up just a short ways away in Waterville, Maine. We got there and found out we were picking up a load of paper plates. We do expedited freight so paper plates seemed pretty ridiculous to us. Not that it matters moneywise, we got paid our regular rate. We were taking the plates to a Costco distribution center in Monroe Township, New Jersey. Only thing I can figure is that they desperately needed those plates to pay the rate we got.
The drive was pretty hectic going up through the northeast until we got into Maine, and then traffic died down and the landscape became more and more remote. It was really incredibly beautiful. Along the way, we got a phone call from our carrier who informed us that we needed a permit to go to New Brunswick. She had already taken care of it and was wondering how to get it to us. We have internet service in our truck along with a laptop and a printer. I signed up for efax service so she was able to fax it to us and I printed it out. Technology is great!
We crossed over into Canada with no problems. The scenery got better and better the farther north we went. We eventually made our way to the consignee and had a little bit of a headache getting into the place. It was in a tricky area with a lot of traffic congestion but thanks to the drivers being courteous and stopping to allow us in and out, we made it.
After delivery, we decided to head back to the US. The nearest large city was Bangor, Maine, so that's where we headed. We got there and made our way to a truckstop called Dysart's. I pulled into the fuel lane and was going to get out and fill up. A worker came up to the door and told me that he would take care of it. He also washed my windows. You don't get that kind of service just anywhere!
We got parked and went inside for showers and food. I talked to the cashier a little bit and asked her about my favorite author, Stephen King. I know from reading his books that this is his hometown. She did indeed know him and she knew exactly where he lived. For some reason, I thought it was awesome to be there in his town!
John had to buy a tshirt that read Dysart's and then under that it said Bangor, Maine. In his twisted dirty mind, the Bangor part gives him the giggles. Do men ever really grow up?
The lady who owns the truck we drive had told us we were crazy for taking this load because we could end up sitting a very long time waiting on the next load. At the time, we didn't care because we were again exhausted. We were okay with sitting a few days. Who knew? Maybe if we sat long enough, I could go look up Stephen King?
As usual, it didn't work out that way and we got a load the very next day picking up just a short ways away in Waterville, Maine. We got there and found out we were picking up a load of paper plates. We do expedited freight so paper plates seemed pretty ridiculous to us. Not that it matters moneywise, we got paid our regular rate. We were taking the plates to a Costco distribution center in Monroe Township, New Jersey. Only thing I can figure is that they desperately needed those plates to pay the rate we got.
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