Slow Week with Repairs

We delivered on Monday to Mississauga, Ontario. Immediately got a load picking up in Buffalo, Ny that was delivering in Queensbury, Ny. We were having some issues with the truck and the owner wanted us to bring it to her mechanic in Pennsylvania for repairs so that wiped out the rest of our week.

We are staying in a motel while repairs are made. Not sure how long that will take.

Venturing West

We finally made it out west! It only took 8 months but we did it. Boy, is it ever easier driving out here. You can put your cruise on and do just that. Cruise. Listen to the music and relax. It's a nice change.








We took a whopping 5 lb. box from the Kennedy Space Center and drove it 2200 miles to Chandler, Arizona. We got to see sand, cactus and a lot of wide open spaces. It was hot, hot, hot out there. Thank goodness we didn't sit very long because our apu was not keeping us cool in the truck and it would have gotten ugly in there.



We got a load picking up in Nogales, Az. Being still new to this job, we are always surprised when we go somewhere and it's nothing like we think it will be. I didn't realize we were going to a border town for our pickup. It was kind of a scary place. Maybe it's safe there, but it didn't feel like it to me.

80mph? Wow!

While doing our pickup, John had a run in with another driver who is with our same carrier. He was mad because he thought it was taking too long for us to get loaded and he wanted in our dock to get his load. John talked to him and got him calmed down, but that poor guy was really stressed out and I think he needs to go home and take a break!

Our Nogales load took us back to Laredo for a Friday delivery and we got a Saturday pickup in Laredo that will take us back to Canada. Boo!

Back to Work

Enoying ourselves at Cocoa Beach, Fl

We've been off for a while and had a great time at home. We got our new smartphones, now we just have to be smart enough to work them. I think they're going to make our job easier and more enjoyable.






We went back in service and got a load picking up at Kennedy Space Center. This should be interesting!

A visit with our son

We did have a few days wait for the next load after the holiday. But it was a pretty good wait. Our son, Johnny who drives for Conway happened to be coming through the area we were in. He had some extra time on his load so he stopped in at the Petro in Oak Grove, Mo where we were and we all went over to the Waffle House and had a meal together. It was so nice to see him. I wish I could see both my boys more often!

He didn't get to stay too long but it was a good visit. He was showing us his new phone. He got a Droid X. He's been trying to talk me into getting a smartphone but I never felt it was worth the extra $30 a month for the data plan. After seeing what all his new phone can do, I am convinced. Me and John are both going to get new phones as soon as we get home again.

Dispatch called while we were there and offered us a load picking up in Richmond, Ky. I said, do you realize we are in Oak Grove, Mo? Thats a ridiculous amount of deadhead. They knew and they were prepared to pay us to drive the deadhead to get the load. We reached an agreement on the load amount and headed out to Richmond.

We got that load picked up and delivered it in Alexandria, Virginia. I was nervous as a cat. We were hauling explosives and that area over in Alexandria gets really hectic with traffic and I didn't want to get caught up in traffic and forced off on a route I wasn't allowed to be on. But, I made it. Just a little stressed.

Our next pickup was in Newton, Pa and takes us home to Florida. The load delivers in Clearwater which is about 90 miles from home.

Time to relax!

Labor Day

We made our delivery in Kitchener and headed to a nearby truckstop. We initially thought we might get some time off being in that area, but as usual we were wrong. We had a pick up the next day in Belleville, Ontario. This one went to Plymouth, Michigan. That's all right. We like to get paid extra crossing the border with a load on.

We next had a pickup in Chesterfield, Mi with a delivery in Princeton, In. Back in the Hoosier State! Seems like anytime we get in Indiana we can expect a load offer out of Crane. We were right. Next up was Crane, Indiana going to Norfolk, Va. Wow, that is an awesome navy base in Norfolk. We were shocked at the size of those ships. I don't know the proper names for them so I won't even try, but they are huge!

We next picked up in Richmond, Va and delivered in Grand Rapids, Mi followed up with a pickup in Grand Rapids, Mi. This one delivered in Wayne, Mi and had a pickup in Kenton, Ohio. Lots of little loads, but all picking up and delivering direct so we agreed to them. The Kenton load delivered in Kansas City, Kansas on Saturday.

Labor Day is Monday so we figure another long layover over the holiday.

Northeast but finally Laredo

Yet another weekend off. I could get used to this! We had a pickup in Dahlgren, Va on Monday with a same day delivery in Dover, De. Next up was a pickup in Edison,Nj taking us to Laredo, Tx. Finally! Out of the northeast.

We had a nice drive down to Laredo. Traffic is so much better away from the congestion in the northeast. You really notice it when you get away from there.

We delivered on Wednesday in  Laredo and had a pickup next day nearby. This time we had to go back up to the dreaded Canada. Kitchner, Ontario. At least the weather is nice.

Full Circle

Following our usual weekend off, we next picked up in Exeter, Nh. This load took us to Dover, De. It was followed by a load picking up in Baltimore, Md with a delivery in Sterling Heights, Mi. Next was a pickup in Haymarket, Va with a delivery in Trenton, Nj. Notice that we were in Michigan and our next pickup was in Virginia. That is a ridiculous amount of deadhead, but when our carrier needs a load covered, they will pay what it takes to get it done. So we got paid for all the miles to the pickup. I wonder how some companies stay in business doing things like that!

After delivering in New Jersey we went to the truckstop in Bordentown, New Jersey and finally go the batteries replaced. That is a relief! Next we picked up in Carlisle, Pa and delivered in Granby, Ct so we came full circle this week. Back almost to where we started from.