Friday Night

Another idiot tries to defy gravity...and loses...

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A Really, Really Sucky Day

Let count of ALL of the things that went wrong today...

First, there were the *ahem* numerous traffic laws I broke. No one seems to have gotten my truck or trailer number and turned me in. No cops have tracked me down. I do consider that a plus.

Second, had a goddammed customer who wanted to make sure we got there early, it is a holiday weekend after all, only to not have the goddammed load not ready.

Third, then said customer (I held off on using "goddammed" again, was getting a little to off course) complained because they wanted us to hurry up and tarp. They wanted to go home. I was just ACHING to tell whomever off the 41st time I heard that. But, it seems no one wanted to get close to me...guess my vibes were a little strong, eh?

Fourthly, hubby had to use their stoopid sling thingy, so he won't fall off of the load. You know, you wear a harness and if you go over the side, it stops you with a snap that will probably break your *&%^(% neck.

Fifthly, my friggin' alarm clock is going off and I don't know how to turn it off. Maybe I'll just take the batteries out.

Yeah, that kinda day...

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Okie Dokie, Christmas Is Over And Life Goes On...

We had a swell Christmas but are now back on the road. I haven't posted too much lately, 'cause, well, I was thinking of other things. Sorry!

But, I'm back now and still have plenty to say, as usual!!

Please come back time and again. I really appreciate all my readers!!

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My Feelings Today

It's been a tough day, alright?? Cut me some slack!

We're Being Paid To Sit, Waiting For The Load

The best of all worlds!!  Being paid to sit on our bum while the customer is paying us to sit tight.

How did this happen, you ask??

Read on!

We picked up a load in MS and hauled tuchie to Vancouver, WA.  We got there yesterday morning, took off the chains (it's a machine), and, then, one of the unloaders noticed the machine didn't have an eye thingy on the underside.  That eye thingy is very important for the safety of the crew when they use it. 

So, the owner was having a thrombo (don't blame him one bit) and we sat, waiting for somethig to happen.  The owner was making call and after call and finally someone from a local shop showed up.  They conversed quite a bit.  It was decided we would move it forward, put the old machine on the skateboard (my trailer), that had the eye thingy, and we'd haul it to the local shop for a swap type deal. 

We got to the shop, unchained, waited for unloading.  I thought it'd be a couple of hours job and we'd reload and go on our merry way.  The shipper wanted the old machine back, in case I didn't make that clear.  Anywho, a guy came by and I asked him how long would it be...

"Oh, two or three days at least."

WHAT??

So, quite a few more calls went on, most notably between us and our office and the customers' broker.

Turns out, we are to wait for the machine to be fixed, then haul it back to MS.  But, the best part is we are being paid to sit here.  Not as much as if we were moving down the road, but, it's still money.  We can get caught up on sleep and do a load or two of laundry. 

I can deal with sitting still but after a while, it will start to weigh on my mind and I won't be happy.  Paycheck or no paycheck.  We'll see how it goes.

If it takes too long, I guess we can get another load somewhere but I'd rather take this one...We shall see, we shall see...

March Of The Mallards!!

Aren't they kyoot!!



I tried to post this before but it wouldn't work. Let's see if this time is a charm.

Anywho, theses duckys' are at the Sapp Bros. truckstop in Sidney, NE. They thought I was an easy mark, y'know, had some food. But I showed them!! Nothing! I have a video of them getting disgusted with me and tottering off! So cute!

Picture Says It All!!

Actually, the giraffe isn't real , but, the first time you see it, you'll think so!  The owner also has a real live camel, but didn't see him this time. 

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I Do Not Get Lost, However, I Do Get Misplaced

Yep, in the past three days, your truly has ended up seriously misplaced. 

The first time was right outside Duluth, MN.  There is highway 53 and I-35 that come together right thar, on the south side.  We loaded our rig and coming out of the plant, got turned around and wnet down Hwy 53. 

Nope, we think, wrong way.  So I had to cross a bridge into WI, swing around under and come back across.  Then started south on I-35.  Only to figger out 10 miles later, it WAS supposed to be 53!

Backtrack the 10 miles to 53, over the Mississippi River, under the bridge and finally on the correct road.

Then today, we were in the ruralist of rural Mississippi and, after loading, thought we could just go "right over here" to get on the main road (as much as main road you could get there).  Once we got closer, it looked like we wouldn't be able to. 

Now, in a lot of these places, you don't want to just keep going, you'd be getting in deeper and deeper!  So, I saw a sawmill and turned in.  Asked directions and yep, I actually was going the right way.  Jus on the other side of the overpass was the turn off.  Great.

So, I made the turn and then hubby started talking about something and I lost focus...and ended up missing the next turn.  Had to go down abit, cut across the median and made my way back.

I gotta say, though, the locals must be used to us truckers going all wacky because when I pulled over or did  cut acroos, they all slowed and waited for me.  Heh...

I'm squared away now, toddling down the road....

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Okaaaayyyy...Called For Directions, Operator Can't Give Them...It Gets Better...Read on...

Yeah...the stoopidity of companies AND their people...

I will load in the morning at a place in northern Minnesota.  So's, my dispatch gives me a number to call and get directions.  Simple enough, I can do that.

I called the number but they don't have a direction line.  Called back and went straight to the operator and asked for directions.  Still, pretty damn simple, you'd think. 

She tells me she'd have to put my call over to shipping, but, shipping has already gone for the day.  I asked HER for directions and she actually said she can't give out directions, only shipping can!  ....and of course, are gone for the day....

Never in all my born days have I had anyone refuse to tell me where they are located!! 

To top it off, the broker, on my previous call, told me to go on to the shippers, be there first thing in the morning.  Yeah, right.  Well, actually, even if I knew where to go, I'm not going to park where there isn't a bathroom nor some place to eat.  But, the absurdity of not giving out directions.  Somehow this strikes me as stoopid, dense, dumb, i don't even have enough words off the top of my head.  A little gobsmacked!!

Chalk this up to the joys of trucking!!

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-13 Degrees!!

It was so cold at the rest area, this morn, I didn't even get out of my warm truck to use the restroom. 

THAT'S how cold it was!!  While driving, I thought I'd have to put my jacket on!  The windows were icing up even though the heat was on them!

THAT is cold!!

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Holtstein Cow, To Be Exact...

She's probably 100 feet tall and who know how wide.  A local dairy foots the bill for this darlin'!

Actually, I think she's sort of cool....  thinking outside of the box!

Mandan, ND

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Montana. Gorgeous, as always.

This state is one huge palette of color! 

Vistas that seem to go on and on, and on some more. 

Blue skies that are perfectly blue.  After all, it is "Big Sky Country".  Sort of a bluer robins' egg blue.

Cloud formations over the mountains that evoke all sorts of shapes, for the artsy minded. 

If I didn't live in OR, I'd live in Montana.  Actually, I like eastern Montana the best.  I love the western lifestyle and the ruggedness that goes hand in hand with it.  Still, you never have to look far to see the beauty of Montana!

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Picture of Shaniko, OR, Didn't Show Up

....or I goofed it up. 

Anayway, let me try this again, to post the pic...hang on...

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An Honest To Goodness Old West Town, Shaniko, OR.

I don't remember all the particulars, but, this town was a real going concern in the middle 1800's.  Cow town deluxe.  Now, there are probably a whopping 100 people who live here, fulltime. 

See the whitish building on the left side of the street/road?  Well, that is an old hotel.  I don't know if it's still up and running but when hubby and I were engaged, we talked to the managers about getting married there. 

Anywho, after looking around, there may be closer to 50 full time residents.  I can truthfully say the winter here is a mutha of winters!!  Nothing to stop the wind and snow!!  Plunging temps but you have to be tough and no whining or complaining!

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The Santa Ana Winds Are Blowing Us All Over The Place

I wish I had gotten a photo last evening, but, the winds were so high in central CA the air was solid dust!  Even though we are flatbed, the wind slapped us around for a good bit. 

I heard this morning the winds are the worst in years plus they got up to 85+ mph!  It was worse in Fonatan and Ontario, CA, which we left yesterday morning.

Wow.  Usually you don't see this types of wind unless you're in West Texas or the mid Plains. 

It was something else, alright!

WhiskeyTangoHelo!!! $4.19!!

This is in Lodi, CA.  Can you believe?? 

How in the blue blazes does that clown in the White House expect trucking to keep going?? 

Honestly, the powers that be NEED to get out of their GD ivory towers and see how real business works. 

It ain't a-gonna work if we truckers get priced right out...or have to raise our rates, which all the customers will complain, just adding to my stress.  I don't "do" customer complaints too well.  So, whenever someone complain, I'm not sympathetic.  However, in this case, I AM sympathetic to the customer.

I'm also worried that maybe, just maybe, my company may feel the need to do without us.  That would be really bad for my  bottomline. 

So, somehow the joker in the WH needs to be voted out and we need a businessman (or woman) to run this country. 

WhiskeyTangoHelo!!! $4.19!!

This is in Lodi, CA.  Can you believe?? 

How in the blue blazes does that clown in the White House expect trucking to keep going?? 

Honestly, the powers that be NEED to get out of their GD ivory towers and see how real business works. 

It ain't a-gonna work if we truckers get priced right out...or have to raise our rates, which all the customers will complain, just adding to my stress.  I don't "do" customer complaints too well.  So, whenever someone complain, I'm not sympathetic.  However, in this case, I AM sympathetic to the customer.

I'm also worried that maybe, just maybe, my company may feel the need to do without us.  That would be really bad for my  bottomline. 

So, somehow the joker in the WH needs to be voted out and we need a businessman (or woman) to run this country.