Christopher Potts: Trucker Log

Trucker Blog - My Life On the Road Driving the Big Rigs!

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 00:25:16 GMT

Greetings,

The links below will guide you in reading about my experiences as an OTR (Over The Road) truck driver. I've kept a semi-daily journal about my experiences for just over 1-year. Many individuals considering a career (or career-change) in the trucking industry (as well as current drivers) have benefited from my postings on the trucking industry. So, grab a beverage and a snack and click the links below.

Truck driver training

On the road with my first trucking company employer

On the road with my second trucking company employer (I'm still currently driving for them)

Enjoy!

- Chris
http://www.itrucker.net/

P.S. I presently won't be adding new postings (in case you're wondering). I've gotten busy with another web site / blog project regarding mega trends in the marketplace. That won't be ready to be unveiled for a while. Stay tuned....

Another Driver from the Old Company

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 18:57:13 GMT

After getting up shortly after midnight, I picked up a trailer at the warehouse and swapped it for an empty trailer at a delivery location in the Milwaukee, WI area.

Then I headed back for the warehouse and swapped that trailer for another one bound for 3-stops in the greater Chicago, IL area.

Everything went well. I met another new driver starting with the company today and he came from the trucking firm I used to be employed with. It was good catching up a bit with him as well as his one-day trainer, Mr. D. (The guy who also trained me when I started with this company) Mr. D. commented on the fact that we both still had good things to say about the other company. After eating a couple of homemade cookies baked by Ms. L in the office, I headed home and was there by early afternoon.

Tomorrow I'll be heading for the Minneapolis, MN area in the morning and arriving back at home (if all goes well) in the early evening hours.

miles driven = 324

miles driven last Friday = 404

miles driven last week = 2,632

average miles driven over the last 5-consecutive weeks = 2,479

PostScript: Well, it is evident that the company won't be able to give me an average of 2,600 - 2,800 miles-per-week for the remainder of the year in order to make up shortfall of miles they promised me (2,300 - 2,500 miles-per-week with most weekends off). Admittedly, they will come close. I am now averaging (over the last 5-weeks) under 2,600 miles-per-week but I'm working 6-days-per-week.

So, if I compare the first 23-weeks of my employment with this company, I averaged 400-miles-per-day (2,000 miles/week) over a 5-day work week (I did have a few 6-day work weeks). In the last 5-weeks, I've averaged 413 miles-per-day (2,480 miles/week) working 6-days-per-week. So, in the end, although I am seeing a better paycheck each week, I won't make the 2,300 - 2,500 average weekly miles for the 1st year that the company promised me. And I'm working 6-days-a-week. Hmm...looks like it's time to have a friendly chat with the boss.

Cutting It Close

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 02:24:32 GMT

This morning I arrived at my destination in the Chicago, IL right on time. During the course of the unload, I learned that I could have delivered the load 3-hours earlier if I had wanted to. They sure wish I had since they had requested a few days ago. Oh well...when communication, when it works, is great!

Back at the warehouse, I picked up a load heading for Minneapolis, MN. Due to a mix-up, I almost decided to get up very early tomorrow morning and make the 3-deliveries. However, things got straightened out and I left towards Minneapolis this afternoon. I'm glad I waited. If I hadn't, I would have arrived back in Milwaukee, WI on Saturday instead of tomorrow (Friday).

The ride up was beautiful. The day started out cloudy but then turned totally sunny without a cloud in the sky.

I ended up arriving at a truck stop right when my 11-hours of driving expired as well as my 14-hour clock expired since I started the day. Talk about cutting it close!

Katrina's aftermath continues to be deadly. People are dying because they can't get out of areas in the coastal gulf region--especially hospitals and nursing homes. May God continue to give energy to all the copter pilots, boat navigators, and everyone who continues the rescue and relief efforts.

The kids started their first day back at school today. My daughter had a great day at school. My son's day was, in his words, boring (I think he had fun as well).

Oh yeah, I saw the red fox again at the warehouse this morning. I couldn't believe it--he was slinking around at 6:00 AM in the morning. I turned my head for a moment to look at something else and when I turned my head back again, I couldn't find him. He just seemed to blend into the asphalt jungle.

Well, the Packers are losing against the Tennessee Titans in the last pre-season game (currently it's 17 to 14). At least the score isn't as bad as it has been in previous losses! Who knows, maybe the 2nd/3rd string could pull a win out!

Tomorrow, I should be home for a late supper.

miles driven = 611

PostScript: Packers win! Packers win! I can't wait for the regular season to start!

Gulf Coast Reeling

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 21:32:07 GMT

This morning I found out that the trailer whose 2-deliveries I had was late in getting out of the gate at the warehouse yesterday. It was supposed to be finished by 10:00 AM and instead I hooked onto it at 3:00 PM. Consequently, it's not our company's fault (nor any driver's fault) if an appointment is missed due to the trailer not being loaded in time.

My second stop wasn't too appreciative of the late appointment in spite of the fact it wasn't my fault for being late. In fact, I barely beat another truck to the dock--otherwise I would have waited for him to be finished unloading before I could back in.

Aside from all that, it was a great day for driving--sunny and warm.

Katrina's damage is just beginning to be assessed. Hundreds are feared dead (if not thousands). I will watch the news tonight...and be awestruck at what I see.

God grant the truckers, emergency personnel, and everyone else going in the damaged areas safe passage.

miles driven = 370

Worst Storm Ever

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 15:26:00 GMT

In picking up my paperwork for my Chicago, IL run this morning, I found out that the appointment was for 12:00 noon instead of 8:30 AM. I had mistakenly read the information wrong yesterday when I accepted the load and assumed that today's date was the appointment time for today. Sigh. So here I sit for a few hours in Chicago waiting until the receiver is ready enough to take me.

Later, they do take me early (cool!) and then I'm on my way back to the warehouse in Milwaukee, WI. There, I wait for almost an hour before hooking unto a trailer bound for Mankato, MN.

I saw the start of a beautiful sunset as I approached the La Crosse, WI area and beyond. Sunset and dusk occurred as I passed through Rochester, MN.

Katrina will be recorded as the worst storm ever. May rescuers be quick to find survivors before it's too late. May authorities be given wisdom on how to begin the ongoing clean-up operation.

When I started with another trucking company one year ago, one of the places I delivered to was in Gulf Port, MS. I delivered to a warehouse right on the ocean front. Needless to say, although I haven't see pictures of that area yet, there isn't anything remaining of that warehouse. That's sobering.

miles driven = 585

Katrina's Fury

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 21:12:40 GMT

Today's drive through Upper Michigan and Wisconsin was enjoyable--plenty of sunshine.

Mississippi and Louisiana, on the other hand....Katrina has really hit those coastal areas as well as inland very hard. My company informed all drivers over the QualCOMM to fuel up today instead of tomorrow due to an expected overnight jump in fuel prices. Call me naive, but if fuel prices jump--say .10 to .20--that is price gouging gone wild. There is no way that one hurricane is going to slow the flow of fuel throughout the country. The experts say that it will disrupt coastal refineries down where Katrina hit. OK--is all America's fuel refined in those areas? Heck no. Something, in my humble opinion, smells fishy if fuel prices spike over the next few days. We'll see.

I either saw a wolf or a dog that looked like a wolf cross the road about 75-yards in front of the truck this morning. The way it ran and slinked across the road told me that it could have been a wolf. However, I thought wolves stayed as far away from people and civilization as possible.

Tomorrow morning I'll be headed toward Chicago, IL and then, presumably, back up to the UP.

miles driven = 366

PostSript: 8-10% of the refineries in the gulf region are damaged/disabled. Consequently, the price of fuel--in theory--shouldn't jump more than 8-10% of what it was a 1-week ago. So, I guess a .20-.30 rise in the cost of fuel is about right.

Katrina and the Fruit Fly

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 00:13:38 GMT

Another great drive up to the UP--just a beautiful day.

It's somewhat unbelievable that Hurricane Katrina became a Category-4 hurricane as quickly as it did. After soaking southern Florida, it will wreak havoc on the coast near New Orleans, LA. So, as the sun is setting in picture perfect weather in Marquette, MI, New Orleans and other cities along the coast are bracing for the 100-MPH winds that will precede the main event of winds around 175-MPH. Yikes.

I watching a few seagulls in the parking lot. They are walking in front of the truck about 50-yards away. I think they think I will leave them some food. They are mistaken. Another 50-yards on the side of the truck, a deer grazes in a field as the cricket or two chirps loudly. And the fruit fly makes another fly-by in the truck cab. I have no idea how a fruit fly made it into the truck. I don't carry any fruit in the truck! And it better not have flew off the McDonald's salad I ate either! At any rate, Mr. Fruit Fly will be no more...soon.

Tomorrow I make 3-stops in Michigan and one in Wisconsin before heading home.

miles driven = 296

PostScript: Katrina actually became a Category5- hurricane before quieting down to a Cat-4.

Trucker Appreciation Week

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:03:36 GMT

Today's drive to Chicago, IL was pleasant--no major traffic snarls along the way.

After unloading, I retraced my route back to Milwaukee, WI.

Back at the warehouse, I enjoyed the snacks that my company put out for the drivers (yesterday and today) for driver appreciation week. I'm not sure the general public knew much about Trucker Appreciation week, but we truckers did. I got a kick out of listening to the CB-radio this week. When a driver politely...ahem...told another driver about his driving skills, other truckers were quick to jump in and remind the encouraging driver...ahem...that it was Trucker Appreciation Week and we should all be nice to one another. That's when the conversation really started to get...er...interesting. Grin.

For the week, my mileage wasn't that great. After next week, I'll be having another pow-wow with my boss about the mileage situation.

miles driven = 224

miles driven for the week = 2,098

It Ain't Rocket Science.

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 21:46:24 GMT

Aside from being late to the 2nd stop of today's deliveries, things went well. This is due in part for me getting a late start yesterday in getting up to Minnesota (and yes, I again had to do some fuzzy logging in order for everyone--my company, the company I deliver for, and the DOT--to be somewhat satisfied).

What I don't understand is how my company and the company they deliver for cannot do a better job at getting trailers loaded in time so that the drivers can be on their way in time so that appointment times are not missed. For example: let's say that an appointment time is for 5:00 AM tomorrow morning. It takes roughly 7-hours (includes drive time, fuel time, tire checks, and lunch/dinner break). In order for the driver to be ready to go tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM, he/she needs to be parked by 7:00 PM tonight (10-hour break). Therefore, at the latest, he/she needs to be on the road today by 12:00 noon. How hard is that to implement?? For whatever reason, it seems to be next to impossible with the current processes in place. As a result, more headaches are created than solved. In my experience as a corporate manager, I was paid in part to solve headaches--make them go away. I for the life of me do not understand why the managers of both companies cannot resolve an issue like the described example.

Sorry to rant/rave a bit, but this issue of trailers not being available for drivers to leave on time to their destinations is starting to bug me more than it should. It's such a no-brainer fixable challenge!

Tomorrow morning I'll be heading down to Chicago, IL for a morning delivery.

miles driven = 372

Pedestrian Hazards

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 02:47:12 GMT

Today's morning run to Niles, IL went well. The receivers and I noticed that the bill-of-lading (BOL) listed less than was on the truck. As a result, it took longer than normal to unload the truck. On a dedicated account like the one I'm on, it's not a big deal that more is on the truck than what is supposed to be. Still--I wonder if my company is being short-changed the cost of shipping the extra weight. Hmm...I figure that someone knows what's going on--I'm sure not going to be concerned with it.

It was a clear and cloudless sky in Chicago--you don't get many of those!

Back at the warehouse, my trailer to tomorrow's stops in Minnesota was not yet ready. 4-hours and 15-minutes later, it was ready.

The ride up to Minnesota was uneventful except for the van stopped on the shoulder on the other side of the Interstate somewhere between Madison and Mauston, WI. Truckers were commenting on the CB-radio that the passengers of the van were changing the driver-side rear tire and some of them were literally straddling the white-line marking the start of the shoulder. Sure enough, when I got to where they were, there were 2-women not at all concerned that they were causing a hazard to approaching traffic as their bodies indeed were invading the passenger lane. Unbelievable.

I arrived at my 1st stop with 15-minutes available in my day (too close for my comfort). Even so, my 2nd stop will be late tomorrow (I'll unload at my 1st stop and then wait for my 10-hour break to expire so that I can drive to my 2nd stop). It beats the snot-out-of-me why certain trailers can't be loaded earlier in the day to prevent missing appointment times.

I should be back in time for supper tomorrow evening at home with the family.

miles driven = 519

One of Those Days

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 22:13:13 GMT

Today's journey started out well. Along the way, things began to unravel.

I arrived at my 1st stop early. However, I did not begin to be unloaded until after my appointment time due to various delays. During the unload, a piece of equipment (step stool) I use regularly in unloading trailers broke. Fortunately, I did not take a nose dive onto the floor when it did give way. Nevertheless, after yesterday's harrowing dock experience, I was pleased that I was in one piece when the equipment gave way.

Unfortunately, the unload took 45-minutes longer than anticipated. Consequently, there was a good chance that I'd be late to my 2nd and final stop of the day. I may have made it if not for the wonderful signs that Chicago puts on their Interstate system. Upon leaving my 1st stop and making my way towards the 2nd stop, I almost missed the I-294 southbound ramp from Cicero Avenue (south of Midway Airport). There is one sign post and that's it (turn left up ahead). Then there's no signpost indicating you're supposed to turn right onto the entrance ramp. Fortunately, my guess proved accurate (along with following a tour bus).

My next snafu came while attempting to go west on I-80 from I-294 (south). In going through the last toll on I-294, one needs to stay in the manual toll booth lanes rather than going through the i-pass express toll lanes. Why? Because if you go through the express lanes, there is no way to make the exit onto I-80 west. Therefore, I had to go towards Indiana on I-80 east, turn around, and then go through another toll booth in order to go on I-80 west. And there's a ton of construction (literally) going on that area. So, 45-minutes later, I finally was on my way out of the construction zone and heading towards my next exit (I-57 south). In a quasi-humorous way, I had heard on a Chicago radio station complaining this morning about the Interstate system not being as clearly marked as perhaps it could be. I can certainly drink to that.

My 2nd stop wasn't too miffed at my being late but they did express their disappointment. I borrowed a step-stool apparatus they had to unload the truck. After that, things went fairly smoothly. I decided to avoid as many tolls on the way back since I had incurred an extra one (even though it really wasn't my fault) going to my 2nd stop. However, even in early afternoon, traffic was backed-up in downtown Chicago causing further delay in getting back to the warehouse.

As a result of the day's delays, I was unable to take my assigned preplan for tomorrow (The Marquette, MI run). So, I have another early morning run to Chicago, IL.

The good thing is that I received a brand new step-stool ladder after returning to the warehouse. After a day like today, getting a new piece of equipment on the spot was much appreciated.

miles driven = 319

Convoy of Cows

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:05:40 GMT

I slept last evening with the truck not idling and did I conk (slept good). The skies over Marquette, MI were overcast and finishing up their spittin' and sprayin' in time to enjoy a patchy sunrise after my 1st stop.

I almost did a header on my 1st stop. Even though there's a dock light, it gets dark in certain areas. The light shines into the trailer, but doesn't light up adequately other areas such as the area between the truck and the dock. In moving the portable dock plate from one side of the dock and trailer to the other side, I stepped into a black hole (no foothold between the truck and dock). I did a couple of wild gyrations and managed to keep my balance. One of the receiver gals was about ready to start grabbing for me but thought (and said) she might grab something...er...inappropriate. So she decided otherwise. In grabbing the dock plate with my left hand to steady myself, I managed to sprain my left ring finger. It swelled up a little bit but will be OK. Other than that (and my pride being bruised a bit), I'm glad nothing worse happened.

The rest of the stops went well. Heading home, I saw a herd of cows playing follow-the-leader as they headed for the barn near Sheboygan, WI. The line must have been nearly 200-yards long! It was kind of humorous watching them marching towards their meal ticket.

Tomorrow I'm making 2-stops in the Chicago, IL area.

Tonight I get to celebrate with my son and his 7th birthday!

miles driven = 366

H-U-G-E Flag

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 23:51:35 GMT

Last Friday's return from Minneapolis, MN to Milwaukee, WI went fine.

One thing I learned was to eat a frosty (Wendy's chocolate ice-cream treat) ASAP. I made the mistake of setting it down and a bit later discovered it had tipped over and spilled into my crate-container (Frozen chocolate on a warm day melts rather quickly!). I really enjoyed cleaning that mess up. Not!

Today, was a beautiful drive up the UP. Along the way in Kohler, WI, there is a H-U-G-E American flag erected by the Acuity Insurance company (Headquarters) right off of I-43. You don't know how big that flag and flag pole is until you're right beside it. You can see it a couple of miles away. Today the wind was arranging the Stars and Stripes in a magnificent wavy pattern. God bless America!

On the way up, I stopped at a McDonalds and grabbed a chef salad to eat later on in Marquette, MI. Those aren't bad!

Tomorrow, I'll deliver 4-stops and be home for supper--to celebrate my son's 7th birthday! Last evening and today they both had fevers and were not feeling good at all. Hopefully, they'll both be feeling great tomorrow. Come to think of it, hopefully I will be feeling great tomorrow as well!

miles driven today = 298

miles driven last Friday = 345
miles driven last week = 2,447

Stream Crossing Ahead

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 01:10:20 GMT

As I pulled into the warehouse lot this morning, a red fox was there to greet me. I did a double-take as I didn't expect to see a wild fox smack dab in the middle of a metropolitan area. The fox looked fit and trim and might have been prowling around one last time before going to it's home during the daylight hours to sleep.

I had 2-stops this morning in the Chicago, IL area. Both stops were pallet loads (everything on pallets). After completing the 1st stop, I went on to the 2nd stop where I waited 1-hour and 15-minutes before being able to unload (I was the 2nd truck of 2-trucks to that location). After the trailer was empty, I took off for the warehouse back in Milwaukee, WI.

My next assignment was Minneapolis, MN. After a short wait (30-minutes), at the warehouse, I headed for Minnesota. There were some intense rain storms on the way up. Just before Tomah, WI, it poured. So much so that part of the construction project under an overpass (a sand/dirt embankment) washed over the Interstate on both sides. I felt like I was going 4-wheeling for a brief moment as I passed through the stream of water and muck (now the truck really needs a wash!)

I also got delayed around Madison, WI. Another bad accident (like some weeks back) closed all 3-Westbound lanes. After a relatively short detour, I was back on the Interstate heading towards Minneapolis.

I ran out of hours just before the Minnesota border. So I headed into the truck stop there (that's where these words are being written), to get 2-hours of sleeper (bunk) time. Then I'll resume the rest of the trip (less than 1-hour) so that I can make the appointment tomorrow morning.

miles driven = 537 (so far)

Idiot Driver

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 02:34:06 GMT

Today's route and stops went well.

However, I encountered an Idiot Driver (ID) upon getting back to the warehouse in Milwaukee, WI. Hey, from time-to-time we're all ID's--meaning we all drive like an idiot every now and then--none of us are perfect. The ID encounter today happened less than 5-miles from where I lived and from where the warehouse is (the most dangerous place to drive is within 5-miles of your home because the tendency is to put your brain on auto-pilot the closer home you get.).

Mr. ID was turning left at an intersection and I was proceeding in the lane next to the turn lane. Mr. ID then (for reasons unknown) decided to go straight and turned into my lane right in front of me. I was practicing what I call the city-driving method--look around a lot--and caught his action just as he was starting to make his move. I instantly hit the brakes and avoided rear-ending him. It was a close call. I am thankful that I was going the speed limit and that no one was tailgating me. Even with all the noise of the tires locking up and bouncing on the pavement, I'm not sure he even knew how close he was to getting nailed.

Ya just never know when your driving skills will be put to the test--at the beginning, during, or at the end of the a trip.

Tomorrow I'll be taking 2-stops to Chicago, IL and then setting out elsewhere--perhaps to Minnesota.

Oh yeah, Mr. C (manager) is reimbursing me for all the paper towels, window glass bottles, etc., that I use to keep the truck clean (inside and out). It slipped my mind to hand in receipts for those items. Although I've thrown away the receipts since I've started with the company, he is reimbursing me an amount which is fair (and in the ball park) to what I've spent over the last 6-months.

miles driven = 368

How Many Pallets will this Dock Hold?

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 01:27:45 GMT

I arrived in Chicago, IL this morning with plenty of time to spare before my appointment time. It turns out that I was the 2nd truck dispatched to this location. The 1st truck was still being unloaded when I got there. Consequently, I waited just over an hour before my truck began being unloaded. While waiting, I learned that my next trip in the afternoon would be back up to Marquette, MI.

I had a real "fun" time unloading all the pallets at the delivery location after the other truck had left. There was barely room enough to place them on the dock (and that was moving and reshuffling the existing pallets already on the dock). In the end, I was able to get the truck unloaded (by putting the last two pallets on the dock plate itself).

Back at the warehouse in Milwaukee, WI, I hooked onto the trailer bound for Marquette and took off. It was another great traveling day--sunny and mildly warm. I arrived in Marquette in time to avoid "fuzzy" logging (hooray!) and enjoyed another delicious meal from the Asian restaurant I found this past Sunday.

I also got a chance to read more-in-depth the articles in the publication I mentioned yesterday. Some very interesting articles by Seth Godin, Paul Zane Pilzer, Don Peppers and Martha Rogers (authors of Managing Customer Relationships: A Strategic Framework" as well as James H. Gilmore and B. Joseph Pine II (authors of Markets of One: Creating Customer Value through Mass Customization). If you want to see how the future unfolds in terms of successful companies (whether Fortune500 or Home-based businesses) using 21st century marketing and customer trends, get a copy and read!

Tomorrow I deliver 4-stops and will be home for supper with the family (if all goes well!).

miles driven = 486

Home Business Kudos

Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:28:48 GMT

Another gorgeous sunrise in the UP this morning.

All four stops went well and I was home in time for a late supper with the family.

My wife showed me the latest issue of "Success from Home" (Sept '05, Vol. 1; Issue 4, 96 pp) featuring the home business my wife has run since June of 2001. Wow! They did a great write-up on the 13-yr old company. The magazine also features articles by Paul Zane Pilzer (world renowned economist and college professor) and Seth Godin (Permission Marketing Guru). Good stuff!

Tomorrow's morning agenda will have one stop in Chicago, IL. After that, I'll be heading for another state for a Tuesday morning delivery.

miles driven = 368

Asian Delight

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 01:26:00 GMT

'Twas a beautiful day for a drive through Wisconsin and the UP.

Not much to report; I arrived in Marquette, MI in time to not fudge on my 10-hour break.

I had a great take-out Asian meal (Shrimp Lo Mein) in Marquette--I will definitely have to go there again (Hong Kong Buffet). I've rarely had as good a dish--even when I was in Hong Kong. And they didn't skimp on the shrimp!

Well, time to read a little and then pack it in as I take in the last "curtain call" of another great UP sunset.

Tomorrow I've got 4-stops as I make my way back to the warehouse.

miles driven = 299

Road Weary

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 21:04:51 GMT

Today's delivery went well (although it took slightly longer than normal).

Today I sensed that I never really "woke up" completely during the day. I think all the "fuzzy logging" of the week finally caught up with me (grin). Whatever the reason, I'm looking forward to some rest tomorrow. Silly me...tomorrow I do chores around the house as well as the "HoneyDo List." Rest will come afterwards!

On Sunday, I'm heading towards Marquette, MI for Monday. It appears that I'll be driving 6-days/week to get the 2,600-2,800 miles needed to make up for the 2,300-2,500 miles I was promised when I signed up for the job. Only I was also promised that I'd have most weekends off (and be home often during the week). However, that's not an issue since one of the other driving divisions of the company (that I'm pursuing) has a 6-day work week as well. I'll have to monitor how the family copes with dad being gone a little more than expected.

miles driven = 345

miles driven for the week = 2,886

New Trucks a'comin

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 03:00:58 GMT

I arrived at my Chicago-land, IL delivery location with time to spare. The unload process took longer than it should have (no more than one & one-half hours for a trailer-full of merchandise for one stop). So, it took a bit longer to get back to the warehouse than it should have.

In the early afternoon, I attended the quarterly safety meeting. No new information--just a review of how professional drivers practice good, safe driving habits. We also heard the latest information on some aspects of the company. Supposedly, the company is in the process of buying new trucks to replace older models within the fleet. Seems like International got the nod this time (instead of Freightliner). I had hoped that the company would have picked Peterbilt, Kenworth, or even Volvo (grin).

Instead of going to Duluth, MN (not enough hours), I'm going to a suburb of Minneapolis, MN.

The weather was cloudy all day and north of Madison it rained all the way up to Minneapolis. The Midwest needs the rain--it's supposed to rain over the next several days on and off.

Well, after some more fuzzy logging, it's time to sleep.

miles driven = 591

Majestic Sunrise

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 22:39:17 GMT

This morning's dawn in the UP was beautiful! The red orb rose majestically in the distant, cloud-obscured horizon providing an awe-inspiring sunrise.

Today's 4-stops went well. I saw 2-hawks on different occasions today. One was riding the air current circling over one area on the side of the Interstate searching for prey. The other (in a different Interstate location) was sitting on a mile-marker sign, patiently observing the goings-on of small consumables in his/her viewing area. I haven't seen a hawk sit next to the freeway before--especially with noisy diesels passing so close by.

Today, I noticed an increase in ETA information between dispatch and drivers. That's a good sign of things to come. I had a brief chat with Mr. C at the end of the day and he mentioned that some of the newer dispatchers are continuing to learn "the system"--it all takes time.

I has 3-4 possible routes for tomorrow, but in the end, dispatch suggested an early morning Chicago, IL run. After that, I'll have a scheduled safety meeting back at the warehouse. Afterwards, I'll be headed towards Duluth, MN for Friday (It will take a miracle not to do any fuzzy logging for tomorrow). However, that could all change!

miles driven = 367

Fuzzy Logging

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 03:00:42 GMT

I didn't see any kitchen sinks in the road on the back from Minneapolis, MN to Milwaukee, WI. I did see two squad cars on the shoulder (my side) with a "customer" on the way towards Milwaukee from Madison, WI on I-94. The way the sun was rising in the East, I didn't make them out as soon as I would have liked to (since I'm so tall, the top of the cab acts as a sun visor meaning that I don't see as far down the road as I would like to--especially going up a slight hill as in this situation). I changed lanes right before the vehicles. The officer who had been talking to the "customer" walked to the front of the car because he didn't think I'd go into the other lane to give him some room (they were right up against a guard rail--the officer's butt was literally in the road as he was talking with the driver of the pull-over vehicle). He gave me a look as I passed him that I interpreted as not too friendly. I bet he had to move his butt out of the way for more approaching vehicles as well (maybe next time he will have the vehicle stop where there isn't a guard rail next to the shoulder!).

Back at the ranch (warehouse), I unloaded the trailer and read my next load assignment. Couldn't go there (Minnesota stop)--I didn't have enough hours left to drive unless I wanted to start my 10-hour break mid-morning and then drive all night to get there (however I was wired already with caffeine and I would have got an hour or two of rest--not really enough for a 30-hour schedule. The dispatchers were not thrilled that I was not accepting the assignment. I was too call in a while to see what else might be available (who knows--they may have encouraged me to drive all night as there was no one else available).

This was preventable if dispatch would have told me about the assignment yesterday instead of today. That way I would have kept on driving for 2-hours thus freeing up the needed driving hours for that load today. Later, Mr. T informed me that they were unable to do so since they weren't sure if this route would be needed (or if more than one driver was needed because they split the stops because one trailer wasn't enough for all the stops).

So I took off for home and spent some needed time with the family.

A bit later Mr. S informed me that I'd have another Minnesota run for tomorrow (shorter distance). I decided to head out early in the morning instead of later in the afternoon. That way I could spend some time with my son (who needed some dad-son time). However, Mr. T. called a short time later with another request for a different route to Michigan. I thought I could deliver that route in time (and he preferred that I'd take it) so I decided to go for it. That meant that I needed to leave immediately. That also meant that my son was very despondent that his dad went back on his decision to stay home the rest of the day. After a few tears, he seemed better, but it was tough to head out the door.

The ride towards Marquette, MI started out warm and then ended up cooler as a cold front (along with wind and rain) moved through.

Had a major hiccup where I fueled (near Escanaba, MI)--the truck stop declined my auto-payment arrangement which meant that they had to call my company and get a manual approval. That happens every time I hit a new fuel stop where I haven't been before. It delayed my trip more than I had planned to and as a result, I had to do so some "fuzzy" logging in my log book. I hate to do that. However, every now and then circumstances will crop up where I will need to do some "creative" logging. I hate to do it (and thus try to avoid it altogether) but sometimes the unexpected happens resulting in "fudging" the log book.

I tried calling the family using my Sprint PCS phone from Marquette. No signal. Hello Sprint--put some towers up in the UP!

Tomorrow I'll have 4-stops and be home for a late supper.

miles driven = 656

Everything AND the Kitchen Sink

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 01:22:50 GMT

Today's drive to central and northern Minnesota had some beautiful scenery. Now I know why there was as many people returning back to the Twin Cities yesterday from the northern woods and lakes of Minnesota.

All 3-stops went smoothly. On the return trip I saw something I never thought I'd see laying in the middle of I-94 on an overpass--a kitchen sink. Yep, someone lost it from their vehicle and it was just laying there. I was in the right lane and I went over to the shoulder to avoid hitting it and the semi next to me went over to the median strip to avoid it as well. I got on the CB-radio and warned other drivers in back of me to watch out for that kitchen sink (no one responded back to me). Oh yeah, it looked like that sink was comprised of cast iron which means if/when someone hits it, it will do some damage to one or more vehicles.

I fueled on the north-west side of Minneapolis at a truck stop and decided to park it here for the night since I didn't want to fight Minneapolis/St. Paul rush hour traffic. I'll get an early start tomorrow and get back to the warehouse mid-morning.

I got a kick out one driver who was parked where I fueled. As I was fueling, I heard this Wham, Wham, Wham going on. I turned around and there he was hitting tennis balls against the side of the trailer (standing far enough away to volley against the side of this trailer). Too funny! Later on, I saw him riding one of those fold-up bikes (it looked too small for him). He just seemed to be having fun getting some exercise in the parking lot (either that or he was trying to get rid of excess caffeine so he could crash for the evening!).

miles driven = 467

PostScript: The only spot I could get was in the back row of the truck stop. That meant a certain knock from a lady-of-the-night waking me up when I was in my deepest sleep cycle. So, I taped a crude message to my driver-side door that read:"
No!
No Knocking
I don't know if it worked or not (I didn't wake up for anything during the night). I'll have to remember to try that again--that would be great if it worked!

A Foamy Beer

Mon, 08 Aug 2005 02:52:48 GMT

Today's drive up to central Minnesota was beautiful. I noticed a lot of traffic heading back into the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN area. Everyone must have had a great weekend up north.

I made the mistake of following the directions (per the company) to Brainerd, MN verbatim. I should have taken a slightly different route which would have shaved at least 15-minutes off of the total time it took me to get there.

Found a A&W root beer stand (part of a truck stop) in Little Falls, MN (Sometimes you gotta have a beer--root beer that is!). This location, by the time I got there in the evening, was running out of all sorts of product. In addition, their root beer was producing mostly foam from the tap. They had to fill a pitcher and then scoop all of the foam out in order to make my root beer float. Even so, it was worth the wait!

Tomorrow I'll have 3-stops total (2 delivery locations further north of Brainerd). Then I'll turn around and retrace my "steps" towards home.

miles driven = 460

Miniature "Smoky Mountains"

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 21:16:51 GMT

I rolled into La Crosse, WI as the sun was rising creating a beautiful sun/shadow/mist effect on the surrounding landscape. Cattle were beginning to stir and rise up from the ground and the deer were slowing making their ways back into the woods. The whole picture reminded me a little of the Great Smoky Mountains area (but on a smaller scale).

The receiver (Mrs. K) and I had a good chat as we unloaded the trailer together. We chatted about her power going off last evening (she got 2-hours of sleep), the upcoming 2-week vacation her family is taking out west, and a variety of other topics. Hope she has a blast out west!

On the way back to the warehouse, I washed the truck at a Blue Beacon location (they did a great job this time).

On Sunday I'll be heading to Minnesota for 3-stops on Monday morning. If all goes well, I'll make it back to Milwaukee by nightfall.

miles driven = 406

miles driven for the week = 2,333