Last night, I settled into the bunk and was well into dreamland when I woke slightly to observe that we hadn't moved in a while. We weren't at our shipper in Des Moines, but at a dodgy truckstop. Eventually I poked my head around the curtain to inquire why we weren't at FedEx. My co-driver told me that we were notified that our shipper had cancelled the load to Salt Lake City. Apparently, they were able to fit all of the packages onto their own trailers. That's how things go.
I woke up several hours later, at a packaging factory in Iowa City. We were scheduled to be loaded at noon, but my partner had learned well from me - that it is usually worthwhile to show up early. I got out of bed while he was out of the truck. I folded up and stowed my bedding; boiled water for my coffee and oatmeal; ate Spanish sardines with my breakfast; brushed my teeth; cleaned the floor and other interior sufaces; and began my turn as truck "captain". The day was off to a good start. The workers had us loaded and on the road just after 1pm. I enjoyed the sunshine and cool temperatures. As I built up speed, I rolled the window up and raised the radio volume. It had been a while since I had listened to Rush Limbaugh. I wasn't in complete agreement with his monologue today, but I enjoyed the show anyway.
Our next assignment arrived on the trucks computer. I took the time to write everything down and tap on my calculator to make sure we would be on time for everything. Since my partner forgot to convert for Eastern time, I discovered that we will have to really hussle to make the next pick up on time.
I drove hard today, achieving just over 600 miles. We are running right on schedule at the moment.
I got to have meaningful conversations with both of my boys today. Forest and I practiced the alphabet, and Hunter clearly articulated 4 things about his day at school. He was excited about having Thanksgiving-style food for lunch. Ha ha.
During last night's layover, and after I published the previous blog, one of my good friends texted and called me. He and his wife almost came through the town that I was staying in the previous evening. They also happen to live just 90 minutes away. It would be really great to visit them sometime. They went through Schneider truck driving academy during the same time Regina and I did. We "bumped" into them once in Laredo and went to a truckstop near our home, on another occasion, to visit them.
My phone battery is in the red, so I had better close here.
Our next assignment arrived on the trucks computer. I took the time to write everything down and tap on my calculator to make sure we would be on time for everything. Since my partner forgot to convert for Eastern time, I discovered that we will have to really hussle to make the next pick up on time.
I drove hard today, achieving just over 600 miles. We are running right on schedule at the moment.
I got to have meaningful conversations with both of my boys today. Forest and I practiced the alphabet, and Hunter clearly articulated 4 things about his day at school. He was excited about having Thanksgiving-style food for lunch. Ha ha.
During last night's layover, and after I published the previous blog, one of my good friends texted and called me. He and his wife almost came through the town that I was staying in the previous evening. They also happen to live just 90 minutes away. It would be really great to visit them sometime. They went through Schneider truck driving academy during the same time Regina and I did. We "bumped" into them once in Laredo and went to a truckstop near our home, on another occasion, to visit them.
My phone battery is in the red, so I had better close here.
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