Did I tell you that I really enoy staying in motels? I slept so well, and left feeling refreshed and satisfied. You can usually depend on a Best Western to deliver a good experince.
Upon my return to the Chicago Operating Center (a.k.a.: "Gary OC"), I thought I saw my gray bobtail truck parked in the front row. As I approached it, with key in hand, I realized that it was not my truck, but had similar numbering. I continued walking, in the rain. Where was my truck? There were several gray trucks in the row, but I didn't see mine until I gave up and started walking toward the driver's lounge. There it was, plainly as any other, but I didn't identify it as mine as I walked by. "If it were a snake...." My wife loves to say that. I was delighted to see a full set of new tires on my truck. 10 of them. The previous ones weren't bad, but I am perfectly happy with new ones - especially with snowy travels coming up in future weeks and months. I was also glad to have a new winshield, with new wipers. The mechanics who serviced my truck did top-notch work. On a side note: "my" truck is actually a company-owned truck. Expenses and worries are theirs, not mine. Life is good.
A driver was recently commenting that almost every time he walks into a driver's lounge, NCIS is on. He likes the show, but would prefer some variety from time to time. As I walked into the TV room, in Gary, I nearly laughed out loud as I saw that very show playing to an audience of 10 of my fellow drivers. I rarely get the chance to vegetate in a driver's TV room, nor do I watch television very often. Am I missing much?
I had a little difficulty finding my shipper's truck entrance today. I had to back out of some ugly places, as if it were a big maze. I saw another truck struggle in the same dead-end warehouse lots. Sometimes, our jobs aren't easy at all, so we maintain sanity by treating it as a game that we will eventually win. Events like these justify my habit of arriving early, wherever I go.
Forest and I had a good talk today. He always wants to know where I am. The little fella is more excited to have me home than he usually is. He knows that we are going to be staying in a motel over the Thanksgiving weekend. Both of my boys agree with me that motel experiences are magical. I hope to take them swimming this coming weekend, if a pool is a part of the facilities.
It appears that I will be returning to Nixa around mid-day Thanksgiving. I had hoped to celebrate the day in Moutain Home, Arkansas with the elder generation of the Farless side of the family. Oh, well. There will still be lots of family and love to experience in Nixa and Springfield. My dad will be back in town! And he will be joined by his mom and sister (Grandma Greenwalt and Aunt Marti).
Since I have a late morning appointment in Memphis, decided to shut down early tonight, at the St Louis OC. My co-driver needs a turn to drive too! We have about 300 miles to go. It is currently a bit past midnight, here in the Central time zone. He will begin his turn in just a few hours.
The trainers at the Gary OC post wreck pictures on the message boards. These images of wrecks serve as reminders to make smart decisions and to remain vigilant while driving.
Upon my return to the Chicago Operating Center (a.k.a.: "Gary OC"), I thought I saw my gray bobtail truck parked in the front row. As I approached it, with key in hand, I realized that it was not my truck, but had similar numbering. I continued walking, in the rain. Where was my truck? There were several gray trucks in the row, but I didn't see mine until I gave up and started walking toward the driver's lounge. There it was, plainly as any other, but I didn't identify it as mine as I walked by. "If it were a snake...." My wife loves to say that. I was delighted to see a full set of new tires on my truck. 10 of them. The previous ones weren't bad, but I am perfectly happy with new ones - especially with snowy travels coming up in future weeks and months. I was also glad to have a new winshield, with new wipers. The mechanics who serviced my truck did top-notch work. On a side note: "my" truck is actually a company-owned truck. Expenses and worries are theirs, not mine. Life is good.
A driver was recently commenting that almost every time he walks into a driver's lounge, NCIS is on. He likes the show, but would prefer some variety from time to time. As I walked into the TV room, in Gary, I nearly laughed out loud as I saw that very show playing to an audience of 10 of my fellow drivers. I rarely get the chance to vegetate in a driver's TV room, nor do I watch television very often. Am I missing much?
I had a little difficulty finding my shipper's truck entrance today. I had to back out of some ugly places, as if it were a big maze. I saw another truck struggle in the same dead-end warehouse lots. Sometimes, our jobs aren't easy at all, so we maintain sanity by treating it as a game that we will eventually win. Events like these justify my habit of arriving early, wherever I go.
Forest and I had a good talk today. He always wants to know where I am. The little fella is more excited to have me home than he usually is. He knows that we are going to be staying in a motel over the Thanksgiving weekend. Both of my boys agree with me that motel experiences are magical. I hope to take them swimming this coming weekend, if a pool is a part of the facilities.
It appears that I will be returning to Nixa around mid-day Thanksgiving. I had hoped to celebrate the day in Moutain Home, Arkansas with the elder generation of the Farless side of the family. Oh, well. There will still be lots of family and love to experience in Nixa and Springfield. My dad will be back in town! And he will be joined by his mom and sister (Grandma Greenwalt and Aunt Marti).
Since I have a late morning appointment in Memphis, decided to shut down early tonight, at the St Louis OC. My co-driver needs a turn to drive too! We have about 300 miles to go. It is currently a bit past midnight, here in the Central time zone. He will begin his turn in just a few hours.
The trainers at the Gary OC post wreck pictures on the message boards. These images of wrecks serve as reminders to make smart decisions and to remain vigilant while driving.
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