I checked out of the Ramada as late as I was allowed to. My partner was sound asleep on the lobby couch when I came down to turn in my key.
There were 2 load assignments waiting for us when we got back to the truck. That was a welcome sight. We couldn't take off right away. I had to wait several more hours for my 70 hour clock to reset.
Since the laundry facilities were free, I used them. Since a company car was available, I took it to run errands. Since the truck clean-out station was unoccupied, I gave the inside of my truck a thorough vacuuming. The Indianapolis OC is one of my favorites.
During my hour of freedom, in the company car, I attempted to mail a package at the post office. I showed up an hour too late. Finding another accessible post office will be difficult, since I am hindered by a 53 foot trailer now. We'll see what opportunities arise in the coming days. The post office was right around the corner from a Kroger grocery store, so I loaded up with $29 of food and bottled water. Among my grocery items were several apples, nicknamed "grapples". They were somehow combined with grapes. They are delicious! I hope to find these again someday.
We didn't have to go far to find our assigned trailer. Another team had to relay a FedEx load at the Indianapolis OC. They might have been having maintenance issues with their tractor. I had to go through the process of obtaining the kingpin lock key and freeing the greasy security device from the trailer. The fuel desk staff held onto the paperwork until I returned their kingpin lock. Somehow, I managed to stay clean!
After several hours of driving, my truck's dashboard dinged at me, notifying me that the outside temperature was 34 degrees "roadway may be icy". The road was slightly wet from melting snow. As I passed through Akron, Ohio, I saw several recent accidents caused by black ice on the pavement. One van, towing a trailer had spun all the way around, facing oncoming traffic. He hit a wall pretty hard in the process. Seeing a few accidents prompted me to recognize the risk, and to drive accordingly. I didn't use the cruise control for the rest of the evening, and I kept my speed around 55. I wrapped up my driving shift at a small service station along the middle of Pennsylvania's I-80.
Hunter attended his Cub Scouts Christmas party at a community center that is well-known for its swimming pool slide that has a tube slide that loops out one window and enters through another. Yes, the boys did swim. Forest got to go also. He was frustrated that he was restricted to the little kids' side of the pool. The little fella loves the water. We intend to send him to swimming lessons at the Scuba shop, just north of Nixa.
After the swim/Christmas party, they went over to visit my mom for a while. By coincidence, I called while they were all over there there. So, I got to join in on the fun. My grandpa was there also, and my dad was trying to call them on Skype.
There were 2 load assignments waiting for us when we got back to the truck. That was a welcome sight. We couldn't take off right away. I had to wait several more hours for my 70 hour clock to reset.
Since the laundry facilities were free, I used them. Since a company car was available, I took it to run errands. Since the truck clean-out station was unoccupied, I gave the inside of my truck a thorough vacuuming. The Indianapolis OC is one of my favorites.
During my hour of freedom, in the company car, I attempted to mail a package at the post office. I showed up an hour too late. Finding another accessible post office will be difficult, since I am hindered by a 53 foot trailer now. We'll see what opportunities arise in the coming days. The post office was right around the corner from a Kroger grocery store, so I loaded up with $29 of food and bottled water. Among my grocery items were several apples, nicknamed "grapples". They were somehow combined with grapes. They are delicious! I hope to find these again someday.
We didn't have to go far to find our assigned trailer. Another team had to relay a FedEx load at the Indianapolis OC. They might have been having maintenance issues with their tractor. I had to go through the process of obtaining the kingpin lock key and freeing the greasy security device from the trailer. The fuel desk staff held onto the paperwork until I returned their kingpin lock. Somehow, I managed to stay clean!
After several hours of driving, my truck's dashboard dinged at me, notifying me that the outside temperature was 34 degrees "roadway may be icy". The road was slightly wet from melting snow. As I passed through Akron, Ohio, I saw several recent accidents caused by black ice on the pavement. One van, towing a trailer had spun all the way around, facing oncoming traffic. He hit a wall pretty hard in the process. Seeing a few accidents prompted me to recognize the risk, and to drive accordingly. I didn't use the cruise control for the rest of the evening, and I kept my speed around 55. I wrapped up my driving shift at a small service station along the middle of Pennsylvania's I-80.
After the swim/Christmas party, they went over to visit my mom for a while. By coincidence, I called while they were all over there there. So, I got to join in on the fun. My grandpa was there also, and my dad was trying to call them on Skype.
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