Christmas 08

Happy times at Truckerman's

Home sweet home

As you can imagine, the old Truckerman is home for a few days. He is enjoying Christmas and will be seeing all his family at some point today. The company kept me going till the last minute. I wanted to have some things fixed on the truck but I ran out of time and had to stop to reset and have some home time.
I hope all the millions of readers that venture on to this blog, by accident or purpose have a great holiday and and a wonderful new year! Remember, things are not as bad as they first appear. Usually there is a bright spot in things that seem very dark.
Please be careful on the roads. The life you save may be mine!

Hey, where did that good looking guy come from?

It is hard to be humble when you are so good looking!

The Cold North

Would you like this for Christmas?

What would Gomer Say?

Well, Gollee! I don't know if that is the way to spell it or not but can you believe it. Two days in a row of being on line. I have made it to Wisconsin and even stopped briefly in Belott. That is where Wife of truckerman's father was from. It is very very cold here and I have to idol according to the info on this load. They say it will keep the load from freezing. I'm not sure how, but who am I to argue with the powers that be?
I will see if I can talk a waitress into taking truckerman's picture and put it on the blog for all of you that have forgotten what he looks like.
After sleeping at the shippers for 2 days and no shower, it was good to get to a truck stop and take a much needed one! I know all the people at the truck stop appreciate not having to smell me! I think I would have been asked to leave the restaurant area so the other customers could eat in peace.
Remember to drive like your life depends on it, because it does!

What would Gomer Say?

I'm still alive

Hey, Can you believe it. I am on line again!
I am in the frozen land of the north. At present beside being in the state of confusion, I am in the state of Ohio very close to Toledo. I came from upstate New York and am headed to MN. It is a little over 1100 miles of cold, snow, sleet and rain. Everything a trucker could want! Especially since my windshield washers don't work. Oh well, if I get stranded in a snow bank, I'll die happy. I'll just open the back and enjoy the beverages I am carrying.
I was thinking of ending this blog but the overwhelming response I have received from both of my readers has inspired me to keep it going. It probably won't have a post as often as it use to, but I will keep at it when I can. Sorry no pictures this time. I have not had time to take them and download to the blog.
Remember, the holidays are here and we all want to be home for them. Drive safe and keep the golden rule in mind when on the hi ways!

Burrrr!

Iowa snow

Slick Place

Almost got stuck leaving this truck stop. I had to rock the rig to get out.

Still Here

Hi everyone! The title has it right. I have been very lax with getting on the blog lately. The excuse I'll submit is that I now have the means to eat and drink without going to a truckstop. So, I have staid in a Werner drop yard and of course no WiFi.
Yesterday was one of those days that was beautiful but deadly. I was in Iowa and had to travel to Michigan on I80. I saw 5, 18 wheelers in the median. One got tangled up with a car. Someone did not make it in that one. There were to many cars and pick ups
in the ditch to count. I thought people in the north and mid west knew how to drive in snow and ice. I guess I was wrong.
The snow was very pretty and it is still snowing today. I am going to put some pictures up on the blog now so see you around Christmas and stay safe on the roadways.
If the weather conditions are bad, the simple solution to arriving safly is to slow down!

The joy of the holidays

Well, here it is Thanksgiving and I have stuffed myself with turkey, dressing, and a lot of other scrumptious food! I have been at home for a couple of days now. It has been great to be home! The sad part is that the end of home time is rapidly drawing near.
I will be hitting the road again Saturday. Bound for the unknown. I'll be on the road till I come home for Christmas. It will be a little bit easier on me now. I have a down mummy sleeping bag that should keep me warm without having to idle the truck. I also have an early Christmas present of a refrigerator. Boy that will sure help with expenses and eating some good things. I am slowly getting the truck fixed up. I still have some mechanical issues, but hopefully they are ones that I can live with.
I took Son of a Truckerman and his family out to see the truck today. His five year old son was really impressed with how big it was and the fact that his grandfather (Opa) can drive a big rig.
Wife of a Truckerman is going to see if she can make some improvements for me also.
The road will be busy this weekend with everyone returning from their visits, so be extra careful out there. I'll catch you on the flip flop.

Becoming a n ice cube

If I could have done away with a day in my life, yesterday would have been the one. It was one of thoughs days that every thing went wrong! My fleet manager told me I was idling too much. He wanted me to stop. Well, I tell you, not running the heat in Green Bay Wi.'s sub zero temp. is not what I signed on for. So I idled last night. If they want to fire me for that, have at it. At first, I tried to get under all the covers I had and not idle, but I started to look like Papa Smirf. I gave up on the idea when my teeth would not stop hitting each other.
I am now in St. Louis and have signed up for a service called Idle-Aire. It is really unique! They put this big tube in your passenger window and you set what temp. you want. You can also hook up to the internet, watch movies, or watch tv. The service is not cheap but what is these days?
I drove most of the day to get here so I am feeling a little tired. I will try to post more soon. Remember that Thanksgiving is coming soon. Keep that spirit when you are on the highway and give way to the bad drivers that are out there.

new post

This is a short and sweet message. Well I don't know how sweet but it will be very short. I have to get up at 3AM so got to get my rest. I'll be home next week for turkey day and will try to see both of my friends then.
Got to go. Stay safe out there.

new post

Thanks

Here is a quick post before I hit the road again. I can't believe how stupid I've been. I want comments from all you millions of blog readers out there, and I do read every one! As of this date I have not expressed my gratitude for the time and effort it takes to leave a comment. Well that changes right now. To all the Truckerman's family, friends, relatives and preachers here is a "THANK YOU" as big as an 18 wheeler! You brighten up my day and help me keep my sanity while I'm on the road! Keep them coming and remember to keep the highways safe for me and the rest of it's users. I'll do the same!

Say Good-By

I think it is time to say "so long Y'all" to The Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers,
Sky King, and Wild Bill Hickcock. If you remember all these TV shows, you are probably as old as Clarence the Trucker. That is better than the alternative! But I digress. At last I am finally leaving Texas and headed for a little known town in Alabama. I think it is near the Tenn. line. I can't recall the name of the town right now.
I finally got the worst bugs out of the truck. I think I can live with the rest of it's problems. It took 3 days and no pay because I was not delivering the goods. Well it was worth it. The oil alarm was driving me crazy! It had plenty of oil and the pressure was good. They discovered a broken grounding post and replaced it. Boy,is it quiet in the truck now!
Well this blog is one of the short ones because I am feeling my age and need all the beauty sleep I can get. To bad beauty sleep does not work.
Slow down out there and don't tailgate! Since I have started driving the big rigs, I have found that slowing down solves almost all problems.

The biggest State

Hello again from the state with the big lone star in it's flag. I have been here so much that I feel my legs becoming bowed (my impression of a Texan). I think I need to buy a ranch and grow cattle. Do you grow them or raise them? I need to get a stetson a six gun and some leg chaps. My problem with this concept is that I don't want to poke any cows! They might not like it and think I am a Matador and come after me. Yes, when it comes to an animal larger than me, I give it all the space it wants, as long as it is not the same space I'm occupying.
I heard from Ted yesterday. He was my driver trainer at Werner. The bad economy has reached the trucking industry and him. They are sending him home for a week or two because there are no loads for him. I really feel for him because he is an owner operator and has a truck payment in addition to the usual bills.
The next administration really has been given a tough task with regards to the economy. I truly think that we elected the best man to deal with the problems though. Time will tell.
I want to ask a question of all the millions of readers out there. Hopefully you have noticed that I try to end my blogs with a comment on road safety. My question is, do you like them or should I discontinue them!
Keep your tires on the pavement and in good condition.

Can you pick out my truck?

It is the fourth from the left.

Bad day at Bed Rock

Today I really felt my age. I arrived at the shipper about 9:30AM local after leaving Fort Worth at 3:30AM. I went in to the shipping area and pulled the bill of lading that I thought was the right one. Well guess what, it was not. I hooked up to the trailer it called for, after having a problem with the shank being to high and over shooting the fifth wheel lock.
I solved that problem, then discovered I had the wrong trailer. Raising the landing gear on a fully loaded trailer is extremely hard. I managed to do this not once but twice. Being a 64 year old has been, I was on my last leg and it was not supporting me very well. Oh what a sight! I hurt all over!
OK, it is done now and I am en route to San Antonio. I must have been a Texan in another life because I can't get out of here. I guess that is not all bad. I could be caught in the snow storm around Iowa and South Dakota.
Remember the roads are dangerous and there are a lot of crazy people on them. Be safe.

Rest Area

Here is an update from a rest area. I ran out of hours yesterday at Plainview, TX.
So I staid in a Walmart parking lot till they reset. That was about 3:00AM. Then I got on my horse and started to Fort Worth. I am now at a rest area that is wified just out side of Fort Worth. I was hopping to made my delivery early but the customer did not want it till my appointment time of 4:30PM. So here I sit.
It is supposed to get into the lower 30's tonight. Right now it is hot in the truck with the sun beating down on it.
I got a cat nap a little while ago and now I think I'll do it again. I hope that cat doesn't get mad at me for stealing his naps! Boy, that was reaching for a joke, wasn't it?
Keep it between the lines.

The best photo I could take

Not much of interest at a truck stop.

Agood looking guy!

Camera sitting on my truck fender and set to self timer.

Back side of my truck

Everything has a rear.

My day of rest

Tues. Nov.4
Vote day

I will have to pick up a load at midnight so I can’t stay up late watching the returns. I hope I can find a radio station that is giving results while I am driving.
I went to bed last night in the truck. I woke up about 1:30PM in a refrigerator with the setting at cooldest! It is amazing how much the temperature can change when the sun sets. I had to start the engine, pollute the atmosphere, and burn fuel just to get warm. Well in my defense, so were a lot of other truckers.
I got up early today with the intent of making this a productive day and then get some rest before hitting the road again. So far my plan is working. I’ve washed and folded clothes and I’m working on the blog, and I also purchased a satellite radio to hear sports, music and news. I got a great deal on the radio. After rebate it cost me $4.00.
Being a democrat in an area that has a lot of republicans, makes me feel very uncomfortable! I find it very hard to hear the redneck comments made by all the truckers and not put in my 2 cents. I think that restraint is a smart idea though. I don’t need to get into any arguments while on the road. Most of these truckers outweigh me now and look like they could do me sever damage if they wanted to.
It is time to return to the truck and stow my clothes. I’ll see if I can find something worth taking a picture of and will put it on the blog.
Remember to VOTE.

Time to bring you up to date

I have been told that all the millions of people that read my blog, really like it. I have also been told that the first few blogs that referred to the effects the truck had on me and the comparison to a washing machine were the best. So, I will strive to keep this lighthearted with a little humor thrown in. I am in Oklahoma City now taking a well deserved rest. I will get rolling again in 34 hours. Got to keep the DOT happy! I had problems with my Quail-com and had it worked on here. Now I don't have any excuses. Big Brother is watching my every move. That can be both good and bad, if you know what I mean.
Speaking of Big Brother,tomorrow is the long awaited vote day. Everyone get out there and put the first black man in the oval office! My personal opinion is that he is the best candidate for the office. I hope I have not offended any of my many readers out there. If I have, maybe you need offending. The thought of Sarah Palin being one step away from the Presidency scares the hell out of me! Now that I've fallen off my soap-box, I'll get some supper and will continue this tomorrow. I might even put a picture or two on the blog.
Remember... truckers care!

Old Man of the Road

Wouldn't you know it. Now that I'm on my on, I don't have time for anything! So this will be short, sweet, and no pictures. I've not had time to take any and I don't have time to post them if I had. I am back in Texas, this time at Amarillo. I'm going to Oklahoma City tomorrow.
It looks like I will be home for both Thanks giving and Christmas.
I hope to get my quail-comm fixed tomorrow and have a little rest. If that is the case, I'll post some more.
Drive safe!

Happy to be home

Look at the grin on truckerman's face.

Proud truckerman!

Do you know this guy?

Mine, mine, mine!

It has been abused, but it still has life in it.

At Last!

Home at last, home at last! Well I have my own truck and have made my first delivery. Now it is time for me to enjoy a few days at home. I was up for most of last night so I had to sleep away a large part of today. I just can't tell you how good it felt to be in my own bed! I have lots to do so this is the end of the blog for today.

What I slaved for !

This is the prize!

Relatives

The last time the Truckerman was in Atlanta, he got chastised by his cousin for not calling. Well, he did not want to make the same mistake again. So Saturday he let his cus know that he was in town. Being the gracious host that his cousin and family are, they insisted that Truckerman come for supper. I have to say that was a fantastic meal. Not just because I had not had a home cooked meal in 2 months, but because they know how to put on a great spread. Although we don't get together often, the visit made me realize how fortunate I am to have relatives like them! I was brought up to date on all the other relatives I have not seen in a long time and the changes that have taken place in there lives. I think we need a family reunion soon. Truckerman wants to thank the Georgia branch of the clan for their hospitality!

Getting Close

10/19/08
Sunday

The end is in sight. I have done my time! My training hours are completed. Now I am in Atlanta testing out. I’m starting a new phase of trucking. Tomorrow I should get assigned a truck. Hopefully there is not too much wrong with it. I will be assigned a fleet manager and get my first load assignment. I have been assigned to the Southeast region. I requested this and was fortunate in getting it. After I deliver my first load I will get some time off. I am really looking forward to being home. It has been over 2 months since I’ve had home time.
I am afraid that the annual tower week-end that is approaching may have to go on without the Truckerman. I’m not sure how it will survive with out me! I can’t take a lot of time off. From what I understand, I can only take 5 or 6 days off without having to turn in the tractor. You don’t want to change tractors a lot. It takes a while to set your tractor up the way you want it. So to trade it in for “a pig in a poke” is something you don’t want to do very often.
I’ve heard that the economy is now affecting the trucking industry and is going to get worse. I think we all are in for some hard times on the near future.
Well, lets all be safe out there and remember, no road rage!

OOPS

Dog Gone! This will mess up your whole day!

Scene of the west

Clouds on the mountain.

Look close

Hey, It's a sky lift!

Trees of the west

Nice trees!

What now!

We have made it to Laredo Texas. Well, it's the old good news, bad news! Which do you want first? I'll give you the bad news. The clutch on the truck is messed-up! It does not want you to put the truck in low gear (grind, grind, and more grind). Then you get mad at it and cram it into gear. It will go but it shakes the hell out of you and the whole truck! We took it to a Freightliner dealer and it could be a couple of days before it is ready. They will also replace the passenger windshield. This could delay me getting home, but not for long. Now for the good news. I can't stay in the truck while we wait for it to be fixed. Werner is paying for me to stay in a motel. The motel is WYFI equipped, so I'm able to update you. It is near a mall and an Outback. Well, I think I deserve a splurge on a good meal. So Outback, lookout here comes Trucker man. The motel is nice and has a big swimming pool. It is very warm and humid here. Hey, here is something to picture in your mind. Trucker man in a swimming suit. It just so happens that I brought mine with me. Are you visualizing a hunk of humanity in a swim suit? No? Well you would be right. I have lost about 35 lbs. and I don't think the flabby skin that is around my middle is very attractive. I need to find a way to get rid of that. I know what you are thinking. Start exercising, dummy. Well in my defense, it is very hard to find the time to while you are either driving or recuperating from driving.
Enough of this rambling talk. I'll check my pics and see what I can entertain you with. Stay safe and remember to buckle-up.

What now!

New Mexico Dust Storm

Cough cough!

A hole in the rock

Boy, that is bigger than the one in my head!

Portland

Another big City

Last couple of days!

Boy, you would not believe the things we have been through the last couple of days!
Let me preface this with a comment on Oregon and Washington. If I could live anywhere besides the south, that would be the place! It is beautiful there. Now back to recent events. We left from Washington state to go to Laredo Texas. In Idaho, in the mountains, I ran into a lot of blowing snow. The good thing about it was that it did not stick. When we reached New Mexico, we ran into severe dust storms. They picked up rocks and cracked our windshield in several more places. Today we got stopped in Texas by a DOT Official for an inspection. The wind had blown one of the trailer's mud flaps off. Nothing escapes the DOT, we were given a warning and sent on our way.
I am really tired. Hopefully I'll be heading home soon for some much needed R&R.

I think this is the Washington River

Did Lewis and Clark discover this river?

I'm still alive

It is getting harder and harder to stop at a wifi truck stop with some time on my hands. I have about 20 hours left on my training. Then the way things should work and the way they will work is going to differ. I should be routed to my home terminal and get a truck of my own. My Student Driver Manager told me there are no trucks available now and they want me to do an extra 40 to 50 hours with my trainer. The reason for keeping a student on the training truck as long as possible is that it is very profitable for the company. During training they pay you very little. They try to get as many long haul, trips your way as possible. That way you and your trainer can run 11 hours each and really make the company a lot of money. Now I'm all for a company making a lot of money. I just don't want them to do it by taking out of my pocket!
Well enough said. I'll let you know when the next phase of the trucking life begins.

Where am I?

Boy that arch is big and impressive! I went right pass it.

The long road ahead

I can't seem to stay away from the west.

Donner Lake

In Donner Pass.

Donner Pass

That's right, Donner Pass as in the famous pass that we all know about.

Wow that is a blow out!

That was not what I wanted. It put us behind about 4 hours.

Back again

Wed.
10/1/08


Sorry I have not been able to post lately but I've not been at a
place with WYFI.
It is hard to believe, but the year will be over before you know it.
It has flown by and I don't know where it was flying to. The experience
I'm having on the road is fantastic! I have seen so many places I would
have never seen before. The only draw back is that my time is not mine
to do with as I please. There were places I've seen that I would have
loved to have the time to explore more extensively.
I'll talk to you all soon, got to run catch a truck. Stay safe out there!

Nice bridge

I'm not sure where this pic was taken.

Is that a missle?

The titan missle in Ala.

More of Dallas area

Hey Dallas has a big lake too!

Dalas

You want me to go where?

Texas again

9/24/08
Wed.

Here we are in the great state of Texas again! We have dropped our load and are waiting to go pick up another bound for Atlanta. If we go all the way with this load and don’t have to drop it off for someone else to deliver, we will have some down time in Atlanta. I don’t think they will let that happen. Well, my beautiful bride is probably at the wine bar with the wed. crew. I know she is having more fun than I. Oh well, that is the price I have to pay to be a trucker.
By this time you should all be professional truck drivers. I have imparted all the knowledge I have to you. To bad it is not a lot. Will talk to you later. Maybe I’ll have some news then.

What's this?

Can you believe it? About 1:30 last night we rolled in to Spartanburg on our way up north. Dee met us at the truck stop at 221 and I26. I got to spend about and hour and a half with her. Boy was it good to see her again!

Rain

Florida rain!

Inside

Another inside look at the tractor.

Nice

Nature is the best artist there is!

Another sunrise

Sunrise is pretty on the east coast too!

Even big rigs get boo-boos!

Hot diggity

What is the world coming to? Orlando was typical Florida. Hot rainy and muggy! Well from there we traveled to a place near Savannah. Then went to Indiana. We are now going to go to Texas. I'm going to put new pictures up on the blog so I'll leave messages later.

Survey

Hey Y'all, I've put a survey on the blog. please give me your input, also any questions that you would like to see on the survey. Thanks, and remember, whatever it is, chances are it was moved by truck!

Col. Mtn. area

Road an water.

A pic at every turn

Beautiful, Beautiful!

A western truck stop.

The long raod traveled

Nice pic from the state that will eventually fall off the continent.

Wow... A break!

At last! We have to have the oil changed and 4 new shock absorbers put on the tractor. It is being done at a Freightliner shop in Orlando, Fla. That means that we are in a motel and getting some much needed sleep and rest.
I have a lot more pics. to put on the blog. I just don't want to boar you with too many. I need questions about the road so I can still make this blog interesting. My brain is mush at the present time, so don't ask me to think. It is very diffucult for me to do when I am at my best and that is not the case right now.
Ok, now I'll get to posting some pics. This is time consuming because they have to be done one at a time. Talk to you later!

Sunrise

Ahhh the wonder of being up early, or is it really late?

This big truck has to fit into one of those small holes?

Lookout world, it's truckerman!

More pics

The Beauty of nature!

Truckerman at Saxbys coffee shop. Free wifi and good coffee!

Oakland Raiders stadium.

More of the salt flats.

Bonneville's Salt Flats

I thought you might like a pic of the truck in the daytime.

This is a man made cell tower. It is suppose to look like a tree or something.