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.