Year 2, Day 255 (I Relate With Sir Bob Geldof)

I was up this morning at 0-dark-thirty delivering the rest of this load. I have never been a big fan of the early morning deliveries, and today was no exception. My pre-plan has me picking up in Macungie, PA, which is just outside Allentown, and this, as it turns out, is a very light load heading to Delavan, WI for Wednesday. Because of being up so early, I'm most definitely in need of some coffee, and seriously considering going the intravenous route.

I am glad we are getting into Fall, with Winter soon to follow, especially since the past week and a half I have slept with the truck turned off, as well as the APU, then waking up with a slight chill inside the cab. That's the kind of weather I enjoy the most. So now, before I make my way to Wisconsin, I must have myself a little breakfast.

Year 2, Day 236 (Road Food For The Road Scholar)

Many years ago I had discovered a nice little gem of an eatery. I was making a delivery in southeastern Minnesota, when I happened upon a little restaurant right off the interstate, which was owned and operated by Amish. What was very memorable about this little place was it was quaint... and they served home churned butter. As I was making my way back through Minnesota today, I found that same little diner... now what was the name of it...

After placing my order - which was French Toast (made from their Apple Crunch bread) - they had served not the home churned butter, as I had remembered from before, but individually wrapped butter pats. Something was amiss... so I did a little investigating. Sadly, the Amish folks whom had previously owned it sold the restaurant, but the current owner (a dentist from Lewiston, MN) still does a lot of business with the Amish... to the point that the store upstairs (and some in the restaurant, as well) is packed to the gills with Amish made merchandise. Items such as noodles and breads:

There are also a variety of home bakes pies, as well as Amish handmade quilts (such as this Mariner's Compass pattern, which goes for about $1,300)

I almost forgot, I went there to grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately, the food looked so good, I had forgotten to take a picture, until it was almost too late.

The servers, Blanca & Leslie, were top notch. Despite still trying to catch up from the recent lunch rush, they still maintained a more than pleasant attitude, as well as a cheery ambiance in the restaurant. If you're ever in St. Charles, MN, the restaurant and gas station are off of I-90, at exit 233, then turn south... you'll see them on the right. The restaurant is usually open from 0600-2000 each day. You can also view their menu from the website, and free WiFi while you're there. Pop in for a meal... you'll be glad you did.

Year 2, Day 219 (What Shall I Do Today... I Think Drive)

I completed this trip by arriving in Hanover Park, IL (a suburb just west of Chicago) at just after 2300. My day started (actually continued) from Matthews, MO yesterday at around 1400, since I didn't leave North Little Rock until, well... late. Along the way, I made a stop in Effingham, IL mainly for the purpose of visiting the local Starbucks, but also popping in to Panda Express (which also served as this morning's breakfast). This load, though, had me up at 0330, for a 0400 appointment (i quite sure I've mentioned it before, but I loathe early morning deliveries). After this delivery, and the subsequent completion of the mandated 10 hour break, I headed into Chicago to pick up a candy load.

I had very much hoped for a load that would put me in position to load out of Tulsa, OK on Friday, going to Woodinville, WA/Burnaby, BC. Now that I'm no longer training, I have my bike with me, and I am very anxious and eager to hit the bike trail there in Woodinville. Instead, I'm picking up a load of produce in Wisconsin going to Forest Park, GA (just outside of Atlanta) for Friday. Obviously nowhere near where I would hope to be, but that's the nature of the beast... and I certainly don't plan to go cycling in that area - it's flippin' humid down that way!

At least my Starbucks will help ease the sting of rejection... temporarily.

Year 2, Day 197 (On Own Way To Canada)

We arrived in Dayton, NJ at just before 0100 (ET) and, surprisingly enough, were put in a door to begin loading rather promptly, though the loading appointment wasn't until 0800 this morning. Once I finished my 10 hour break, Nathan and I headed out to make our way to Brampton, ON. On the way, I treated him to the all American breakfast of Dunkin' Donuts. The traffic wasn't too terribly bad, compared to what I have experienced in the past. As of this writing, I have pulled off just east of Buffalo, NY to top off the fuel, and to pick up a pizza for dinner (Nathan did make me promise him that, at some point, he wanted some pizza from Flying J). As we finish the last 100+ miles on this trip, I had to make this stop stretch out a little longer in order to get this post put to bed, as I will not have any access to the data network once I cross the border.

See you later, eh?

Year 2, Day 115 (Get A New Student Today, Deliver Tomorrow)

Leaving Indianapolis at nearly 2200 (CT) is not what I had planned, but that's what happened anyway. There were some nice gusts of winds blowing through Indiana yesterday, which can make for and interesting driving experience... especially when you have an empty trailer and dealing with a cross wind. This load isn't too bad, weight-wise, only about 35,000 lbs.

Later on today I'll make a stop at my employer's Little Rock terminal to pick Dillard (my new student) up and begin his training. I'll have him for slightly over a week before I go home for a few days, during which he'll be put up in a motel where I live. After we head back out, I'll have him for a couple more weeks. I plan on cramming a lot of knowledge on him this first week, then let him recoup a few days to soak in all in.Then the next few weeks we will both start off refreshed and ready to go, and hopefully get something going out west (what I am really hoping for).

The weather has reverted back to "chilly" mode these past few days, which I won't complain about. Then again, I've never let hot weather stop me from partaking of my daily (sometimes intravenous) allowance of coffee. Even though the weather has chilled off again, there are tell-tale signs that we are officially in Spring... road construction has begun! Be careful out there!


- Posted by me

Year 2, Day 92 (Almost Halfway To San Antonio)

I finally left out of Harrisonville, MO at nearly 2000 last night. I stopped in Peculiar, MO to made sure the trailer's fuel was topped off before going in to the Tyson facility in Olathe, KS. Fortunately, the load I was picking up had been pre-loaded. Once I dropped my empty and hooked up to the loaded trailer (and scaled it to make sure all the weights were legal), I was on my way. I made it to just north of Oklahoma City before I shut down... which was nearly 0500 this morning. When I awoke, I decided for a more healthy bill of fare for an albeit late breakfast- fresh strawberries with a cream cheese dip:

I still have over 450 miles to cover yet before I get to the customer in San Antonio, TX. My appointment to deliver is for 0700, and if all works out, I'm hoping to be there around 2300 tonight. But only time - and Ft. Worth traffic - will tell.

I. Need. Coffee.

Year 2, Day 87 (This Will Be A Short Day)

Not only did I unload and re-load at the same facility yesterday, but the customer did so consecutively... which was a nice little bonus. After getting the trailer loaded, and stopping for some ice (for my half & half tea), I was underway around 1630. I made a stop in Knoxville along the way (yeah, to get my Starbucks fix) and made it all the way to Lexington, VA, which is about 45 miles north of Roanoke. Having covered that ground, I have less than 200 miles to cover today, for a 1030 (ET) appointment tomorrow. Though when I arrived here, it was 0240 (ET), so I was ready for some sleep.

I'm going to call Monica (my Fleet Manager) a little later and pester her about a pre-plan for tomorrow. I prefer getting pre-planned because it helps me to plan ahead, and allow for whatever breaks I feel necessary.

I deliver in the morning in Greencastle, PA, which is just 3 miles north of the Maryland state line, on I-81... roughly about an hour south of Harrisburg (the Pennsylvania State Capital). There are many nice areas in Pennsylvania, one of my favorites being Hershey (I wonder why).

Year 2, Day 73 (In Limbo)

Last night, Larry and I shut down in Olive Branch, MS, which is just outside of Memphis. Looking at our hours, there was no way that will will be making our delivery today, since we both have less than 5 hours left... and there's still nearly 400 miles to cover. I updated our ETA for Wednesday, which of course, poses a new problem: if we are delivering in the Atlanta, GA area on Wednesday, how will Larry get to Little Rock to take his final evaluation (and I to get home)... on Wednesday? This morning I began a conversation (via the Qualcomm) with my Fleet Manager, Monica, on this issue. As it stands right now, we are waiting here at the Flying J in Olive Branch, hoping everything works out, and we do a swap with another driver who will take this load on to Suwanee, GA, and will get us heading back towards Little Rock.

It's been a long 4 1/2 weeks, so I am ready to get home. I did, however, have a nice breakfast this morning: (instant) oatmeal... Strawberries & Cream (with extra cream), and a glass of milk.

But no coffee yet.