Home for the Holidays

It has been a very long time since I updated this blog with whats been happening so instead of trying to remember everything and trying to play catch up.

Because I live in Florida, it is extremely difficult to get in and out of this state with freight so I sometimes run into problems with gettting home or leaving home once I am here.  Christmas was one of those times.  Both getting home and leaving were complicated by the fact that this company has well over 300 drivers that live in Florida and the majority of that number wanted to come home for Christmas.  The company ran out of loads coming into the state when trying to get everyone home and I, like many others had to take loads into Georgia and then deadhead home from there.  For me it was a 500 mile deadhead.  For some it was more, others less.  Unfortunately, they waited until the last possible moment to get me a load going to Georgia which made it nearly impossible to get home in time to open presents.  Getting out of Florida has been a treat also.  Originally I told the company that I would come back on Monday the 27th but because I didn't get home in a timely manner I decided to stay here until Tuesday.  Boy was that a mistake!!!  90 loads spread over 300 drivers does not make for a smooth departure out of the state for a large number of drivers.  Yes, I was one of those and it is now Thursday and I am finally getting out of the state.  I think next year i'll take Thanksgiving off instead of Christmas!!

Happy Trails

Mike

Back Roads, Wildlife, & Plan Comes Together

11/30/10
One of the benefits, I think, of driving is taking the back roads across this country. Meaning US highways and some State routes. To pick up my load in Stuttgart, AR, I did just that. It took me through several small towns, like Homer, LA population 499. At least that is what the sign said. Town had the old wooden houses painted white and in need of painting. Several white fences, also needing a good coat of paint. While driving through towns like this I often wonder where they go for jobs and shopping. Granted I only go through on one route, but usually one gas station/convenient store and maybe a general store.

Usually there are a few "old timers" sitting either on porch or front yard. They seem to always wave as the world goes by. I wave back and wonder how much history have they seen.

On US 167 just outside Fordyce, AR, I came upon "hollowed highway". A section of this road was dedicated to Paul "Bear" Bryant.

12/1/10
As I cross the mighty Mississippi River on I-57 entering into Illinois, the sun was going down. Just as fast, the temperature was going down as well. During this time of gray lightning, the wildlife tend to either start moving for the night or get ready to pack it in for the night. Kinda like there is a day shift and a night shift. The wind was starting to die down and off to my left there was a good size coyote trotting across a field. Didn't appear to be chasing anything, just cruising. A few miles further north there were two "V" formations of geese heading south. Looked really pretty with the red sky behind them. And finally before it got too dark, I had seen 10 deer. Even got to get a glimpse of a buck in rut chasing a doe. What is the most amazing part of all this? Many drivers didn't see any of it! They are too worried about were the "bears" (cops) are and think they are in a hurry. They miss so much.

12/2-3/10
I got to my destination a little over an hour early. Figure I check in and chill out in sleeper to watch Santa Clause Coming to Town. Just get comfortable when there is a knock on sleeper! No, it wasn't Santa, they already have a door for me and will take about forty-five minutes to unload me. That doesn't happen very often. So I called night dispatch to see if they had a load assigned to me or will have to wait till morning. They had a "drop & hook" load out of Morris, IL. About 77 miles from where I was. Man, a plan finally coming together!

I get unloaded and book down to Morris. Drop my empty trailer and grab the loaded trailer. Pull out to a side street they have for truckers to sleep and/or take their break. After a good night sleep I head south towards Texas. I was able to get out of area before the snow hit. They were expecting 3-6" of the white stuff!

To be continued .......

Merry Christmas and safe travels