We finally made it back home to Indiana this afternoon. It's the first time home since Easter and all I can say is "it's about time!" We've been doing pretty well but this past week has been a bit of a nightmare. Trying to get standard maintenance done on the reefer was bordering on horrendous. If we found a dealer in the area, they were either too busy or would only do it in the early morning. All of them work on a first come, first serve basis and if we had a delivery in the morning it was too late by the time we could get there. Finally on Thursday we found a dealer and got it done in Memphis. After getting this done we were able to head to our layover destination of Louisville, Ky. We had a load going to Columbus, Oh. that would have gotten us home on Monday in the wee hours. Ron has a doctor appointment on Monday afternoon so this would work our perfect. Three hours later we had to turn that assignment back in because the customer changed the delivery time for the third time. This time from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning--too late to keep the dr. appointment. At least we are here now.
We were on US 31 almost to the bypass when Tom, the GPS guy, spoke up. He has the habit of telling us the ENTIRE name on a street when we need to turn. As we approached the turn Tom started in: Slide right on US 20 byp, US 31, Niles, Mi, Michigan City, airport. This is what the big sign looks like, but what Tom says is really: "Slide right on US 20 byp (byp, not bypass); US 31; Niles, Miles; Michigan City airport" He repeats this 3 times until we make the turn. What he said didn't register with me until the 2nd time. When Tom said Niles, Miles the 3rd time I lost it. I laughed until I had tears running down my face. Where do they get these people? I was still giggling at dinner. Thank you, Rand McNally, for my laugh of the day!
Until next time . . . . . . .
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Happy 1st Anniversary, Ron
Today is our 1st anniversary and I can't believe it's here already. This year has gone by so quickly. We are spending the night in Massachusetts. After a small shopping spree for the both of us we had dinner at Outback Steak House in Southington, Connecticut before moving on to Massachusetts. We have a load here in the morning going to Pennsylvania. It's been a very busy week for us. Last weekend was in Dallas. Since leaving there we've been to Louisiana, Nebraska, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts and all other states in between to get to these states. Most of our loads were straight through and no time to pull over---hence the wait for this entry.
A few observations I've made: The east coast, primarily New England, seems to have a thing about not liking truckers. They all want our cargo but want nothing to do with the rest of us. There is no parking for any trucks anywhere. TA, Petro, Pilot, Flying J, and Love's are the major truckstops in the country. Our locator book found 1 Pilot in Massachusetts. That's all--only 1. Nothing else. And it was totally out of our way! We are spending the night at a service plaza on the turnpike where parking is allowed only next to the curb with room for about 6 trucks. We were lucky enough to get a spot as someone else was leaving. We even tried to go to Walmart to get a few supplies and had to park in the back area by their loading docks. Upon leaving there we saw the police watching the lot and traffic. It seems that Walmart's policy of allowing trucks to park in their lots is making a turn-around. The newer stores have made their lots so that large trucks cannot get into them and so many are posting no parking signs. Others will allow only 2 hour parking--just long enough to shop.
Another one is the no littering signs. We've all seen them and every state has them with a fine posted on the sign. Usually the fine runs anywhere from $100 to $1,000. I have seen a fine of $5,000. I think this is all well and good because I happen to love the beauty of nature and hate to see it spoiled by all the trash along the highways. Can anyone tell me where Connecticut gets its littering fine from? It has the most unusual fine I've seen so far: $219. Where in the world did they come up with that figure? I guess it takes all kinds to make this wonderful world of ours go round!
I guess that's all for now. Until next time . . . . . .
A few observations I've made: The east coast, primarily New England, seems to have a thing about not liking truckers. They all want our cargo but want nothing to do with the rest of us. There is no parking for any trucks anywhere. TA, Petro, Pilot, Flying J, and Love's are the major truckstops in the country. Our locator book found 1 Pilot in Massachusetts. That's all--only 1. Nothing else. And it was totally out of our way! We are spending the night at a service plaza on the turnpike where parking is allowed only next to the curb with room for about 6 trucks. We were lucky enough to get a spot as someone else was leaving. We even tried to go to Walmart to get a few supplies and had to park in the back area by their loading docks. Upon leaving there we saw the police watching the lot and traffic. It seems that Walmart's policy of allowing trucks to park in their lots is making a turn-around. The newer stores have made their lots so that large trucks cannot get into them and so many are posting no parking signs. Others will allow only 2 hour parking--just long enough to shop.
Another one is the no littering signs. We've all seen them and every state has them with a fine posted on the sign. Usually the fine runs anywhere from $100 to $1,000. I have seen a fine of $5,000. I think this is all well and good because I happen to love the beauty of nature and hate to see it spoiled by all the trash along the highways. Can anyone tell me where Connecticut gets its littering fine from? It has the most unusual fine I've seen so far: $219. Where in the world did they come up with that figure? I guess it takes all kinds to make this wonderful world of ours go round!
I guess that's all for now. Until next time . . . . . .
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