Rookie Solo Adventure, Thoughts, Questions, Vent, And Ramble.

Good evening,

Just after posting the comment above my day (while exhausting) got better.

I delivered my “hyper-sensitive” load on time. Managed to park well. Had a lovely interaction with the receiver. And... took a nap!

3 hours later they were just finishing. I got checked out. Slid my tandems. Set my clock to personal conveyance (I was -2:00 and needed safe haven) and rolled out. Stopping at the guard shack yielded much laughter about people stocking up for the coming storm. Why do you need 96 rolls of tp NOW!!?!! And 6 gallons of milk? Well, ok, I guess that makes sense, what with all that milk...

I was giggling when I got to the main road and saw my red triangle vigorously blinking. I stopped and poked the button... HOS violation. Poo. When I stopped it reverted back to driving. I switched it back and drove to Safe Haven. I called my DM and had a great exchange and much laughter.

I spoke to on-road about getting my headlight fixed. They routed me to Johnstown terminal. I decided to wrap up my morning and hit the rack. Slept like a baby!

Now (with permission from my DM) I’m fixing my light. My next load is from York, PA to Indianapolis. 2 states west!

Thank you all for the feedback! I’m grateful that you enjoy my writing. It gives me great pleasure to share in the written medium. The act of writing the post above really helped me process the difficult day I’d had. I’m in no hurry to leave the industry, it’s way to intriguing and challenging to walk away from. Plus the scenery is fantastic!

Cheers,

G

Addendum:

Bought a wire tool and crimp clips. 10 minutes later my light is back on!

No trip to the endless repair queue. That’ll happen when I get back to WA. My 300k service is due in about 4k.

I’m going back to bed.

Cheers,

G

Good afternoon all,

I picked up my load in York, PA (Gettysburg). A wee snafu trying to park my trailer. No damage, only a very wet, cold, and frustrated driver. They asked me to drop my MT at the end of a long row. It was a blind 90, in the dark, after a u-turn. I could not do it. I goaled about 20 times in freezing rain. Eventually (an hour later), I gave up, accepted defeat I parked the trailer in an empty spot on the site side. Wrote a note and stuck it in the electrical connection.

I went to the shipping office and got my trailer assignment. Picked up my load, weighed it, and departed. When I passed the guard shack I intended to let them know about the MT, but trucks were stacked behind me and they waved me through quickly.

Dispatch hadn’t made “the right” key-strokes and my GPS route wasn’t activated. I had to stop to request the update.

While rolling back to I76 through a little town, on ice, in the dark. I chose to push through a yellow light rather than stop. I was 77k and the idea of a short stop brought images of jackknifery to mind. The light was red when I crested the intersection... I’m sure I’ll get to watch the video eventually.

I missed my turn promptly after that and had to reroute. It’s fine. Other than swearing a bit (lot, check out lalochezia) I found my way back to the highway and headed west!

I love the long tunnels on I76! I couldn’t help myself... I blew my air horn in the tunnel! So satisfying!! It tickled my brain. My inner child loved it!! :)

Eventually the visibility and driving conditions exceeded my comfort and I stopped at a rest area. Slept my 10 and headed West. I discovered the little blob of WV between PA and OH, I had no idea it was there. I got fuel outside Wheeling, WV. The conversations/accents were markedly southern. Fascinating how different it was between PA and OH.

I pushed my ETA an hour out due to inclement weather. My destination was a drop yard for Tcall. I missed my turn. Sent a question to my mentor and then had a great conversation with him. I drove a bit further and found a spot to turnaround. Parked in the yard. Dropped my trailer and picked up an MT and took my 10.

During the night I turned down 3 loads going East. My DM instructed me to do that so I can get back West by next week. I eventually accepted a load from Lebanon, IN to Dubuque, IA.

I had some time this morning before my live load. I used google maps and yelp to locate a Walmart near my shipper. Set my clock to Personal Conveyance and did some much needed shopping! I’ve got floor mats, sundries, food, and more water.

My family has been tracking my adventure. It’s fun answering questions and catching up. My DM called me this morning to confirm my home-time. Apparently, it didn’t stick in the system. He remembered that he was trying to get me home. It’s there now. It explains why so many LPs tried to send me East.

I cleaned my truck (inside). Laid out the floor mats and put away my groceries. I finally got a safety pin, every truck stop for a 1000 miles didn’t have one or were baffles that I’d ask for one. I use them to change the direction of the windshield spray nozzles.

I arrived at my shipper just before my appointment. Had a great exchange with the guards, much laughter! I swear, it’s the laughter and the scenery that makes this thing work.

I got my door assignment and parked, with some jiggery-pokery I managed a decent parking job. I went back to set the chock and discovered that I forgot to open the doors... more laughter!

I’m getting loaded now. My DM and I agreed that Dubuque is BFE and he will be working to get a better load for me, hopefully heading more than 2 states West.

Cheers,

G

Spoonerist drops some wisdom...

I arrived at my shipper just before my appointment. Had a great exchange with the guards, much laughter! I swear, it’s the laughter and the scenery that makes this thing work.

I hope you realize how profound this statement really is...

If you project a positive attitude; one with humor, professionalism and respect, people will absolutely help you if you need it. At the very least they will treat you in the same way you treated them. "Yes" there are always exceptions, but for the most part that approach works wonders. It is so easy to set yourself apart from a sea of miserable and negative drivers. Of all the things you have written, this is really good and one of the keys to long-term success and santity out here.

Well done!

Good morning all,

Finally! A shower. I was starting to stick to things... I suppose a benefit is that I’ve been pretty busy.

Let’s see. I took my 10 at Spoon River rest stop a couple of days ago. (Man, if I thought my days ran together during mentorship, holy FFF! It’s all one blur now.) Before I started my clock (had to delay it for a later delivery) I realized that I may be able to reset in Dubuque. I desperately needed a shower and laundry and a real bed. AND the biggest steak I could find. I booked a room at a casino.

On my way from Illinois to Dubuque my dispatcher called with a load going from Davenport to Boise. I’d been slowly working my way back across the states. I said that I was considering a reset (I didn’t share that I’d booked a room.) he explained how my time comes back after it falls off the 8-day log. This concept had confused me, rather than forcing my understanding a couple of weeks ago I knew that I’d have an opportunity to learn it kinesthetically (kin/spat learner). He explained that I’d need to keep a close eye on my clock and run hard.

My delivery in Dubuque was supposed to be a live unload. It turned out to be a drop and hook! I got out of there quickly and on to Davenport. The pick up in Davenport was one of the best I’ve had. A day cab took my MT and I picked up the LDd. The guard was very friendly and personable. He was kind of a trucking fan boy, watches vlogs on trucking and had questions.

I got on my way and made it to Western Iowa. Hard pushing has been my MO for the last couple of days. Nebraska took most of a day. I parked at Summit rest area in Wyoming. My next day I made it to just outside Boise with 3 minutes left...

And here I am. Warm, clean, and fed. I’ll be here until tomorrow morning. My reset should be done. I’ve got my next 2 loads. I’ll be back to the Sumner terminal in a couple of days!

Cheers,

G

Spoonerist,

Great to hear the update.

I was wondering how your time management was progressing and if you had any time to ponder your philosophical musings.

Spoonerist,

Great to hear the update.

I was wondering how your time management was progressing and if you had any time to ponder your philosophical musings.

Hello,

Some musings, yes. I tend to write long-hand to process the ideas after they tumble around in my head.

Let’s see if I can transmit them here. I might’ve shared above that I’m studying dimensional/perceptual reality and how it relates to human (Western) society. (This doesn’t really do it justice.) The recent tumble of thoughts is related to the saying: “To a less advanced society, ‘normal’ technology appears as magic.”

In relation to that the way I’ve been relegated to explaining my philosophy is spirituality or metaphysics. Technology makes way more sense!

I’m looking forward to a decrease in my learning curve. It’s using a majority of my processor.

A classmate wants to team drive. I was planning on it the next time I run OTR. They want to do it now. I’m not opposed, but am going to chat with my dispatcher to ensure that we can make it work. I need to loop back through WA for medical stuff after the new year.

Boise was decently (uncharacteristically) warm. I took in a movie and met up with friends. It’s been a nice reset. I still look longingly at my clock wishing it would show the new time (before it does). I want to be sure that I’ve done the right calculations...

Cheers,

G

Spoonerist relates:

I might’ve shared above that I’m studying dimensional/perceptual reality and how it relates to human (Western) society.

I am in Chicago and saw the "Metra" commuter train and pondered explaining the "commuter train" concept to horse and buggy folks.

I would get some feedback from some of the experienced drivers on the forum about teaming before taking the leap.

We were told at our last safety meeting that a build up of old grease was causing locking issues.

Only 75W-90 gear oil should be used to lubricate 5th wheel jaws during cold weather months. Scraping out built up grease and steam cleaning, if needed, is a very important part of the PM process.

I live in Chicago which in chicago language means i live in the suburbs. Living and parking in Chicago is a nightmare. meaning a lot of people live in the suburb and have to use that metra train to make it to their jobs .... parking in chicago at its cheapest is $32 bucks a day but can be cheaper if you catch the early bird thing

Spoonerist relates:

I might’ve shared above that I’m studying dimensional/perceptual reality and how it relates to human (Western) society.

I am in Chicago and saw the "Metra" commuter train and pondered explaining the "commuter train" concept to horse and buggy folks.

I would get some feedback from some of the experienced drivers on the forum about teaming before taking the leap.