Working At Sea Level

I'm taking a 34 hour break down at Port Fourchon LA this weekend. If you've never been down in this part of the country you are missing out on a unique cultural experience. These folks down here have their own unique culture, their own foods, a unique vernacular, the Zydeco music is theirs to claim - they've got boats that are unique to the area, they've even got their own unique breed of dog (the Catahoula hound - one of the finest dogs for hunting wild hogs with, and he also makes a unique dog for working with cattle) I've got one of these at home "Cricket", who jumps and barks excitedly every time I come home from being out on the road.

These folks can wail out a sad love song with those accordion strands going on that will bring tears to your eyes even though you can't understand a word of their *******ized French lyrics. I love the live music down here.

I picked up 15 bags of salt weighing 3,000 pounds each from a salt mine in Carlsbad NM to deliver to a Halliburton yard down here at Port Fourchon. Here's a look at the salt mine and the bags of salt.

Port Fouchon is basically an oilfield area that also services the off-shore rigs out in the Gulf of Mexico, there are great ships here along with lots of Helicopters and other various forms of oilfield equipment. Just about any company that's involved in the oilfield support business has a drop yard or facility of some sort down here. Here's a photo of one of many ships that was docked at the yard I delivered to and following that is a photo of a "Man Camp" right next to the truck stop I'm taking a break at. It's not the greatest photo, but notice how the mobile homes are all elevated - everything down here is elevated like that- the roads I'm driving on are just inches above the water levels down here.

Okay, one more interesting picture of what is called a "fishing shack" down here, it's actually more like a beach house or vacation home, but it's out in the water - there's just no other place to put them down here. You don't drive your car to these houses, you either take your boat, or walk down about 150 yards of old rotting wooden walkways to get to them.

There's never a dull moment doing this flat-bed work, last week my daughter was with me when we got into a little snow storm up in upstate New York, and this week I'm enjoying a break down in Louisiana with the night time coastal breezes blowing gently through my truck while I type out this post. You move around so much doing this job that you never know what's going to be next, it's all part of the adventure

Great pics. Yea it's a really different world that far south.

Those are some cool pictures, Old School! Thanks for sharing! That's great that your daughter got to run with you. I've been talking to my daughter about the possibility of doing the same and she's totally excited about it! She's homeschooled as well, so no need to worry about her taking time off & we can use it as part of her schooling, too!

Keep up the good work. And I can't wait to hear more of your stories from the road!

Tarren

I always enjoy your posts Old School, especially the ones including pics. You take great photos by the way!

Keep 'em coming.

Old School, you were in my neck of the woods at Port Fourchon, I live about an hour and a half north of there.

In my local newspaper this morning there happened to be an article about the economic impact Port Fourchon has on SE Louisiana and the whole country. According to the article, Port Fourchon has 250 companies that have a presence there supporting 8000 jobs. 90% of the offshore Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drilling is supported out of Port Fourchon. 13% of the country's crude oil supply is pumped through the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port's facility at Port Fourchon. There is great concern that if a major hurricane had a direct hit on Port Fourchon and knocked that facility out that there would be profound economic reprecussions for the whole country.

I have been fishing down there many, many times. If you drive all the way to the end of the main road ( can't bring a semi that far) it ends at the beach. We drive west on the beach to Belle Pass, where the waterway those boats are in enters the Gulf. Usually May and June are prime fishing months for the beach fishing, so I will be going some over the next few months.

If you pass up Port Fourchon and continue south on La. 1, you will come to Grande Isle, the only road accessible barrier island in Louisiana. There are many summer homes, a large beach, and great fshing. Some call it the Cajun Riviera. Lol.

Old school,

You always find places like this. I have a hard time finding a truckstop most of the time. I guess as I learn the ropes I will be able to find places like this too. I hope I do. Awesome pictures. Ol BTW, I am mad at you Old School. I remember how much fun you said it was putting on lumber tarps and then removing them in the pouring rain. You sold me that flatbed crack and now I am getting my ass kicked. ROFL! It is hard work but I am really enjoying this career.

You give me a good laugh man!

I've got to tell you, the tarping was my least favorite part of this flat-bed thing at the beginning, but now I really sort of enjoy doing it. It's become one of those things that I take a little pride in trying to make it look good while it serves it's purpose of protecting the freight. I can't really say where along the timeline my enjoyment of tarping came into play, but it just sort of evolved into something that I enjoy doing. Of course, there are days when it's way too hot or way too cold to truly enjoy it, but on those days I just kind of endure it and move on down the highway even if it didn't come out looking like a nicely wrapped up Christmas present.

Old School, don't forget "way too windy" and that includes when we are trying to fold them up. Just another part of the challenge in the life of a flatbed driver. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Well I am learning really fast. There is a very steep learning curve. I am getting better at it though. The lumber tarps are so heavy. I hate having to lift them in the box. I always try to find somebody with a forklift to put them back in place.

Windy weather and tarps.....always makes me think of that song "Sail Away"...lol..A girlfriend of mine was yanked off a load when she decided she could hold the tarp in the wind....broke her ankle real bad. She will be at home for atleast 6 months, and 3 surgeries so far...Hard learned lesson...when in doubt, drop the tarp and go flat on the load. Contrary to popular belief...the human body does not bounce well on hard surfaces..