Life Day 21347: Las Vegas Lassitude
I awoke on the 18th to another ice storm caused by low clouds and drizzle. It was a total mess. I left Amarillo at about 0815. It took me over 3 hours to drive 50 miles. The roads were a solid sheet of ice. I couldn't begin to count the number of accidents I saw as I "slid" towards Dumas, TX. I had to use every trick I knew to maintain traction (driving on the 'rumble strip, engaging both drive axles, dropping the air in my air-bags, keeping my RPM's below 1200). The roads finally began to improve as I entered Oklahoma, and by the time I reached southeastern Colorado, I was able to resume safely driving at the speed limit. I stopped in Lamar, CO and took a nice long break. It's always the same whenever there are 'winter driving conditions' in Texas. They refuse to sand & salt the roads. Geeeze, it's not like they couldn't find a little bit of extra sand in Texas! I left at 1600 and drove on to Pueblo, CO where I did the drop delivery, drove the 1/2 mile to our Terminal, and called it a day. The MMM were chagrined to discover that Security was out of 'doggie treats'. They expect to get one whenever we are here.
I took the 19th off so I could re-start my 70-hour clock. I will have accumulated the necessary 34 consecutive hours off at 0800 in the AM. The weather is much improved. All the YUK from yesterday is history. My 2006 permits are in Salt Lake City, so I asked my DM to "overnight" them to the Pueblo terminal just in case I don't get back through SLC before the first of the year. I don't want to have to stop again just because I don't have my Permits. I then went into town and got a room at the Ramada Inn. I need to get out of the truck for a while. I then decided to defragment my computer. Geeze, 12 hours later, I was finally done with that process. I basically watched the Food Channel all day.
The MMM had a relaxing day too.
On the 20th, I checked out of the motel, and drove back to the terminal. My Permits arrived at about 1130. The Planner offered me a load which picked up in Pueblo, CO and delivered in Salt Lake City, UT (0 miles empty and 568 miles loaded). The load was ready at 1300 and I left the Customer at 1330. I didn't get too far though. As I was driving through town, I noticed smoke coming from the right rear of the trailer. (Ref: Shop 'Til I Drop on this BLOG). As it turned out, my day was over. I drove less than 20 miles total and worked 5.5 hours for the day, 5 of which were shop time.
On the 21st, with all maintenance woes hopefully behind me, I left Pueblo at 0515. I drove to Montrose, CO and took a break. The worst part of the drive (10,000 ft + Monarch Pass) is behind me and the weather is nice. I did encounter a little fog and some single digit temperatures, but it was nothing to get excited about. I left at 1030 and drove to Wellington, UT. At 1430 I left and drove to the Customer in SLC. I arrived over an hour before my scheduled appointment of 1830. I was informed that they would not be able to unload me until 2300. I settled in to wait. While I was waiting, I recieved a Pre-Plan that picks up in West Valley, UT and delivers in Vegas (9 miles empty and 421 miles loaded). Naturally, I accepted it. After I was unloaded, I drove to our terminal and went to bed. I drove 572 miles in 10.25 hours and worked a total of 10.75 hours.
Today, the 22nd, I picked up the load, fueled, and was almost ready to leave, when I was asked to give another driver (a student actually) a ride to Las Vegas. I said i'd wait for him and drop him off. I finally left at 1100. I drove to the MMM's favorite rest area for a break, then drove to Las Vegas. I dropped the driver at the Pilot truckstop, then decided to call it a day. The load delivers at 0600 tomorrow. After the delivery, I plan to 'totally veg' and 'geek' for the rest of the Yule.
I took the 19th off so I could re-start my 70-hour clock. I will have accumulated the necessary 34 consecutive hours off at 0800 in the AM. The weather is much improved. All the YUK from yesterday is history. My 2006 permits are in Salt Lake City, so I asked my DM to "overnight" them to the Pueblo terminal just in case I don't get back through SLC before the first of the year. I don't want to have to stop again just because I don't have my Permits. I then went into town and got a room at the Ramada Inn. I need to get out of the truck for a while. I then decided to defragment my computer. Geeze, 12 hours later, I was finally done with that process. I basically watched the Food Channel all day.
The MMM had a relaxing day too.
On the 20th, I checked out of the motel, and drove back to the terminal. My Permits arrived at about 1130. The Planner offered me a load which picked up in Pueblo, CO and delivered in Salt Lake City, UT (0 miles empty and 568 miles loaded). The load was ready at 1300 and I left the Customer at 1330. I didn't get too far though. As I was driving through town, I noticed smoke coming from the right rear of the trailer. (Ref: Shop 'Til I Drop on this BLOG). As it turned out, my day was over. I drove less than 20 miles total and worked 5.5 hours for the day, 5 of which were shop time.
On the 21st, with all maintenance woes hopefully behind me, I left Pueblo at 0515. I drove to Montrose, CO and took a break. The worst part of the drive (10,000 ft + Monarch Pass) is behind me and the weather is nice. I did encounter a little fog and some single digit temperatures, but it was nothing to get excited about. I left at 1030 and drove to Wellington, UT. At 1430 I left and drove to the Customer in SLC. I arrived over an hour before my scheduled appointment of 1830. I was informed that they would not be able to unload me until 2300. I settled in to wait. While I was waiting, I recieved a Pre-Plan that picks up in West Valley, UT and delivers in Vegas (9 miles empty and 421 miles loaded). Naturally, I accepted it. After I was unloaded, I drove to our terminal and went to bed. I drove 572 miles in 10.25 hours and worked a total of 10.75 hours.
Today, the 22nd, I picked up the load, fueled, and was almost ready to leave, when I was asked to give another driver (a student actually) a ride to Las Vegas. I said i'd wait for him and drop him off. I finally left at 1100. I drove to the MMM's favorite rest area for a break, then drove to Las Vegas. I dropped the driver at the Pilot truckstop, then decided to call it a day. The load delivers at 0600 tomorrow. After the delivery, I plan to 'totally veg' and 'geek' for the rest of the Yule.
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