STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Life Day 21497: Wasting away at the WWW

On Tuesday the 16th, rested, relaxed and refreshed after my 34+ hour respite in Albuquerque, I accepted a load which picked up in Belen, NM and delivered in Los Angeles. It was only about an 800 mile trip including the deadhead, but that is because my RDO is at (-1). They are trying to get me home. The weather was perfect while I was there. Yesterday, I took my truck to the TA truckstop for a PM Service. That killed a couple of hours. Then back to the Flying J.
I left Albuquerque at about 1000 and drove the 1/2 hour to Belen, about 30 miles south on I-25. The load was bales of scrap paper so it was heavy (41,000#). The closest scale was back in Abuquerque, so back to the terminal I went to check the weight. The load was legal, so after letting the MMM have 1 final untethered romp, I set off towards the sunset. I took a dinner break in Winslow, AZ, then drove to Lake Havasu City, AZ for another quick break. I finished the day at the John Wilke Rest Area about 40 miles west of Needles (I pronounce it needless).
I left the Rest Area about 1000 the next day and drove to Hesparia. I took a quick break here before going through the “chicken coop” at the bottom of Cajon Pass. I then drove the remaining 70 miles into the bowels LA, arriving at the customer about 1500. It was a re-cycling center. The dock area was cramped and cluttered with debris (I always worry about my poor tires whenever I have to go to places like this). After being unloaded, I had to leave forthwith because there were other trucks waiting. I found a place to park and await a Pre-Plan about a mile away. About 3 hours later, I finally recieved and accepted a load that picked up at our terminal in Fontana and delivered in Las Vegas. I arrived in Fontana at 2000, topped of with fuel (it was only $2.959), picked up the loaded trailer, and walked the MMM. At 2100, I headed to Barstow where I decided to terminate my relationship with this workday.
On Thursday, I drove the 3 hours into Vegas and the WWW. The load only weighed 10,000# so I didn’t even have to drop a gear climbing Baker Hill. I can’t deliver this stupid load until noon tomorrow. It is a ‘firm’ delivery appointment. That throws a monkey wrench into my time off. Oh well, one constructive thing I can do is take the MMM to the Vet for their shots. PetSmart has a “shot clinic” today from 1400 to 1600. At least I arrived here in time to do that today so I won’t have to wait until Sunday.