STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Life Day 22518: Leaping Forward in Lathrop

March 7, 2009 on 10:55 am | In On The Road | No Comments

Things seem to have come to a complete standstill since I delivered my load in Stockton yesterday.  Tonight at least time will move forward 1 hour for Daylight Saving Time (if I remember to re-set my clocks).
The weather along the route from Houston to Stockton was perfect, therefore, the chronology of my travel is mundane.

Monday, March 2nd:  I drove from Katy to the consignee in Houston, arriving about 0830.  I did the drop delivery, and that was it for the day, at least work wise anyway.  I sat at the customer for a couple of hours, then decided to move.  I first tried the Love’s truck stop a couple of miles away.  The place was a ZOO.  Parking was impossible.  I gave up on that idea, and drove over to our nearby drop yard to ‘hang out’.  About 1600, I received and accepted a PrePlan which picked up at the same customer to which I had delivered earlier, and delivered in Stockton, CA.  I drove back over to the Love’s which had settled down considerably.  I walked a block to the Luby’s Cafeteria for one more ‘dose’ of non truck stop food.  After dinner, I drove back to the customer and parked there for the night.

Tuesday:  I woke up at 0530 and walked the MMM. I checked in with Shipping as soon as they arrived at 0600.  I was told to pull an empty trailer from one door and re-spot it in another door.  I did so, and settled in to wait.  My appointment was for 1500, so I felt good about getting a door so early.  I thought I would be loaded within a couple of hours, but I was wrong.  I was loaded before my appointment time, but only barely.  I left the customer at 1500 and drove to our terminal in Lancaster, TX .  I fueled and walked the MMM. I then drove to Chillicothe, TX.  I took a short break here, then drove on to Amarillo arriving a little after 0200.

Wednesday:  I left Amarillo at noon and drove to Albuquerque, NM.  I fueled, walked the MMM, and had a snack.  From there, I drove to Winslow, AZ where I stopped for the night about 2300.  I wanted to get back on a decent schedule instead of driving into the ‘wee hours’ of the night.

Thursday:  I left Winslow about 0900 and drove to Lake Havasu City. I had lunch here, then drove to Barstow, CA. I took a short break here, then drove to Lost Hills, CA where I stopped for the night.

Friday:  I left Lost Hills at 0845 and drove to the Dos Amigos Power Plant View Area on I-5 about 15 miles south of Santa Nella.  I stopped here because all of the Rest Areas along the way were closed for repairs.  Wolfie was having “intestinal issues”.

After walking the MMM, I took these pictures which show some definite signs of Spring.  I then drove to our terminal in Lathrop, CA.  I fueled, then drove to the Consignee in Stockton.  I did the drop/hook delivery, then drove back to Lathrop to wait.  I received a PrePlan about 1530, but it was immediately canceled.  Oh well…..  I settled in to wait again.  I was done for the day.  I geeked for the rest of the evening.

Saturday, the 7th:  I got plenty of rest last night. Wolfie’s “tummy” was much better, and we all slept through the night.  Today is another day of geeking.  I received a PrePlan about 1030.  It doesn’t pick up until tomorrow at 1000 in Stockton.  It delivers in San Diego on Monday morning.
Later:  About 1430, I drove over to the Flying J truck stop in Ripon, CA, about 10 miles south of our terminal on CA-99.  I’ll still be bored, but at least I’ll be bored where I can get a hot meal.  I may drive over to the customer later this evening and sleep at there tonight.