Monday, November 30, 2009

DECK THE HALLS

There has been a lot of "decking the halls" at my friend's house in Walla Walla, WA over the past couple of days. Four Christmas trees done, with two more to go, Department 56 Christmas villages on display, wreaths hung, and decorations to catch your eye no matter where you might look. Yes, we have been busy, and when you don't have the opportunity to decorate your own house, what greater pleasure than to be able to decorate someone else's. It's kinda like enjoying the party, without having to stay and clean up afterwards. Since I have been visiting, we have baked, and cooked, and cleaned, and shopped, and well.....if I do say so myself, I haven't been this busy in such a long time, I think I just might be feeling my age. One thing is for sure, it has been so much fun, and I have so enjoyed being able to spend this time with my best friend Cori. I couldn't have asked for a better place to call home for a couple of weeks. But all good things must come to an end. Come Thursday, it will be time to pack up and take my vagabond bones back home for a few weeks, until Craig comes home again and we close up the house for the winter. Speaking of Craig, on Saturday they drove from Lebec, CA to Medford, OR which set them up with a relatively easy drive on Sunday into Pacific, WA to stage for their delivery this morning. Charles took the opportunity to make use of his personal vehicle which was parked in the company yard, and spent the evening at home and got to sleep in his own bed, albeit for just a short time. He was back at the truck this morning at 4am in order to make their delivery appointment at 5am in Puyallup at the Fred Meyer distribution center. It came as no surprise, when they were told to drop the trailer there and await a load heading out again later today. With so many of the drivers wanting to be home for the holiday weekend, I'm sure it was difficult to find drivers for all the loads that needed to be delivered. Craig's assignment was to deliver in Coeur d'Alene, ID tonight at 11pm. When completed, they will head to the company yard in Spokane and take advantage of the laundry facilities in the morning while they wait for their next dispatch. If all goes as planned, and we all know how easily those plans can go awry, Craig and I should be back together again in the truck in three weeks. We're both looking forward to getting back into our normal routine again, but until then, I still have a couple of days to get all my Christmas decorating out of my system. Do I hear a Fa La La La La?

Friday, November 27, 2009

STUFFED

Raise your hand if your belly feels as full as mine has over the past 48 hours. They really should enact a law that this whole Thanksgiving celebration last about a week. That's how long I'm sure it's gonna take me to even think about trying to fit into my pants again. If only they could make the left overs not taste so darn good. That is one of the benefits of being out on the road, and only stopping long enough to eat at one of the truck stops......no left overs to haunt you in the middle of the night to come back out and eat. Craig and Charles made it to their delivery this morning and got quite a nice collection of detention pay as it took about 5 hours to unload the frozen french fries and to figure out if indeed they needed to pay the extortion fee for the lumpers to unload the trailer or not. After several phone calls it was determined that in fact this time they would not have to pay. Put one in the win column for the good guys. While waiting, they did receive their next assignment, to head to San Diego and the little hole in the wall warehouse, tucked into the residential neighborhood, to pick up a load of bananas. As I type this now, Craig is yet again collecting 5 hours of detention pay as it was rather busy since the Port of San Diego was not operating due to the holiday weekend. They were putting the last pallet of bananas on as I was talking to Craig, and then he was taking off and driving until he feels like stopping. My guess is that he will be stopping in Lebec, CA. This load of bananas is scheduled to be delivered at 5am Monday morning in Puyallup, WA. Will make for a nice easy run for them. Word on the street is that Charles is doing quite nicely perfecting his backing skills, and it looks like he is on target to get released from training in just under three weeks. Looks like that is just about how much time I will need to fit back into my clothes and get back out on the truck with Craig. All I got to say about that is.......it's about time!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am blessed to be able to spend it with the best of friends, and if you can't be with family, who better to spend it with. This is the first Thanksgiving that Craig and I haven't spent together since we were married in 2001. I'm not sure if Craig's trainee Charles will be able to fill my shoes in my absence, but the thought of Craig at least not being alone today is some comfort.

By the time today is over, they will have earned themselves a nice Thanksgiving dinner, even if it will be at a truck stop away from home. But let's face it, if it wasn't for quite a few professions that must work on holidays, life as we know it wouldn't exist. So I give my thanks today for all of those who work those 24/7, 365 day a year jobs, where a holiday really is just another day, and who work to make America still the greatest Country in the world to live in.

Speaking of working, Wednesday Craig had the honors of driving from Spokane, WA to Quincy, WA to pick up the load of frozen french fries. Arriving a bit early for their appointment, they were loaded and ready to roll by 10:30am, after much discussion and debate on how best to load the trailer, which when scaled was at 79,990 pounds, just 10 pounds shy of the 80,000 maximum. Craig continued the driving duties, crossing over the Columbia River into Oregon, and finally changing drivers at a rest area 70 miles later. Charles then powered through the rest of Oregon, and made it into California and to the Flying J Truck Stop in Corning, CA by 2am. I'd say they earned their sleep after a full day of loading, fueling, and driving almost 800 miles, all within 21 hours.......a full day indeed.

My hope is that around the time that I will be sitting down to enjoy my own Thanksgiving feast in Walla Walla, WA, Craig will have found his own hot meal to enjoy, albeit no doubt at the Petro Truck Stop in Wheeler Ridge, CA, before heading into LA to stage for their delivery Friday morning. No matter where he will be, my glass will be raised in a toast to him and to all those who can not be with the ones they love on this day. To friends, family, and food......the trinity of any good holiday celebration. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

ACTIVITY GALORE

Wow...... I'm not sure I can remember everything that has gone on over the past few days and that is just on my end of things, not to mention what Craig and Charles have been up to. But since most people tune into this blog for the trucking side of it, I'll start with Craig first.

Monday morning it took about 2 hours to get loaded at Johanna Beverage Co. in Spokane, WA. From there they drove to Marysville, WA to meet up with a heavy haul driver who was coming back from Canada. They swapped trailers, the heavy haul taking the loaded one right back into Canada again, and Craig and Charles had his empty trailer. It is now about 4pm, and they are dispatched to the Fred Meyer DC in Puyallup, WA to drop the empty and hook up to a loaded trailer with a 10pm ready time. Upon arriving in Puyallup at 8pm, they find the trailer loaded and ready to go well ahead of schedule.

With the Thanksgiving holiday, it seems there is a major rush to get food items out to the stores, and there were quite a few of our other TWT drivers also there to pick up loads as well. Craig's assignment was for two drops, one in Wenatchee and the other in Spokane. That meant that he would be doing some major night driving, while Charles got the pleasure of getting some sleep after doing all the driving during the day.

By 9am this morning, they were unloaded and headed back to the company yard. It wasn't until while talking to Craig this afternoon that he received his next assignment. They are headed to Quincy, WA to pick up frozen french fries and heading down to the LA area to Walnut, to make the delivery on Friday morning. Looks like plenty of driving in their future to make the appointment time, and it will at least keep them busy and not sitting over the holiday.

As for me, I am constantly reminded how busy a household is with two children, and just how much work goes into keeping it running. I am more than happy to lend a hand as often as I can, but also looking forward to getting back on the truck with Craig and getting back into our nice little routine. What a blessing it is for me to get to have the opportunity to experience it all through the friends and family I get to stay with through out the year!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

DEPARTURE SET FOR MONDAY

It never fails, when you think you have the perfect plan, and then it crumbles around you. This was the case with this last home time. Craig and I thought it through and knew if he could get home on Sunday night/Monday morning he would be back on the board for a run by Wednesday. But with them not getting him back until Wednesday, he did go back on the board until Saturday morning, and when he called Friday afternoon to let them know, we knew it wasn't good news. With the holiday this week, all the drivers that can, were staying out over the weekend. I know, call us weird, but we work all the holidays by choice. Anyway, it looked like slim pickens for getting a load out Saturday. He did get an assignment, of a heavy haul trailer loaded with beer, for a delivery in Idaho and Montana, but when he went to scale out, he was 3,000 pounds overs on his drive axle with no way to adjust it, so just as quickly it was taken away. Charles did find his way back to the yard Yesterday afternoon, after getting a ride in Seattle from another trainer. Then later in the day, Craig was told that his next assignment would be Monday morning, at 5am at Johanna Beverage in Spokane, (again with a heavy haul trailer), and take it to the company drop yard in Pacific, WA. From there we don't know what he will get to get them through the holiday week and back on track running hard again. As for me, I made it into Walla Walla, WA Friday night and am already helping to plan the Thanksgiving festivities at my friend Cori's house. I heard from Craig this morning and there is already 3 inches of snow on the ground in Spokane. Should be a lot of fun later today when he gets Charles out in the yard and has him practice his backing skills. The pictures posted are from when we left our home on Friday and made our trek into Spokane.

Friday, November 20, 2009

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS........

the party is over, at least until the next home time. I've done all the spoiling that I can do over the past three days, and today we pack up and both leave. I'll be taking Craig to the yard later today, and then I will continue south to spend some time with my friend Cori and her family in Walla Walla, WA through Thanksgiving and into the first week of December. She will need all the help she can get to decorate her home for the holidays, and well you all know, I got plenty of time on my hands to lend her some assistance.

It snowed most of the day yesterday. There is still some snow lingering on the ground and I can only imagine over the next few weeks, it will start to accumulate more and more as winter starts knocking on the door. I will do my best to hang in there until Craig finishes training Charles and then comes home one last time before we close up the house and I drive our pickup down to California. With the company yard in French Camp, CA so close to my Mom's house, having the pickup there will allow us much more freedom every time we come through town, instead of letting it get buried under snow in Spokane, WA.

So that about gets you up to date. Even though Charles did leave some of his personal effects in the truck when he went home, we still have flashbacks to Craig's last trainee, but just four more weeks and then Craig will be done training for a little bit, and I can get back on the truck where I belong....next to him....enjoying our life together......viewing the world going by, from the passenger seat.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

LET THE SPOILING BEGIN

Craig finally made it home last night. I had started my trek into Spokane around 3pm, with the thought of doing a little window shopping to bide my time until Craig arrived. He and Charles had received a load assignment out of the Fred Meyer DC in Puyallup, WA and with a loaded trailer, they were on their way to Spokane by 12:30pm. My mind was doing the calculations, 270 miles, 60mph, a fuel stop, and then travel time through town to their delivery destination, and I thought I had it figured out. So knowing that Craig would be hungry, I timed my shopping, then did a quick stop by the Taco Bell for a hot burrito to surprise Craig when he arrived at the store for his delivery with not only me, but food too! Thirty minutes past when I thought he would be there, I get a phone call from Craig asking where I was. He was expecting me at the yard waiting where I told him I would probably be. I said, "Never mind where I am, where are you"?, to which Craig said, "the yard". Having watched with eagle eyes for the arrival at the store, after all, how hard is it to miss a semi truck with a 53 foot trailer, I asked a stupid question knowing full well what the answer would be, but I forged ahead with it anyway....."Did you do your delivery already"? To which he of course said, "No, I'm at the yard dropping Charles off". Well darn, so much for the surprise at the store. I quickly told him I was waiting for him at his delivery site with a now warm burrito, and he said he'd be there shortly. Seems they ran into a bit of snow over Snoqualmie Pass on their way to Spokane, and since Charles was driving back home to Seattle for his home time, he wanted to get on the road before it got too bad. Twenty minutes later, Craig shows up, I hop into the truck, deliver a kiss, hug, and the all important burrito, and we go arrived and wait for the unloading to begin.

An hour later with the trailer empty, and me in our pickup leading the way, we headed back to the yard to drop the trailer and unload the truck. By 10pm we are finally home and tucked warmly into bed getting a good night's sleep. Craig was treated this morning with a hot mocha and a hearty breakfast, and now all that's left for him to do is sit back, and let the spoiling begin!

Monday, November 16, 2009

TRACKING CRAIG

I feel a wee bit like the little ones on Christmas Eve tracking where Santa Claus is on the radar map, as I monitor Craig's route back home for a few days off. On Friday, they decided to stay in French Camp instead of Santa Nella, because sometimes you feel like driving and sometimes you don't. With not having to unload until 8am, they had plenty of time on their hands, and it's always nice to take advantage of the driver facilities at the yard.

Saturday they were unloaded at Fresh Express in Salinas, and then heard the news that they wouldn't be back in time for the requested home time. In fact they had a good 24 hour wait until their next load was ready for them on Sunday at 11am. This particular load is scheduled for two deliveries, one in Seattle, WA at 2am Tuesday morning and the other later in the morning in Auburn, WA at 8am.

Charles had the honors on Sunday of driving them as far as Weed, CA where they called it a night. With a 34 hour reset on Craig's driving hours, he was more than anxious to get behind the seat and start driving to get just that much closer to home. Leaving at around 4am this morning he took off. He plans to get as far as Tumwater, WA to stage for the 2am delivery in the morning, where Charles will then have the honors of dong the driving.As far as me? Well as you can see, snow or not, the pickup is ready to head into Spokane and pick Craig up as soon as he gets there. They are slated with a pre plan to get the earliest load out of the Fred Meyer DC in Puyallup and head into Spokane with it hopefully by 8pm tomorrow night.....and when they do, I'll be at the company yard, ready to whisk him away to our house full of home cooked meals that are waiting for him.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

IN LIMBO

I hate planning on something, and then being totally at the whim of someone else to ensure the plans come to a happy end. I've learned, that asking for home time on a certain date, does not always come down to you actually getting home when you want to. Trucking being what it is, with time sensitive deliveries, and the hours of service rules, will sometimes raise their ugly heads to throw you a curve now and then. And then sometimes, it's just someone dropping the ball and not paying attention to your actual home time request.Such seems to be the case this time around when Craig asked for home time on the 16th of November. When given his last dispatch on Thursday, to pick up the apples in Washington, and deliver them in Salinas, CA on Saturday, Craig confirmed his request to be home on Monday. Then comes the weekend, and the weekend dispatcher, who was unaware of the home time request. Oh sure, Craig will get home eventually, most likely a couple of days past when he wanted, and I know it's not the end of the world, but when you had plans.............. alas, I guess there's just not much to do but sit back and enjoy the winter wonderland around me, and hoping for a little miracle.

Friday, November 13, 2009

AN APPLE A DAY

An apple a day gets you just that much closer to coming home. Craig volunteered for the early morning driving Thursday, as they made their way to the apple region of Washington State. With wet fog, and temperatures well below freezing, the drive was a bit tricky with an empty trailer and icy roads. Craig assured me that there was only a little bit of slipping and sliding, but I think he sugar coated it a bit for my benefit. Their arrival in Selah, WA was ahead of schedule and it didn't take long for them to get the apples on board. Craig called ahead to their next stop to see if they could come in early. He was told to "come on down", and they were in Moxee City for yet some more apples. Arriving early didn't necessarily mean of course that they would be loaded early, and such was the case in Moxee City. But just 30 minutes past their appointment time, they were loaded and on their way to scale out the load. Craig continued to drive and made it to their first fuel stop in Biggs Junction, OR where Charles took over. Their stop there wasn't without a little bit of drama, as the fuel islands at the Pilot always seem to be busy with drivers jockeying for position for an open pump. Seems one driver took exception to a couple of other drivers finding an open pump before him and he tried to take his frustration out on them, but he was soon subdued by a more alpha driver and he retreated to his truck. With a forecast for snow predicted in the early morning hours today, they stayed in La Pine, OR with Craig scheduled to start out the driving duties this morning very early in hopes of out running the storm. They will make another stop in Corning, CA for fuel, showers, and laundry and then make their way to Santa Nella, CA where they will stage for the 8am Saturday morning delivery.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

UPDATE FROM THE FIELD

My ace field reporter Craig has recently checked in with the following update......two of the three deliveries went as planned, however, at one of the receivers, 80 cases of spinach were rejected. Word on the street indicated something about the spinach leaves being bruised. Investigating further into the mystery revealed no evidence of any wrong doing during transportation, and an alternative receiver was sought out. By 1pm they had a directive from headquarters to proceed to the Second Harvest Food Bank and drop the aforementioned bruised but still highly edible spinach at their facility. By 2pm, the case was officially closed. While in the middle of that spinach fiasco, Charles and Craig were given a pre plan of their next assignment. They are to head to Selah, WA and then to Moxee City, WA to pick up apples Thursday morning. The load of apples will have them returning once again to Fresh Express in Salinas, CA to make the delivery on Saturday morning. Conventional thinking is that they will then get a load out of Fresh Express on Saturday, delivering it to the yard in Spokane, WA by Sunday night so that they will be able to begin their home time that was requested. Time will tell if that indeed happens.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

FEELING LIKE CLUB SODA

I can relate to Mr. Club Soda.........You would think with all this free time on my hands while Craig is busy training, I'd be running around and keeping myself busy. Nope...I mainly sit at home, and couldn't be loving it more. I love the area we live in......mountains, pine trees, a huge river, and wildlife all around. Today we even have some blue skies trying to poke through the grey clouds, I'm sure to try and get some face time before the predicted snow flurries we are suppose to get Thursday. Yep, me and Mr. Club Soda are doing just fine...thank you very much!Who isn't doing a lot of sitting around is Craig and his trainee Charles. After yet another two successful deliveries in San Leandro on Monday morning, they were directed to dead head to Fresh Express in Salinas, CA. We had predicted that bit of information as it's just about a done deal every time we go empty in the San Francisco Bay area. So off they went to Salinas to get the trailer washed out and then dropped directly into a dock at Fresh Express. Not knowing yet what their dispatch would be and to where, they both decided to take naps, and in hindsight, that turned out to be a good decision. Shortly after waking up around 4pm, the QualComm started beeping with an appointment at 4:30pm. They headed down the street and hooked up to their trailer and Craig did the honors of driving first. By 10pm he had made it to Dunnigan, CA where they stopped for 5 hours to get some non moving sleep, and then Charles took over at 3am to begin his driving time.

When I heard from them around 8:30am, they were at the rest area at Grass Lake, CA near Weed and were taking a quick break. Charles will continue to drive to La Pine, OR and then Craig will take over and drive the rest of the way into Spokane, WA tonight. There they will grab some more sleep and then make three deliveries in the Spokane area Wednesday morning starting at 5am. And you know what I was thinking to myself? ...............sometimes it's not so bad being like club soda.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

GRAB THE STONE FROM MY HAND

Yeah, that's right....go ahead and grab the stone from my hand Grasshopper. I'm sure that's what it felt like when pearls of wisdom are finally not only recognized, but put to use by by Craig's young trainee. I'm sure it was a boost to Craig's training techniques to know that sometimes, what you preach finally sinks in. Such was the case this morning when Charles not only requested to do his virgin drive into the San Francisco Bay area, but spent almost two hours planning his route into and out of the receiver's location. Not only did he make a clean arrival, more importantly, he made a clean departure around the 6 other trucks that were parked here and there, and well, just about everywhere, waiting their turn into one of only two docks. So I'm sure you surmised that things went well today, and I can confirm that assumption on your part. They made it back to the company yard in French Camp,CA where Charles' backing skills were yet again tested and honed. Afterwards, I'm sure there was a lot of meeting of the minds around the picnic tables with all the other drivers biding their time staging for thier own deliveries. Hopefully Charles continues his pre planning activities, as he has two more deliveries in San Leandro tomorrow morning. Keep your eye on the stone Grasshopper.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

ON THE MOVE AGAIN

Craig and I had a very nice time visiting while he was in Spokane. After putting in the service request on the truck, we took off for breakfast and then a little shopping at WalMart. You all know what we were thinking though don't you? In the back of our minds, we were half expecting his trainee Charles to have packed up and left like his last one, but he was still there and waiting to go when we returned. Maybe this one just might stick around long enough to finish training!

Craig was pretty much exhausted from the early morning hours he has had to keep the last few days, so he was very excited to see that the truck was done with the service and he would be able to take a nap before their next load. That load information came around 2pm, and it was to head to Toppenish, WA to pick up meat at 9pm. With little time to spare, they tracked down their assigned trailer, had the yard guys wash it out, fueled up, and then headed the 200 plus mile to Toppenish.

What has come to be expected at this Shipper, held steady as they arrived at the complex and was told the load was not ready yet. Good news was that the trailer they would be taking was in the dock. So they dropped their empty, Craig crawled into bed to get more sleep, and Charles stood guard up front to listen to the CB for when their load was ready.

Around 11pm they were loaded and camped out in the parking lot until Craig would start driving at 4am. So far, they have made it to Chemult,OR and are switching drivers as I type this. Charles will drive the last 250 miles into Corning tonight, which will set them up with only 165 miles left to drive on Sunday morning for their first drop in Oakland, CA at 8am. Thankfully, Craig has been to this particular receiver before, which is tucked tightly within a residential area of Oakland. All parties involved are happy they are delivering on a Sunday instead of a weekday!

They will have two other stops on this load, but not until Monday morning. Since there is absolutely no place in the bay area to stay, they will head to the company yard in French Camp after delivering on Sunday and give Charles a chance to practice is backing. Then if they don't get taken off this load for another one, they will head back Monday morning to finish the last of the two drops in San Leandro.

Friday, November 06, 2009

RENDEZVOUS

Craig and Charles staged near Toledo, WA at Gee Cee's Truck Stop Wednesday night. Craig got the early wake up call, and by 3am Thursday morning, he was on the way to Puyallup and the Fred Meyer distribution center. In the dock by 5am, and unloaded fifteen minutes later, they decided to head to the company drop yard in Pacific to await further instructions. It didn't take long and they were told to head back the 6 miles to Fred Meyer and drop their trailer and await a load later in the day.

That load information came around noon, and it was as expected, a frozen load headed to Spokane for an 8pm delivery. That would mean only one thing, that Craig would be a mere 60 miles away from me, and with a shopping trip planned anyway into Spokane, we both thought it was an ideal situation for a little rendezvous.

So off I go, in the rain, headed to Spokane very early this morning to meet up with Craig by 7am. He has plans to have the truck serviced, and while that is taking place, we will steal away for an hour or so, and enjoy a hot breakfast before their next assignment is sent their way.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

CAT GOT MY TONGUE

There is so much I want to talk about, but on the other hand, I really can't. It's not really my story to tell as it is Craig's life he is living. The life of a trainer can be a real struggle at times. I can relate to his experiences, with all those years of training new dispatchers. Learning how each one learns.....are they visual or audio learners, do they learn best by hands on, or no matter how you try your best, will they learn at all?

Craig has been on both sides, as a trainee when he first started out, and now as a trainer for other new drivers. To say it is an easy undertaking couldn't be further from the truth, especially when you throw into the mix being confined in a 3 foot square space with a complete stranger for weeks at a time. There really is no getting away from one another, and it has to be a two way street with both parties involved. You have to liken it to an arranged marriage, and you do your best to survive the first few weeks with someone you don't even know or have anything in common with, other than the desire to drive a truck.

I listen and sympathize with Craig when he calls to vent about some of the frustrations he faces while out on the road training. I remind him of his own beginnings and what he would have liked to have seen done differently. I encourage him to continue, as I hope the outcome will be another competent driver like Craig out on the roads. Yes, there are lots of stories I could write about, but the cat has definitely got my tongue!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

THE REAL BANANA BOAT

After a well deserved night's sleep, Craig did the honors of driving into the San Diego area to stage for the new load on Monday morning. With Craig driving, this would give Charles a chance to reset his driving hours. Besides, he only had about 300 miles to drive, until they came to Live Oak Springs, where they stopped for the day at one of the Casinos there. This set them up nicely for a 60 mile drive Monday into San Diego.

With Charles not have a TWIC (transportation worker identification card), Craig had him get out of the truck prior to entering the Port of San Diego. With assurances that he would call him after he was loaded, Charles set out on foot to explore San Diego. It just goes to show you how resourceful you can get if you want to. Charles ended up finding a 24 hour fitness, did some working out, then found a book store to buy some books, was going to see a movie, but nothing sounded good, so found himself a comfy spot and started reading one of his books. Good thing, because it took Craig well over 6 hours before he was finally loaded at the docks. Here is finally a true picture of the Dole banana boat. Craig had to be extremely stealth, as it is forbidden to take any photos while at the Port, so you only get a partial viewing of it on the other side of the truck in the dock next to Craig. It was nice to at least see what the boat looked liked, and to know that, yes in deed, the bananas come right from the boat onto the trailer, and fresh to your local grocery store.

Since it took so long for the actual loading of the bananas, Charles got the pleasure of driving after they were loaded. They made it to their first fuel stop in Lebec, CA late last night, where they finally shut down to get some sleep. If they continue to keep this load, they will be stopping at the company yard in French Camp for fueling, laundry, and showers, before continuing north and making it either to Weed or Medford, OR for their stop tonight.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

IT'S BEEN A HARD DAYS NIGHT

And there is no doubt that both Charles and Craig have been working like a dog, and will be finally slept like a log last night. The other driver did not show up in Dunnigan, CA until 8pm Friday night for the swap. Charles drove just an hour or so and then Craig had the pleasure of driving all night long until his driving hours were up. Then like a tag team, Charles was back in the driver's seat taking them into Phoenix, AZ and the first of their 6 deliveries that ended in Tucson, AZ and finally came to an end, 24 hours later, at the Flying J in Casa Grande, AZ for the aforementioned sleep.

They already have their next assignment......no rest for the weary, that's for sure. After a good night's sleep, they are off and running this morning toward San Diego, where Craig will go into the Port of San Diego to pick up a load of bananas on Monday morning. Since Charles does not have a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card), he will have to be dropped off outside the gates of the Port and wait until Craig can get the trailer loaded. Sometimes that can be a bit of a wait, but I'm sure they will figure some place for him to sit and bide his time.

The bananas are destined for Puyallup, WA on Thursday morning. I hesitate to even say that, knowing that the odds of them getting swapped out again are probably a pretty good bet. All I know is if they keep running like this, the home time that Craig will be putting in for around the 16th of November, will be a welcome break.

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