WE ACTUALLY GET PAID TO DO THIS?

After dropping our empty trailer right into the dock, they were patiently waiting for it, we bob tailed a mile down the street to the little truck stop at Exit 72 on Interstate 5. We took some time to wind down by playing on our computers, and when I found myself nodding out while in the middle of a game, I knew it was time to take a nap. We were both soundly sleeping for a couple of hours, when the chirping of the QualComm rudely interrupted out nap time. I really don't know how they expect a driver to complete these loads. With a 3pm appointment to pick up the load, and three stops with the last one ending at 7am. The math doesn't add up, but we were able to delay our load time until 6pm, and as with most loads, the comment was, get to your first appointment on time, and we'll figure out the rest as we go along. So all the hassle of load and delivery appointments are pushed to the side, when we see what our routing is. For only the second time in over two years, we were heading east on Highway 12. This has got to be one of the most scenic routes we have been on since primarily staying on the West Coast. The water ways, the mountains, the pine trees, the quaint little homes and barns, it truly makes for a real treat. Added to that, was the fact that we would be able to complete the section of Highway 12 during daylight hours. Having a light load made the trip even nicer, as it has a pretty steep pass to climb, and curvy turns along this small two lane road. But it was all worth it, and we even managed, with our later load time, to make it to our first appointment with about 5 minutes to spare. It took a little time to track down the manager at 10pm, but by 11:30pm we were done and headed to our next stop. This is where calling ahead can sometimes help you out. On our way into Spokane for our last two drops, which by the way were 6am and 7am, Craig called ahead to the 6am stop to see if by chance they could take us early. Usually it's not a problem when we are delivering food, but this load was all home goods, so most times those employees are not there in the middle of the night. Luckily, we were able to talk to someone who would be there, and said that they would be happy to unload us after their lunch break at 4:30am. Perfect! We arrived at 2:30am, grabbed a two hour power nap, and were being unloaded right when they said. Now, if only our last stop would work out as great as that one. Well, would it tell you anything if I told you I'm sitting in the truck, the rising sun in my eyes, as Craig is catching some sleep in the bunk? We arrived at our last stop 90 minutes early, only to be told that the home goods people wouldn't even be there until 8am. So much for finishing before Craig's 14 hour clock runs out, and getting back to the yard. As I sit here waiting for someone to show up, it looks like we'll be spending the day in the parking lot of the Fred Meyer store in Spokane. Oh well, at least we have the pleasant memories of our drive along Highway 12 to play through our minds as we sleep the day away.