NC was Thursday - Paradise today!

I just SOOO LOVE FL! I found a new Kubota Tractor (a BIG one - 17' L and 6000#) going from GA to Plant City, FL - 50 miles from the house! Loaded Friday afternoon and delivered Saturday morning. Now THAT'S Hot Shot service!

Crossing into FL from GA was the first 'warm fuzzy' I got. Then coming over the Franklin Bridge (crosses the tip of Tampa Bay connecting Tampa to St. Petersburg) was the next 'I'm almost there' feeling'. Then it was over the Inter Coastal waterway on the Tom Stewart Causeway bridge and into Madeira Beach. 'Just a couple of more miles now!'
And FINALLY John's Pass Bridge (midway thru a 3 year new construction) where I made an immediate right turn off the bridge (what a view of the Gulf from the top!) and into my parking. I'm feet on the ground in Paradise before noon on Saturday.

BTW - Happy Memorial Day! And if I may get up on my soap box for a moment. Whatever the holiday may be don't allow yourself to be caught up in the "no work, party, BBQ whatever thing" without meaningful thought to the SIGNIFICANCE of that day. Today we honor those who made the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE in defense of our lifestyle.

GOD Bless America!


So I'm walking up the sidewalk from my truck with arms laden - clothes, pillows, trash, computer, paperwork, magazines, books, more trash, yada, yada, yada - and there at the end of the sidewalk, under a humongous rubber tree, is one of two Orchids I salvaged several years ago from a former tenant. They were nearly dead then.

But today they are in "SHOW QUALITY" - perfection! Huge! Colorful! Magnificent! I will have pictures later - I promise.

Yesterday was a beach day. The place was packed! Holiday weekend, I guess. No evidence of a recession around here! The last 2 nights I was at Gator's across the street -- Packed! Holiday weekend I guess -- with Pam and several of her hottie GFs. Like I said -- I'm in PARADISE!

But I think I have earned it. I was doing some paperwork this AM. I have driven 6580 miles since May 6th! That's like 2 and 1/2 weeks! Eighteen days! Yes, I think I've earned it. Besides, I need to get some of that money coming in to be able to keep buying fuel. It cost's me an average of $150/day in food and fuel when I'm out. Yet it's 30-40 DAYS before I get the money in my checking account from that trip.

And there's some work to be done here. One of the tenants moved out up front. He'd been there 8 years! There's some painting to be done. And Pam closed on her brand new condo last week. I volunteered to paint her 2bdrm/2ba place. So I'll be doing some different kind of 'rolling' this week. More work but fewer miles! And I usually get paid by the mile. Oh well, I'm still in paradise!

Sometimes I think I might be Jewish

I have just checked into a 'cheapo' motel in Marion, NC - some 1200 miles later than I last posted - two days ago! I checked 4 or 5 places and they were from $45 to $90 and all I wanted was hot water spraying across my body and a clean bed to sleep on tonite. I opted for the $25 room that they charged $45 for -- comprende? I will say -- the bed linens are very clean including the liner. And my bare feet never touched anything but the towels or my flip-flops. The walls were freshyly painted. But it isn't the kind of place you take mom too.

In case you don't know where Marion, NC is -- I'm in the Pisgah National Forest in the western mountain area. The Blue Ridge Parkway - which runs north-south along ridge line of this mountain range - is 15 miles away. The road I was on was so narrow that I (and my trailer) took the WHOLE road on many of the switchback turns. The climb up was so steep I was in 3rd gear for about a 3 mile stretch with a top speed of 15 MPH. The folks behind me probably wished they weren't.

I ended up with a second piece out of Houston. Picked up in Beaumont, TX and delivered late the same day in Tupelo, MS. No grass was growing under OUR feet. I delivered here this afternoon. And now it's 2-wheeling time for dinner. We have entertained the idea of staying here a day or two and ride. I haven't found a load all day today within 100 miles of here going to FL. There was one if I had ramps, but you heard that story already (hint: my NEXT trailer).

GTG -- hungry.

"People Watching" parking lot

I'm still in Houston looking to add something on going east. I'm in a parking lot - out on the perimeter - monitoring a couple of load boards watching people.

I have been hustled for 'gas money' by a clean cut dude that sure didn't look like he needed to be begging. I think I offended him when I offered him $20 and my worn out sneakers for his like-new, $200 alligator boots -- LOL.

Then there was the 'kid-exchange' between what I assumed were divorced parents. Mom drove up in a beater with 2 young girls that looked like they were just getting out of school. Dad(?) soon appeared and the kids moved from one car to the other and then both were off. How many times have I done the same thing with my two boys? Brought back memories. And not necessarily good ones. Sunday evenings - as I was taking them back to their mother's - were horrible. I can't help but wonder what long-term effects the kids (theirs, mine and the millions of others) will have.

Then there was the guy in the 'pimped-out' Chevy Tahoe with a "$2200 Home Surround Sound System, brand-new-in-the-box, complete with warranty and everything" that he will let me have for a couple hundred dollars! PASS!

Judging from the volume of biz in and out of this store (another Home Depot coincidently) our economy isn't doing too badly.

Well, just booked something to add on going to Tupelo, MS -- GTG.

I get around...

Hello from Houston, TX! But I was JUST in Belleville, IL, you say. Hey, gotta make the money and that happens when the wheels are turnin'.

Left Belleville Sunday morning - had to let the headache ease a bit (thanks Gary!). Delivered way down south TX yesterday evening at the Home Depot in Victoria. I like it when they receive late.

I picked up one load in Houston this morning going to NC and thought I had another to add on to it. In fact twice now I thought I had something to add on to it and twice now something has happened so that I'm still looking to add on. While patience is not one of my virtue's, it will do my log book - and my wallet actually - good to sit a day. How does it help my wallet you ask? I'm not spending money on fuel. Remember that "$ pipeline"? Not much coming out the other end at this moment.

My broker 'bud' Jeremy has got something for me next week but I'm not sure I can do it. It may require ramps :-( I REALLY need another trailer. I lose too many loads because - too short, too heavy (for me) or no ramps. Got to get a 32' with 12K axles and slide in ramps. Guess I need to work some more.

Perfect load .... Perfect Weekend?

Imagine, if you will, two really nice campers (one couple each) backed up to Rend Lake. Between them is a huge campfire and charirs set along side the bank looking to the west. It's just about sunset but the sky is cloudy and overcast so it's a bright sky. I just had dinner with some wonderful friends camping here for the weekend. Life just doesn't get any better than THIS.

Then tomorrow it's on to Belleville for my favorite (only) nephew's HS graduation dinner. He must rank 'OK' in my book. He and some friends are going to my place in Florida next week! Then Sunday it's on to Victoria, TX with my load for Tuesday morning delivery.

With the perfect load - 5,000 lbs of aluminum frame for a greenhouse that sits low - 2' high - and narrow - 20' long - on the deck. Oh, and it pays well! Not GREAT, but well.

Hope your weekend is as good as mine.

Why do I do the things I do?

For the sake of this post, I will limit my thoughts to 'driving a truck.' But first, an update on where I am.

I ended up with two jobs out of Ft. Polk, LA - sort of. I took one off the load board going from Alexandria, LA (30 miles away) to Indianapolis. About four or five hours later - well after loaded - I got a call from Jeremy (one of my previous brokers) and he had a very nice load going from Lake Charles, LA back to FL. But alas, too late.

I delivered in Indy this afternoon and reload in the morning from Cincinnati going back to southern Texas. But first comes a stop-over in St. Louis Saturday night to get a 'free meal.' My favorite (only) nephew is graduating high school and his dad is buying dinner. Thanks Gary!

So, back to the topic - why do I drive? The easy answer is because I like to travel. But who doesn't? Aren't most vacations about going somewhere different? Well, that's what I do. I feel like I'm on vacation ALL the time and I get paid for it.

But driving 400 or 500 - and even 700 - miles a day isn't for everyone. I love the scenery. The landscape - our country - is magnificent. You have never seen so many shades of green, at least in the areas that have water. And then the accent colors - predominantly yellow it seems (black-eyed Susan's, sunflowers, McDonald's arches), but also reds, purples, white and blue. And where water is less available, the browns and greys of the terrain are just as impressive.

Mother nature is phenomenal. And I get to see alot of it. Have you driven thru the lava fields around Grant, NM? How about stood on the banks of the headwaters of the Missouri River in Montana where Lewis and Clark traveled? Did you know there is a rain forest in British Columbia, Canada? It is in a pocket of a mountain range that is protected by wind currents coming off the Pacific. There are many VERY old Cedar trees there. One of them is estimated to be 3000 to 3500 years old! I have pictures of these things in my photo album. The link is on the left side of this page.

And then there is the wildlife along the way. Everyone has seen roadkill - squished animals along the road. But have you seen an alligator roadkill? (Not the blown-up truck tires laying in the road either) How about a moose? I have. I am entertained by identifying squashed fur on the shoulder. And the live ones grazing - or flying - around.

Birds are particularly interesting to me. I think I could write an entire post just on the variety and locations of all the birds I see. (Maybe I will) I have two pheasant tail feathers stuck in my dash today that I collected in North Dakota last year. Just last week while in southern FL, I passed about 30 HUGE vultures feasting on fresh roadkill. About 4 or 5 were actually eating, while a group of 12 or 15 stood at various distances waiting their turn. But the part that first caught my eye were the ones sitting on the fence posts like statues. One vulture stood on each of about 10 wooden posts along the highway. A Kodak moment that I unfortunately missed!

That's why I do what I do what I do -- I love it! So, if you don't mind living in your truck for weeks at a time - a rather solitary lifestyle I admit - you too can travel the USA. Oh, and I get to take my bike with me now (THANK YOU Jim!) When I get somewhere particularly fun, I can spend some extra time being a tourist on my Harley. It just doesn't get much better.

BRRRRRRR - (comparatively speaking)

Woke up this morning just outside Ardmore, OK (30 miles or so north of the TX state line) and promptly turned around and put some long pants on. It was probably mid-50s but misty rain and 20 mph winds made it feel quite chilly. A big difference from the upper 80s in TX and even 95 in FL just a few days ago. But wide ranges of weather are a part of my travels.

After loading two BIG pumps (big enuf to tow behind a vehicle) at the Army National Guard post I headed to Ft. Polk, LA. The rain ended quickly going south and I was ready for shorts again by Dallas -just 100 miles down the road!

This was only 400 miles - an easy day - so I took a more scenic route thru TX getting of I-20 at Tyler and meandering thru the woods to Leesville, LA. This is one of my most favorite parts of driving. It's like being on vacation but getting paid. The Black-eyed Susan's are in full bloom along the median and shoulders. I love spring!

I will deliver the pumps at 6:30 am but still have not got anything lined up for 'next.' I've been looking all day but either - too heavy, too long, too cheap or going where I don't care too. Hopefully something will pop in the morning -- I HATE SITTING!

Austin is AWESOME

Well, the plan came to fruition. I was checked into the motel and my bike on the ground by 1 PM yesterday. I rode up around Lake Travis. You don't think of Texas being very hilly, but it is here. I believe that's the Colorado River that they have built a dam on just northwest of Austin and the result is Lake Travis.

The part I was on (the lake is actually quite huge) is nestled in a valley between some pretty big hills. The hills are covered with mansions and resorts. Obviously the high rent district.

My first stop was the Oasis - a resort that looks west from several hundred feet above the lake. The view was magnificent from their multiple levels. Next was Carlos and Charlies just a few miles down the road, across the dam. Not quite the view as Oasis but still pretty good as it looks out over a marina. And they played better music.

After taking in the scenery I notice that the lake level was down -- WAY down. It was perhaps 75 yards from the water line today to where it has been recently. In fact, one of the floating docks at the marina was sitting on the ground! I'm thinking there going to have some water issues here this summer.

sidebar -- Speaking of 'water lines', for the last couple of years Atlanta, GA has had a serious drought and Lake Allatoona was down significantly. I can remember a similar situation there with the water being a hundred yards or more from the tree line. Boat docks were grounded. Until recently. When I went by there last week (going down I-75) it was the highest I've seen it in 2 or 3 years. Drought over - for now - I'd say.

After Carlos and Charlies, I was directed to "Bone Daddy's" in the Hilton Garden. I am totally impressed with staff. Imagine 18-25 y/o magazine centerfolds! All of them. I'll be back. They were mighty proud of their drink prices tho. But it IS the Hilton.

But then all good things must eventually end. Besides, it was a 'school' night.

Thank you Dennis for my 7 AM wake up call this morning! What's up with THAT? My delivery was 15 minutes away and THEIR day didn't start until 8:30! Oh well, plenty of time to reload the bike and get my coffee.

I don't think I mentioned. I loaded two carpet cutting machines in Tavares. The first I delivered just outside of Austin this morning. Then drove 400 miles or so and kicked the other one off in Altus, OK about 6PM tonight.

On the way to Altus I arranged a little load out of Ardmore, OK (boy I LOVE my Internet in the truck) going to just north of Lake Charles, LA. It's a small load (two liquid pumps of some sort) and so is the freight rate but it's not easy getting out of west Oklahoma. Not a lot of industry -- just cows. My route goes thru Dallas so hopefully I can add something on in the morning. Those are the GOOD trips - when I can get two.

And now it's beddy-bye time.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'.......rawhiiiiide

I'm in Texas (barely) tonite. I did not get out of STL Wednesday until almost 2 PM. I made it to south FL for a 6:30 am delivery Friday, up to Treasure Island and grabbed my bike (thanks dad for meeting me and taking me the last 30 miles so I didn't have to get into all that traffic W/ my truck), loaded it on the trailer and hauled ass to Tavares (125 miles) where I loaded for TEXAS! WHEW!

That's 2150 miles in 3 days and 6 hours! (Hope those DOT cops aren't reading this).

The plan is to get into Austin, TX (my first stop) before noon tomorrow, get a motel room, roll the bike off and go riding! I'll deliver first thing Mon morning and then continue on 400 miles to Altus, OK and deliver part #2.

It's kind of ironic that I'm in Austin, TX NOW since I am planning on being here June 22 for the Republic of Texas bike rally.

But now it's sleepy time ... nite nite.

On the road again

Tuesday was a nice day - about 400 miles and ended up where I started, back in Belleville, IL. Late in the day I found a trip going to Okeechobee, FL and paying nicely. I have a verbal agreement with the broker but waiting for the home office of the buyer to wake up (they are in CA) to make it official. Hopefully within the next hour or so. Then I can start my 1150 mile trip.

If I push hard and get out of here before noon and they will take delivery until 4 or 5 and the trip is uneventful, I think I can deliver tomorrow (alot of 'ifs'). It's then 200 miles to Treasure Island where my bike is - WOOHOO! That's my objective. Even if I don't deliver until Friday morning it will all work out.

Once I get loaded today, I'll start looking for something to get out of FL with on Friday or Monday. I HAVE to get that '$$$ pipeline' filled up again. It's down to a trickle at the moment.

Oh oh - phones ringing -- GTG.

I got my truck back

My flight from FL to IL was uneventful -- other than getting off the plane in shorts and a tank top only to find it 52 degrees and raining. My truck was waiting for me. Boy is it nice to be back in MY truck. But I wish I had my bike! :-(

The rest of the weekend was rather boring (by my standards). There was a minor incident (as it turned out) with my truck Sat afternoon. A wire got pinched beneath the clutch pedal resulting in a blown fuse. But it wasn't resolved until Sunday morning -- THANK YOU MICK!

Sunday I fulfilled my promise to tile Dennis's shower stall. That was an all-day job but it really turned out nice. I still need to grout the joints. Another day.

Today I was unsuccessful finding a good trip. I do have a small job tomorrow. I was updating my driver's log book and I haven't worked since Apr 8th -- YIKES! No wander my checkbook is ugly.

Gotta get back to work!!!

Reality check

My last day (hours) in Florida for now. Did laundry and domestic stuff this morning. Doing a little BBQ this afternnon for mom and dad and a couple of friends. Then it's off to the airport and a flight to St. Louis, get my truck and go back to work.

I am going to miss this place tho. Got to get back here sooner rather than later. But I need to go make some money!