Saint Louis bound

Just a qwik hit. I loaded in Orlando this morning headed for the west side of St. Louis. I will actually spend the weekend in Belleville. Misery loves company and I have someone special in mind to share mine with. I know, it's deep. But those that know -- know.

I had forgot that Sturgis starts this weekend. And I have my bike with me. And I've been thinking about going to Boise, ID to visit my Uncle. And Sturgis is between here and there. Hmmmmm. We'll see what happens.

But right now it's nite-nite time. I just drove 727 miles and it's time to stop.

Good night!

Carpentry can be hazardous to your health -- but I'm DONE!

I don't think my hands could take much more of this. Three rooms and a hallway painted (two coats), new laminate flooring laid and then quarter round trim put up. The old fashioned way - by hand (mostly). No chop saw. No nail gun. No assistant to cut my pieces. But done. And I don't think anyone can look at my work and say, "This is his first floor."

But my poor hands! I have hammered my forefinger several times. I still have a blood blister from one event. Just this morning I pulled yet another tiny splinter out of my pinkie. The most painful injury is the slice across the other forefinger from a piece of threshold I was trimming. (Think paper cut - OUCH!)

And the scariest was when I jammed the drill bit into my wrist. I was using a very small bit to drill pilot holes in the moulding prior to nailing. I am on hands and knees crawling along the wall and had just drilled several holes leaving the drill on it's side in front of me. As I inched along, I swung my arm .... well you get the picture. Fortunately it went into a fatty area and, being so tiny, hardly bled. Scared the S*@# out of me though. But I'm DONE!

Today is a 'Vitamin D' day. I'm headed to the beach in an hour or so - let the sun get up a little bit more. Lookin' pretty nice out my kitchen window!

And I'm looking for work. I did a search this morning and there's one trip I'm calling on. But it's a west coast broker and they are still sleeping out there. See If I can find something to get me out tomorrow or Friday and do some more traveling. I think I'll take my bike this time and see if I can work my way toward Boise, ID. Been promising Uncle Mel I'd come visit for more than a year now. But I think now is a good time to visit the Rockies.

Why?

It's actually 10:15 here and yet the time stamp on my post says 7:15. Am I already in Idaho?

Back in FLA

I always get a 'warm fuzzy feeling' when I cross the state line into Florida, no matter how many times I do it. But what's not to like? I have the 'Killer Bs' here - Beaches, Babes and a Bike! I'm a very lucky guy and thank GOD everyday for the life I have.

I believe very much in Karma. If you do good things then good things will happen to you. And conversely, if you do bad things then Karma is going to get you. This afternoon I did a good thing even though doing the wrong thing would have benefited me. And no one (except me and Karma) would have ever known.

When you pull up to the fuel island at most truck stops there are two pumps - one on each side of your truck - because most big trucks have two tanks. The main pump has to be turned on before the satellite will work, even if the vehicle has only one tank and it's on the satellite side.

When I pulled up to the pumps the main pump was still turned on and the handle laying on the ground -- as if someone had used the satellite side, hung it up and left. They would have had to activated the pumps with a credit card. I could have stuck the handle in my tank and continued pumping on their 'dime' - but I did not. I'm such a good boy (sometimes).

Speaking of fuel, that is one of the negatives about Florida - the fuel prices. This incident happened in GA at the state line where I paid $2.389/gal. I had paid as low as $2.299/gal in MS yesterday. This afternoon, I'm passing stations advertising diesel as high as $2.649 although I have seen it for $2.499.

So, here I sit in Lakeland, FL ready to deliver first thing in the morning. Then I go 80 miles west to Treasure Island for the weekend and finish my floor. I've promised my Uncle in Idaho that I'd try to get up his way sometime soon. I haven't been 2-wheeling in the Rockies for sometime now. Sounds like a plan!

THANK YOU federal taxpayers

I delivered my aluminum walkway to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge just north of Corpus Christi, TX this morning. This 70,500 acre refuge sits behind the barrier islands protecting the mainland from the Gulf of Mexico. It is a most amazing place.

All kinds of birds call this home. Some are permanent - like the herons, ducks and geese - and some are passing thru as they migrate between Central and North America - like the whooping Crane, one of the rarest animals left on our planet. No, I did not see one. They 'Summer' in Canada and winter down here.

There are many hiking and birding trails and a 40' observation deck out over the bay. The opportunity to see things like this is one of the main reasons I do what I do -- that and making money.

Here's a link to their website if interested

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/aransas.html

Unfortunately this place is so far 'out there' I had no cell phone service and hence no Internet. So I was unable to spend as much time as I would have liked. Remember, I have to get back to my floor in Treasure Island.

To make a long - and boring - story short, I'm stuck outside Houston looking for work. As usual, nothing going my way that I could handle. So, I've rented a video - gotta love that Redbox for a buck a nite - and praying for the sun to go down. It's REALLY hot here.

My, My ... time flies when your having fun!

If you can call laying a laminate floor fun (hey now -- this is a 'PG' blog. Get out of the gutter!). When last I posted, I was painting - three rooms and a hall. Who would have thought two coats to go over a white wall? That's the LAST time I'll buy Behr paint with-out the primer!

I was pretty much done by Wednesday and looking for a trip to get out of FL. But nothing made much sense. Either it was cheap freight or too heavy or going somewhere I didn't want to. Finally I set something up on Friday to load Monday morning (supposedly) going near Houston, TX. It was light (2000#) but long (30') and paying $1/mile -- perfect! (It's some sort of aluminum walkway going to a wildlife refuge)

Then my mother convinced me (it WAS her birthday, after-all) that a wood floor would "really look SOOOO much better than that old ceramic tile floor that never looks like it's clean." So, I say, "What the heck." The fact I have never done this before doesn't slow me down. Besides, if my brother can do it (twice) - I can do it!

I got 16 of the 23 boxes of laminate installed (415 sq.ft.) in two (very long) days. By Sunday night I was ready to crawl inside the microwave and push the '9' button. But I must say, I do pretty good work! Even momma likes it.

But I had to go to Texas - where I am tonight. I loaded 100 miles north of Miami at 5 pm yesterday - they were a bit late getting it ready. And here I sit, just south of Houston, 1100 miles and 28 hours later.

I have another 130 miles to go for my delivery. Then I have to get back to paradise to finish my floor. Mom rented the apartment for Aug 1! No rest for the weary.

THIS is WHY I live in Florida{

I was a bit late with the paint brush today... closer to 7;30. But I worked until 10:30!!! Steady! But it was sooooo nice outside ... and hot inside. So tonite I'm just a bit red .... I love it!!! Lots of vitamin D today and I got the bedroom with two coats of roller - done! But I still gotta trim...tomorrow!

Beautiful sunset tonight ...KISS!

New Pix

I just posted new pix under "Out my Backdoor" (boy does that sound funny) and "My Place" (was that a TV show?). Click on the button under the photo album to the left.

My TUFF day (in Paradise)

I'm awake at daybreak and standing on a ladder with a paint brush in my hand at 7 A M .. EASTERN time! Did that until about 1:30 ... not a lot of air moving around that place with no electric on and it's almost 90 outside but I now have two rooms DONE (mostly). They still need baseboards trimmed but I'm saving ALL baseboards for "THE END>"

Then I helped a friend move into their new condo - from an efficiency on the beach slightly bigger than a walkin closet to a 2000 sq ft BRAND NEW construction downtown five minutes from work. Yep, I'd say steppin' UP!

But I'm home and showered by 7:30 and then it's "HAPPY HOUR". And sunset is officially at 8:30 but I like an EARLY SEAT please. It's been quite rainy here so we haven't seen the sun kiss the water in a while - too many clouds on the horizon. But that in itself can be quite beautiful. Mother nature at her grandest - sunrise and sunset!

By dark, I have dragged myself the 150' back from the beach to my front porch step . well sorta. The front unit, and it's associated parking front onto Gulf Blvd. - THE main drag north-south along the barrier islands. Clearwater to the north about 30 miles and St. Pete Beach (and the entrance way into Tampa Bay) are 7 miles south. I live on a strip of sand fronting the Gulf of Mexico. And if that weren't enough, I live at the south foot of John's Pass Bridge linking my sandbar to the one a bit north. Oh, and the bridge is under a MAJOR remodel. They are totally replacing BOTH draw bridges over this pass. It's been under construction for almost two years now and has at least one more to go.

Lot's of traffic .. foot and vehicular. it's a beautiful night here in Paradise.

Do you believe that GOD speakes to you ---Personally?

He just did to me.

Grilling outside for a group of seven tonight - Pork Tenderloin, Baked Idaho's and baked beans (my way).

Working on the 1 Bedroom apartment that just came open on the first. Painting. Again. I guess I kind of enjoy it. Anyway, I'm into that for the next couple of days.

Looking to move on Wednesday.

Peace Out!

Headed home for the weekend (need some vitamin D)

When I left Lake Egypt last Sunday, I headed to Memphis and loaded Monday morning going to Waycross, GA. The objective was to deliver Tuesday and then deadhead the 120 miles or so to my parents house. My dad was having an out-patient procedure Wednesday and I wanted to be there.

On my way to Waycross I found a load going from Jacksonville, FL - 80 miles south - to within 25 miles of their house. PERFECT! (I thought) Less than 50 miles from my "bonus trip" delivery, I stopped for fuel and a sandwich. The truck parking at Mickey Ds was a gravel lot with holes deep enough to lose sight of the horizon as you bounce thru. I broke an axle spring on my trailer. I also discovered a trailer tire - same side, different axle - with a nail. From the looks of the nail, it happened much earlier in the day.

An hour-and-a-half and $50 later (OUCH!) the tire's fixed but the spring is a different story. When stopped on level ground my loaded trailer was just barely off the tire. Going down the road it frequently touched sending a cloud of blue smoke out the side. To make a long story (and afternoon) short, I drove the next 35 miles on the shoulder at about 20 mph. Amazingly, my saving grace was the rain. It 'lubricated' the tire so there was minimal damage when it touched. I stopped probably ten times along the way checking.

Most importantly I got the job done - safely. But I did manage to pick-up a screw that made it's home in another trailer tire. I'm thinking this actually happened at the job site from the looks of the head (no scratches).

But I was at my parents house Tuesday night and went to the hospital with them Wednesday. The surgery went fine but they decided to keep my dad overnight just for observation. I guess your recuperative powers are a bit slower at 88 years old.

And today I am loaded and headed for Tampa. I'll deliver this today and then sleep in MY bed tonight! Then tomorrow it's vitamin D time!

Fourth of July Recap

(NOTE: I did not take the KY trip. I deadheaded down to Lake Egypt and met my friends for the weekend. I had no internet service there but I still made a couple of entries and then posted them later Sunday evening enroute to Memphis where I load Monday going to Waycross, GA)

My Friday afternoon on Lake Egypt!

Saturday morning starts on the Dock at the lake

The first things you notice – at least on THIS dock – are the sounds and the view. Most of them are natural, as are the surroundings I’m sitting in. Lake Egypt is a skinny, but long and ‘many fingered, lake in southern Illinois. My dock is near the tip of one of those fingers, surrounded by steep, tree-covered hills on the three sides.

And those hills are alive with life- as are the waters too. Birds singing; raindrops hitting the metal roof overhead and then running off into the water around me; all the different birds singing their song; a dog telling its master, “I want to go for another boat ride, plz!” (My friends)! It’s a MUCH simpler life here. A guy could get used to this!

Some friends invited me in for the holiday and I have had a fantastic time; and my bike is sitting ON the trailer still. What you’d call an “Off-Bike” event. And it’s been GREAT! Yesterday was a qwik drive around the area – Ferne Cliff State Park and Goreville (the closest thing to civilization in THESE parts) and then out on the boat to Party Cove – further details are CLASSIFIED!

Friday night was Thanksgiving in July complete with Turkey, stuffing, gravy, green-bean casserole and tea. I WAS a touch disappointed that there was no pumpkin pie though! And then about sunset we met some other folks and went ‘jugging’ – 25 or so 1 qt plastic jugs with 3’to 4’ of line and a shrimp baited hook. Six or seven catfish met their demise this morning as a result – although there was “one that got away” at the last possible second!

This morning started with me cooking French Toast and Bacon for six. The girls went shopping and then the boys went and did what each wanted. So I sit here on the dock of the lake. This afternoon is the Goreville Parade and then tonite are fireworks on the lake.

Post 4th recovery mode – Sunday morning

It rained on and off most of the day yesterday (Sat) but the gods were considerate of Goreville’s Parade and then the fireworks last night at the lake. The main attraction for the parade was the candy thrown. I was impressed by the hundreds of people that lined the six blocks or so of ‘Small Town America’ to watch a 20 minute parade of tractors, 4-wheelers, antique cars and one float. It is this character that is the core of what makes us Americans and the 4th of July is a celebration of that uniqueness. WELL DONE!

The rains returned shortly after the parade – great time for a nap! After dinner the six of us loaded into the boat and dropped anchor near the dam. It’s hard for me to guestimate the number of boats I saw – at least a couple hundred maybe. But everyone tells me it is much fewer than previous years.

The lake association had their show but there was competition ALL around us. My hosts have been here for years and obviously know the best place because we were there. I had to lie down in order to look straight up and see the display from the house less than 100 yards away. Being on the lake allowed you a clear view in all directions because there were a lot of folks celebrating our country’s birthday.

I have seen fireworks in many, many different places -- the parking lot of Mt. Rushmore, across the Potomac River outside Washington, DC -- are among the more memorable. But number one belongs to the VP Fair in St. Louis, which I have seen many times from several vantage points. The best was lying on a blanket with my kids on the cobblestoned bank of the Mississippi River a stones-throw away from three barges tied together where the fireworks were launched from. The visuals were enhanced with the deafening BOOM that reverberated thru our bodies. Any parent will tell you that one of the best possible things in the world is to see your children having the time of their life.

This morning I sit on the deck that surrounds my host’s log cabin. There are 5 hummingbirds about 15 feet away fighting over the feeder. I don’t believe I have ever heard hummers ‘talk’ like these guys. It’s a high pitched twitter almost like a squirrel.

I need to go inside. Sounds like most everyone is up -- breakfast time. I rarely eat 3 meals a day but that is the routine here. I’m going to end up weighing 500 lbs!

Parked on the bridge over the Illinois River

So I delivered in El Paso, IL this morning and then found a little something (thank you Sherri - see, you got your name in my blog) going to a bridge repair on IL route 106 over the Illinois River 70 miles north of St. Louis. Everyone's gone so it's just me and the wildlife until 7 am.

Don't tell anyone but I walked around the barricade and about 400 yards out to where the main section of bridge crosses the river. This is a draw bridge (who operates this thing?) and it is in the 'up' position. I stood with my toes dangling over the edge - a VERY erie feeling - as the water rushes south to join the Mississippi. The main river channel is about 150 yards wide here but there is a long stretch, at least on this side, from the man-made levy out to the channel.

It's really quite spectacular parked on the top of the levy. To the east is flat farmland. To the west is swamp and trees and, in the distance, the sun setting. I wish I knew my birds better because there are two separate flocks of what I thought were purple martins but their bellies are tan in color and their bills are also light. Perhaps starlings? But they are solid colored, not speckled. Whatever they are, they are magnificent to watch - and hear - as they buzz about. They were so close at times I was afraid they might accidentally hit me. Unfortunately my $100 camera can't catch them.

I can hear a woodpecker hammering away somewhere close. Ducks, Red Wing Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Cardinals and even a Hawk to mention just a few. "SLAP" and mosquitoes!

I'm looking at a small load going from Alton (60 miles south) into Kentucky. If the money is worthwhile I will do that. Either way, I'll end up near Rend Lake for the holiday weekend. I can't believe this weather. I may need a jacket in the morning!