SATURDAY NIGHT in Canton, OH -- WOOHOOOO (yawn)

I guess the highlight was sitting in the parking lot of the grocery store eating my pint of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip ice cream. Yah, I know. Pretty lame. But it wasn't because I didn't try. i even had on one of my "Saturday Night Shirts" but to no avail.

I couldn't find anyplace to go! Most towns have an entertainment district - as small as they maybe sometimes. But it is frequently in the downtown or older, historic part of town. Not so in Canton. So after cruising (sightseeing) for 2 1/2 hours I ended up at the grocery store. I was hungry and did not want fast food. After my monster breakfast yesterday morning, all I ate was the left-over pizza. So I had the munchies by 11 PM. Ice cream was my reward. (No Grey Goose)

So I'm down to 24 hours or so to kill before I can find a load to move me on. I'm wondering how many people in the trucking biz will be working tomorrow. Isn't this Labor Day weekend? Maybe there's some good football on TV this afternoon.

Canton, OH -- I've been HERE before!

I don't remember exactly when, but it was several years ago when my youngest - Jared, who's pictured below with his new guitar coincidentally - wasn't so old that it was still 'OK' to hang-out with dad. He spent several weeks with me one summer out 'over-the-road' trucking and we spent a few days here in Canton - home to the NFL's Hall of Fame, which we toured.

My delays getting INTO Canada Friday morning resulted in it being too late in the day to set-up another load after my Detroit to Canton trip Friday afternoon. So here I sit for the weekend -- WITHOUT MY BIKE! Oh well, I guess the world won't come to an end.

I spent the night last night 'vegging' out laying in bed watching TV. Don't get to do that very often. It was kinda nice and my body certainly needed it. Slept in until after 9:30 this morning. I did get up a few times but went back right back to sleep.

I had a monster breakfast sitting at a table - versus my steering wheel - and that was most excellent (IHOP). Then, on the way to Wal Mart (need peanut butter), I notice GI Joe playing at the theater next door. I had seen commercials on TV last night and it looked fun. The early show matinee was $4.75 -- I'm in! The movie was good.

But there's only so much piddling and TV I can take. I'm bored! Maybe I can find someplace with entertainment and Grey Goose tonight.

I guess the Hall of Fame is an option -- naaa, been there, done that.

chunk..chunk..........KERCHUNK!

I'm sitting underneath the Ambassador Bridge which links Detroit, USA to Windsor, Ontario. The trucks flowing over in a steady stream are hitting a steel plate a joint in the highway ....chunk...chunk .......KERCHUNK. You can tell the heavy trucks because that third axle - the trailer axle - really slams when it crosses.

I had a great plan. Cross over at 4 am - while most folks are still sleeping. Be at the delivery - which is only 10 miles (16 kilometers for you Canucks) from the border by 6 am when they open. And then back to Detroit where I have a hot-shot load waiting to go to Canton, OH for delivery today - only 200 miles. Easy.

Too easy. Canada customs was not satisfied with the paperwork I had. The people with the answers are still sleeping at 4:30. So I'm sitting. Waiting. Not one of my virtues.

The good news is, I now have the information necessary to proceed but it takes an hour for the paperwork to process. In this age of instant communication, I'm waiting for someone to "walk" the forms to the right place. Whatever.

chunk...chunk.............KERCHUNK!

Driving in Circles - and getting paid for it!

At this moment I am sitting in Arkansas - again! I spent last Thursday and Friday with my youngest son down in Pine Bluff. I left Saturday and went to Michigan. Delivered that one in the morning and made a 350 mile circle there reloading two more (Ann Arbor and Flint) and then headed down to Illinois. On my way out of Michigan, I passed with 50 miles of where I went in that morning.

Tuesday I delivered one in IL and the second went on to Missouri. Then looped back again into IL - with-in 10 miles this time of where I had just been - and reloaded for AR, where I just delivered.

My next load goes from West Memphis, AR to ..... Guess where! .... Detroit, Michigan!

Are you keeping up? Sounds like a lot of driving? It is. But I have been quite fortunate and getting decent trips (pay wise) going somewhere I want (the South and Midwest). But it has been expensive. When I run this hard, I will spend $150 A DAY in fuel and food. But in 30-days, or so, it will start coming in. Feast and Famine!

GTG, they are waiting for me in W. Memphis!

Pine Bluff, AR

Friday afternoon in PB -- woo-hoo! I lived here back in 1976. This was my first post-military job. I started my restaurant career here. I also met my wife here. I have been back thru here a few times since I left in 1981 but not often - for a reason. Not really a lot happening here.

BUT, I have spent the last 24hrs with my youngest, who is learning the guitar. THAT has been special. I'll stay tonight and then back in the truck and continue on toward NE Indiana in the morning.

And I have set up a load after my deliveries Monday. It's not very long - 500 miles - but pays okay and, most importantly, keeps me moving.

Heavy Load - for me anyway - this trip

Tonight I am calling Malvern, AR home. I was able to put two loads together going to within 70 miles of each other. Plus they loaded within 50 miles of each other -- life is good. I have been doing some serious driving for seven days straight now. But I am taking a brief break Thursday and let my log book 'cool off.'

I delivered my signs in SC early Monday morning and then reloaded for LA. I ran into the remnants of tropical storm Claudette just past Atlanta and stayed wet all the way to my delivery near the TX-LA border south of Shreveport.

That delivery was pretty neat. Boise Cascade takes pine trees and makes them into landscape timbers and posts. I drove past log trucks waiting to unload and watched them transferring these limbless pine trees onto a conveyor that fed them into a machine that removes the bark before sending them along to be cut into posts. I enjoy seeing how they make things you walk into the store and just buy.

Unfortunately I had to drive more than 150 miles after this to get my next load. It's one of the disadvantages of my 'small' trailer. Less Than a Truckload (LTL or partials as they are known in the biz) can be difficult to come by in some parts of the country. It's always a factor to me when I book a load, how do I get to the next one?

But, as I mentioned, I got lucky and was able to put two little ones together. So now I'm headed for north-eastern Indiana. Originally, I was going to press hard and deliver by Friday morning - it's only 1,000 miles. But, after looking at the map, I realized that my route takes me within 60 miles of where my youngest son lives in AR.

The sad news, his grandmother - on his mom's side - is not doing so well. Hopefully I will get to visit with her also. So I'm going to take my 'week-end' tomorrow and Friday and hang out with Jared. Then I will leave Saturday and continue on to make delivery first thing Monday.

I previewed partial loads moving out of NE Indiana and was happy to find 39 of them! That's encouraging. I'll work Friday to set something up to load Monday afternoon and keep on trucking.

Wish I had my motorcycle with me this trip. It would be nice to 2-wheel over to Pine Bluff and visit Jared. But, it needs tires and is sitting in IL. Besides, I wouldn't have been able to put these two partials together if I had my bike on also. I am 'maxed out' on this trip. In the long run it all works out.

In the Mountains again tonight

I will lay my head down to sleep tonight in the Smokey Mountains this time, between Asheville, NC and Knoxville, TN. I love it in the mountains. At least as a tourist. I don't think I'd care to live here permanently. I kinda like my 'Paradise' in Florida. I think I'm more of a beach bum.

So after loading my electronic signs just north of Salt Lake City last Thursday, I flew almost 1400 miles in 2 days getting into Belleville Saturday morning. Saturday night was Freeburg's Parade and truck pull. This time of year there are a multitude of festivals and homecomings in the small towns around the area. Just good old fashion fun. I was a (fairly) good boy Saturday night. I had to get up and drive 600 miles or so today. I deliver these signs first thing in the morning in Greenville, SC and then go less than 100 miles down the road to Columbia and reload for Louisiana.

Should be a wet ride tomorrow. Tropical Storm Claudette makes landfall tonight along the FL panhandle. The forecast is 6" of rain and 50 mph winds along the coast but I'll be on I-20 about 130 miles inland. The rain would be okay. My truck is nasty-nasty. I have a major bug collection on the front - mostly grasshoppers, dragon-flys and moths. Thank you Nebraska and Wyoming!

And I left my bike in Belleville. My tires were marginal before I went riding in ID. They are 'American Bald Eagles' now. So I dropped the bike at a friends and I'll have new tires UPS delivery to his house and he will hook me up. So let it rain.

The Smokies and the Rockies are quite different. The Rockies are much bigger - both in height and width. They are also much more varied in shape and structure. There is a lot more "WOW" when riding thru the Rockies, not that the Smokies aren't impressive.

I didn't pay a lot of attention in geology class, so I'm not going to try and impress you with my knowledge of rocks. But anyone can see the differences in the Rockies between mountain ranges. The color of the rock is different. The way they have eroded is different and thus their formations vary. It is probably among the most impressive sights I have seen in my travels.

I have been thru the Canadian Rockies and walked on their glaciers. I just rode thru the Bitteroot Mountains of Idaho with their granite spires and 1000' high buttes that drop straight down to a raging white-water stream. I also walked across lava fields in the Snake River Plain where molten rock has oozed - and occasionally exploded - from the ground. Geologists are predicting another major blow within the next 1000 years (hey, this has been going on for more than 20 million years) and Yellowstone Park is where it's going to happen. Guess you better get out there and visit it soon.

I had an interesting discussion with my Uncle last week about the differences of sight-seeing from a car versus a motorcycle. As far as I'm concerned there is no comparison. Perhaps if the car were a convertible and the top was down, it might be similar. But when you are looking around from the seat of a bike it's as if you are a part of it.

You can smell it -- not always good. You can feel it -- the temperature changes going over a river or thru a forest. You can taste it -- sometimes you catch a bug, literally. You can hear it - the echo of your exhaust from the canyon walls. You can see it - 360 degrees around and up and down. An enclosed chariot (car) just isn't the same. But even that beats looking at National Geographic so get out there!

We live in the most beautiful place on earth - where ever you are! Get off the sofa and go see something GOD created for you.

Butte to Boise 'N Back

Apparently AT&T doesn't offer Internet service for my card thru Montana and alot of Idaho - where I have been for much of this week. So here is a qwik catch-up.

After delivering in Havre Sunday afternoon, I deadheaded down to Butte, MT and parked my truck and trailer. Monday morning I rode the bike 430 miles (10 hours!) thru the Bitteroot Mountains down to Boise, ID to visit my uncle. The ride was spectacular. I have pictures and stories to tell but not the time right now. To be continued - promise!

Tuesday we did some sight seeing around town in his car (boooo). I left Wednesday morning because I thought I had a load to get Thursday in Butte and I wanted to ride a different way back up. Long story short - the load did not go. But I found another one that actually pays better.

So I'm back in the truck with the bike loaded by dark Wednesday, after another fantastic ride (thru the Snake River Canyon this time). Unfortunately I had to deadhead another long hike down to Logan, UT to pick up this load - electronic signs - going to Greenville, SC.

So here I am in Kimball, NE enroute to SC. This trip takes me right back thru Belleville again so I will stay there Saturday night.

BTW, the picture posted here was taken in a lava field off US 20 in the Snake River Plain between Boise and Idaho Falls. You normally think 'volcano' when you see lava but not here. This exploded from the ground some 10 million years ago. This is a "must see" if you are anywhere near here.

AWWW Hail!

(I am in Billings, MT getting fuel this morning. I'm working my way north to Havre, mostly on 2-lane roads with infrequent internet service. But I wrote some late last night after a weather-filled day in North Dakota that I am now able to post. Here it is)

It rained on me three different times today (Sat). The first was a light rain in the morning heading down I-90. No big deal although the bikers riding out there probably felt different. The second time also turned out to be ‘no big deal’ even though I was on my bike at the time. That is detailed in my post just below. The third time was a ‘gully washer’ – literally.

After reloading my bike and a short siesta in Rapid City this afternoon, I continued trucking west toward Sturgis 30 miles away. I was hungry and thought perhaps I could find a place with truck parking and roll my bike off again. It was still a couple of hours until sunset.

Two things changed my mind pretty quick. First was the crowd or ‘lack of’ I should say. This is my fifth or sixth time here at this time of year. And considering it was Saturday night, I was expecting considerably more bike traffic. The campgrounds I saw were MORE THAN HALF EMPTY as were most of the motel parking lots. Apparently that was the mass exodus I’ve been seeing for two days.

The second thing that changed my mind was the weather. Angry purple clouds were forming just in front of me and bolts of lightning flashed to the ground followed 8 or 10 seconds later by the rumble of thunder. It was close. And we were both headed for the same spot – which turned out to be Belle Fourche, SD.

Because I had diverted up to Sturgis after my first delivery in Nebraska, I had to ’cut thru the woods’ just west of Sturgis to get back on route. I planned to get off I-90 and ‘wiggle’ up US 212 – a nice 2 lane hiway – thru Belle Fourche, across the corner of Wyoming and into Montana.

Since the skies were about to open up, I thought it made good sense to stop and eat while the storm blew past (good idea). I past three different restaurants, all with adequate parking for me, but couldn’t make my mind up what I wanted. You know what they say about ‘threes.’

As I made the left turn out of the last parking lot (bad idea), not two blocks in front of me was a wall of rain – literally. You could see the pavement wet and the rain falling in sheets up there yet it was still dry where I was. The smart move was to return to the restaurant. But I’m I guy. We don’t stop and we DON’T TURN-AROUND (very bad idea). Besides, it’s not like I haven’t driven thru heavy rain before. No Big Deal!

The rain was on me in the blink of an eye and I realized – too late – my rear slider-window was open about 10” (good idea turned bad). It wasn’t but just a few seconds more and then it began to hail – pee to pellet size. Visibility has gone to zero. It’s raining slightly in the window. I’m on a two lane road in town so there’s no place to just pull over.

AH-HA, there’s a parking lot. I’ve been saved! A quick right turn (really bad idea) into the parking lot and ….. the wind is now driving rain and sleet thru the open rear window all the way up to my dash! Get the truck-trailer straight, slam on the breaks, set the parking brake, 4-way flashers on, jump in the back and fight the window closed. My bed is soaked! And it’s getting worse because the hail is starting to melt.

Fortunately it was primarily just the top sheet and once that was off – and the window secured – the crisis was over. Or was it? The pea size hail is pounding the truck (and bike!!!!) and who knows what’s next. They had baseball size hail in Sturgis earlier in the week that caused alot of damage.

But not this time. The hail stopped within 5 minutes and the storm blew over in less than 20. I spent the time cleaning up inside my truck. I did stop at the next restaurant and eat. When I came out, I saw the most beautiful rainbow ever. It was a full and complete arch with both legs going all the way to the ground. The side closest to me was so bright it looked iridescent. My cheapy digital camera could not capture the beauty my eyes were seeing. Mother Nature has so many ways of showing off her splendor.

I drove 150 miles or so before stopping for the night. I’m beginning to climb in elevation from the plains. The Rockies are still a full day’s drive ahead but there are some good size hills here and a lot of elk out feeding along the roadside. I don’t like driving this at night. (Remember – 2-lane road thru the woods?)

Amazingly, I don’t think I have ever seen elk road kill. I have seen dozens of deer but never an elk. I think elk are much smarter than deer (their heads are bigger = bigger brain?). And they are faster too even though bigger.

But now it’s time to “…lay me down to sleep. I pray my soul the LORD to keep…”

It was so GREAT that it was HORRIBLE until the END

The GREAT thing was that I was sitting in a mom and pop diner (Parkway Restaurant - excellent food) in Rapid City, SD having breakfast at 12:30 local this morning on my bike. The HORRIBLE part was that I was alone. I hate that I spent some of the best parts of my life alone. Guess I don't hate it enuf yet, hmm?

For those that may not know, Rapid City is 30 miles from Sturgis - site of the Worlds Largest Motorcycle rally. Needless to say, when you have 5 or 6 HUNDRED THOUSAND bikers in town the 'fun' spreads over into the region. Ironic when you consider the resident population of the ENTIRE STATE is 750,000! Today is the 9th of a 10-day rally that has run annually since 1938 - except during WWII - based primarily on racing and stunts. It's gotten pretty big.

And that's because of the the phenomenal things around here to see. If you like to ride, then you will LOVE Sturgis,unless you fear crowds. Within a 200 mile radius, there are beautiful and historic things to ride and visit. And the ride is as fun as the destination. That's the best. Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Iron Mountain, The Badlands, Devils Tower, Hulett, Buffalo Chip, Crazy Horse, Old Fort Mead, Deadwood and on and on.......

But around here this time of year -- and THIS rally in particular -- the weather can become the headline (except in my blog). A nasty looking storm has blown up again this afternoon. That has been the story of the week I'm told. In fact, Aerosmith's lead Singer - Steven Tyler - fell off the rain slick stage Wednesday night breaking his shoulder. Supposedly he was air-evaced out. I wonder if Mr. Jack Daniels was involved? Or is he on the wagon. I don't remember.

But alas!, how did we get to Sturgis when I decided we weren't going to make it?

Friday morning I left KC, MO with my radiators en route to North Platte, NE and in fact, made that delivery last nite about 6:30 pm (they're 24/7). While plotting my next stop in Havre, MT (see my history in Havre below) I realized Sturgis was only 56 miles out-of-the-way. Not much when you consider the whole trip is 1400 miles. So we go straight north and catch I-90 west.

Friday morning I began noticing a lot of traveling bikers - driving and towing - going south on I-29 out of KC and even more going east on I-80 out of Lincoln, NE. By the time I got up on I-90 this morning it was a flood gate of bikes heading away from Sturgis. And I'm 150 miles out!

I understand riders. My 2003 has almost 80K miles. (that's not counting the 'towed miles') It's NOT garage furniture. So when I look across the medium and I see guys with the face-mask on and no windshield running 70+ mph -- I understand. Been there - done that.

The vast majority of the riders were the big touring bikes with the fairing, big windshield, big rear seat, luggage bag, radio, yada-yada-yada. Hey, they are still riders. It's all good. Unlike the weather this year.

I'm sitting in the Fire House Brewing Co. having a capuchino (it's only 1:30) watching the weather channel and - deja vu - there is a weather advisory for some town called Rochford. "Hey bartender! Is Rochford somewhere nearby? Ya," he says. "About 15 miles west of here."

By the time I have paid my tab and ran out the door, there are raindrops (just a few) on my bike seat. The sky behind me - west - is purple. My truck is east! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. (If this doesn't sound like my first nite in Austin for RoT, I'll eat my helmet!)

It takes me less than two complete circles of the block to remember which way is the truck - that and a helpful pedestrian. But in the END, I'm back and loaded (the bike) when the sprinkles get serious here. But it would appear this line of storm has gone more south because it's clear sky and sunny to the west now. Not so nice looking south. TG I have to go west.

Addendum to "On the Job..."

This add-on might make more sense after you read my post just below, from earlier this morning. The rain was qwik - THANK YOU! It was enuf to settle the dust and not turn everything to mud - WHEW. The unloading was also qwik. Unstrap and roll them off the side.

I took these pix just before pulling out. As you can see, they are setting the steel beams that will hold the roof up and keep later rain and snow off the folks inside. Construction sites always intrigue me.

The other shot is my bike on the trailer. I know it looks like I have only "one follower" but from the emails I get and phone conversations I have with friends and family, there are several. If you like, click on the link to the left and add yourself. I promise - NO SPAM!

Anyway, several people ask how I get my bike on and off. Here ya go. The ramp sits upright on the right side of the bike and keeps dirt and rocks off going down the road. I unscrew the front wheel pingel and drive my bike off. When reloading, I move the ramp to the other side and drive it up. I have an extension to add on the ramp to make it about 11' long - perfect (thanks Jim). It's about 20 minutes to load or unload. I love it.

On the Job North of Kansas City

Here I sit, at the construction site of the new Grace Baptist Church, waiting for the plumbers to show up and take these two 12"D x 25'L pieces of pipe off. I got somewhat frustrated sitting around Belleville for more than 2 days looking for something I could handle going west, preferably thru Sturgis. Eventually I started looking for ANYTHING worthwhile just to get me moving. I hate to sit! Makes my stomach upset.

So this came up and I booked it. On my way here yesterday afternoon I found a load out of KC going to Montana. Not only was it thru a broker I have hauled for before (twice) but it was going to a little town that I have been to several times.

Havre is in north-central Montana about 25 miles from the Canadian border. It the last town of any size before I crossed over into our northern neighbor while I was hauling campers last year. I have spent the nite there a couple of times. To bad I don't have a girlfriend there too. Might need to work on that part.

So when these plumbers show up - it's already 7:15 !!! - I'll go load a couple of locomotive radiators and head west. I have one stop in North Platte, NE and then on to Havre. The nice thing is the receiver works 24/7 so whenever I get there they'll take it. I should be in Havre Sunday evening sometime. Unfortunately, Sturgis is not along this route.

From there I am still more than 500 miles to Boise where my Uncle lives. Of course getting a load out of Havre, or any thing close, is going to be very difficult. I'll spend today looking for something to move me on Monday. Worse case scenario (I think), I deadhead 150 miles or so towards Helena or Great Falls - the largest towns going towards Boise. I park the truck and trailer and then take the bike to visit Unc. Hmmm, 2-wheeling thru the Bitteroot Mountain Range doesn't sound too bad.

GOOD NEWS -- I think my plumbers are here! BAD NEWS -- it just started to rain and I'm sitting out in a dirt parking lot! GTG.

"Don't Count Your Chickens Before their Eggs Hatch"

I need to remember that one. The trip did not develop and I sit here STILL in Belleville until tomorrow. I'm not sure if I should be so picky. I have been looking for a trip to go west. There was one I turned down going to MN, but I really didn''t want to go there. Mostly because getting out of there is pretty difficult. Not alot of industry - or people for that matter - except in small concentrated areas.

It was a beautiful day here - of course. The bike is STILL sitting on the trailer. Today's a riding day but I'm glued to the computer looking for work.

We'll try again tomorrow.

Sturgis just might happen

I'm working on a load going from the Milwaukee area to near Boise, ID - where my uncle lives who I have been promising for a year I would stop by. And Sturgis is smack-dab in the middle. I'll know more in the morning. I bid this load and the broker needs to call the customer.

I got into Belleville Saturday morning just after noon. Dropped the trailer, got a haircut, did NOT unload the bike (RAIN!), took care of a few other small chores and was at one of my bff's house with a cocktail in hand by 4:30. Life is good.

We - 3 couples and me - went to the 82nd Annual Mascoutah Homecoming. Mascoutah is a small town - about 6500 people - but this is a BIG event, especially after 80+ years. The parade is quite the deal with lots of antique tractors (farming community, okay); several marching bands; ambulances and fire trucks; and several floats from local businesses -- most of them throwing candy. Then there was the draft pull. Think of a tractor pull except with horses and mules. And of course we have amusement rides, lots and lots of GOOD food, beer, and music. It really was a hoot.

Sunday morning, after I cooked my world famous French Toast for the house, I went to my mother's rental house that she is trying to sell. (That was the main reason I ended up in Belleville anyway). Then Sunday night was dinner at my middle brother's house.

Monday morning I delivered my load about 70 miles west of here and then continued on another 60 miles west from there to visit a friend I had not seen for 12 years. Again, the rain prevented me from taking my bike - ARG! So I left it on the trailer and dropped the trailer at a truck stop and took the truck. It was really nice to hang with Conrad. He managed to bring up more than one event from my past I was trying to forget. Hey, but what are friends for?

As it turned out, I had an eye doctor appointment here this afternoon. Just a regular check-up. Nothing has changed since my last check-up 2 1/2 years ago. I guess that's a good thing.

I have been looking for a load all day to get me out west. I was doing a 'radius search' from St. Louis going out. Late in the day I did a 'destination' search from Boise and found this load out of Milwaukee. And there is a load from near here going to with-in 60 miles of Milwaukee. Now if I can put them together. I'll know in the morning.

And, as a bonus, two other couples are doing a 4000+ mile ride thru the west right now. They plan to come thru Sturgis on their way back here. Just maybe, I can work out the logistics and meet them somewhere along the way. Tomorrow will tell.