St. Louis ARC

Scott is headed for Oklahoma City and on the way just went by the ARC at St Louis. He says it is so much more impressive than in any picture he has ever seen. So I am jealous again. What is new. Anyway that adds another state as he is now in Missouri. If they take the route it looks like they will miss Kansas by about 1/2 a mile right at the corner of it where it meets with both Oklahoma and Missouri. Oh well some day. He is getting really anxious to come home and now that Charlene is trying to get back into NJROTC he wants to be back by the 14th to see her first performance. Wish him luck. I have been really busy so be sure to check out my blog, P-Ville Arts, Inc for pretties. Everybody enjoy the game tomorrow. I am picking up Mary and we are going shopping so she gets to miss part of it as BECKY loves football and really gets into sports. Kind of like watching races with me, very vocal. And I got to go out to lunch today, Charlene took her mother and I out to Mazatlan or however it is spelled on the money from cashing in bottles and cans. 90 bucks WOW!

So Plans change

Quite rapidly it seems. They went through Kentucky into Tennessee went west and got sent to Arkansas where they dropped that trailer for someone else to take to Louisiana and picked up one and headed back for Ohio. He said that Kentucky was very sad as they had a very hard ice storm 2 days before and evergreens were just clumps of ice laying on the ground and that there was huge amounts of damage. They stopped at one truck stop, no one was there as there had been no electricity for 2 days, luckily made it to the next truck stop without running out of gas. They went through the town where his old buddy Dan Fritz lived. If any of you know him he was Steve Fritz's brother. Anyway thought he would like to have his widow's number for next time if ever he goes through there again.

They are back in Ohio not supposed to have to pick up the load until 11 am tomorrow. Headed towards Oklahoma with it then back to Springfield Illinois and home leave for 2 days. Scott figures that he will be able to finish his hours next week anyway. He needs to drive 300 hours and has 220 to 230 done. He really sounded hopeful of getting home for his birthday but if he does not make it then maybe by Becky's hers is the 18th which would give him an extra 5 days.

He is really looking forward to freedom from training or trainer however that goes. Have a good weekend.

Crawling through CINCINNATI

They got their trailer fixed somewhat, took to another shop to finish repair. They could not so they put it aside and went and picked up a full trailer and had made it as far as Cincinnati. They were doing approximately 10 mph. Said the roads and weather was really bad. Scott had bought a book, yep he is bored and was half way through it. I asked if he was driving and he said TECHNICALLY. Will, could you yell at him about this? As I know it is stupid to let that trainer bully him. And I told him that he should not be reading and driving at the same time, technically speaking.

Have not heard from him since. Hope they just kept pushing through and really have not had time to call. Or maybe he is not speaking to me as I was opinionated and you know how he hates that. So much for getting to talk to him more. Now I talked him into reading and he has no use for me anymore. DANG. Just kidding.

In case I did not share they are headed to Pineville Louisiana.

Down again

They went to hook up to the van and there was a berm pushed up and they had to be towed out with the trailer. Then they went to Proctor and Gamble and the van was not clean so was sent to clean it as would not allow them to borrow a broom to clean it there. Then they could not get something or other to slide forward, has to do with the fifth wheel I think and so now they are at a shop or where last time we talked with that and a flat tire. Was hoping to be on the road in a couple of hours.

Scott said Marcel finally scared himself enough to slow down. Came down a ramp and his trailer tried to pass him, and he barely stopped in time to avoid being hit by another truck doing the speed limit at the intersection. Yes every day I am getting more relaxed letting Scott ride with this duffous. Is that how you spell duffous? Anyway says that after Louisana will probably head north again as Monday Marcel wants home time again. Yipee. Sure hope they get done fooling around in time for Scott to make it home by his birthday. Would be just about the right timing and what a present to get his very own truck to drive.

Not much news

BUT BIG time happy news for Scott. They are in Ohio, going to drop this load, get another he thinks at Proctor Gamble again and head for Louisiana. Warmth-warmth.

He said Marcel was driving. It was snowing so that the snow plows could hardly keep up and they were doing 65 mph. And for me to remember what he said "about untrained trainers". So evidently Marcel was scaring him just a little. Said he slept through the truck starting, taking off and rolling last night so thinks he finally can sleep when he wants too. That is about it. Later today sure he will have a big story or two. Is pretty sure to pick up another state as he thinks they will be going through Kentucky!

Wrong about New York

What they needed was a special sticker for the truck as Werner only buys them per truck and not fleet wide which is what happens in Oregon also. Evidently you have to buy them at the first scales or something. Just wanted to clear that up.

He was driving back through Connecticut just passing into New York. They have to be in Ohio tomorrow morning so thought he would probably drive until midnight or so and Marcel would take them in. Unsure of which town they are going to. Will find out tomorrow I guess.

Scott says that if I ever saw Hartford I would never leave because I would never finish taking pictures of all the buildings, steeples, churches, gold domes, etc. Yep he is probably right. I also want to see Boston really bad.

A day early-sitting-waiting

They are a day early so warehouse has them due to unload tomorrow. Said they might get it done tonight. Scott is unhappy again.

Marcel let him drive in New York and it is one of the states that you can not drive in unless Werner says you are ready too. And come to find out Oregon is the same way, crazy or what. Anyway they missed Rhode Island by going up and around. But added New York, Connecticut and now Massachusetts to his list.

Marcel had him read about how and when to chose toll roads, etc. Pet rules were on the same page so he read that also (OUCH). His little buddy will cost 1000 deposit and have to be in a kennel every time Scott gets out of the truck without him. I told him he could take Tia and I would keep Simon but he did not think so. Anyway 35 pounds is the breaking point so guess need to hire someone to run Simon until he gets down to 30 pounds. Just kidding. He will have to teach him to mind better before he can get him to go into a kennel whenever Scott needs him too. I just do not see that happening but their problem to solve. Back to work.

And Then

They get the tire fixed and head for Proctor and Gamble and right before they pull in they smell coolant. The P&G people tell them to get the leaking truck off of their property. Too far from the terminal so they go to a Truck Stop that has a Truck Shop and get the hose replaced or fixed or whatever, get the truck aligned or maybe that was at the last place and head out again. Back to P&G and Scott calls. He thinks they are headed to California but it only said 649 miles or something like that. So he checked again. Said he probably had just been in denial as it actually says Massachusetts. So that is where they are headed. Last time we talked were just getting out of Ohio headed back into Pennsylvania.



Then I fell asleep, sleeping pill, just 1.

Anyway Scott called at 10:19 my time and woke me, did not say much as I am rather hard to talk to in that condition except they were headed to Assinet MA or some such place.

I just got up this morning and Scott calls, FREEZING. They had stopped at a Scales for the night. He woke up, got out of the truck, went potty in the porta pot and Marcel left. He comes out of the pot and no truck. He called Marcel and he is on his way back. They are running late so this should really help that relationship thing. Anyway he has now also been through New York and headed into Connecticut. More states accounted for. Does not know if they will bypass Rhode Island or go through it. We will see.



Looks from this as they will miss Rhode Island:


And again called and he is back in the TRUCK. Marcel was only about 3 miles down the road and there was a exit right there, luckily. So end of drama. Or funny however you view it.

Change is in the AIR!

Marcel decided that the tire was really wearing too fast and so they headed for a terminal, gave up their load which had changed destinations so they were going to Phoenix and now they are in the terminal. Were supposed to be there unfixed until Monday but the truck is fixed and they are just waiting for a load. Had a talk with another driver who had just gotten his truck. He almost had his miles in at Christmas and then the trainer got a different truck and blah, blah, blah he just got his truck. I sure hope they do not keep dangling Scott like that his mom is getting really depressed asking when he is coming home. I would like to see him for a couple of days, wonder if I will get the first hug or Simon. Silly question I probably will not get any time with him for the first day between Simon and his mom. Okay maybe 1 hug after Simon. I will get to ride in the truck and that might be fun.

Just talked to him again they were at WalMart. No load yet. They are in Springfield Ohio. By the way he got bored the other night and counted there are 17 states that have a Springfield in them. We got his pay figured out that way too. Him being bored and me being pushy and him calling in and finding out how he was being paid. So at least we got something out of his boredom. Did I share that we have 2 states with less square mileage than Crook County. Okay I was bored one night too and could not sleep. Delaware and Rhode Island both have fewer square miles than our county. Anyway so much for boredom. I have to get back to playing now.

He is really filling in those states, 27 so far, driven.

He has also been in South Carolina, Hawaii, Virginia, Florida, Washington and I think Maryland. But this map is just for where he has driven truck.

Beautiful upper Pennsylvania

Scott says they finally got off the beaten path on this run and the area was beautiful in Northern Pennsylvania, skinny little crooked rood that went through hard wood forests. Wonderful, he is a passenger today and most of tomorrow as will have more hours tomorrow night sometime.

Says he has been seeing a lot of turkeys, wild not idiot type some in Wisconsin and some in Pennsylvania I think he said. What he really said was that Marcel's idea of pretrip inspection was if you turn the key and the engine runs it is fine, OMG. Scott said that if he was hurt or killed in an accident while with Marcel to sue the shit out of Werner for having "untrained trainers". Then raved for about 15 minutes about the idiotic things this dude does. He was out filling tires with air at the time and I asked why they did not just change them and he said Marcel did not feel they needed it but that the front tire, I do not think he mentioned left or right was illegal and if they ever got stopped they would stay stopped until they got it replaced. So now I feel really, really good about his taking this job and can rest easy at night. Jeez as if I do not imagine the worse when he does not call 4 times a day.

Good news I had lots of work today and kept busy and BETTER news Josh came by to get the playpen as they were going out of town and I got to see the kids. It has been ages since I have seen Jacob nonmanic, he was talkative but calm and happy looking. He asked if he could get out and then just accepted it when I said no. It was great. He just talked to me about going to Grandma Geraldines and playing that he was ironman and getting the mask. I of course have no idea if he got the mask or was planning on getting it. Rachel woke up and told me she was a princess when I asked if I could be queen she said no that Mommy was queen and I was a princess like her. Then she asked me what my name was, OUCH. Mollianna cried every time I looked into her carseat. Okay so I ran out there without combing my hair and it does stand on end being this short. She is really getting big but adorable as are her brother and sister. Anyway that made my day.

The truck is on the way to Springfield Ohio, Scott thinks there is a law that every state has to have a Springfield in it, anyway then they are at this point set to pick up a load and go to Las Vegas. But as he says if that does not change in the 12 hours or so that is left. Tomorrow.

Pennsylvania

Well he was headed south then East yesterday morning when we talked. Down through Wisconsin, through Chicago turn east and through Indiana, Iowa and Pennsylvania to a little burg called Tunkhannock fairly close to the border of New York. Later when I talked to him he had driven through Chicago, during rush hour. Still later he was trying to sleep but unable to with the rough truck rolling so that he could get up at 3 am to make the deadline for delivery. Stated that if it was not so far he would walk home.

Second story for the day was Marcel was having Visa problems and girlfriend/wife was not helping to get his paperwork to the lawyer on time so he could turn it in on time, etc, etc. Every single conversation was with Marcel yelling in the background except the last when he was supposedly driving and Scott was supposedly sleeping. So today should be another day and they should be headed somewhere else. We will see. Today I have bucco mucho amounts of work. So this is short. Will show maps etc later.

Driving Hard

Says they are about an hout to an hour and a half outside of Omaha on the western side. Mapquest says 9 hours from Omaha which means 10 hours and have to be there early in the morning, not friday like he thought. So sounds like he will be sleeping while Marcel drives again. Says he managed about 6 hours last night as wakes up when they stop, etc. But I told hm enough 6 hours nights and he would learn to sleep while the truck was rolling. 2263 miles from Santa Clara to Green Bay wow that seems far for 3 days but that is what trucking is about I guess.

Salt Flats

What did I learn today. That it is over 480 miles from Reno to the Utah border. The salt flats are really flat and white and awesome the first time across. He saw more of Salt Lake but was not yet in Salt Lake City when I talked to him the first time. Said Nevada was interesting to look at but again probably only a couple of times through. Says Elko was bigger than he imagined.

Next time I talked to him said that he was done driving for the day and that Marcel would quit at Cheyenne so they are in Wyoming. Found out in our talks tonight that some of the higher population centers charge trucks to park in Truck stops. That their frequent fueler points are sort of like frequent flyer miles and you have to have a card for Flying J. He got his in the mail today.

But probably the most unexpected piece of news came when I was watching Ace of Cakes. Did you know they removed Pluto as a planet. How is that possible? That is kind of like saying children are not people because they are not big enough to qualify or too many of them the same size. It seems that they found more masses that they would have to accept as planets as they are the same size or bigger than Pluto so they decided to declassify it instead. Makes no sense to me. But the new saying is you have been plutoed if you are being ignored. Okay tell me you knew this! Go figure.

Oh and Wyoming made him half way through the states of the lower 48 at 24th state.

Reno for 20 minutes or so

Well he called. Marcel was going to drive through the mountains because it was too dangerous for Scott to drive. Scott did his whatever thing and got to drive. Said they had no problems at all. They stopped in Reno for a small break then are headed out to some small town to a smaller truck stop to sleep for the night. Come to think of it maybe Sparks as silly as this guy is. Anyway since they did not get hardly any sleep last night Scott sounds exhausted and just wants to sleep. They are not hauling beer, they are hauling empty beer kegs whoopy but still going to Greenbay. He is not 100% sure of the route Marcel has picked out but assumes Omaha, Chicago and then north. The wind was blowing really hard the only time I was through Greenbay and it was COLD and May so hate to think what it will be like now. Oh well that will be the day after tomorrow or depending upon the schedule maybe the day after that. Hope Marcel does not take home time again this soon. Scott wants to get his mileage in so he gets his own truck.

As Usual Knows Very Little About His Immediate Future.

Marcel did not know where they were really going or did not say. They dropped once then another time in Modesto, then when I talked to Scott they were trying to drop in Santa Clara which is San Jose or so he thinks and were not having much luck. The dock was being reconstructed or something and there was no way to get a 53' load in to it. They were in the process of backing back down the street and parking somewhere else or in the middle of the street not really sure. Latest update is they are headed to Greenbay WI with BEER. Sounded like maybe Scott could use one but says that he can not even drink on his downtime during training (or Marcel's home time). Marcel wants to take home time again this week. We will see. So the cross country continues. He says he feels that they will probably go through Reno but unless they stop for the night will probably not contact Arron and Krystal, also that if Marcel finds out he would like to see them they will definitely not be able to stop. He is back to thinking Marcel is a jerk. Go figure. And he is disappointed that Marcel will not let him attempt to back up so he is getting no practice. Maybe should talk to Angel about that. Dang it forgot to remind him to call Angel to find out how he is paid during training. Got to get back to work as I actually have some today.

Redirected

This morning when I was talking to Scott he had just passed Salt Lake City. There was lovely snow everywhere and he admitted there was snow in Montana just not enough to count, whatever that means. Anyway he says they did not go very close to Mountain Home so sorry kids could not even say hi. He said he took over just before or after the idaho northern border and said the sunrise over the mountains was awesome and then some. Sounded like it lasted a really long time that must have been beautiful. Hope tomorrows will be just as lovely. Though he will be in smoggy California.


Just talked to Scott. Their time in Las Vegas was cut really short. Had enough time for a shower and to get some drinks to see him through. Dispatch decided to have them drop their van in Las Vegas and have another person pick it up as that person was headed for home time in LA and his load was headed for Sacramento. So Scott gets to go the Capital of California if I remember correctly. However he did not seem that thrilled. He was head to do bunk time and try to sleep while Marcel drove as they had to be there tomorrow but I am not sure when. Said he thought they went towards LA and headed north so am pretty sure this is how they will go. Oh well he will sleep most of the way anyway. He just wants it to be warmer. Hope he lucks out. Maybe they will send him east through Reno and he can get a hug from Arron or Krystal. Anyway I am off to beddybye.

Lovely scenery, lots of animals

Sorry everyone Scott did not call until I was already involved in reading and could not give it up. Anyway they left Fargo, North Dakota made it about 40 minutes and the fuel filters plugged up, No cell service and was stuck for 18 hours. Youch! He did not say if they found an exit or not but right beside the freeway no matter what would be a lousy place to spend 18 hours in the cold North Dakota weather. They got fixed and Marcel (sorry Marcel keep getting you name wrong) starts driving, the company called and told him he did not have any hours. Oh sorry Scott was driving just forgot to change codes. Scott needs to quit letting him do that.

Okay now the reason that the fuel filters, In Scott's Opinion, clogged up. I heard the first part of this story from Mary. As they were headed home to Springfield, Scott driving he wanted to stop to get fuel. Marcel said they would make it fine to the next stop. They ran out of fuel and Scott made Marcel walk, his mistake not Scott's, to get help anyway he had to get 15 gallons to start the truck. Which I assume is why the fuel gelled while they were in Springfield but mostly it was why the sucked up all the gunk from the bottom of the tank that made the fuel filters clog. He said that leaving Springfield they tried but finally cleared and the truck ran okay. No so Fargo and 18-hours because they ran out of fuel because Marcel was so anxious to get home. OOPS! I feel he probably will be out of time to stop very long in Las Vegas.

Scott says he loved the trip through Montana especially but thinks they went through land like the badlands in Dakota. They saw buffalo, antelope and deer in herds. Was pretty thrilled. He called when they were in Billings or thereabouts and said the weather for most of the day had been great, no snow in Montana, etc, etc. I told him we still had frozen fog which was beautiful.

I had a bad morning which turned into a long day. I was backing the car out past the jeep thought I was clear and crunch. Because it was so cold the bumper (plastic covering) just broke off the car not even a slight scratch on the jeep. I worried myself sick about telling Scott, but being the nice guy he is as soon as he found out the jeep was fine he did not mind. Anyway had a girls day, Bend and Redmond, Mary and Becky (who are barely talking to each other), Koryna (who drove because I was so shook about the car), Charlene and me. Tina met us in Bend and we did have fun. Tina hates me hair too! Oh well! Allen call with the scores tonight and Scott will be a happy camper. Thanks

Headed back to LA

Total Estimated Time: 27 hours 46 minutesTotal Estimated Distance: 1942.84 miles

When they get their new load they are headed back for LA. Across North Dakota, halfway across Montana, cut south just before Missoula and south to Las Vegas then over to LA. Figure to drive hard to Las Vegas then lay over until just have time to get to Barstow for the night and drive into LA early Monday morning.

Scott is in the decide the route and discuss it with Mikel stage of learning now. Has to consider whether they will be on major highways, freeways as it is winter and they need to be covered if they break down. Needs to have fuel where they will need it, etc. So once again is stretching his brain around all of the changes though you can tell he is excited about it. He loves making the decisions for himself so this is a good thing to learn. Mikel is reminding him only when he has not thought something out. I guess the reason it is important to go through Las Vegas is one of Mikel's friends live there. Here I supposed he liked to gamble. Maybe Scott will have some time to see some more attractions this time.



Also will be driving some beautiful road and getting to go through Butte which absolute fascinated me as a child with all its churches. Then down past Salt Lake City and Salt Lake through some beautiful canyon type lands, noteably Zion just the skirt of it.

Maybe they are not following MAPQUEST!

Just talked to Koryna who had just talked to Scott and sounds like they will be going up through Wisconsin so that if true will make the 20th state he will have driven in since they started. He is going to learn how to sleep while Mikel drives tonight. GOOD LUCK MISTER! He probably will be grumpy tomorrow but I told him he could not treat Mikel like he treats all of us when he is cranky that he has to put on a pleasant face. He says he is perfectly used to by now doing without sleep as he must be if he can drive until midnight.

Minnesota

Scott was in a little place called Bloomington getting fuel when I talked to him. They are headed for Moorehead Minnesota on the North Dakota border. He is going to drive until midnight and then Mikel is going to take over. Did not get a lot more than that because Mikel was talking on his phone. Screaming into it is more like it and we could not hear each other. Anyway seems to think it is going to get really cold before it gets warm again. I tend to agree.

OOOHH! IT is so cold

Would love to write that they are on the road again... but truth is they are in the same parking lot of a WalMart store that they pulled into on Monday night to take Mikel's home time and Scott's motel time. The truck will start but not run because the fuel seems to have gelled. They are using additives but evidently the last truck stop did not put enough in their fuel so there they sit. They were supposedly headed for Minnesota but who knows if that load will still be there when they get rolling. Scott was wanting to go to warmer climes told him I thought he had missed that goal and to bring plenty of additives as Minnesota probably had -46 degrees. He did not think I was funny imagine. Will post when I hear more from him.

Layover Business

He spent most of the day going through paperwork to figure out what he was behind in. Got all of his logs caught up and figured out. We figured out how to get into his account online to check things and try to figure out what he got paid for on his first check. Afraid we will never understand as he only made 14.97 regular pay or something else and everything else is per diem or bonus this or payback that. Wow he drove 1000 miles and made 14.97 he does even better than I do when it comes to getting high paying jobs. Actually the check was great we just do not know what it was for, what dates it covered, etc. We will learn.

He is absolutely freezing walked from his motel to the one next door which had laundry facilities and almost froze. Had to go to the truck to the do paperwork log thingy 1/4 mile was shivering in his boots. He was complaining about having to go so told him to put on his overalls, they were in the truck. Hope he brought them back with him.

Anyway not much to report just a lazy day.

INSURANCE AGGGGGGGGGGGH!

Okay I will write in this honestly. (SKIP TO BOTTOM IF YOU HATE RANTS)

Insurannce papers filled out wrong, declined insurance and did not add life insurance.
Ginny being the person she is called and laid it on his shoulders at 10 pm, PST, oh yeah that would be midnight.
He told her he would handle it.
AND HE DID on his time schedule which was noon next day.

Feelings a bit tender both sides--but over it.

Went to get my prescriptions. I had brought them in the new card, Woodgrain changed provider, last Wednesday so that I would not have to stand around for 30 minutes while they rebilled. They had billed to wrong insurance. I waited 30 minutes

Came home to get Cobra paperwork faxed for new company. THEY ARE FILLED OUT WRONG They say my coverage, which I PAID 314 a month for ended the day Scott's job ended. INSURANCE AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!

Done ranting.

Now the better news.

Scott is in Springfield in a motel until theoretically they will leave 9 am Thursday morning. Does not know where but is hoping that it is South. Seems to like that better than Illinois in winter, imagine. Says he will call back tonight but we will see. So no real new for the next couple of days, maybe. Koryna just took Mary to doctor he is very impressed with her progress says that right now the soreness is probably a pulled muscle and she will just have to work it out, so exercises under hot shower. See you in 2 weeks, take your medicine.
And they probably fouled up her INSURANCE, just kidding.

Really racking up States fast.

Okay my mind is a little befuddled because could have swore I wrote when he was talking about Going past, very close to Vail. They went close enough that they could watch the skiers and Mikel wants to learn how to do that as thinks it looks fun. Scott really thinks I would enjoy the route they are on right now. I do too. The Rockies OMG in the winter must be beautiful beyond belief.

They cooperated on dinner last night. Mikel was dying for Subway and so Scott found them a truck stop that had one. Mikel bought their sandwiches but forgot a drink so Scott bought drinks and bananas. He has a thing about bananas this week. Anyway I think this is probably the first time they have even going into the same restaruant. Must be relaxing some. Then Scott was listening to Mikel's music (like he has any choice) and said hey I recognise that one it is Willy Nelson. Mikel did not think so but they got the case out and sure enough Willy was singing on one song and Dolly on another with Jose Egallias. Of course Scott hates the majority of the rest of the music. I think he should buy his own CD player but he is afraid to spend too much money. Which is understandable until we find out how he is paid exactly for what.

His priorities for the stop over are: Go to Walmart get buttons, needle and thread and sew buttons back on his quilted, insulated shirt. For some reason they have all broken and fallen off. Then buy a camera and maybe a coat. He left his big nice one here as he did not think he would need it but has been freezing for 2 days and has changed his mind. He thought if it was cold he could just put on his coveralls but evidently that it too big of a hassle.

We counted on our fingers and today was 2 weeks. Dawned on both of us that maybe another 4 would be stretching even our freedom a little and that maybe we missed each other. Him the quietness amd peacefullnesss of home and me just someone to do something with. Not that I am unbearably lonesome, just want to get out to the woods or something which I have always been taught not to do on my own. Oh Well probably will anyway.


This is the route they are on.
This is the states that he has driven in so far during this 2 weeks.







This morning was certain would be in Chicago by tonight. So then 2 drops and to Springfield and then we will see. Says he is going to call Allen tonight so assume that means there are important games on today. Sure could not prove it my me. But I do find I turn the TV on once in a while while I knit to sooth the dogs and have another voice in the house. Not much during the week because I always have somebody talking to me then. Dang Doctors never shut up. Kidding.

Stopped in Utah Last Night

Sorry but had so much to do yesteday just put in a short story and there was actually a long one. After leaving the shopping mall they proceeded the Las Vegas where they stopped again for an extended length of time. I am not sure where the "Little buddy" Scotts new name for Mikel went but Scott spent but Scott walked around for 40 minutes and bitched about his little buddy and how unbelievably rude he is. Guess that Scott was sitting in the truck listening to his music and Mikel got in shut off the radio turned up his music and started the truck. Anyway it infuriated Scott. So he walked around Las Vegas and told me where things had changed and what he could see from where he was and that the wind was really blowing. It was really hard to hear so I know that it must have been.



Then I talked him into a casino so he could gamble just for me. Sure enough he put 5 bucks in a nickel machine and immediately lost it, JUST LIKE I DO! No luck whatsoever. Should have gambled for himself and probably would have won 100. Anyway made me go back to work and called last night to say he was getting ready to go to bed. They were in Utah and it was cold. He finally used his sleeping bag last night as he had been cold the night before.



Anyway they made it to Green River about 125 miles from Colorado headed for Denver last night. He says Utah is still gorgeous. All of the rims of rock have beautiful snow and everything is so crisp and clean. I remember this part of Utah well as was absolutely no towns except Green River but the scenery like all of Utah was awesome. Probably took 2 rolls of film or 5 around here. Boy has digital ever saved us money.

Says that he will call when he gets time and that Chicago got 6 inches last night. So should probably see lots of snow between Green River and Chicago. I hope there is no horrendous winds through the flat lands. On with my day.

Taking it slow

Well they have left Fontana, headed East to Chicago. when I talked to him this morning said that they were stopped at a shopping mall and he was out walking around. Said that Mikel seemed in absolutely no hurry. They are going through Barstow, Las Vegas, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and into Illinois. So lots of new states. Gets to cross the Rockies at a kind of scary place to me, hope Mikel has done it in winter and knows how long this might take. Wish Scott had a camera. Wonder if they will get to stop in Denver or even go through there.

Says that they had winds really bad down there last night too. Guess it is everywhere though he probably will learn what real wind is in Nebraska from what I hear of the midwest, flat states.

Anyway says they are stopping Vegas so should hear from him then. Heres a picture of the route.

In California for the night.

Seems that they did take the rural route through El Paso but Scott was supposedly sleeping. He did however see Tusson, saw a little enclosed community with houses all side by side on a golf course and wondered if that is where Louana and Mike live or just like it. He says that New Mexico had all kinds of beautiful hills, rock outcroppings and some rocks just sitting on rocks plus lots of cacti that I wold love to take pictures of and to tell Louana that it was absolutely beautiul in Tucson today. He really like that state too though did not go on and on about it as he did New Mexico.

The big thing that got his attention today-- the drove from 29 Palms to Long Beach 120 miles or so on 4-10 lane freeway that was bumper to bumper. He says it is absolutely impossible to imagine all the cars on teh road and the stores. He thinks that you could shop in a different store every time you went out and not shop in all of them in a life time. He said there were just sore after store after store and probably shopping mall after mall after mall on the outskirts.

Anyway they are headed for Fontana oh yeah and while they were driving along, he is riding and talking to me, he lets out this surprised sound and a train came out of nowwhere heading the opposite directions from them and just disappeared underneath the freeway like it follows along going west and then goes underneath. Says it was awesome. And he talked to Simon tonight. Simon could hear him kind of but could not find him so was trying to ignore the voice probably thought he was going crazy.

They are spending the night there and then Mikel says they are headed back East to Springfield Ilinois, well see. Later

Head back to LA

Wow what a run around they had in Dallas. They got their load dropped and had to wait for an assignment. They got their assignment, go here and pick up this and take it to New Hampshire, before they even got to where that trailer was it had been cancelled and they were sent to another place, which I would say from the conversation I heard before Scott actually put the phone to his ear they had a hard time finding. Then they found the place but the company could not decide which trailer was the one they were taking. Finally found out which trailer hooked up and found out they were going back to LA. Sounds like they are going via El Paso but will know more tomorrow.

Scott is being a white knuckle rider. This guy is an aggressive driver, sign says 15 he does 25. He wants a lane he turns on his blinkers and pulls over. DeDe and Rick maybe you can teach him a few short prayers to replace what is probably going through his mind at these times. Anyway Marcel evidently drove all the time they were in Dallas and Scott was quite shook up. Sounded better last time I talked with him as they were leaving it behind and looking for a truck stop so that Scott could take over and drive his 6 1/2 hours he has left of his 70.

So this time they seem to be going across the full length of Texas YEHAA. But wait according to mapquest they probably will not take the El Paso route but this one instead --- so will probably not see that much more terrain and it will be kind of dark.

Okay now about my day: For those of you who care went to see the doctor today took me off my new wonderful sleeping pills as my symptoms were reported in less than 1% of patients and also off my cholesterol drug because it could be causing the pain. Then put me on celebrex and had me get blood work for arthritis and because my globulin has been running high to check it again. Now to tell you the truth other than it is part of blood and I think what oxygen attaches to I know NOTHING about it. Will have to study up. Then I went and got my hair cut off. Now I do not think it looks that bad but Charlene said "I have always liked your long hair grandma". She is diplomatic. Koryna call it butch and says she will get used to it but has never seen me in bangs. It is bout 2 to 2 inches long on top and msybe 1 inch in back. Short and DARK but that is because it has never seen the sun. Mary liked it but she is blind. Becky called it cute. I hate having cute hair more than I hate having butch hair I think but that is just me. I like the feel of it and hope it will help stop some of the neck and shoulder pain. Talk at you later.

Driving Directions from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX

This is pretty cool, if you click on this it will take you to mapquest so you can see the route he is taking basically from Atlanta to Dallas with directions and times, etc.

Driving Directions from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX

Jackson Mississippi

They are about 1/2 way on their journey to Dallas, have to unload or deliver at 10 am tomorrow so thinks they will have to hurry a little as they are both due for 8 hours down time so can not drive and sleep like most teams as Marcel has to be awake and watching kind of Scott so has to count part of that time or something.

Anyway he says it can really, really pour down rain in the south that there was a truck and about 5 cars stopped because if it by the time he went by them he could still see at a crawl so kept going. Marcel told him that when the stopped in Jackson it would be a good place to eat. So he went in while Marcel was fueling up and saw nothing but the usual hotdog, pastry, 7-11 type stuff. Says he had no more than made his hotdogs than he turned around and the restuarant was hidden in the back corner down a hall. So next time if ever that he is in that truck stop he will know where the restaurant is and see if Marcel was correct in stating it is good.

He is back to pumped up. I think he just did not like being stuck somewhere. He will need to learn to relax when there is nothing else to do or walk or learn to hop on buses and explore towns while doing his off time, that is without spending money. We are both anxious to see whta type of wages he is actually making doing this. We should get his first paycheck this friday, hopefully or I will be down on my knees begging Mary for a loan. Oh he did say that he saw the Talledega Speedway this trip through there, was thrilled with how big it looked. Maybe he will luck out and get down time near a race track and get to see some racing this year. Wait I do not want him to get to see racing without me, oh well I would have to be willing to drive a truck and I still can not see that happening.

Back to work for me. Have a good evening will update tomorrow.

Changes, Changes Everywhere

Seems that while Marcel was in the office some things changed.

He came out with a cheerful attitude, explained everything he was doing and why so Scott would understand what was happening. Seems he forgot to send some message last night, basically stating we are off the books for the night and they instructed him in how to do his job while he was taking his safety lessons. And that is not all. They are in some small town called Hampton and headed for Dallas Texas. So Scott is going to get to see a lot of Texas he has not seen in absolutely years, if ever. He also will be going through Mississippi and Louisana he thinks. Says there has been no mention of time off in Springfield so does not know now if that will happen or not.

Oh and this is for Will. Scott said Marcel was explaining even more as he Marcel backed up today, as Scott said "I pretty much suck at backing up in the real world as there are too many targets, like other trucks and docks, etc and I can not get my angles right". But he feels he will learn with practice. But his backing up was such a source of pride during school for him, so is a little down about his real ability.

Me I have to get back to work just wanted to let you know he HATES layovers and is glad to be on the road again. Has decided to not push the speed limit so much as thinks will be more relaxing that way. We were discussing last night how much more he talks to me now that he is not here so I told him he just can not come home so that I know what is happening in his life. Bye

Ready to Hit the Road

So he got a hotel room last night, courtesy of Werner. We got some sad news courtesy of the Werner driver that was just leaving in his own truck for the first time. He had just recieved his 500 bonus because he had stuck it out until time to get his own truck. HOWEVER this took not 6 weeks but 4 months AND you can not request a time out at home (okay so I forgot what it is called) or you loss your bonus. Hopefully, this guy is an exception not the rule and Scott really will only be with Marcel for 6 weeks and then get his own truck. Also learned that you get a paperback copy of the Road Atlas when they give you your own truck, so this nice guy gave his to Scott so now Scott can figure his own routes and such and see if they compare to where they go.

Anyway onto the rest of the story. Marcel called him at 7 and asked him how soon he could be down there. He had a load, empty trailer, and was raring to go, HOWEVER, when they got to the gate the guard asked if Scott was the primary driver and would not let them leave until Marcel went to see the safety director, seems that you have to take your (something, something, something) sort of like continuing education course, every 3 months or when you hit a terminal you can not leave until you have completed them. So yesterday while Marcel was bugging the mechanics he could have been taking these tests and they could have left but instead Scott had been sitting in the truck for 2 hours but pleased as he could air it out and be alone at the same time. So as of 11:20 they still had not left and Scott has no idea even where they are going now because their original load was given to someone else so it would be delivered on time. Got to get to work myself. BYE

BROKE DOWN IN ATLANTA

They sprung a leak in the fuel filter and have to have it fixed so think they will be there overnight. Says Marcel is over bothering the guys trying to get it fixed faster but probably just making it slower. Anyway they dropped their load at a WalMart Terminal, high end LCD TV if I understood correctly. He got his laundry done last night so he thinks he is going to jump on a shuttle that he just saw and head out exploring, well going to Walmart and getting new tenny runners. He says Marcel drove a little today and did about 20 things illegal including backing the truck up a block to get into a parking lot, turning it around, stopping in the middle of the street with blinkers on and told Scott to drive. He was afraid everyone in the neighborhood had called the cops but was not stopped so breathed a sigh of relief.

He thinks it is really nice down there and said he wishes I was with him, AWE ISNT THAT SWEET? I suggested I just quit my job but he seems to think that if I do that I would have to become a team driver with him. Yeah watch out world here come GINNY in not a 1 ton but a semi. Is he crazy or what? I asked him if he would ride with me anyway and he said maybe. IDIOT of course he would have to but he would be a total wreck all the time. Guess he could let me do the freeway driving and him the other roads and street driving. I could probably handle that too. Just put it in cruise control. I think they have cruise control to keep you going slow enough though he said there is a govener that slows you to 65 which is legal so far in every state but Oregon.

Told him to get all of the information about the company he could and how it works at the terminal while truck is getting fixed. Probably he will call some or all of you tonight being down. He might get to stay in a motel though and then he would drench himself in TV land. Have I mentioned that not only is he not watching TV but has almost given up caffiene. Is eating salads and walking a lot at least according to him. WOW not caffiene and no TV he must be a different person completely. Though he was always able to watch people in the malls and such and is prbably doing the same in the truck stops. I really need to find a way for him to record those thoughts. Can not see him putting them to words on paper or computer. Maybe get him a voice recorder and have him send the files to me digitally so I can transcribe. I do that you know.

Which by the way I need to get back to. Just thought I would let you know about breaking down and such. Would let you know more but not sure of the legalities involved as he thinks Marcel handled it wrong or at least I think he did and assume Scott does.

So this picture was taken yesterday and I cropped it and made a frame for it last night. Just so everybody could see how creative I am, no I mean so that you could see Simon was out walking and therefore I must have been close enough to take a picture. Would put all the other pictures on as only took 26 but figured you would stop looking if I got silly like that. Can not wait for Scott to start sharing pictures so we can see and I can tell stories. Bye for now.

Alabama

Birmingham Alabama headed towards a little town outside of Atlanta. He is in the truckstop, unable to find his trainer, does not know how long they will be there and needs to do laundry, not really bad yet but needs to. He will eventually get to where he will communicate with the trainer instead of sitting around being annoyed that he is never around and is not forthcoming with the plan and changes them as he sees fit. I really believe the Scott thinks he is not the same way--so when he reads this he will know that at least I think he does the same thing, changes his mind and then does not understand why you act like you did not know the plan, yeah called communication DEAR.

Anyway plans to play in the snow, too cold but did just me and the dogs run up to just before 4-corners and tried to walk but too, too cold in the wind. Stopped 3-4 times maybe 5 minutes outside the jeep and Simon and I were ready to get on the road again, not Tia she was having a chase the smell day but was plenty warm in the Jeep so we waited on her. Took a few, very few pictures and came home by Mary's she is doing better, looks better too, not too long and she will be out running again.

Scott really thinks Alabama is pretty cool, well right now it is drisling and he thinks it is cold. But he is in tank top and shorts. Must look good with those boots. Anyway thought the trip from Memphis to Birmingham was beautiful. Says he has met some characters a couple right out of deliverance but the best so far was half drunk and thought he looked, can you guess, just like the guy from Orange County Choppers, which we have known and told him but when a stranger told him hit home and he thought it was funny.

Memphis Tennessee

They have stopped for the night in Memphis TN, he has been on the phone every since he got there practically. Sounds like he has talked to lots of you. So does he sound as excited about it to you as to me. He was finally able to find a place to buy stamps and send off the letter for me. Hopes it gets here so I can stop paying the bridge insurance. Mostly hope that Werner has good coverage. He sounds like they use Certifax which if I remember right another job used and was excellent coverage for drugs.

Anyway what he has said about Memphis is that even though it is so warm it is still winter there and all the trees are leafless. I had not really thought about it much but makes sense the way he explained it. I just thought that they stayed growing all year long but guess not. He is hoping with their short day tomorrow they can find a WalMart for shoes, etc. Feet are getting mighty tired of those boots but those boots are probably getting mighty tired of his feet too.

He explained a bunch about the communication system and how it works all on macros so that company does not have to pay as much usage and what type of things are explained. He is already talking about when I get my own truck. Guess his idea or fun is not sharing a truck with a early 30's male that is bored out of his mind because Scott is doing all the driving. Oh Well they will figure it out. That is what Scott keeps telling me when I tell him that it is okay to communicate with the teacher. Later

Arkansas

Well after spending the night in Oklahoma City they have made it as far as Little Rock Arkansas. Called right before his shower and was exhausted as he has been trying to find a place to mail me some insurance papers that they gave him that I need to fill out and mail in iwth papers from the mill. Nobody evidently uses Truck Stops to post mail as can not find anywhere to buy stamps, envelopes or drop boxes to mail. Sounds like they will arrive at destination a day early so he will look at possibilities there, which he thinks is Atlanta Georgia. Nice neighborhood to stay a while in or so it looks like on HGTV.

He says Arkansas is pretty, lots of oak, rolling hills. Thinks he went through the Ozarks, unsure exactly. Also said he passed the turn off for Muskogee in Oklahoma that he recognized from a song. When I asked about Batesville he did not even know that is where Mark Martin is from, go figure. Is beginning to sound tired but his day is almost half over so that at least is good. The other thing is it is a balmy 75 degrees in Arkansas compared to our 33 degrees. Though it looks gorgeous outside I am cleaning house today but tomorrow Koryna and I are taking the dogs and the jeep and heading for the hills.

This is all making me wonder if they would really know if I was hooked up to Hughes Net through the truck, work at night, travel by day, sleep by never, no that would not work for me. Oh Well he probably would tire of my chatter anyway, certainly my music as he likes silence for great stretches of road. Back when Scott and I were newlyweds he made the comment once that taking me on a walk was like taking a puppy I was so excited about every little thing I saw and had to run over and explore it. Well I am the same way in the vehicle only I just have to wonder OUTLOUD about all the wonders I see. If you have never had the pleasure of a long trip to me you would not understand. Anyway enough for now.

Texas and then Oklahoma

They were driving through Texas in our last conversation. He has a want list, of course different than mine. He needs a truckers atlas by Rand McNally and wanted me to order him one. Told him there was no saying he would not have his own truck before he saw me again so he is going to buy his at a truck stop or WalMart in Springfield. He showed me why it makes sense to go across the panhandle of Texas and up to Tennesee before going South to Georgia. If you mapquest LA to Georgia they send you on the same route so must be something to it. Sure looks shorter on map with no roads to go through Louisiana but once the roads are on there it looks longer. Go figure. Anyway here is where he has been so far or at least will be into and maybe out of Oklahoma tomorrow. I just thought about it you here locally if you want to call for free you can come and steal my phone, drop by Koryna's or even Charlene's, and Stephanie also has Tmobile so would be free minutes to him. Also he says Marcel is the type that wants to drive until 10 at night so he is up late and you can use your night minutes as he is not asleep. He is still like a little boy with a new toy and the enthusiasm, especially from Scott is quite refreshing. Night all.

New Mexico is lovely

Definitely into New Mexico in fact have passed Alburque.



He was out walking having eaten at Burger King, said if they passed that way again would definitely eat a salad at the salad bar at the restraunt instead. He loves driving through New Mexico all of the red rock bluffs, says he has seen quite a bit of snow and it is really much like Central Oregon. I am going to figure a way to get pictures of at least the states to go with these so we can just glance and see where he is. He is still sounding so positive, except for 1 little thing. He says he can really discuss leg cramps with me now. Told him probably driving and walking and spending 18/7 in boots ( I assume he takes them off to sleep). So first purchase will be tennis shoes I'll bet so he can walk in them at stops.



We are discussing him getting a camera, digital to send pictures but will have to teach him how to download at computer centers, I assume truck stops have them. I guess he can always pull into WalMarts and send them that way by uploading to their site and then people can get prints if they want, etc. Maybe next month.



Marcel is not telling him when they need to get off the freeways early enough and has almost gotten them off route a couple of times plus the time in North California when he missed the place to leave the chains. Scott wonders if he is drving too fast so that Marcel can not tell where they are. Anyway on with the story, then Marcel gets excited, talks loudly and with an even thicker accent and Scott really can not tell what he is trying to say. But figures they will get it worked out. He is really enjoying this whole thing, hope it lasts.

As for me, I actually pretty much moped around New Years Eve and New Years Day and then came to the realization that I did not need his permission to arrange the house any way I wanted to. We have always gone round and round about scatter rugs and I realized I could have as many as I wanted and he would not kick them out of his way. So now I am back to cheerful me. I have been knitting my second slipper. Went and played games with Becky, Mary and Charlene early New Years Eve and making stationary in Incredimail. Well need to get back to work, which by the way I am also doing and reading a very good book. Life is good.

2 short conversations.

First was at 9:30 Scott Said I just crossed into New Mexico. I said "UHHHMM" He said are you asleep. I said yes he said it is 9:30 get to work.

Next conversation I phoned him to tell him about AVJ53 comment, thanks big guy. And he said that is great. I am driving mainly by myself through Alburque on a 5 lane freeway. BYE!

So guess he is in New Mexico for sure. I think I really need a map of the USA to see where he is when. Also looked up Springfield Illinois, birth place of Abe Lincoln so is old, and should have lots of interesting things to see.

Into Arizona

Scott has officially seen his first Palm Tree Farm, he was not aware that they had them either wasI had never thought of it but people have to get them to plant from somewhere. Its dark and he says he can not see anything but did go through Palms Springs and Palm Desert maybe was the other one. Says he did not see much but freeway. I think he will probably tell me that alot. This will be brief like our conversation. Says they will stop for tonight outside of Phoenix and head out again tomorrow. Oh and he wanted to know who won the GAME. I guess there was one on today or something.

From LA

Wow, he just filled me in on what and where he is. He is in East LA, at Kimberly Clark with a load of paper that came out of Canada. They just finished unloading and will now hook up to another van 53' to take first to Georgia and then South Carolina. After they get there they are heading home Marcel's home. Sorry got his name wrong the first time in Springfield Illinois where they will be for a day or two. Scott will be in a motel there. So if you know of any spots that need reported on in Springfield then comment so that he knows what to see. Though probably will have to be on foot unless they have bus service.

Here is the report from this morning. They got up 2 hours late so Marcel hit the floor jumped into clothes and into the drivers seat. Scott learned to dress with the truck moving. They stopped at a scale 1/2 hour down the road and Scott took over. When I asked him what it was like where they were his quote was: "It is smoky, it is nasty and the Rose Bowl is about to start". Guess traffic was backing up onto the freeway on their way to the Bowl but he never really spotted the collesium. I would say he is less than impressed with LA so far. I actually think just the size and bulk of it would be interesting but evidently not. He says he is getting a flat top as soon as they stop long enough, probably Springfield and shorter than Allen's if that is possible. Later when he calls again.

Scott Is On the Road

This is a blog to journal Scott's new travels in his new job.

Well he is on the road. Called Tuesday night from Troutdale, had just spoken to Warren who was the the motel waiting and he was on his way back to pack and get on the truck. First night he went from Portland to just past Medford. They pulled over when Mikel (his trainer ran out of hours). The next morning was a new day indeed as Scott drove from Northern California to when I talked to him 150 miles north of LA. On the way they were supposed to stop at a certain milepost to leave the chains, had already passed it, went back, wrong milepost and would have had to backtrack 30 miles went to next truck stop and delivered them and arranged for the chains to go back.

When we talked they were going another 40 miles or so and then stopping for the night. While we were on the phone he actually put information in the computer by himself, moved the truck and then entered info again. So he is learning. His biggest problem. Mikel is Hungarian with an accent so thick Scott can not understand him. But they are both learning.

The biggest news on this blog is he has his second assignment. From LA he is going to South Carolina. I told him he had better look his eyes out so that he remembers everything to tell me what the world is like. He is doing all the driving so far and so does not call very often but when he does I will post his travels. AND miracle of miracles if and when he gets a laptop he says he will post his own as he kind of wants to keep a journal of these adventures. Hope this stays an adventure for the next 10 years or so.

At this point he sounds almost breathless with anticipation or fright not really sure which but is so awed by the different world. HOWEVER, he hates the truck, is already stiff and does not want to drive a Kenworth at least I think that is what it is. I told him that the best thing to do would be to eat fruit and vegies and not donuts and steak so that he slims down, he said maybe later so told him that I wanted him to last at least a year for me to get life insurance on him before having his first heart attack so to watch what he eats. He says he loves me too. So to everyone who wants to know what Scott is doing and mostly how I feel about it and so that I can tell him your opinions tune in and comment often.