From the conference room back to the driver's seat

I left STL and got a load of roofing materials in IL going to Omaha. I felt so sick while loading I went straight back to Love's around the corner and passed out. But I'm not one to show up late so I got up at midnight and headed out. Was trucking along doing good until the alternator belt decided it wanted to come off going through Kansas City. Again the APU saves me. Fire it up and keep trucking. But this load worked out good. $2.02 all miles, $2.29 loaded miles.

Something is off with the way the alternator is mounted. The pulley isn't quite in line with the others. So I'll be fixing that this morning. Or at least cobbling it together enough to get me to the house next week.

I had a load booked from just east of Omaha to Salida, CO today, or at least I thought I did. $2.74/mile loaded. I booked it at 11am yesterday and called him again by 1pm. Another call this morning and he doesn't remember any of it. Must be nice to sit there stoned out of your mind all day and not be responsible for anything. Anyhow it all worked out for the better. I found another load, $3.29/mile...a quick jump into MN and off to Burley, ID. And it's lightweight and legal dimensions. 270 mile deadhead is what I'm trying to avoid, but for $3 or more a mile I will do it.

 

I'm trying to keep my spirits up too. I talked to a friend today who is leased on at Mercer. He told me he booked a load from NC to AZ for $1.50/mile. I couldn't believe it but he said he only did it because he knew if he turned it down he would have sat until at least Monday waiting on something else. And this comes after he sat 5 days in Tulsa. He's not a dumb guy, and I know there's guys over there doing much better, but holy crap am I glad to be where I'm at.

 

I didn't make it very long on the no cookies plan....parked at a Walmart in Hutchinson, MN tonite and I was visiting the baked goods and ended up buying a box of cinnamon mini donuts. Technically not cookies but I couldn't help it.

 

I'll let him know, thank you. He pulls a stepdeck. I couldn't beleive the rate when he told me...sounded like he was just desperate to get anything going out of there....that doesn't work at the bar either at closing time....go to bed at 2 with a 10 and wake up at 10 with a 2.

 

I figured out the lower bolt is the wrong size, I think it has a 3/8" bolt and it probably needs a 7/16" or something. The bolt being too small allowed it to walk around against the bracket and the aluminum on the alternator case being softer allowed it to wear off at an angle, so now it sits crooked. I might see if I can grind it flush again and put some washers in there with the correct bolt. If that doesn't leave enough of the ear on the alternator case I guess I'll be putting on an alternator. Either way I'll probably buy one and throw it in the side box just to have with me.

And I might have some Kool-aid too.