I'm baaaaaack!!!!!!!!

Alarm set for six. Woke at eight (dog in my face). Got up, cussed, yelled at phone. Checked phone. Alarm set for six pm. Phone somehow gave me the finger.

Sigh.

Walked dog, getting breakfast. Moving out in a few, but now timing is off and I will have to deal with a rush hour.

Meh. Dog was happy to see me. Wife still unconscious. Why doesn't he wake HER?

 

Sorry no posts lately; Hooligan is aptly named and is a bit of a handful. Been busy teaching him manners.

 

Delivered yesterday in Saginaw TX, picked up this morning in Dallas headed to Colorado Springs by 1500 tomorrow.

Fuel filter looking full so need to write that up, will likely do that tomorrow and take care of it in Denver after delivery.

 

Already did that. It's getting clogged.

 

Gradually unloading at Home Depot in Colorado Springs. Then scoot to Golden (Coors) and get a load of booze due in San Antonio Monday morning. Somewhere en route I need to replace this fuel filter. I mean get it replaced, since I'm not allowed to do anything except add fluids. I might grab the load and overnight at the TA nearby if it's legal. And if I ever get out of here.

 

Overnight at a Shamrock about an hour from Coors since they took so long unloading me; Friday evening rush hour and snow in Denver? No thanks. No snow tomorrow. I'll slip in and out early morning.

And since the truck now has steer tires rated for 13K, I can tolerate a little extra weight on the front axle (they swapped them out last time I was at the shop for not to Celadon spec--apparently they had been replaced on the road for some reason a few months ago with available tires and somebody forgot to swap them out, which it turns out was why they wouldn't let me roll with anything over 12k on the front axle).

Time to get busy sleeping; early early start in the morning.

 

Got fuel filter replaced; truck much easier to live with. It pulls much better, uses less DEF, and fuel economy has improved greatly. Also running smoother.

520 miles to do by 0500 tomorrow.

Grossing 79994. Beer is heavy.

 

Said goodbye to Hooligan yesterday. He has been bolting every time the door opens. We've been trying to train that out of him and watching him like a hawk, but he got out at a rest area a week ago, then yesterday he flew out the door when I started to get out at the shop. He ran right in front of a Kenworth headed to the highway.

The truck stopped in time, but he was completely out of sight for about five minutes or so. Then he ran right up to The Hot Chick and sat down (she was carrying his leash). Obviously he doesn't want to get away; he just needs to run. But he almost died both times he got away from us. I mentioned to the service writer that I was afraid he was going to get killed or get somewhere he couldn't get back. I said I think he needs a home with a yard to run around in without endangering himself--the trucking life doesn't seem right for the sweet little guy.

The shop manager overheard, excused himself, and returned with a tech who lit up when he saw Hooligan. They hit it off right away. Turns out he's been wanting a dog for himself and his father who lives with him. They have 130 acres just outside Denver with plenty of chickens and sheep to chase around. And he doesn't believe in making dogs sleep outside. Last I saw they were cuddling at the counter. I'm sure Hooligan will be happier on that farm. But he really worked his way into my heart in the last couple weeks, and I miss him <sniff>

He just wasn't right for long haul trucking.