Where is everyone #5

And you opened the doors too!

 

We grow some 'maters, but growing them organically can be problematic, kinda like raising teenagers. Too much water, you get blight & fungus, too little water, they'll spot, split & crack. Too much nitrogen, you'll get a beautiful plant with little to no 'maters. Giving them xtra potassium as the fruit is ripening will give them superior flavor. They need full sun, staking, and lots of attention. Totally opposite to growing 'taters, with the exception of that pesky little beetle from Colorado that'll pick your crop clean in a week if you let him.

People are real picky about their 'maters too, any blemish at all, nope don't want it. Probably, 1 out of 4, maybe, is nice enough to sell at the area markets. The rest go into canning or bushel boxes sold cheap as "canners." Any other xtra goes to feeding hogs.

Although not as delicate as hauling berries, pay close attention, worth repeating, pay close attention to what's going on your rig. Many a guy has had his load rejected for defective 'maters, usually due to the receiver finding some that were over ripe or rotted upon arrival. I used to load them from SC to Boston & Montreal. Then what, well, off to the canner they go, along with any profit you would have made, not to mention downtime.

Good thing about pulling reefer and hauling fruit & produce, produce won't keep, it's ready when it's ready. Best rates are at the onset. Know your lanes and be the first in line for the best rate & quality. Short of having a direct haul with growers, knowing and having a good working relationship with a reputable produce broker in the know goes a long way, good luck...

 

A decade ago, it paid $5500 from Memphis to Atlanta. A friend of mine, based out of Memphis, a few years back, started running them for $1200. Told him not to, but he didn’t listen.

 

This load started at $2400. Same broker 3hrs later. These postings are 8 minutes apart.
I upped the bid on the lane I run by $550 this week. I figure unless I get a round trip rate plus a little extra,then it’s not worth it to me.
I have enough put back to sit around until next year if need be.

 

We get $2000 to come from mid TN to mid FL. Id rather go back to TN empty and return again than go to the filth of NY for $2k outbound. I got 800 from s.GA to knox last week.

 

Freezing rain on the mirror brackets

 

Left from oak grove mo. Petro bout 9 am. Trucks coming in there with snow and ice dripping off them. Think I dodged it all by a day !!

 

Homeward bound!!!

 

@OLDSKOOLERnWV
Robin's Nest, Jane Lew..
Is that one of your spots..? Bout 30 miles out from there..

This boy needs a decent meal. Not joking, I literally had to tighten my belt an extra notch this AM..

I'm hungry..

 

Exit 105 on 79. Restaurant is across the street.