Indian River

I’m not sure if you’ve been there yet, but Spokane is a drop. When you turn into the gate, you will see some van docks on the left with an office. Turn left into that area and park out of the way. A carport style building with two tanker bays will be in front of your truck. When you’re facing that carport, look to the right. In the far right corner there are a few more van docks with a door that has a buzzer on it. That’s where you get your signature. Once you’re finished, you’ll drop and hook in the rear lot.

I picked up in Newark, NJ and drop in Little Rock this evening. I’m working my way back up to do another Iowa to New York egg load afterward. I barely missed you at the port. I was at the drop yard there a few days ago before I went to Newark.

 

You and I think alike. Pacific NW has always been my favorite region, too, especially in the Winter when the scenery is nicer with the snow. I don’t know if they ever put it in the comment section, but grab a Cat scale light weight at the Pilot that’s close to Kerr in Salem before you get there. You’ll have to get a heavy one and go back for the BOL afterward, too. Don’t quote me, but I think when we deliver there the Cat scale isn’t required. (just for future reference) Just figured I’d mention it to save you from having to double back. Hood River, Oregon is another one that requires a Cat scale on the way in. You don’t have to return with the heavy weight on that one, though. I didn’t know my first time there and had to drive 30+ miles back to Biggs Junction before they would load me. I’ve watched some of our coworkers show up and get turned around, too.

I’m glad it’s working out for you and you’re getting great miles. I left Little Rock and grabbed a clean tank in Cedar Rapids before picking up egg again in Iowa on Saturday. I dropped in New York this morning and closed out another week with 3,180 miles myself. I’m back in Bensalem for the night.

 

Are you still running around the Northeast a lot, or did you go back to doing OTR loads? I bought a small travel trailer and moved it to Winter Haven (along with my pickup) last August. I parked the semi at the yard and rented a vehicle to drive to Texas, then drove back in my pickup in order to get things there. I keep the trailer in a storage near the terminal and use it when I’m on my home time. I found a nice RV resort in Naples when I was on my Christmas break. I set it up there for the week and drove down to Key West in order to see the “Overseas Highway.” I’ve driven to Fort Pierce and Miami a few times as well, just exploring and sightseeing for the most part. It’s nice having my pickup in Winter Haven, because I’m able to run around and get a break from the truck when they’re doing my PM or if I happen to be at the terminal overnight between loads. Ever since I partially/not technically relocated, I’ve been running the East Coast a lot. I haven’t been asking for the California and Pacific NW loads like I used to. I’ve been staying busy doing things out of Laurel, Iowa egg, St Petes, etc. I think this was the first Winter that I didn’t have to mess with putting chains on.

Lake Wales to Spokane is definitely a good lane to pickup. I’m glad to hear that. I’d have to go back and look, but I think the cranberry from Salem is the longest trip on the board mile wise. It’s either that one or Champlain, NY to Walla Walla, WA.

 

I agree about the parking being scarce around there. Up until last month, I had been running mostly out of Laurel since last Spring. Personally, I like that plant better than Strasburg, but I see where you’re coming from with the Loves in Toms Brook being nearby. They gradually pushed me away from parking there overnight, too. It started when they were redoing the concrete around back, then they continued to lose space with the number of tanks being staged onsite. I started going to the TA, which isn’t much to write home about like you said. When I would come back from Murfreesboro or Decatur, I would stay at the rest area on I-66 about five miles past the I-81 interchange and wait there until I assumed my next tank would be loaded. Before the parking issue came about, I would always finish the trip.

6000 Sandy Spring Rd in Laurel is a Shell that has two semi fuel pumps with a Dash In built inside of it. It’s about five minutes from the plant, and they cook 24/7. It’s similar to the Wawa in Bensalem. The lot is too tight for a trailer, but you can bobtail in there. I found it last year. It’s one or two exits down after you merge onto 95 toward DC.