The misadventures of a rookie tanker yanker

I drove it back to Wilmington. Took my time and drove around 55 and only during daylight hours. Our mechanics are changing out a ton of things and putting on new tires.

Taking a long break. Found out I lost a buddy two nights ago. We served together for a few years. He lost his fight with brain cancer. Might be driving to Arlington or Clarksville. Not sure where Patricia is laying him to rest yet.

 

Sorry to read about your loss too. Losing mom hurts far more than friends, at least that's how it was for me.

Recommended reading is, Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It's an odd title, which will make sense when you're done reading, but at the end the author puts forth a different way of viewing loss as he struggles with the loss of his son. Not sure if you're an avid reader, bit it's something to do on a layover.

 

I sent this to our lead mechanic. He's done most of those and says the truck is good to go. I'm running an out and back to test it out next week.

Part of my buddy's funeral was yesterday. They're doing a final laying to rest in Arlington later, which is cool. He and I worked in the garden rendering honors for a few years.

 

Doing the PCS load. Ran empty from Wilmington to Aurora NC where I loaded. Ran from there to Wythville VA and spend the night.

Today I ran to exit 201 on 65 in Indiana. I'm 542 miles from my Thursday morning delivery

The loaded miles are good, 1373. Not sure if I'm running empty back or not. We usually get spent acid to haul back to the farm in Aurora. Hope that's the case. If so I'll be a good week. If not, it'll still be a good week, just not quite as good.

Truck is doing well. I've been nervous as can be driving it. It's taken a little over 800 miles not to stress too much over a pothole. I'm declaring the problem fixed. .

 

He still doesn't know what caused it. They changed a bunch of parts until it went away. Balanced tires, replaced a rim, replaced 4 shocks, a wheel seal twice, and some other stuff. I'm over1500 miles into it on this trip so all is good.

Well, headlight went out and I replaced the bulb this morning. Other than that, we're rolling up the money belt just fine.

Sitting at the J in Hudson Wisconsin until I run the last 57 to delivery. Meeting my sister after tomorrow for a sit down meal. It's been 6 or 7 years since I've seen her. Dang