Good night from...

Tijauna Margaritaville.........

 

Stuck in lompoc, CA just got taken off a 2200 mile solo run to OH, cuz the shipper is doing a 3 day plant inventory. Yea, when the people at the window don't want to solve my problem, or give me a negative town. I politely ask them "what's your full name sir/ma'am?" Then I proceed to write it down, and then just walk away. 9 times out of 10 they solves my problem.

 

Well, I got to the delivery early yesterday, guard says drop and no empties available. I knew this was going to be a problem first with the empty call and getting the next load with a trailer solution. I waited around, but no one was answering messages, so I went to the Monee Petro (love that place) which was about halfway between Manteno terminal and the pickup customer. Then they pulled the preplan off, told me to go back and get my trailer back now (it was dark and the truck stops are full up at that time. I asked if they knew for sure it was ready, they said, 'go check'. LOL since I didn't have a preplan I just sat there for the night, long about 0300 they sent a preplan picking up a tcall in Manteno (score!), no trailer needed. Got my shower and sit down breakfast on, then had to wait for the tcall to arrive. Sent macro 22, delivery got moved out yay. 8.8 miles per gallon just inching along toward Minnesucka. Never been there before wish me luck.

 

Here in Samsuta, AL. Finally got a soulution right when my DM came into work, just like I thought. What was nice, the mt trailer that I was getting, 1.5 miles from pu location. Lots better than the one that they sent me yesterday.

 

At the J in Gretna, NE (just west of Omaha).

Snagged a load off Mac 30. Headed for Shafter, CA (just north of Bakersfield), picks up in Aurora, NE which is on the way.

While trip planning I realized that if I took I-70 across Colorado I'd have no place to stay since there is basically NOTHING, as in no place to park a truck 100 miles west of Denver. If I stay north and run I-80 I have a couple options in central Wyoming. It's about 60 miles further (taking I-80 vs I-70) but considering I'll be heavy (40K in the box) I think I'll be money and time ahead. Thoughts anyone?

 

Steve, have you looked at possibly going South out of Grand Island, down to Dodge City, KS, then shoot accross and get down to I-40. About 1550 miles from Grand Island to Bakersfield

 

BTDT, that's A LOT of 2-lane. Besides, I said I'd NEVER go through Dodge City in a truck again and I meant it!

 

Steve, considering weather factors, if you have the time, it still might be best if you shoot down South some and catch I-40. I-70, take a chance West of Denver, I -80, take some chances with WY and then Donner. Maybe over to Denver then shoot south.

 

Mark,

I-80 across Wyoming is clear and cold. I'll turn south onto I-15 in Salt Lake. I mapped it out using Google Maps and it's only 77 miles further using I-80 instead of I-76 & I-70. I'll save over an hour not having to climb out of Denver heavy and not having to deal with the slow decents from the tunnels and Vail pass. Plus, I-70 from the Colo state line to I-15 is a PULL at times. Only real hills on I-80 are the sisters and they're easy compared to the first 100 miles out of Denver on I-70.

If you EVER went north of I-40 you'd know these things!

 

Hey, I get north of I-40, at least in the Spring and Summer and early fall. I just like the mpg south of I-40. I would say that in the last 20 years, I have probably been east of Denver about 6 times. I avoid that area at all costs. Plus do my past to avoid I-15. Heck I even go as far as shooting south out of Amardillo in the winter to avoid I-40 going to LAX