Heading For Little Rock! Maverick

Welcome aboard and the best of luck to you!

 

Around 0930 on Thursday I got my work assignment to go to Heidtman Steel in Butler Indiana and pick up a coil going to Elizabethtown Ky for Friday. If the roads had been clear, I could have made it on time for my 1300 appointment. But the roads were not clear. They were icy, snow covered with more snow coming down and blowing snow with 30 mph winds.....wish I would have called in sick....lol
As I was heading west on us 30 near beaver dam, I heard on the radio that the west bound lane was closed near delphos ohio due to a tractor trailer jack knife. That did not surprise me at all. us 30 was a mess. Snow plows were out there but they were creating a white out as the wind picked up and blew the power all of the the place.
So I stopped at a rest area and decided that I would take oh 115 up to oh 15 up to route 6 and then over to Butler. There were not a lot of vehicles on the roads which was a blessing. At times it got down to just one lane with the wind blowing the snow into drifts. At time I was not sure whose lane I was in, but it was the only one open. When I got to cr 59 off of 6, I almost got stuck as they had not plowed any of the snow at all. I was able to make it and arrived a 1.5 hrs late for my appointment. They were cool about it and got me in right away. I had to walk through over a foot of drifted snow to go through the man door to go check it though...lol.
There was another mav truck in there loading and he loaded his coil eyes to the side and I did mine shot gun. My rule is if it is 40,000 or more, I load it shotgun...for safety and the tarps will fit...ie...steel tarps.
I was well into my tarping and he came over and asked me if I had used my 8 ft drops or my 4 foot. I told him my 4 and he looked at me funny. I told him, "Your tarps would fit will they! He said no and surprised that I knew it. I told him he would have to do a S----- to pretty wrap and explained how to do it. I checked on him later and he had it ok.
I headed on down towards ky and it was a night mare. It was very cold and the cars were all acting crazy. They kept putting their brakes on for now reason and would not get in the right hand lane. Very frustrating.
I made it to the first rest area past louisville on I65 and stopped at 22:00. I think I got the last spot there.
Got fuel in the morning and then made it over to Metalasa and did not have to wait more than an hour to get through the line and get unloaded.
When I was mt I sat for over 2 hrs before I got a load to pick up in Rockport Indiana..ak steel and take it to Precision Strip in Kenton Ohio for a 1430 delivery.
I was able to make it home last night by 2130. I just nosed the truck into a spot as I planned on coming up today and fueling and I would just turn it around then. The forcast for tomorrow is -13 below after we receive up to 6 inches of snow. So I definitely wanted to have it full of fuel.
After I fueled I did a walk around and found that I had a flat on the trailer. So I did my break down call and waited. The wife was with me so she got to experience a big part of my life....waiting in the truck for something to happen...lol. I made her coffee and fixed her lunch. She sat back on the bunk near the heat vent and we listened to oldies.....not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.
Tire is replaced and the old one is sitting on my trailer...hopefully some one will steal it....lol.
I will go back up Sunday afternoon before it gets really cold and just move the truck forward and then back again to make sure my tires are not frozen because of the melting snow that was running down to it today.
Monday should prove to be a challenge because I will be dealing with state routes again, more snow and sub zero weather.
Until then, have a good weekend!

 

I spoke with him right before Christmas. He is keeping a good attitude. He was talking about him and the wife getting a truck and trailer and heading south for the cold season and move around as they see fit. Do not think that has happened yet. I will probably talk to him next week....I will post an update. He always tells me to tell everyone he said hi.

 

I have been watching the upcoming weather with great interest. It is supposed to rain, snow and then winter blast. Temps should be around 0 by morning and go down from there to -13. I am most concerned about the rain/snow turning to ice. It may prove a challenge just to get up to the truck. If it is too bad, I will just have to let them know and not go until it is clear. Always an adventure!...lol