Well, they're sending me out with another trainer. This is my last shot so I'd better aim well. Be safe and Don't let the Minahunees get ya'.
YEAH!!!!!!!! I did IT!!!!!!! Just upgraded in Memphis and got me a brand new-to-me Volvo with only 438,000 miles on it!lol I can't wait till my first load!All moved in and ready to roll! I hope all you guys and gals out there are safe and as happy (and relieved) as I am. Don't let the Minahunees get you!
Wowsers! What a week! I passed my TEST!!!!!YEAH!!WHOOPEE!! The 14th I passed and got a tractor (truck in Gilligan terms)(Gilligans are those drivers who don't have a clue how to drive or what a truck can and can't do.They cut in front of you and slow down not seeming to care that they are in the way of an 80,000 flat iron.They text or talk on their phones, they speed up when you signal a lane change or they think they can beat you on entering a freeway, they get in your blind side and try to turn before you when you're turning right. In short they act like Gilligans.)(Skippers are those supposed professional drivers that pretty much do the same thing.)I got all my stuff moved in to my little home away and spent my first night in "Baby" a 1998 Volvo with a Cummings 400hp engine and 438,000 miles on her. I have Pictures and video that I'll try to download when I have the chance. On the 15th I was waiting for a load when I realized I need a few things(a claw hammer, a lock, trash bin and liners a small ice chest for my cheese and breakfast milk,a brush for the floor of the cab, some windex and paper towels) so I set out to acquire same. I asked one of the security guards where a hardware store was and he said two blocks down at the light so off I went.It was closed. I recognized a deli/convenience store from my perambulations of the 13th.The guy said there was one 5 blocks down this other street so I started to go but then thought why don't I retrace my steps to the hotel and look for my fork which was MIA so I did. Walked all the way to the hotel (about 1m.) and checked the back of another convenience store that I went to to eat my supper as the hotel didn't have a microwave. I remembered that I had leaned down to study some mushrooms and sure enough, there was the fork!Yea! Feeling pleased, I started back to go to the other hardware store. I noticed a thrift shop and thought Aha! I bet they have a hammer cheap in there. Sure enough, they did also a tiny coleman icebox which was just right. $5 bucks for the lot! Next I saw a Dollar General so I checked for a lock but no luck. I walked about a mile and a half when I saw a Lit Franklin's (kid you only a little bit) which turned out to be like a cross between Sam's and Ace Mart only you didn't have to buy a card got a few more things (still no lock,but a good stiff brush, and some windex real cheap). When I went out I was hungry and wanted to sit a spell after all that walking and I saw Chicken place with the guys name on it. (always a good sign) it ws a bit out of the way from where I was heading but I had 4 more blocks to go to the hardware store so what the hey. When I crossed th street I saw a Dollar Tree so I went in and lo and behold they had a cheap lock and a small trash bin!Mission accomplished! I also got some milk.Went on to the chiken place but it was seriously closed, like forever. Since I was headed back in the direction of the Swift yard I went on and found m way easily back to "Baby". She was glad I got the brush and trash bag. When I got in I found that I had A Load. Before I could accept it they changed it for another and I took it. Got an empty trailor from the lot and drove to Sikeston MO where I was to pick up a load of beverages for Wally Mart in Washington Court OH. Only probem was no one was there! Turns out I was about 12 hours early. I thought it was the 16th but it was the 15th. You really lose track of days and time and such on the road. So I parked Baby at a dock and we spent the night. Next morning I went in and got my load ealy so down the road I went.77,118 GVW (gross vehicle weight)!! Baby did pretty good for an old gal and we made it to a Pilot near Carroltown KY. As I only had 2 hrs. and change drive time I shut down there and will continue on aftr my 10 hr. reset in the a.m. I'm a little tired so it's just as well. I'll make it on time, Nooo problemo
