Fuel for Thought

Another 1300 Miles

After sitting 85 hours the last load took me from Laredo, Texas to Indianapolis, Indiana. It was one of those loads that made me wish I took the afternoon nap (in a 100 degree van?). The border was closed making the freight a couple hours late. The load canceled and reposted to adjust pickup and delivery times. Loaded and rolling a little after 2300. I made it to Dallas just in time for the start of rush hour and rain that ranked in the top 3 worst downpours that I’ve ever encountered. Pulled over and sent a note to dispatch—if it gets any worse, I’m parking it. The rain lightened up after I returned to the highway. It still required high speed wiper action.

I usually take US 75 through Oklahoma when driving from south Texas to Indianapolis. I’ve never seen Lake Eufaula water level so high. The last few years the floating docks are usually setting on dry land. The weather that the brought the tornadoes to Oklahoma City last week also left a lot of water. The water level is five feet higher than I’m used to seeing.

The highlight of the trip was seeing a box turtle successfully complete the last six inches of crossing four lanes of traffic. Lot of turtles on the road this past week. Especially a lot of snapping turtles, even on my trip through the southwest to California.

An hour from delivery I encountered a two mile long parking lot. I had a front row seat for part of the Hazmat clean up.

I arrived at the consignee ten minutes early after driving 25 hours straight. In the time it took me to log in my arrival and grab my clipboard, the office went dark, and the people inside slipped out the back. Once again I slept with freight.

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