Don't Panic

It's been a while since I've posted here. Hubby keeps it updated a bit better now that he has consistent internet service and we've kind of settled into a routine at home....but.... I have something to share today.

Hubby and I tend to check in with each other a few times a day. I'll usually call him when I'm on my way to work and he usually calls me when I get off work. Most nights he'll call me before he goes to bed. I think the latter is just self-preservation. He's always in different time zones so I might call at 8pm here and wake him up at 11pm there. We also call each other randomly when the thought crosses our minds.

One day (ok maybe more than one day) I didn't call in the morning. I didn't call at lunch. When we finally connected hubby said I was in "trouble" because I didn't check in so he jokingly made up a new rule. I must call on my way to work. I must call at lunch and I must call when I get off work. I know it was a joke, but since I'm a smart @ss, I do it.

"Hi honey, just doing my mandatory check-in."

Well on Monday we talked around 10:30am.

At lunch I called for my "check-in." - No answer

After work I called for my "check-in" - No answer

Hmmmm... he's on a 34 hour restart, maybe he's sleeping.

After I got done working for my old boss a couple of hours later I called again - Lazy bum is still sleeping.

Next morning I called again - No answer

Ok, so now I'm worried. Not even Rick can sleep that long.

I called. And called. And called. We called from different numbers so the phone would ring differently. We left voicemails. We sent text messages. - No answer.

The phone was ringing so I knew it was getting service. Usually it will go straight to voicemail if he's out of service or if the phone is dead.

Finally I called dispatch and left a message with his dispatcher to ask him to call home.

1 hour later - no response.

I called dispatch again and left another message - no response.

Ok, so now I am beyond panicked!

What if he had a stroke or a heart-attack and he's laying in his truck. He's on a 34 hour restart so the company isn't going to be worried that he's not moving....hmmmm...

Finally I call dispatch again and this time I didn't ask for his dispatcher. I just relayed my sordid tale.

"Hi I'm Rick ____'s wife in truck number _____. I'm sorry to bother you, but I haven't been able to reach my husband. It's been almost 24 hours and he usually calls several times a day. Has he done his check call today?"

"Yes Ma'am. He checked in about an hour ago."

"Oh good, thank you for the peace of mind. Can you send him a message to call me, something must be wrong with his phone."

One minute later the phone rang and I burst into tears.

Something is wrong with his cell phone battery. Looks like a trip to the Sprint store is in our future. In the meantime, hubby better start following his own rules. My heart can't take it.

(A big thank you to SRT dispatch. They were very kind and helpful! By the way, his dispatcher wasn't ignoring me....we think she had the day off or something... Hubby was on someone else's board for the day.)

No Vermont This Time

I'm off on another run. Not to Vermont though. Instead I'll be heading south to Tennessee and then on to Georgia.

Due to the extreme distance of my last load and the relatively short time I had to get it there I used up all of my hours and had to sit it out for the last day and a half. No worries. I used the time productively. Did a little maintenance on the truck, a little cleaning and went for a lot of walks. Got to keep up with the wife you know.

There are no name brand truck stops for at least 40 miles in any direction, so I've been staying at this little Mom & Pop stop not too far from where I delivered the other day, which coincidentally is the same spot I'm picking up from tonight. I wonder if I'll be picking up some of the same product I just delivered?

The place I've been staying at the last couple of days didn't have a lot to choose from in the food and beverage categories but, what it lacked in basic amenities, it made up for in character.

I don't know when it was built, and neither does anyone who works here, but I'm guessing it was in the early 1900's. Judging by the floor to ceiling glass walls that encircle the building. It's hard to imagine it in this day and age but, there was a time when the only light you had to work by is what was coming in through the window.





........................Sunset shining through building....................

There was also a nice park right next to the truck stop I discovered on one of my many walks.


....................The Hudson River along side park.......................


.........View from pier towards park. Truckstop is to the left..........

Coast To Coast

Well I'm back at the old grind. Pulled out of SD a few days ago on my way to Waterford NY. Just north of Albany. Not a bad run to start with!

They routed me along my favorite route. I-70 through the canyons and mountains of Utah and Colorado. It's a bit hillier than I'd like but, you cant beat the views.

The wife has asked me a few times which state I like driving through the most and it's always a toss up between Utah and Colorado. It doesn't matter how many time I go through there, I'm always amazed. (sorry no pic's... Blogger refusing to upload them)

I Deliver early Monday morning and I'll be a stones throw away from Vermont. One of the four states I've yet to visit. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed they'll have a pick up in Vermont waiting for me when I'm empty.

Cruise Control

I finally made it off the east coast and am currently sitting in our Long Beach drop yard awaiting delivery early tomorrow morning.

The load I have delivers to a cruise ship on the San Pedro, Ca docks extremely early in the morning and then I'll be heading home for a couple of weeks of much needed rest.

Oh. And I can't forget the honey do's... Come to think of it... I may actually get more rest when I'm working.

See you in a couple weeks.