Sunday in Florence

I awoke early enough this morning to have breakfast at the Waffle House.  There should be a first time for most everything.  It was OK but I would not rush across the street to eat there again.

Church was not nearly as formal as previous, very friendly people and warm welcomes.  When they knew I was parked at the TA about 1.3 miles away, several went out of their way to make sure I had a ride back.  They even offered to pick me up for evening service.  People were dressed from suits and dresses to casual.  It was still in the same time warp as last Sunday, preacher using more scripture than he had time to use and this one is caught up in the preach against rather than preach for.  We went from Gn to Hb with several stops in between, all informing us of our sinful nature.   I would find it difficult to make this a home congregation; however, I would have no problem making this a great visiting congregation.  The warmth of the people was refreshing.

Went to the Mall in Florence.  Walked around for about 1.5 hours, bought two things (lunch and massage oil for my hands), called my partner since I left him in the truck and I did not have a key to get in.  

Updated: Attended church Sunday evening.  Never attended anything like it before.  A formal worship time, very short; followed by a class.  Very relaxed, song leader was even wearing a T-shirt.  As stated earlier this group is very friendly.  I was invited to someone's home for dinner tomorrow since I will still be in town.  

Eating truck stop food is expensive and certainly not healthy.  On September 16th this phase is supposed to be over.  When soloing for 90 days WalMart and Costco are looking very exciting!

One more day to spend in Florence.  Our mad dash for New York begins on Tuesday.

Crazy Days

We arrived at Kirkersville, OH and spent the night.  Was able to take a shower, do my laundry and this morning I got a hair cut! I then "dead headed" (drove the truck empty) to Florence, KY for our next pick up.  Unfortunately that pick up is not until Tuesday.  It will deliver in Wilton, New York on Wednesday.

Limiting my church searches to church of Christ around Florence, I came upon two that were within walking distance.  Both are within walking distance of me and within walking distance of each other.  Which one is the split? Both websites are similar, legalistic in tone; however, one church put their music on the web.  I listened to a few songs.  Sounded like barber shop music with the tight harmonies, plus the music seemed to be written by the locals.  I will attend the other church in the morning.  135 attended last Sunday.  Hopefully they will have 136 at 10:30 tomorrow.

8/29: This must be Groveport, OH

We started the day in Morton, IL and we are off loading in Groveport.  Driving is only half the fun of trucking.  The other half is shippers and receivers.  Because the system was created who knows when, it has many things in it that are antique.   The system could use an intelligent overhaul.

Stormed on very hard in Morton last night; however, very little rain today, basically a good drive.

Waiting day two

1. We have been assigned a truck: 5748.  We went out and found it in the shop and it is fairly clean on the outside.  When they are done with the work, hopefully everything else will be ready.

2. My partner did not remain at the hotel yesterday, he simply told others what he was doing and failed to keep me in the loop.  Hopefully that will not continue.

3. He and I are off to WalMart shortly to pay his DPS surcharge.  This will prevent his CDL from being suspended.  We would be pulled back to the yard if that happened.  Not good!

So hopefully, we will be out of here today, or at the latest tomorrow.  In some ways I am hoping for tomorrow morning to get our load out of here.  Are we having fun yet?

A Day of Waiting

I arrived before 7 AM this morning.  We are all in the break room waiting.  Waiting for our truck to be road ready or just waiting to be assigned a truck.  Thank goodness for wifi, because otherwise this day would be very bad.

My partner choose to remain at the hotel today.  That is not a good choice.  He will loose his 50 dollars for the day, but more he effects whether we could even leave today.  This is not the best way to impress the boss.

So I set here and wait.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Right turn, a time warp and lunch

I made the correct turn today and got to church.  It was a 3.8 mile walk (one way), service was a return to old times.  One person leading singing, announcements etc. all done at the beginning of service.  The message was not delivered by the regular minister, instead the message was from someone with the congregation who preached a sermon that was heavy on scripture and light on meaning or application.  Reminds me of a sermon delivered by a missionary.  

Lunch today was at Braum's.  Lunch was a large burger but most important was a large milk shake.   It was very good.  Unfortunately I was not sharing it with my bride of 30 plus years.  The extreme disadvantage of all this time away from home. 

I anxiously await Monday when I found out if my partner for the next 21 days has his CDL suspended.  I have already told him I will pay to reinstate his CDL since his delay will delay me also.  So I pray the Lord to continue to watch over me on the great adventure.  

Finished (Almost)

Today we finished class; however, without a truck I am still stuck here in Dallas.  It could be sometime next week before there are trucks free so John and I can leave.  Yes my partner's name is John also.  He is two years younger than my daughter, born late in March 1981.  We have had minimum contact with each other, we have sat in class together; however, he smokes and goes to the smoking section to enjoy breaks, I go elsewhere.

The grackles (the large black birds around the area) have really been out and about.  They are very noisy when the congregate in the trees.  It is amazing to see how many of these large birds can be in one small tree.

Today my website expires; however, it is simply going to move to .mac support.  That will allow me to better manage the content.

I pray for a truck soon; but more importantly this will allow me time to be with others for worship this Sunday.  Hopefully I will not make a wrong turn while walking!

ORT II

Day one.  It is supposed to be over on Friday by 1.  So far it has some good moments and some bad.  Good is some of the instruction has been very helpful.  Bad was forced to pick a partner for the next phase of training without the chance to really determine if the two of us could work together.  It ends up I have a smoking partner, but the good news is he has experience in the truck.  So you take the good with the bad.

I need to repack all my stuff so I can take it with me to the yard in the morning.  I am forced to switch hotels.  But so far the Lord has watched over me very well, so I am confident He will continue to do his part!

Missed church

Added an image from off of I-10.  Not everything is bleak on travels between AZ and Dallas.
Today was my first day to attend worship in over 6 weeks.  I Googled a church near my location and set off to walk the 2.5 miles.  However, I turned left instead of right and walked the wrong direction.  I never made it.  I was very disappointed.  I went on-line and saw what services were like at Stockton this morning, but alas the message is not recorded for broadcasting so I miss that part of worship also.

Tomorrow it is off to Stephens yard for the beginning of ORT II.  Hopefully we are treated with slightly more understanding than the first 6 weeks!  Also found out the hard way that cash advance does not work once you are unassigned from a truck.  I should have taken my cash advance, then sent the message of coming off the truck.  

It will be interesting to see who is here from ORT I.  So far have only seen 5 people.  5 out of 50.  Not very good.

Back to Dallas

The image is from the truck, traveling in El Paso looking across the Rio Grande.  The poverty is horrible.

We arrived to deliver product in Fort Worth, then we waited at the truck stop.  Then it seemed everything happened at once, and I was off the truck waiting for a taxi to take me to the bus station down town.  That is when the problems began!  First the bus broke down so we waited until a fleet of taxi cabs showed up; however, they did not order enough, so I was stuck.  Then they put us on a shuttle that runs to Mexico, who ran round several locations, picking up a drunk at one location.  I finally arrived in Dallas but too late for the shuttle to Mesquite.  The next bus to Mesquite would be 6 hours!  

Stephens was no help, so I called for a taxi.  It was cheaper to take the taxi from the Dallas bus depot than the taxi ride earlier in the day!  So thanks to my computer, I took the taxi ride.

ORT 2 begins Monday.  Hopefully everything will be smoother!

Phoenix,AZ

Arrived from Las Cruces; however, a flat delayed our arrival.  Wait at the Albertson's distribution point in Tolleson, then arise at 4:30 to start the process to unload.  Are we having fun yet!  Without personal control of my day, I am now waiting at a Flying J while my trainer is off visiting his aunt and uncle.  I am unable to contact my brother to let him know I could see him even for a little while.

The seats in a large truck ride on air shocks.  Unfortunately for me, my camera slide under the seat area and was severely damaged.  It still works; however, parts are exposed and the large screen on the back is now broken.  So I know it is only a matter of time before the camera is none functional.  

This is almost my last day of being controlled by others for schedule.  What a great lesson to learn.  Build a business now!

A different mind set

Over the road driving you stop at truck stops; however, as a trainee, your funds are very limited.  I was approached by a black man about my age (early 50) who started the conversation by stating, "Hey Bossman".  However, the next part of the conversation just shocked me.  He said, "I'm a good N...".  I corrected him.  I said no your a good man.

Arrived yesterday in Las Cruces, NM.  As you drive through El Paso you observe the squaller that is on the other side of the border.  One side living the high life, the other side in abject poverty.  I have a feeling Jesus would spend more time south of the border.

I am in Las Cruces until late this afternoon.  It is the home of my trainer.  So while I babysit the truck at a TA, he is home in a nice bed, enjoying home time with the wife.  Oh well, Lord willing my time will come!