STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Life Day 21242: Las Vegas Labors

September 8, 2005 on 1:41 pm | In On The Road |

On the 5th, I left Albuquerque at 0730. About midnight last night, the Planner offered me a load that picks up at our Terminal in El Paso and delivers in Las Vegas, NV (263 miles empty and 707 miles loaded). Normally, I would turn down a load with 37% deadhead, but I accepted it this time because it is going to Las Vegas and besides, if I didn’t, I would be stuck in Albuquerque for GOD knows how long. Due to the lateness of the hour, I opted for a nap before leaving. I also fueled before I left. I wasn’t going to put myself in the same situation I faced here with low fuel tanks and heavy loads. I arrived in El Paso at 1145. The load was heavy (42,739 lbs), but it was legal when I weighed it. I left El Paso at 1300 and drove to Tucson, AZ. I took a 15 minute MMM break here, then drove on to Phoenix, AZ where I stopped for the night. Of the 11.5 hours I worked today I used 11 hours driving 686 miles.
On the 6th, I left Phoenix at 0615 and drove to Kingman, AZ. I stopped here for breakfast and an MMM outing. I left there at 1045 and drove directly to the Consignee in Las Vegas. I arrived at 1300. I was sent to a Dock immediately and was unloaded in a timely manner. The trailer on which this load was loaded was a ‘reefer’ (refrigerated trailer) so I was told to drive to a Customer in North Las Vegas and drop it. My options for obtaining a load when I’m ready to leave on Friday would be severely limited with this type of trailer. I hope that I can find an empty, or a load that doesn’t need an empty when I’m ready to leave. After dropping the trailer, I drove to the Flying J in NLV and called it a day. I went in for dinner, then just ‘vegged’ for the rest of the day.
The 7th, was “labor day”. I spent the morning cleaning out my truck and sorting through my storage shed (Yeah, it’s now cool enough in the AM to actually do something). Soon, I’ll do a “purge”. The problem will be getting the “stuff” to the appropriate charitable agency. I won’t have enough for them to send a truck to my storage facility to make a pick-up, but it will be enough to require several trips in my car. Oh well, I hope they appreciate the donation. In the afternoon, I returned to the Flying J. The WiFi connection was too sporatic to update my BLOG. I started a posting but surrendered in frustration. I did manage to send out one e-mail.
For dinner, I returned to the Hofbrau Haus. Being mid-week, it was far less raucous than my previous visit, but the Oompah Band wasn’t. These guys are like Energizer Bunnies. Anyway, this time I had the Bavarian Wurstplatter (4 different kinds of Sausages, Mashed Potatoes and Saurkraut). It was yummy. I had Apple Strudel to finish off my meal. It too was delicious.
Today, the 8th, was “doggie bath” and “play on the computer” day. I re-located to the TA. They seem to have FINALLY solved their WiFi connection problems here. I finished the posting I began yesterday, then took the MMM to PetSmart. While they were getting groomed, I walked around the ‘Strip Mall’ and then waited in my truck. It takes about 3 hours for them to be groomed. After the grooming and the manditory “shopping visit” for treats, I returned to the TA.
For dinner tonight, I ventured over to the Silverton Casino. It’s cool enough after the sun goes down this time of year to make the walk enjoyable. I ate at the Sundance Grill. I had, surprisingly enough, the Chicken Fried Steak. It was served in a unique way, with the Mashed Potatoes on top of the Steak. As far as flavor, quality, and portion size, it rivals the CFS at Harris Ranch. It, however, is cheaper than the price at Harris Ranch by a full $4.00 ($8.95 here). It came with a “cobette” of corn and ample Dinner Rolls as well as the afore mentioned Mashed Potatoes. For the Soup/Salad option, I selected the Tomato/White Bean Soup which was delicious. For desert, which I wound up taking with me, I ordered Strawberry Tall Cake. It is enormous (easily enough for 2 normal people)!! Being abnormal, I’ll have the entire thing for breakfast in the AM.