STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Life Day 21558: Sedentary in Salt Lake City

July 20, 2006 on 10:37 pm | In On The Road |

I finally got out of Phoenix on Sunday, the 16th. I recieved the PrePlan yesterday, but the shuttle driver bringing the load from Jacksonville, FL didn’t arrive until this AM. I waited until after noon to pick up the load. By this time, I had accumulated enough hours ‘off duty’ to re-start my 70 hour clock. I drove directly to the Flying J in Vegas and stopped for the night. It was about a mile from the Consignee.
On the 18th, I accepted a load which picked up in Henderson and delivered in Vista, CA (10 miles east of Oceanside). Yesterday, I delivered the load from Phoenix, then took the rest of the day off. After that last outing, I can’t afford anymore time at home. I left Las Vegas at 1300 and drove to the Shipper. I did the drop/hook, then drove directly to the Consignee in Vista. Along the way, I recieved and accepted a PrePlan which picked up in National City, CA and delivered ASAP in Salt Lake City, UT. It’s nice to know in advance where i’m going next for a change. I checked out the dock area, then went to bed.
At 0700 on the 19th, I spotted my trailer in the dock. It involved a ‘blind side’ backing maneuver, but it wasn’t bad because I was the only one there. I had only 5 pallets, so by the time I finished my daily toilette, they were finished with the unload. I left at 0730 and drove to National City. I stopped for breakfast at a View Area overlooking Solana Beach. I took these pictures while walking the MMM.

It was a bit overcast, but still, it was a nice break. I arrived at the Shipper at 1000. It took them about 45 minutes to load the trailer, after a 2 hour wait. I left at 1315 and drove to Hesparia, CA. I had lunch, and walked the MMM. From there, I drove to Jean, NV. After a short break, I drove to Mesquite, NV. I stopped at the Casa Blanca Casino. It is by far the most aesthetic Casino in Mesquite, epecially at night.

The inside of the Casino is pretty much standard fare. Being Wednesday night, there wasn’t much of a crowd.

Before I left on the 20th, I had breakfast in the Purple Fez Bistro. I had a nice view of the pool area from my table.

I drove to the MMM’s favorite Rest Area at exit 88 on I-15 north in Utah. They enjoyed a nice untethered romp in the pet area. At noon, I left and drove to the Consignee in Salt Lake City. I did the drop delivery, then drove to our Terminal. I had to have the right windshield of my truck replaced. A rock chip, for some unknown reason, decided to start “spider-webbing” after about 6 months. The shop has an Outside Contractor who does their windshield work, so I didn’t have to wait to get into the shop. He arrived about 1/2 hour after he was called, It took another hour to do the work. I also replaced the switch for the power mirrors while I was waiting. It was a 10 minute job. The right mirror stopped working a few weeks ago. I was reminded about it again yesterday AM when I was doing the ‘blind side’ back. After the work was finished and waiting a hour for the sealant to cure, I drove to the Sapp Bros. truckstop about 3 miles from the Terminal. They have free WiFi there. Good reception too!! Too bad it’s in a NeoFacist Nanny State which has banned smoking virtually everywhere.