STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Life Day 21650: Whereabouts, Wheeler Ridge

October 21, 2006 on 10:18 pm | In On The Road |

I’m trying a new, hopefully “easier on the eye” format beginning with this entry. Also note that there are 3 days contained in this entry rather than the (lately) usual 2 weeks.

Thursday, the 19th:
Today, I left Santa Nella at 1015. I drove to Bakersfield and had lunch at Bill Lee’s. At 1515, I began the next leg of my journey to San Diego, arriving there at 2100. I had a hard time finding the customer in the dark (lighting was atrocious). The problem could have been avoided if the customer had used adequate signage. (This particular sign was in black lettering on dark wood, set back off the road). If you are in ‘business’, it seems to me that you would want people to be able to find you. A lighted, easy to read sign which includes the address would be a step in the right direction. I am noticing that more and more, this is the case. I don’t know if it is the businesses themselves going for aesthetics over practicality, or (more likely), Zoning regulations mandated by a bunch of Petty, Low-level Bureaucrats doing what Petty, Low-level Bureaucrats do best. Anyway, I digress. I did the drop delivery and then drove the 5 odd miles to Swift’s terminal in Otay Mesa, CA where I stopped for the night. It was clear and cool, just perfect for sleeping. I drove about 450 miles and used 9.5 of my available 11.25 hours.

Friday:
I awoke with a PrePlan on my QualCom. It picked up right there at the terminal and delivered in Portland, OR. I almost turned it down because I didn’t want to take a chance on the weather in the Northwest this time of year. But, in the comments section, it said to T-Call the load at our terminal in Lathrop so I accepted it. I left about 1100 and drove to our terminal in Fontana for fuel and a quick MMM break. I left at 1415 and drove to B’field. I parked at the Walmart on CA-58 (Rosedale Highway) and Coffee Rd. They have a nice grassy area for the MMM and it’s easy in/out even with a trailer. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area. This time, however, I just strolled with the MMM. I left at 1915 and drove to Lathrop. I did the T-Call. Just before I left B’field, I recieved a PrePlan which picked up at our terminal in Lathrop and delivered in Phoenix, but I didn’t respond to it. When I went into Dispatch, I found that the Phoenix load was already gone. They had evidently “double planned” the load, and the other driver had beat me there. The Planner found another load for me that also was right there at the terminal and delivered in Ontario, CA. It’s one step closer to Las Vegas anyway, and i’m due for some ‘hometime’. I dropped and hooked, then walked the MMM and went to bed. I used 11.75 of my 12.75 hours available and drove about 520 miles.

Today (Saturday):
I left Lathrop at 1015, the earliest I could ‘legally’, and drove to the Petro truckstop in Wheeler Ridge. I only had 5.5 hours available when I left Lathrop, so I stopped here for the day. I drove 246 miles and used 5.25 hours. I decided to have a PM Service done on my truck here since I had some spare time. One of the “bennies” was a free 18oz steak dinner. After the Service, I redeemed the coupon in the Restaurant. I’ve had better steaks in my time, but never one this good for the price, (FREE). Surprisingly the coupon included my drink, so the meal was truly FREE. The MMM enjoyed their portion as well.