STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Life Day 22506: Yammering from Yakima

February 23, 2009 on 7:07 pm | In On The Road, Family, Homefront |

I am currently sitting at the Gearjammer truck stop in Yakima, WA. Up until this morning, this outing had been the exact opposite of the one prior. I had been moving constantly since leaving Las Vegas on Friday evening.
I will now chronicle the events which got me to this point.

Sunday, Feb 15th: I spent the day, still in Salt Lake City, lounging and geeking. I ate in my truck, so I didn’t even leave those environs save for exercising the MMM a few times. The weather was overcast and it was cold enough to snow, but it never did.

Monday, the 16th: I delivered my load, and that was about it. I spent another boring day at the Sapp Brother’s truck stop after my 1030 delivery. The weather warmed up slightly, and the clouds were gone.

Tuesday, the 17th: About mid-day, I received a PrePlan which was a ‘live load’ at 1600. It picked up a few miles away in SLC, and was scheduled to deliver in Rialto, CA. I requested to have it T-called at our terminal in North Las Vegas, NV so I could take a couple of days at home. The request was granted. I drove over to the shipper a couple of hours early to see if I could get a head start, but to no avail. I was loaded at 1600. It went quickly, and I was on the road at 1700. I drove to the MMM’s favorite Rest Area on I-15 in Utah at mm-88. I exercised them, then we had sandwiches for a snack. I continued the trek to NLV.

Wednesday, the 18th: I arrived at the Drop Yard at about 0030 and dropped the load. I then drove to the WWW and began my home time. After a few hours sleep, I connected with Don and Lou, who were hovering at the Sunset Station Casino. I have never visited there, so I drove my truck over and met up with them. We went to the breakfast buffet, and ate too much, at least I did. It was excellent, as most Station Buffets usually are. After breakfast, we walked across the street to the Galleria Mall to explore. We then went our separate ways, arranging to meet later for dinner. I wanted to purge a lot of the junk I have accumulated inside my truck, so I drove to my storage shed. I spent the entire afternoon sorting and cleaning as I purged the clutter from my truck. I quit at about 1600, still with a couple of inside compartments remaining to purge (I tend to be a pack-rat). I arrived back at the Sunset a little after 1700. We had dinner at the nearby Sweet Tomatoes restaurant. It really hit the spot; lighter fare after the enormous breakfast. After dinner, I drove back to the WWW and started in on those remaining two compartments. About 2300, I put everything back together enough to go to sleep in my truck.

Thursday, the 19th: I met Don & Lou at the RV for a Nationally famous (or infamous) Don McMuffin. After this sumptuous delicacy, we drove over to Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory and toured there for a while. I left a little before noon so I could get the MMM to their grooming appointment at 1230. I then finished de-cluttering the truck. I went much easier without the ever curious MMM underfoot. They were finished about 1600. I went to pick them, then drove over to the Sunset and connected with Don and Lou for dinner. We went to the Guadalajara Bar and Grille inside the Sunset Casino for dinner. It was excellent. I’ll be returning there whenever I’m in the mood for Mexican. After dinner, we visited in the RV for a while and arranged to meet for breakfast at the WWW in the morning.

Friday, the 20th: Now, we get to the nitty gritty of this post. Don and Lou arrived about 0830 from the Sunset. We had breakfast, then they used my room for a shower before I checked out. We went our separate ways after that. I received a PrePlan shortly thereafter. It picked up in Henderson, NV and delivered in Fontana, CA. It was supposed to pick up at 1700, but I arrived 1½ hours early, and was immediately assigned a door. I was loaded and en route by 1845. I drove to Baker, CA where I had dinner at Arby’s. I then finished my trip to Fontana, parking for the night at the customer.

Saturday, the 21st: I was unloaded as soon as they arrived, and after being unloaded, I settled in to wait for my next load. Amazingly (for a weekend day in LA), I didn’t have to wait long. I received a PrePlan which picked up in Mira Loma, CA and delivered in Hermiston, OR. I picked up the load, and drove to our terminal in Mira Loma for fuel. I was on the road by noon. I stopped in Hesparia, CA at the pilot truck stop for a Wendy’s lunch. I then drove to Independence, CA. I took a short break here, then drove to Lovelock, NV where the 14 hour rule stopped me for the night.

Sunday, the 22nd: I was on the road by 0930, the earliest I could legally move. I drove to Winnemucca, NV. Here, I visited the local “Wally World” to replenish my stock of consumables. About noon, I drove to Ontario, OR where I stopped for fuel and lunch. I then drove to Stanfield, OR where I stopped for the night. I am about 5 miles from the consignee, but I still need a drop number before I can deliver.

Monday, the 23rd: Today was a frustrating day. Earlier today,  I was in Stanfield, OR waiting for the CSR to send me a drop number so I could do the drop/hook delivery on the load from Mira Loma. I received a really nice PrePlan which picked up in Kennewick, WA and delivered right back in Mira Loma, CA, but due to the laissz faire attitude of the CSR, they pulled the plan from me as time elapsed and I still didn’t have the required drop number. About 2 hours after making the delivery, I did receive another PrePlan which picks up here in Yakima, WA and delivers in Laredo, TX. However, it doesn’t pick up until 0900 tomorrow morning. I drove here to the Gearjammer and fueled, then found a nice parking place. It is raining and the temperature is hovering around 38º. There is an Outback Steakhouse about 50 yards from the truck stop, so  the MMM and I will dine well tonight.