STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Tuesday the 21st:  I sat around most of today as well. The bait and tackle shop where I parked yesterday was  getting old really fast. The aroma was offensive to my  olfactory senses. Finally, about 1900, I received a PrePlan. It picked up in Pharr, TX and delivered in Rialto, CA. Brownsville is at the very bottom of the country, and my QualCom signal was intermittent. It took a couple of hours for the Dispatch and my directions to come through. I finally got away about 2100, arriving at the shipper about an hour later. I did the drop/hook pick-up, exercised the MMM, and did all my paperwork. About 2300, I left for Laredo. I arrived at 0230. Although I had plenty of hours remaining to drive, I decided to call it a day. Sitting around all day took it’s toll on my old bones. I was exhausted.

Wednesday:  When I regained consciousness this morning about 0900, I found that the destination for my load had been changed. Instead of going to Rialto, CA, it is now going to Fort Mill, SC. Just a little difference, about 2900 miles. It’s a good thing that I decided to to stop in Laredo after all. I used the rest of the morning showering and having a snack. I left Laredo at 1245, the earliest I could legally drive. I drove to San Antonio, TX where I had a light lunch at the Petro truck stop there. I encountered my first 100º+ weather of the year  along the way. With the “Wind Chill” though, it only seemed like 95º or so. I drove from there to the last Rest Area going east on I-10 in Texas at mp-869. I took a quick break, then drove to Rayne, LA, where I called it a day. I drove 658 total miles today including those driven in the wee hours getting to Laredo.

Thursday:  I stayed at the Frog City truck stop. Evidently, Rayne was once noted for  frog legs. Oh well, every little town has something about which they are proud. I left Rayne at 1000 and drove to a Rest Area in Mississippi on I-10 at mp-63. It was a nice place, but I didn’t linger. I walked the MMM and went on my way. I drove from there to Montgomery, AL. I had a burger for dinner and walked the MMM. I then drove to our terminal in Decatur (Atlanta), GA for fuel. While en route, I noticed a lightening storm in the Atlanta area, but didn’t pay it much attention. When I arrived at the terminal however, I discovered that the storm had caused a power outage and had fried the computers. Result, no fuel. I debated continuing on as I had an hour of driving time available, but here, I had a parking place, and farther on, I might have a problem finding one. I decided to stay put and try to fuel again in the morning. I still managed to drive 601 miles through 4 different states.