STRAYCAT’S DOGGONE BLOG

Monday, May 18th:  I believe this is where I ended my last chronicle.
Before I did anything else today, I took my DOT Physical. It only took about an hour, and once again, I was deemed by the Government to be a perfect physical specimen.
About 0900, I received a PrePlan which picked up in Layton and was destined for Long Beach, CA, but which T-called at our drop yard in North Las Vegas. The drive to Layton, then to North Las Vegas was uneventful. I stopped in Scipio, UT for lunch at the Dairy Queen, and to walk the MMM. After I dropped my trailer, I drove to the WWW to begin my well deserved visit to the home front.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and most of Thursday:  These days are mostly covered in the previous post “Mac Attack”. One more observation on the difference between Mac and Windows. The less one knows about Windows, the easier the transition to Mac. With this in mind, the transition for me so far has been a ‘breeze’. In the tasks that I do everyday, the main thing that I have to remember is that Mac has no ‘right click’. To perform this function, you merely have to remember to hit the control key when you ‘click’. If I used a “mouse”, the right click key would function as normal, but I seldom use a mouse. 
Enough rambling. In the afternoon, I received a PrePlan which picked up in Lake Havasu City, AZ and delivered in Shafter, CA. I put the “toys” away and left Las Vegas about 1930. I picked up an empty trailer at the drop yard, then drove to the shipper. I spent the night outside their facility.

Friday, the 22nd:  I did the drop/hook pick up and left Lake Havasu at 1000. I drove to Barstow where I took a short break for the MMM. I then drove directly to the consignee in Shafter, arriving at 1830. Along the way, I received a PrePlan which picked up at the Consignee, and delivered in Molalla, OR. I did the drop/hook, and was on my way again at 1915. I drove to Lost Hills, CA. I took a break here for fuel, and the MMM. I then drove to the Westley Rest Area, just south of the I-205/I-5 split, where my 14-hours expired.

Saturday:  I left the Rest Area at 1000, and drove to our terminal in Lathrop, CA for fuel. I next drove to Dunnigan, CA where I stopped for the MMM. At 1345, I left Dunnigan and drove to Yreka. I had a nice dinner at the Black Bear Diner here. Despite the fact that it was dinner time, I felt like breakfast, so I had sausage and eggs. It was yummy as usual. At 1830, I drove to Coburg, OR where I had to stop for the night (11-hour rule).

Sunday:  I drove to the consignee in Molalla, about 90 miles from Coburg, arriving at 1045. I was immediately unloaded, then began what turned into a vigil waiting for my next load. About 1730, I finally received a PrePlan which picked up in Springfield, OR and delivered in Carson, CA, but with a scheduled T-call in Lathrop. I drove to Springfield, did the drop/hook pick up, then drove to Canyonville (Seven Feathers), OR where I ran out of hours (14-hour rule).

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th:   I left Canyonville at 0830 and drove to the Herbert S. Miles (whoever he was/is) Rest Area in California on I-5 between Red Bluff and Corning. I took a quick break here, then drove to out terminal in Willows. Here, I took a much appreciated shower, fueled, and walked the MMM. I left at 1630 and drove to the terminal in Lathrop, did the T-call, and dropped my trailer. After that, it was off to the “Wally World” in nearby Manteca for the MMM’s “birthday bash”. This particular Walmart happens to have a McDonald’s inside, so shopping was easy. I bought a few things that I needed, then the stuff for the MMM, mainly a package of ‘Twinkies’ and a “Happy Meal” (which they split into 2 boxes for me). They enjoyed their celebration immensely. I then walked over to a nearby Mexican Restaurant (El Jardin). I ordered Beef Enchiladas w/ all the trimmings. It was delicious, but too much for me. I took about ½ of it with me, including the chips, which were home made and excellent. Next, I went to Baskin Robins for ice cream. I ordered 1 scoop of vanilla (split into 2 dishes for the MMM), and a scoop of Black Walnut for myself. That concluded the festivities (all done with one stop, in one shopping center). How cool is that. I next drove back to the terminal and settled in for the night.

Tuesday:  I received a PrePlan which picked up in Stockton, CA and delivers in Ontario, CA. I left Lathrop about 1000 and drove to the shipper. I did the drop/hook pick up, and the ubiquitous paperwork, and left about 1130. I drove to Bakersfield, CA. I had dinner at the Original Road House Grill in the Walmart shopping center on Rosedale Highway.  I almost worked up the courage to try the Buffalo Steak, but opted instead for the good ole standby, the Ribeye. I had a ‘loaded’ baked potato, broccoli, and a ‘dinner’ Caesar Salad. All was delicious, as is the norm here. The MMM also enjoyed their ’share’ as well. I then drove to our terminal in Fontana and called it a night.