Another long day trying to stay ahead of the weather.

We didn't have to be up extra early but BB is still waking up at four something and then I get up a little later. Breakfast wasn't supposed to be until 6 AM but we were down there before that and everything was out. All the juices said 'refill needed,' so I asked the person before trying them. Machine wasn't working correctly.

Tried to print a new Bill of Lading with the correct address, but no way to access the jump drive. So I just made a 2nd copy of both BL's I had, now knowing we'd be delivering to a motel I wanted to be prepared.

Heading out to the truck in the AM the ambulance was just leaving but four squads were still there. Not sure what had happened in the couple of minutes between us eating breakfast and walking out the door.

Not a time efficient day. Fuel stops and final fuel not in the correct locations. First stop was in New Baden and I fueled there so I wouldn't be running on E by the next fuel stop. My mileage seems to have dropped from 8 to 7 when I sped up from 50-55 to 60. By now it was after 8 AM local so I called the bus guy from yesterday back to tell him I was a no go. No problem, he already had it covered. We talked a few minutes, he want's me to be calling him when I'm either in AL or IN.

Then I see I have a missed call, my drop. He wants me to take another driver to Omaha so his crew doesn't have to. We agree ... he makes some comment about wishing all drivers were as organized as we are.

Next was just a quick stop in Wright City at a truck stop. We had planned on stopping at a rest area, but some maps didn't show it open. It is ... sort of. It is now just 'truck parking,' with an outhouse sized bathroom with no sink. So I'm guessing the seats were a little cold this AM.

Lunch and final fuel were in Boonville at a Pilot at a Wendy's. When we pulled in, I noticed the guy in the 2nd isle had not pulled up even tho the truck ahead of him was gone. So I got in the next lane. Then the guy in the 2nd lane did pull ahead and through so I took the open pump. There was someone already behind the guy in the 1st lane. After I fueled and we ate, the guy who had been waiting for lane 1 was still at the pump, 45 minutes later. This was one of the few times that BB had gone in and ordered while I'm fueling to speed things up. Interesting today. No one was at the counter when BB got there but a line formed behind and for the next 20 minutes there was a line and then quite again.

After food we are on our way to the airport. We follow the computer directions but that takes us into a tunnel for buses only and NO height posted ... and nothing in my truck says how tall I am. The sign is AFTER you turn on to the road, nothing before. So I had to pull into a little parking area and BB walked from there. A few pull ups and back ups and I was turned around.

An hour before the drop I call again. We will be there within minutes of 4 PM just like we had said yesterday. More luck than skill on some of these things.

There is a curb so we can't turn left into the motel so we have to go up and make a U-turn in someones driveway. As I'm backing in next to the other truck, the guy who will sign pulls in. I still have paper work to do so It takes a couple of minutes. BB caught up to me about 15 minutes before I got to the drop and followed the rest of the way. She talked to our rider while I cleaned out the truck and got the paper work signed. When we were ready to leave, we followed the trucks out of the drive they were going to use them yet tonight.

Nice guy, he already had a bus ticket from Omaha to Des Moines so we didn't offer him a ride any further than Omaha. Our first plan had been to spend the night in Omaha.

After we dropped him and grabbed to go from Culvers we decided to get to Des Moines to stay ahead of the storm. (Sorry sir, plans change.)

So we didn't get to the motel until after 8 PM late for us. Long day driving.

Nothing good on the board so we won't call in in the AM. If this same board is there Friday morning we will be calling in. What there isn't on the board is CA orders. There had been two to El Cajon for a couple of days but someone grabbed one today. Lots of orders to FL but cars are not cheap and there is a biker rally going on this week end.

We will be playing it by ear tomorrow. Board is back down to 80 even though they should still have 300+ in the snow banks. We don't plan on being in town over the weekend.

The guy we gave the ride to has been doing this about five years. Lives in ATL and moves mostly NC trucks up and then IA runs back down but has moved most kinds of trucks at times. Sounds like he was going to sign up for a class but when he got there it was full and the sign up person asked if he was there for the 'CDL (driving) class.' He paused and said 'sure.' And that is how he got his start. He doesn't tow and doesn't use rental cars. Either the bus or the plane AND he won't stay in cheap hotels either :)

Hopefully we are north of the ice and snow, we will know in the AM.