1 pickup to Shakopee (delivered)

... spending the night at home

No alarm needed, we were both up about 6 AM. Ready to roll without eating breakfast at 7 AM.

Last night when we looked online there were three routes suggested, 169, 65 and 35. I choice I-35 as that would get us out of the cities the fastest. And at some point that route got us on all three highway. When we looked last night all three routes were listed as three hours and one minute. I think there was about five miles difference between the shortest and the longest.

1st stop was Cambridge for fuel and restroom. Often fuel in Cambridge is the cheapest I can find but today it had been cheaper in Oakdale and would be cheaper along northern 169.

2nd stop was Mora for breakfast at Hardee's. We each got a sandwich to go.

As long as we were stopped I replied to our local company who is questioning my logs. They have stricter rules than the legal rules and we were both missing part of the picture when we started emailing back and forth. They hadn't seen that the day in question was not driven for them so their rules did not apply. I didn't realize that I needed to write in text stating I was on break, simply showing I was off duty was not enough. I still do not know if that is the law or the company requirement. But I do know that for a similar situation it was the law. And in this case it was just sloppy entering on my part.

3rd stop was the pickup near Hill City. We were there last week so I knew the general rules. I knew where to look for people and the truck.

But there was no truck. I asked around, then called the number on my paperwork. We talked a few times before they called back and said that truck was put back into service.

I should have called my dispatcher right away to make sure he didn't give away the other truck sitting here but I waited until the customer said my truck wasn't there.

When I did call dispatch I was able to get the other truck but it took a few more phone calls and another hour before I got that OK. I also got the OK to change numbers on my BL so I didn't have to go somewhere and print a BL and then come back.

Today coming and going from the customer I got a much better look at the road. It appears to be a one lane road that was re-enforced with mats so the trucks wouldn't be digging ruts. Not sure how they keep track of the trucks so they are not meeting on the road. I thought they were using the 'one-way' system but not based on what I saw today.

BB took a rest break near Milaca at the rest area where I did last trip.

Just south of Milaca is a town called Pease. 242 people now. I working on a distant branch of the family tree right now that includes a few dozen people buried in the one cemetery in that town.

Somewhere down the road I remembered that BB had put my plate on for me as I had forgotten my tools ... and she had not left me any tools to take the plate back off ...

4th stop was the drop in Shakopee. When I told them I needed signatures they kept my paperwork until I came back. I parked my truck next to two others from the same company. I was able to get my plate off with a quarter I found in the dash of the truck :)

Before I started walking toward the gate, BB calls. She is waiting for the train to pass, she is about two blocks away so I see the same train, going slowly.

BB gets the paperwork sent in before we leave the lot, a few miles down the road I am paid already. A few dollars less than last time but not a big deal.

I should start keeping track of mpg on these trucks so I know if I ever had to add fuel. I didn't have to add any on this truck either. Got paid for it, didn't have to add any. That makes things pay a little better.

This dispatcher is down to one trip left of these kind of trucks for the whole country. Thief River Falls to Shakopee. It could be done in one long day but we pass. There were also trips under 300 miles from Dodge Center, Forest City and somewhere in WI.

I decided to call the local company. They have two for tomorrow, we'll be at the office at 10 AM. First trip with the 'new' dispatcher. Not sure how many months she has been there but I haven't met her or done any work for her. So I told her she would have to talk to the other dispatchers to see how to pay me :) as I provide my own shuttle drivers.

Load board

US - 130

IA - 50/47

MN - 11

WI - 9

Not likely taking any long trips in October either and by the time we can there likely will be snow.

Next week BB has a couple of appointments on Thursday and I have one on Friday. Then we each have more later in the month ...