1 trash truck to Guttenberg IA (Failed)

1 trash truck to Williston ND (Wednesday)

... spending the night at Story City IA

Breakfast was mussy eggs and good bacon.

Plan was to be at the shipper at 8 AM and we were slow enough this AM that that is about the time we got there.

... Just before their 8 AM meeting. Wished they had told me that, we could have been here sooner ... or later.

Short meeting and then I signed the paperwork and someone walked the keys out.

As soon as we got to the truck we noticed the chipped window. Other than that all looked good, I switched the battery and pulled the dip sticks before the keys got there. I'm used to switching the battery when I get to a truck, I expect them to be turned off, this one wasn't.

No issues with the start up. But when we checked the lights, one headlight didn't have a high. And we had no back up lights or an alarm. After doing the rest of the pre-trip I head into the office.

My original contact is quite surprised that I have found an issue. When they talk to the shop person ... they know all about it and are un-able to correct the problem. I tell them that I will talk to my company and wait for an answer.

For most of the first hour the shop person stays with the truck and I, then after a few more phone calls we realize this will take a while. Finally the shop person takes the truck back into the shop to try a couple of more checks. Then he brings back the truck, no luck.

That is my que to head out. Dispatch does not have any trips anywhere close so we are heading back to MN.

We should have done the math before taking this trip. BB and I had looked at other trips for our long haul company and the deadhead miles on those was less than this one. Now we have even more deadhead miles. No idea what this trip will pay. Three hours of downtime and 600 miles out of route.

We head back into town where gas had been 20 cents cheaper than those by the freeway, then we head out.

1st stop was for food in Kearney. Lots of choices, our top three were all within feet of each other. BB wanted FireHouse Subs. But the sign on their door said they were out of a few items ... and only had two people working today ... and other signs.

So we went to the Pepper Jax next door. We have eaten at the one in Cedar Rapids a few times but didn't know they were a chain. Fast food, lots of help. I had them cut the sandwich in three so it would be easier to eat while I drove. It was easier to eat, and would have been easier if more of the items had made it on to the bun.

2nd stop is the rest area near York. BB had taken a few pictures of the overturned irrigation circles, when we stopped, I took a picture of the corn/now bean field. The disaster went on for about 35 miles near York NE.

From here I call local dispatch and agree to take the Williston truck they wanted moved next week, we will do it this week. Then I asked about next week ... no plans. Everything is too expensive and un-predictable. They do not want anyone out over the holiday.

We are going to try something different this trip, the company shuttle driver will drop my paperwork in my truck when they drop off drivers at 7:30. Usually my office has to fax paperwork to the shipper and have them hand it to me.

So we will pick up the truck tomorrow/Wednesday AM. Drop Thursday. Home Friday. No plans for over the holiday weekend. Still watching the load board and travel options.

3rd stop was the Loves in Shelby. Short stop.

We didn't really decide where to stop until we got past Ankeny. That narrowed our hotels down to Story City and Albert Lea. Albert Lea is not giving us a discount so that makes them about 50% more. We will be staying in Story City.

4th stop is the Kum and Go in Ankeny. BB wanted a rest area, we needed gas. BB had said all the cheap fuel was back in Des Moines but I had not mentioned I needed gas to her at that point. Fuel was cheaper here than anywhere except the WalMart that had already past.

5th stop was the Arbey's in Ames, better food than anything we wanted in Story City. Chicken Salad Sandwich? The don't have it anymore. Roasted chicken? The do not carry it anymore. We might be stopping at Arbey's less.

6th and final stop was back at the Comfort Inn in Story City. Not as crowded as last time. Hopefully no fire alarms tonight.

Load board

US - 258

IA - 97

MN - 16

Pickup should be about 10 AM, we have hopes to get to Jamestown. If we only make it to Fargo it will be tight to make it to the drop on Friday.