1 box truck to Fridley MN (delivered)

1 mixer to Gilbert MN (Friday)

... spending the night at Owatonna MN

Almost all the truckers are gone by the time we get down for breakfast. Such as it is. People were taking a very long time to do the most basic things. I got my eggs and sausage and we went back to our room. They did have a toaster, but no bread so BB had cereal. Sausage was good, different. Links were moist but not greasy.

About two miles to the shipper and were are in their lot. I asked a guy hooking up his tow car where the office was ... park here and walk through the fence. So I did, and then went to where other cars were driving in and dropping off other drivers.

One driver ahead of me, one behind me. Office didn't have the paperwork ready for either so they must not have called. Mine was ready. The driver behind me works for our company so I waited to see where his truck was. Mine was 10 minutes west of the office, his was 20 minutes south of the office. I had thought we could drop him off if his was close but this would have cost us most of an hour and that could cause us to miss delivery today and change what we can get done tomorrow. We parted ways.

But when we were leaving it looked like the drivers cab was already there. I'm guessing some of them know the routine and just wait once they drop off a driver as there is a good chance they will need another ride.

We don't see my truck in the first lot we pull into, it is on the other side of the building ... and dead. We wondered as the person in the office gave me a card with his number on it ... just in case the battery is dead.

It was so dead that the dash lights wouldn't come on. Called the number and someone was there in about a half hour. They connected the jump and I started it and revved the engine. Even with the engine revved the truck died once. Then the second time it stayed running and I never shut it off again today.

This was one of the cab-over trucks where we had to flip the cab to check the fluids before starting it. Seemed to be off balance as BB had to help push it back down.

All else was good, mirrors had been pushed in because of how close together things were parked. And there was fuel. I was expecting fumes. But the cheapest fuel of the day was right here in town so I put in fuel before having any idea what kind of mileage I would get. I didn't want to over fill so I guessed 20 mpg, BB guessed 10 mpg.

I stop at the closest station and put in some fuel and then we are off. What I had hoped would take 15 minutes this AM took an hour and a half. I had hoped when the shipper needed to know what time we would be there it was because they would have the trucks pulled out for us. Nope.

A few miles down the road my right mirror blows out of position. The left one did too but I was able to move that one while I was driving. The right one I left until I stopped a couple of hours down the road. I did still have the wide angle distorted mirror so I wasn't completely blind on that side. And I only passed three things.

BB was at the rest area when I got there. Not sure who got there first. I called my drop contact and left a message. He called back just as I was leaving so I pulled on to the shoulder in the rest area and took the call.

I had hoped I would make it to Menomonie where fuel was cheaper but Eau Claire was the limit of my feeling safe so I stopped at a Holiday. First I was going to put in 12 gallons which would cover the 10 mpg. Then I decided an extra gallon would be good insurance and then another gallon to put in and make it an even $50.

I had run the tank down under 1/8 and the low fuel light still had not come on. That is the rule on this one, no low fuel light on at delivery. When I got to into MN, I was about 20 miles from the drop and I was down to 1/4 tank of fuel. For a short time I was wondering if I had put in enough. But somehow I was still at 1/4 when I dropped it. I doubt it will be the next time they start it.

First person I found had no idea about a truck but found the correct person. Once we signed off he asked me a little about our driving work before we left. Then I called the 3rd party that is lining all this up and they asked if 'Joe ... ' had signed the paperwork. No, no one had ever given me a name for this drop.

I did also send them, the 3rd party, my paperwork direct and now they are asking for more. Not sure what they are looking for and it was after hours before I saw their message.

Once that was done I called on a trip to north of DUL. Dispatch says it is a mixer. And that is what the paperwork says. But I looked at the drop's website and they are all about trash. So I'm guessing it is a trash truck. :) We'll see in the AM. We can't pick up after 4 PM and it was almost that when I called dispatch so tomorrow AM.

Not much for rush hour traffic slow downs. 2+ in the HOV lane leaving town.

We end up at the Comfort Inn in Owatonna. The side doors don't look like anyone has cleaned near them since the snow. Piles of bird droppings. Paint is coming off the building. Extra pieces laying on the ground like no one has looked anywhere except the front door. Elevator not working ... not long as a Comfort Inn ... too bad as it was nice.

The Motel 6 next door is closed. Looked it up and the bank got it back. It had been a Holiday Inn with a conference, water park and a restaurant but the Motel 6 closed those other things down.

We walked to El Loro for some Mexican food. Ate inside. Only two cars in the lot so we thought the place was empty. Almost, but by the time we left it had a lot more people. Our other choices were Famous Dave's and the last remaining Timberlodge Steakhouse.

It took a while but I was able to print my own paperwork for tomorrow. Picking up from a different shipper in Dodge Center and we don't need 'their' paperwork. And I don't need to see anyone at pickup. Just find my truck and go. I have never been to this location so I don't know where the trucks are or if they come with fuel.

I tried to call the drop but no answer and they did not return my call. Online it says they are open until 4 PM which is enough time if all goes well.

I had thought this would be a great way to spend some extra time up north. But it is the weekend and most hotels are full and the others are $$$. So it looks like it will be a long day and we will be spending the night at home tomorrow night.

Loadboard

US - 125

IA - 2/0

MN - 9

WI - 11

Not likely we will work the weekend but there are still three trucks in MN going to IL and one in MN going to IA ... and one in Garner IA coming back to MN. And one truck in IL coming back to Superior WI.

There is usually one tanker a week coming out of IL but we either missed it or they are running late. There are still trucks in WI like the one I moved. Good money if we were in the area.

BB looked every time she stopped today and never saw any IA RV's. Maybe tomorrow?