Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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Good Moring to everyone watching the thread. I made much better time coming back. Was able to fuel, wash windows, and shower in the same time it took me to get there on Wednesday, and that was after up at 4am unloaded 3 trailers with a crane, rolled up 4 traps and did not leave until around 4pm and drove back over 400 miles, go in around 11pm. So I figured out the advice I was given by several which is a very key element watching every sign and when you do things make more sense and do not give the shock factor I was having each time a new addition comes up or navigating an exit. It also helps with lane position. I really thought I was but was focused on so much around me because I was in such a nervous state I was honestly having trouble just keeping the road I am supposed to be on and the next road in my mind.
I used to have nerves of steel but something has changed a little now things seem to shake me up a bit more than need be. Hopefully once I finally get things going in the right direction, my confidence will return. I am praying for that. It just felt like this was do or die and that is a large burden to carry after all of the other in the last three years life has thrown at me. That was not a problem yesterday, I did not have to keep rechecking my notes. Was very smooth coming back. I have a beautiful photo of my office yesterday morning I will try to upload.
The driver I met and worked with yesterday invited me to come hang out with him and some friends to fish, ride 4 wheelers and just have a good time tomorrow. So I think I will, maybe a little fun instead of fighting constant battles will do me some good. Thanks again Anne and family and those watching my thread who commented.
Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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Well made it no problems this time but should have topped off the fuel before leaving...out in the middle of nowhere but have enough I think. Followed my signs no closed exits was much better! Maybe my nerves are calming down a bit as well. I was feeling very overwhelmed to say the least but got a good nights rest and unloading now!!
Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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What I meant to say is I can see the actual road, but not the name or number on my maps but have not idea how to used the information. BTW whats up with the same road changing names 22 times....that gets nerve wracking too. Its the same dang one and the route I am on the sign just keeps getting smaller and smaller? Makes me nervous to say the least because I have already learned you DO NOT want to miss a turn.
Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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Thanks guys...really I mean it. It seems I am meant to be alone for a reason? But the trucking thing is kicking my you know! I am so happy driving straight with no exits withing 100 miles....love it then, my first few days have been filled with closed exits, few wrong turns, missed locations, ect. the maps seem somewhat incomplete to me. For example ext 249 was closed in Minnesota so what do you do? I have no idea SO I pulled over to scope out a bridge sending me back up 94 east but could not make the turn the bridge cut back into me. Traffic everywhere, if I would have had my sawzall I would have made that turn, but the sign blocking me wouldn't have. Not so funny thing is f I would have just went around the curve just before St. Paul the other detour sign was about 1000 yds away. LOL so crisis averted but I was sweating bullets.
Then missed a so called truck stop that was actually a convivence store with about 10 truck spots blocked from view by the building. You just cant tell me truck stop and expect me to be focusing on a small convivence store my mind doesn't work that way, especially when I am surrounded by traffic my mind just ignored it. I am finding that traffic for sure does not allow you to scope things out coupled with not being able to make a quick decision and act? I have to get better with directions, because my GPS routed me into an industrial complex dead end which narrowed down? I backed up about 500 ft and made two right turns with a gnats you know between my my trailer and guy wires, signs poles and missed a van by 2 cm to make the second one? My gosh my first day sucked, but I made it with no dents dings or abrasions except to my emotional health.
Next day wasn't much better routed me to the wrong building needed to turn left instead of right off 39 north but this time stayed a little more focused and it was early in the morning so I found a nice shopping center to turn around in and figure out what went wrong, but was a few minutes behind my schedule, but it all worked out. When I called the A.H. to ask what to do that I was meeting he said dont know I am not there yet running late and hung up on me. Now this morning I am headed to Iowa down 94 for again, and I am already wondering about exit 249 and what to do. My maps do not help and and do not even say 694S I do sed 494 W but not much help here, yes they are new Rand's. Maybe I need to go to a map class. I can see what the gps is trying to do, but many roads on the map are just not there or visible to me anyway. I am still liking it this has become another challenge that I will hopefully overcome with time, I keep telling myself that if others can do it so I. Man missing a turn really does blow!
Thanks Anne and family, I really do appreciate it and mean that maybe I am just meant to be alone? Hope not but maybe.......she is gone, guess she found another, not sure, but usually what happens. I can live with what I have done by her, she is a grown woman and I am not one to beg. I cant help but feel thats what she wants feels like some kind of sick power play. Love me one minute to this? I really do think she is going to miss the best part, because all I needed from her was to hear good job, you can do this? That's it? and that is something I will not forget after being a good, very good provider for all these years.
Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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Hello everyone, so after a couple days off....not really; I have the usual case of too much to do and not enough time to do it. However one thing I did get complete is ole red running better than she has in a long time maybe ever. What a relief. The fuel pump pit stop somewhere in Kentucky on the side of the road was a step in the right direction but did not change the flat pedal or slow top speed, but now I have to let out of her. Wooohoooo...The fuel filters were the problem. So wish I would have figured it out sooner making the trip here would have been much smoother. I am so thankful she is back too. I was able to get my Kenworth partially set up over the last few days, but I am sure this will be a learning as I go process. I am leaving out headed towards Denver on my first solo trip, with a step deck which is also my first early tomorrow morning. I will try to keep you guys posted.
I have the trip plan ready to follow, loaded in my gps and am excited and nervous to say the least. My gps was fun to try to find a place for the large screen makes it kind of tough but think it will be ok for the time being, but the center of the dash area is out. It blocked half of my field of view. Things you just do not consider until you experience it. I am considering putting the camper up tonight and sleeping in the truck so I can just wake up and go. I haven't decided yet, and kind of want my first night in her to be on the road. LoL
Seems like a lifetime to make it here, but have. Thanks to all of you again!
BTW and to make all things wonderful the wife wants out? According to her I was successful when we met but not now? We planned this together and I followed through as fast as I possibly could. If she had any idea as to what I have been through mentally, physically, and emotionally. I am still recouping from an all around beat down, from a flood taking my home, covid plandemic taking my job, rock mtn. spotted fever, a broken ankle ect. then covid for the third time and a bad case of it, she would realize that I am successful not to mention a survivor and man who never quits, or stops doing the right thing even in the face of absolute and constant mean and nasty life changing adversity. Honestly, at one point I did not even think I was going to live, but I will not try to change her mind, she is a grown woman. However, I do know down deep that she is going to miss the best part! So guess this really is a new chapter in my life and on the flip side now I will be able relate to many many more trucking songs!! LoL
Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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Delivery early this morning.....back to yard for small meeting and was issued my First Truck! Her she is!! Will probably be going on my first load Sunday!! Can you believe it??? Finally after all of the hard work!!! She is getting a bath, my inverter and cb installed as we speak..Already stuck my microwave in the cabinet!! Camper set up and in Ahhhhhh!! Finally mode for a few days...Photos are going to profile again? Followed all steps twice just like last time?
Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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Helloooooooo....had technical problems with the truck so that spoiled the day early delivery this morning, but will still be on time for sure in the AM....then back to the yard, we are close to it anyway...Anne LoL, was skimming my post and realized you asked if 87 was my birth year...I wish....it the year of my hero and my graduation year so you can guesstimate just old old my butt is...it’s pretty old...but I am young at heart!!! LoL cannot wait to get a few days off to relax in the camper and replace the fuel filters on my truck to see if she will go over 35 mph again! I have officially been signed off on by my trainer and should get my very on truck this week!!! I am so thankful and nervous!! It has seemed almost impossible at times to finally get here and realize that I have so much to learn...I don’t think the alley dock and straight line are going to cut it even though that’s the only two I am comfortable with but will figure it out along the way, even if I have to get out and look 25 times!!! LoL I like driving and the maps are getting easier, so I am starting to remember my routing easier without stressing about that as well!! This is a very mental job for sure!! I think covid is almost completely out of my system this week I have been able to smell and taste very well but still not all of the time!! Slinging tarps it a workout as well!! But I like it Was 1987 the year I was born...lol Anne you guys are funny for sure!! Glad you are a part of my trucking family!! You too old school!!
Posted: 1 year, 9 months ago
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Finally Made It
Such a beautiful morning...makes me happy to be alive and a part of this big beautiful world we live in. It is sometimes easy to forget all we have been given. The simple joys in life like this are something money can never buy!