The Adventures Of Daniel B.

Awesome thread, Daniel.

Current Load: Joppa, MD to Reno, NV - 2600 miles. Total weight is 71,000.

Today was a very good day.

I got up at 0500 and started driving at about 0530. I was parked at one of those service plazas in Ohio and I was parked in the back of the lot. The walk was long, the air was cold, that definitely woke me up by the time I got back to my truck.

A 11 minute pretrip and I was ready. I cooked eggs and ate them for breakfast. It was very cold at night. So I drained my air tanks completely before taking off.

I drove for almost an hour and had my fuel stop. I only fueled 50 gallons so I only spent 6 minutes fueling. Went inside quickly to wash my hands and back on the road I went.

The beginning of my driving day looked like this. It's difficult to see but it was snowing pretty good.

I drove nonstop to my next fuel stop. I stopped there to fuel and that took 9 minutes. I tried to clean my mirrors, but that didnt work. As soon as the water touched my mirrors it would instantly freeze which made wiping it away a pain to do. I'm sure this brings back lots of memories for you old truckers.

If you look closely you can see that it is 7 degrees outside.

I went off on my way again and stopped at Iowa 80 truck stop in Iowa. I love that place and went there to buy a few Christmas presents for others. I bought my friend a sick knife and I bought some Buckeye apparel for a friend of my wife.

While we're on the subject. If anyone wants to buy me a Christmas present I would gladly take those long bolt caps that they use for the steer axle. I can provide a picture of the specific one I desire if you would like.

This is a paid advertisement. All rights reserved.

I went off on the road again and stopped at the Pilot in Des Moines in IA. I stopped 9 minutes before my hours expired.

I started working at 0530 and stopped working at 0630, clock went back since I went from Eastern to Central time zone. Though I drove my heart out, I did stop here and there. Not too rough of a day.

I drove for about 10 hours and 48 minutes and spent roughly 30 minutes On-Duty.

I drove for a total of 644 miles. My record for most miles in a day is 645. I was disappointed to see that I was behind my record by just a mile. No biggie. I hope the weather is fair tomorrow. I have another busy day.

Here is my last three days.

The above is 11/23.

I seem to forget the small things after such a long day.

My apologies. I hope the day to day journals are still keeping you folks entertained. Seems to be dieing a little. Haha

Read them everyday that I have internet access. So do not trick yourself into believing they are not being looked at.

Ernie

You make my day every day! I am so very proud of you Daniel. I am working 15+ hour days and have little time. Will try this Sunday to get back on here. You keep doing what you are doing. You are helping so many drivers. More than you know.

Prayers for you Big Guy. Traveling mercies.

God Bless.

Now is the time of year that I get nervous about the weather, and the phone ringing at night. All my family and friends know that if they call me in the middle of the night, it better be really serious...But my "family" has grown since I came to this site...and my worry has grown right along with it...So I say more prayers, include more names, and ask that any blessings headed my way be sent to someone who needs it more....How would I have ever known that I would have this many trucker brothers and sisters in my thoughts and prayers during these winter months ??? ahhhhhh I wax poetic yet again.....

I love following along with the journals that are going on from everyone - new drivers in the CDL Training Diaries section and the experienced drivers here. I just don't say a lot in the experienced driver threads because I want to let everyone ask questions and give their input without my clutter. But I love knowing what's going on out there with everyone. I'm always checking the Tracker App to see where everyone is too. It's a ton of fun for me!

Daniel a lot of us follow along. You have helped me with my trip planning more than you will ever know...Thank you sir!!!!

Thanks everyone for he feedback. Just wanted to make sure it's still interesting. I feel like the show Ice Road Truckers, I have to make something boring entertaining.

Ernie, thanks for all you've done for me. You taught me a lot!

Tracey, don't break your back! Stay in touch I answer almost all calls. Ill let you know if I'm ever in the Atlanta area again.

Starcar, thanks for the prayers. You are great!

Brett, I noticed you referred to my thread as an experienced driver section. Hold on there buddy I'm close to my 1 year but not yet. Until then I am still a rookie. Ill have my celebration soon but I won't call myself experienced early.

PJ, thank you sir! I've been reading your posts I'm glad to see that Roehl is working out well for you. I never doubted that you would be a trucker someday.

11/24

Current Load: Joppa, MD to Reno, NV - 2600 miles. Total weight is 71,000.

What a fantastic day! It couldn't have gone any better honestly.

I woke up at 0400. I started driving at 0500. Had some black tea with mint and lime as well as eggs. It's ridiculous how much money I save just by avoiding junk food.

I did an 11 minute pretrip inspection at roughly 0445. I drained my air tanks before taking off. I drove for 405 miles without stopping. I finally had to stop to fuel at my fuel stop, I was pretty low on fuel. The Qualcomm told me to fuel 75 gallons but I was extremely low on fuel and I needed to go 670 miles to my next fuel stop. No way I will make it on 75 gallons. So I ignored it and topped myself off with 95 gallons. The Qualcomm tells you what to do, but always use your brain.

Tip: I had 670 miles to go. If I only fueled 75 gallons that would take me approximately 450 miles. Instead I topped it off at 95 gallons.

75 gallons X 6mpg = 450.

95 gallons X 6mpg = 570

Slightly better. I use 6mpg because I feel like using 5 is simply too low. My truck never ever gets less than 6.5 mpg. So I base my calculations on 6mpg.

While on my drive I listened to Car Talk on MPR. I love that show. Hilarious! I made a stop at the Walmart in Sydney, NE.

Not really much to say today besides I drove as hard as possible.

I worked for a total of 11 hours and 15 minutes today. My day started at 0445 and ended at 1700.

I drove for 10 hours and 56 minutes.

I parked with 4 minutes left on my drive time. I didnt have enough time on my clock to log a post trip inspection.

I shattered my all time mileage record today. I drove 665 miles today.

I'm way ahead schedule. I'm actually a full day ahead of schedule! My DM might get me to drop this load at our terminal in Utah and give me a different load that delivers CA. That way I won't have to deadhead 120 miles to go home. We'll see.

I'm sure a lot of you will remember this place. I parked at a rest area between Cheyenne and Laramie, WY.