Okay, now that Lori has delivered her high value load we can share what it was and where she went. The contents of the trailer were pharmeceutical devices - for horses! And the load went to Ontario, CA - just up the street from home.
Lori arrived in the area Thursday night, so Mike had the chance to join Lori for the evening and then they made the delivery this morning at 9:00. Since Lori was in town, we took the opportunity to have the grandkids spend the day with us on the truck. It was quite an experience.
First, we had to take the empty trailer to Prime's drop yard in Ontario and pick up a pre-loaded trailer (at the same drop yard) filled with produce headed for the Wal-Mart distribution center in Corinne, Utah. Since it's not due until 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening, Lori was able to stay in town for awhile. So, the grandkids rode with Lori in the truck up to at Newton's Outpost in Hesperia (where Highway 395 intersects with Interstate 15) while Mike followed in his pickup truck. The four of them had lunch and then they all went over to a nearby truck wash. A dust and thunder storm in Phoenix Wednesday night made a real mess of the truck.
Speaking of that thunder storm, Lori saw one lighting bolt hit a hillside and start a brush fire. As of this morning, the fire had spread across the Gila Indian Reservation between Tucson and Phoenix.
Grandson Tyler got a real kick out of sitting in the truck while it was washed. In fact, he gets a real kick out of the whole idea of being a truck driver. He can't get enough time sitting "behind the wheel."
After the wash, everybody said their goodbyes and Grandma Lori headed north on I-15 while Grandpa and the kids headed for home. Of course, we'll all see each other again on Thursday for Elizabeth's wedding!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Nanny State
For those of you who wonder what it would be like to have Democrats completely in control of Washington after this November's election, you need look no further than how they plan to run their National Convention in Denver this summer.
As part of their efforts to make their convention the "greenest" ever, they have created a laundry list of rules, regulations, and requirements that highlights just how far they will go to make sure everyone "does the right thing"...or at least what they believe is the right thing. You can get the details from an article appearing on one of the Wall Street Journal's blogs. (Read it by clicking here.)
From requiring that the fanny packs and baseball caps given to the delegates be made in the U.S.A. by union laborers out of organically-grown cotton, all the way to banning fried foods, the Democrats have proven once again they have no problem imposing their values on others through the use of heavy-handed regulations.
We're not saying some of the objectives they would like to acheive with these rules aren't worthy; eating healthy foods, reducing waste, and making efficient use of resources all provide real benefits to individuals and society. But what if I want to eat a corn dog or I like the way a nylon fanny pack looks? It doesn't matter; the convention's "Director of Greening" (yes, that's a real position) has decided those things are bad for you so you can't get them. I shudder to think about how that approach would play out on a national policy level.
Realizing that he may not have the liberty to eat some of the things he likes after November's election, Mike had chili cheese fries for lunch today. He's also thinking about getting the Krispy Kreme street cart concession in front of the Denver convention hall. He suspects that even Democrats like a warm glazed donut every once in a while.
As part of their efforts to make their convention the "greenest" ever, they have created a laundry list of rules, regulations, and requirements that highlights just how far they will go to make sure everyone "does the right thing"...or at least what they believe is the right thing. You can get the details from an article appearing on one of the Wall Street Journal's blogs. (Read it by clicking here.)
From requiring that the fanny packs and baseball caps given to the delegates be made in the U.S.A. by union laborers out of organically-grown cotton, all the way to banning fried foods, the Democrats have proven once again they have no problem imposing their values on others through the use of heavy-handed regulations.
We're not saying some of the objectives they would like to acheive with these rules aren't worthy; eating healthy foods, reducing waste, and making efficient use of resources all provide real benefits to individuals and society. But what if I want to eat a corn dog or I like the way a nylon fanny pack looks? It doesn't matter; the convention's "Director of Greening" (yes, that's a real position) has decided those things are bad for you so you can't get them. I shudder to think about how that approach would play out on a national policy level.
Realizing that he may not have the liberty to eat some of the things he likes after November's election, Mike had chili cheese fries for lunch today. He's also thinking about getting the Krispy Kreme street cart concession in front of the Denver convention hall. He suspects that even Democrats like a warm glazed donut every once in a while.
Circle of life
"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
And Lori certainly knew she wasn't in Southern California while waiting overnight at her last delivery in Buda, TX. She was sitting in the driver's seat, looking out the window and enjoying the warm night air, when she saw a dark shape lying in a concrete spillway leading to a drainage ditch near the loading dock area. As she was trying to figure out what it was, a raccoon walked toward the spillway, probably going down into the ditch to get a drink.
That's when the "shape" lunged for the 'coon, grabbed it in its mouth, and proceeded to swallow it! (After the poor racoon gave a pathetic little cry.) Lori had been thinking about taking her trash bag over to the dumpster but decided staying inside the truck was probably the best idea for the evening.
Not knowing what the heck that thing was (she thought it might be an alligator), the next morning she asked the dock workers if they had a surveillance camera for the parking lot. When they slowly asked her "why?" and gave her a strange look, she immediately told them about the "attack." (They must have thought she had done something the night before that she didn't want on tape.)
Anyway, they didn't have a camera but one of the fellows said he wasn't surprised about what Lori saw. "We have all sorts of critters around here," he added.
Obviously!
And Lori certainly knew she wasn't in Southern California while waiting overnight at her last delivery in Buda, TX. She was sitting in the driver's seat, looking out the window and enjoying the warm night air, when she saw a dark shape lying in a concrete spillway leading to a drainage ditch near the loading dock area. As she was trying to figure out what it was, a raccoon walked toward the spillway, probably going down into the ditch to get a drink.
That's when the "shape" lunged for the 'coon, grabbed it in its mouth, and proceeded to swallow it! (After the poor racoon gave a pathetic little cry.) Lori had been thinking about taking her trash bag over to the dumpster but decided staying inside the truck was probably the best idea for the evening.
Not knowing what the heck that thing was (she thought it might be an alligator), the next morning she asked the dock workers if they had a surveillance camera for the parking lot. When they slowly asked her "why?" and gave her a strange look, she immediately told them about the "attack." (They must have thought she had done something the night before that she didn't want on tape.)Anyway, they didn't have a camera but one of the fellows said he wasn't surprised about what Lori saw. "We have all sorts of critters around here," he added.
Obviously!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Shhhhhh...
We'd like to tell you where Lori is, what she's hauling, and where she's going - but we can't. She has a "high value" load so company policy says she has to be mum about the details. There's also some other restrictions like not leaving the trailer unattended, no stopping until she's so far away from the pickup point, etc.Suffice it to say that she is heading in a westerly direction. We'll give you the details after she arrives.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Misplaced faith
Mike came across an Associated Press article today that started out by asking the question, "Is everything spinning out of control?" It went on to list all of the challenges facing Americans today and the resulting feelings of helplessness and discouragement. The answer, it seems, is that most Americans do think things are out of control. (Read the article here.)
While it's disheartening to know that so many people feel so hopeless, what Mike found even more troubling was the implication that most Americans expect to find the solutions to these problems by making "...a change in the party controlling the White House."
That's not to say it doesn't matter who leads our country. Those we select to represent us in Washington can have a tremendous impact - positively and negatively - on the quality of our lives.
But ultimately our hope for the future shouldn't be in any person or group of people. Who better to rely on than the One who knows what we need and is willing and able to provide it. As Jesus has assured us:
"...do not be worried about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself." Matthew 6:25-34
While it's disheartening to know that so many people feel so hopeless, what Mike found even more troubling was the implication that most Americans expect to find the solutions to these problems by making "...a change in the party controlling the White House."
That's not to say it doesn't matter who leads our country. Those we select to represent us in Washington can have a tremendous impact - positively and negatively - on the quality of our lives.
But ultimately our hope for the future shouldn't be in any person or group of people. Who better to rely on than the One who knows what we need and is willing and able to provide it. As Jesus has assured us:
"...do not be worried about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself." Matthew 6:25-34
This "Buda's" for you
Mystery solved! Buda, Texas is pronounced like the name of the famous beer not the religious figure with the big belly.
Lori arrived tonight but will have to wait until tomorrow morning to make the delivery since this location closes at 5:00 p.m. She'll be glad to get this particular load out of the trailer since the chemicals on board were in liquid form. Even though it's in barrels, the motion of the liquid makes for an interesting ride. Whenever there was a bump in the road, the trailer continued to bounce for a few extra seconds as the liquid continued to move in the barrels. It also tended to push the truck forward going down hills and drag the truck backwards going uphill. And stopping was somewhat challenging as the liquid wanted to keep moving.
Not sure where Lori will be going next. We'll find out tomorrow!
Lori arrived tonight but will have to wait until tomorrow morning to make the delivery since this location closes at 5:00 p.m. She'll be glad to get this particular load out of the trailer since the chemicals on board were in liquid form. Even though it's in barrels, the motion of the liquid makes for an interesting ride. Whenever there was a bump in the road, the trailer continued to bounce for a few extra seconds as the liquid continued to move in the barrels. It also tended to push the truck forward going down hills and drag the truck backwards going uphill. And stopping was somewhat challenging as the liquid wanted to keep moving.
Not sure where Lori will be going next. We'll find out tomorrow!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Leaving Bean Town
Lori delivered the second part of the tomato load yesterday afternoon and was immediately given another assignment - one that would get her out of the northeast. Which is fine with Lori because she's come to the conclusion that people in that part of the country just aren't as friendly as they are in other parts of the country. Not that she's been there all that often but everytime she has, she's noticed a real difference in the attitude of the folks that live and work there. Oh, and it seems everybody's a Red Sox FANATIC around Boston.
Anyway, she's picked up a load of chemicals (she read the name but has no idea what it is; at least its' not hazardous) and she's headed for a town just outside of Austin, Texas - Buda. Not sure if it's pronounced like the name of the Oriental religious figure or a young rose blossom. She'll have to ask when she gets there early Tuesday.
Anyway, she's picked up a load of chemicals (she read the name but has no idea what it is; at least its' not hazardous) and she's headed for a town just outside of Austin, Texas - Buda. Not sure if it's pronounced like the name of the Oriental religious figure or a young rose blossom. She'll have to ask when she gets there early Tuesday.Thursday, June 19, 2008
'Maters to Massachusetts
Obviously the tomatoes grown in upper New York have been cleared of having salmonella since Lori is hauling a trailer full of beautiful-looking "tow'maters" from Buffalo, NY to two stops in the Boston area. She made her first stop this evening in Andover, MA and will head to Hatfield, MA tomorrow. Not sure where she'll be going after that...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Taken for granted
Most of us have heard the phrase “familiarity breeds contempt.” But after what happened to Lori yesterday, we’ve come to realize that indifference is probably the more common response to those things we come in contact with on a regular basis – even those things that should be an on-going source of happiness and blessing in our lives.
As you might recall, Lori’s “co-pilots” are a stuffed Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. While they’re not huge, they’re obviously big enough to be seen from outside the truck. Lori found that out yesterday afternoon when a husband-and-wife driving team from Texas – wearing matching Disney World t-shirts – came up to her truck while she was finishing her paperwork for the day.
They knocked on the door and said they were so excited to see Mickey and Minnie in the front seat. It seems they, their 3 children, and three of their children’s friends had spent last week at Disney World on vacation and they were still pumped up about the entire experience. Lori listened politely for awhile but after a bit she apologized and said she really needed to get some sleep after having driven so hard the past few days. She was also thinking to herself, “It’s just Disneyland; what’s the big deal?”
You see, having grown up in the shadow of the “Happiest Place on Earth,” both Lori and Mike had come to take Disneyland for granted. After all, we spent many of our teenage weekends,
summers, and Christmas breaks in the park, both as visitors and employees. Many of our friends worked there. We took our children there regularly when they were younger, and eventually two of them worked there as well. In fact, our daughter Allison currently works at Disney’s California Adventure part-time while she goes to college. The Magic Kingdom was such an integral part of our lives that it simply wasn’t that big of a deal to us anymore.
After a good nap, Lori woke up to go have some dinner in the truck stop’s restaurant. While she was there, the Disney couple came in. “We saw you through the window,” they said. “Mind if we join you?” Lori said sure and the couple continued to relive their week at Disney World. They were so engaging and eager to share that Lori didn’t really mind hearing their stories. They are already making plans to go back again next year.
When Lori and Mike talked on the phone this morning about the episode, we began to understand how someone who’d never been to Disney World could actually be that excited about a trip there. It really is a great place. After all, nobody “does” theme parks better than Disney. They practically invented the concept and continue to come up with innovative and exciting ways to entertain literally millions of visitors. We looked back on what it “used to be like” for us, and the joy that our grandkids get when we take them to Disneyland nowadays. It isn’t that Disneyland has changed; it’s us.
That’s when Mike realized that the way he and Lori feel about Disneyland can, unfortunately, be a metaphor for so many other things in our lives – friends, family, each other, and our relationship with our Creator. Each of these things is so precious yet it’s so easy to take them for granted, to lose the sense of warmth and wonder they provide, because they’re always there and available.
Our prayer is that all of us continue to truly appreciate the “Disneylands” in our lives.
As you might recall, Lori’s “co-pilots” are a stuffed Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. While they’re not huge, they’re obviously big enough to be seen from outside the truck. Lori found that out yesterday afternoon when a husband-and-wife driving team from Texas – wearing matching Disney World t-shirts – came up to her truck while she was finishing her paperwork for the day.
They knocked on the door and said they were so excited to see Mickey and Minnie in the front seat. It seems they, their 3 children, and three of their children’s friends had spent last week at Disney World on vacation and they were still pumped up about the entire experience. Lori listened politely for awhile but after a bit she apologized and said she really needed to get some sleep after having driven so hard the past few days. She was also thinking to herself, “It’s just Disneyland; what’s the big deal?”You see, having grown up in the shadow of the “Happiest Place on Earth,” both Lori and Mike had come to take Disneyland for granted. After all, we spent many of our teenage weekends,
summers, and Christmas breaks in the park, both as visitors and employees. Many of our friends worked there. We took our children there regularly when they were younger, and eventually two of them worked there as well. In fact, our daughter Allison currently works at Disney’s California Adventure part-time while she goes to college. The Magic Kingdom was such an integral part of our lives that it simply wasn’t that big of a deal to us anymore.After a good nap, Lori woke up to go have some dinner in the truck stop’s restaurant. While she was there, the Disney couple came in. “We saw you through the window,” they said. “Mind if we join you?” Lori said sure and the couple continued to relive their week at Disney World. They were so engaging and eager to share that Lori didn’t really mind hearing their stories. They are already making plans to go back again next year.
When Lori and Mike talked on the phone this morning about the episode, we began to understand how someone who’d never been to Disney World could actually be that excited about a trip there. It really is a great place. After all, nobody “does” theme parks better than Disney. They practically invented the concept and continue to come up with innovative and exciting ways to entertain literally millions of visitors. We looked back on what it “used to be like” for us, and the joy that our grandkids get when we take them to Disneyland nowadays. It isn’t that Disneyland has changed; it’s us.
That’s when Mike realized that the way he and Lori feel about Disneyland can, unfortunately, be a metaphor for so many other things in our lives – friends, family, each other, and our relationship with our Creator. Each of these things is so precious yet it’s so easy to take them for granted, to lose the sense of warmth and wonder they provide, because they’re always there and available.
Our prayer is that all of us continue to truly appreciate the “Disneylands” in our lives.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Running Naked is exhausting
Lori is catching up on some much-needed sleep this evening after BARELY making the delivery times for her first two deliveries of Naked Juice. She finished up at about 3:00 p.m. this afternoon. The next delivery isn't due until 8:30 tomorrow morning, with the final delivery scheduled for later in the day.
Not sure yet where she's going after that, though her fleet manager wants to route her through the terminal in Pittston, PA to see if they have any load locks there.
P.S. - We promise this is the last post where we'll refer to "running Naked!"
Not sure yet where she's going after that, though her fleet manager wants to route her through the terminal in Pittston, PA to see if they have any load locks there.
P.S. - We promise this is the last post where we'll refer to "running Naked!"
Monday, June 16, 2008
Breaking our hearts
Weddings are supposed to be celebrated but today in California a number of so-called "weddings" took place that are breaking our hearts.
Today is the first day that marriage licenses can be issued to same-sex couples in California. A state Supreme Court decision last month overturning a ban on gay marriage went into effect at the close of business today. San Francisco, known for a major gay population, held a ceremony for one couple while dozens of other couples got "married" in a handful of smaller county offices throughout the state this evening.
Proponents of same-sex "marriage" have a laundry list of why it's the "right" thing to do. And we have to admit that many of their arguments are effective, especially those based on the idea of social justice. They demand an end to homophobia and insensitivity. They talk about equality and justice. Who wants to say they are against such goals.
But these arguments are based on a secular worldview, on the values that modern society thinks are most important. They completely ignore the most compelling argument against homosexuality - God condems it (see Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; and 1 Timothy 1:9-10). God designed human sexuality to be enjoyed solely within the bounds of one-man, one-woman marriage. Any sexual relationship outside of that design – heterosexual or homosexual – falls short of God’s standard.
God is not a "spoil sport" whose sole purpose is take all the fun out of life by saying "Thou shall not" do this or that. In fact, He wants only the best for us, and since He made us, He knows exactly what that is. He also wants us to know how to achieve what He wants for us, so He spelled it all out pretty clearly in the Bible.
Like so many other behaviors discussed in the Bible, God condems homosexual conduct because it is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large. It is by definition unnatural, and as such is associated with negative physical and psychological health effects. While the origins of same-sex attractions may be complex, there is no convincing evidence that a homosexual identity is ever something genetic or inborn.
But just like every other sin, God can, will, and wants to forgive those who engage in homosexual behavior. He loves them just as much as anyone else, all of whom have "sinned and fallen short." As Christians, we are called to "love the sinner and hate the sin," extending sympathy to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions, helping them to overcome those attractions.
Today is the first day that marriage licenses can be issued to same-sex couples in California. A state Supreme Court decision last month overturning a ban on gay marriage went into effect at the close of business today. San Francisco, known for a major gay population, held a ceremony for one couple while dozens of other couples got "married" in a handful of smaller county offices throughout the state this evening.
Proponents of same-sex "marriage" have a laundry list of why it's the "right" thing to do. And we have to admit that many of their arguments are effective, especially those based on the idea of social justice. They demand an end to homophobia and insensitivity. They talk about equality and justice. Who wants to say they are against such goals.
But these arguments are based on a secular worldview, on the values that modern society thinks are most important. They completely ignore the most compelling argument against homosexuality - God condems it (see Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; and 1 Timothy 1:9-10). God designed human sexuality to be enjoyed solely within the bounds of one-man, one-woman marriage. Any sexual relationship outside of that design – heterosexual or homosexual – falls short of God’s standard.
God is not a "spoil sport" whose sole purpose is take all the fun out of life by saying "Thou shall not" do this or that. In fact, He wants only the best for us, and since He made us, He knows exactly what that is. He also wants us to know how to achieve what He wants for us, so He spelled it all out pretty clearly in the Bible.
Like so many other behaviors discussed in the Bible, God condems homosexual conduct because it is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large. It is by definition unnatural, and as such is associated with negative physical and psychological health effects. While the origins of same-sex attractions may be complex, there is no convincing evidence that a homosexual identity is ever something genetic or inborn.
But just like every other sin, God can, will, and wants to forgive those who engage in homosexual behavior. He loves them just as much as anyone else, all of whom have "sinned and fallen short." As Christians, we are called to "love the sinner and hate the sin," extending sympathy to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions, helping them to overcome those attractions.
Still running Naked
It looked for awhile that Lori might give her trailer of Naked Juice to another driver. Bad weather in Oklahoma and Missouri slowed her down quite a bit; so much so that there was no way she could make the scheduled delivery time. She informed headquarters of her situation and they told her to come on into headquarters in Springfield (where she was already planning to fuel, get some more load locks and locking fuel caps, and spend Sunday night) and they would try to find someone else to take over the load right away. [NOTE: There were no load locks or locking fuel caps available!]
Unfortunately, there was nobody willing or able to take it so Lori headed out this morning while her fleet manager worked to get the delivery time pushed back. Lori, her fleet manager, and the sales staff have been trying to reach the first customer all day but no one has answered the phone. Lori is spending tonight in Zanesville, Ohio with another 225 miles to get to Claysburg, PA for the first delivery tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. She'll do the best she can to be on time but she doesn't want to violate the federal "hours of service" regulations on how much time she has to be off-duty before she can drive again.
Unfortunately, there was nobody willing or able to take it so Lori headed out this morning while her fleet manager worked to get the delivery time pushed back. Lori, her fleet manager, and the sales staff have been trying to reach the first customer all day but no one has answered the phone. Lori is spending tonight in Zanesville, Ohio with another 225 miles to get to Claysburg, PA for the first delivery tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. She'll do the best she can to be on time but she doesn't want to violate the federal "hours of service" regulations on how much time she has to be off-duty before she can drive again.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Running Naked across the country
No, not that kind of naked! Lori has a load of Naked Juice headed for northern Pennslyvania and New York (Buffalo).She got the "all clear" from the doctor on Friday so she picked up the trailer of juice late Friday afternoon and drove to a truck stop just outside of Barstow. Mike drove up to meet her for the night before he headed off to Tehachapi to spend Saturday with his dad for Father's Day and Lori took off down Interstate 40. She'll spend the night between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari, NM before moving out on the next segment of the trip, which will probably end at Prime headquarters in Springfield for some fuel, new "load locks" to hold everything in place inside the trailer, and some locking fuel tank caps. With increasing reports of fuel being stolen right out of truck's tanks, we've decided to take the extra precaution.
The first delivery is due early Tuesday morning so Lori will spend the next two days out on the road.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Up and Back
As expected, there's more than enough loads available in California this week to keep Lori in-state until her doctor appointment Friday morning.
After dropping off a load of Wesson oil at the Sam's Club distribution center in Woodland, CA, Lori was sent 290 miles south to Dinuba in the Central Valley of California to pickup a load of peaches and necatrines headed for Mississippi. She'll take the trailer down to the drop yard in Ontario where another driver will "repower the load" (Prime-speak for delivering a load another driver picked up). From there, there are a couple of possibilities as to what her next load might be.
The fruit packing house in Dinuba (Fruit Patch) has some interesting requirements for drivers picking up loads. They make the drivers stand at the rear of the trailer as soon as they pull into the dock until the trailer is loaded. Lori didn't mind having to stay by the trailer during loading; it was the fact that she had been standing there for over an hour and they still hadn't even started loading that got her a bit steamed. Plus, the refrigerator on the trailer had been running continuously the entire time so the trailer would stay at 37 degrees - burning $5 worth of fuel every hour.
Lori had had about enough of that, so she went to find the dock supervisor and share her frustration. Whatever she said must have worked since her trailer and the one next to her (whose driver had been waiting for TWO hours) got loaded shortly thereafter.
You hate to be pushy, but if a shipper is going to keep drivers from doing paperwork or resting in their bunk because they have to stand by the trailer during loading, then we believe the shipper has an obligation to load those trailers as quickly as possible. The other driver thanked Lori for saying something. Otherwise, he was afraid he might still be waiting!
After dropping off a load of Wesson oil at the Sam's Club distribution center in Woodland, CA, Lori was sent 290 miles south to Dinuba in the Central Valley of California to pickup a load of peaches and necatrines headed for Mississippi. She'll take the trailer down to the drop yard in Ontario where another driver will "repower the load" (Prime-speak for delivering a load another driver picked up). From there, there are a couple of possibilities as to what her next load might be.
The fruit packing house in Dinuba (Fruit Patch) has some interesting requirements for drivers picking up loads. They make the drivers stand at the rear of the trailer as soon as they pull into the dock until the trailer is loaded. Lori didn't mind having to stay by the trailer during loading; it was the fact that she had been standing there for over an hour and they still hadn't even started loading that got her a bit steamed. Plus, the refrigerator on the trailer had been running continuously the entire time so the trailer would stay at 37 degrees - burning $5 worth of fuel every hour.
Lori had had about enough of that, so she went to find the dock supervisor and share her frustration. Whatever she said must have worked since her trailer and the one next to her (whose driver had been waiting for TWO hours) got loaded shortly thereafter.
You hate to be pushy, but if a shipper is going to keep drivers from doing paperwork or resting in their bunk because they have to stand by the trailer during loading, then we believe the shipper has an obligation to load those trailers as quickly as possible. The other driver thanked Lori for saying something. Otherwise, he was afraid he might still be waiting!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Staying (Relatively) Close to Home
Lori hit the road this morning after a great weekend with family, including a train ride to the beach with the grandkids (see photo below) and Lizzie's wedding shower.
Jenna and Tyler with Aunt Lynne taking a lunch break.
Lori's staying close to home for the rest of this week since she has to be back Friday morning for an additional doctor appointment. Fortunately, Prime appears to have more than enough business in the region this week so she shouldn't have any problems getting enough loads to keep her busy.
This morning, she picked up a trailer at the Ontario drop yard and took it about 40 miles to Perris. It was a load of "liquid plastic" in barrels, which sloshed around quite a bit making the trailer a little challening to pull.
After that, it was back to the Ontario yard to pick up another trailer headed for Woodland, CA. When Lori first talked to her dispatcher about the load she assumed it was headed for Woodland Hills, a couple of hours away on the west end of the San Fernando Valley. In reality, the load is heading for Woodland (without the Hills on the end), which is just north of Sacramento - nearly 500 miles away. Not a big deal, really; just not what Lori was expecting.
Too Close for Comfort
As promised (although a few days late), following are some photos of the tornado damage that Lori came across between Kearney and North Platte, Nebraska at the end of last month.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Nap Time
The last two days have been pretty exhausting for Lori as she made her way home for the weekend. Wednesday included a stop in Phoenix to visit with our son and daughter-in-law for a few hours before driving into Ontario to make an early-Thursday delivery.
Dispatch took full advantage of Lori's offer to do whatever local runs might be available for the rest of Thursday. They kept her busy with three different runs, including a "short jaunt" up to Oxnard to pick up ONE pallet of kale and collard greens before heading down to Anaheim to fill up the rest of the trailer with flowers. The Oxnard run was late enough that Mike got to ride with her after he got off work. Lori dropped him off to go home before heading down to Anaheim for an early Friday morning pickup.
After that she took the trailer to Prime's "drop yard" in Ontario for someone else to take onto Utah before heading to grandson Tyler's "graduation" from kindergarten. When that was finished, she was finally able to grab something to eat, hit the shower, and then collapse into bed for some sleep.
Lori is off the road until late Monday or early Tuesday but we'll probably do one post over this weekend with some photos that Lori took of some tornado/wind damage she saw as she was driving across Nebraska last week.
Dispatch took full advantage of Lori's offer to do whatever local runs might be available for the rest of Thursday. They kept her busy with three different runs, including a "short jaunt" up to Oxnard to pick up ONE pallet of kale and collard greens before heading down to Anaheim to fill up the rest of the trailer with flowers. The Oxnard run was late enough that Mike got to ride with her after he got off work. Lori dropped him off to go home before heading down to Anaheim for an early Friday morning pickup.
After that she took the trailer to Prime's "drop yard" in Ontario for someone else to take onto Utah before heading to grandson Tyler's "graduation" from kindergarten. When that was finished, she was finally able to grab something to eat, hit the shower, and then collapse into bed for some sleep.
Lori is off the road until late Monday or early Tuesday but we'll probably do one post over this weekend with some photos that Lori took of some tornado/wind damage she saw as she was driving across Nebraska last week.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Home Run
Lori's on her way home - but not with a load of Kansas beef. Instead, she's filled with various cooking oils headed for Ontario, California, which is just up the freeway from home. That load was dropped off at the Denver yard Tuesday morning, thus saving Lori (and Prime) a 350 mile deadhead to Dodge City.
The original routing called for her to come over the Rockies and down I-15 through Utah. But she asked if she could be re-routed toward the south through Phoenix so she could stop and visit with her son and daughter-in-law. Headquarters said sure since it wouldn't add too many miles to the trip, as long as she made the scheduled delivery on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. That shouldn't be a problem since Lori's already in Phoenix this afternoon and can make it into Ontario with plenty of time if she leaves this evening.
She has offered to do any local So Cal runs that might be necessary on Thursday since she wasn't supposed to be home until Friday. She would, however, like to be able to attend grandson Tyler's kindergarten graduation on Friday!
The plan is for Lori to be home for the weekend through Monday so we can attend daughter Liz's wedding shower Sunday evening. That will also allow both of us to attend the Sunday afternoon memorial service for the wife of the assistant pastor at our church in Anaheim.
Lori's next return home will be the first week in July for Liz's wedding. After that, Lori isn't planning on coming home until it's time to come get Mike for the trip to Springfield after he gets his commercial driver's license. The plan is for Mike to attend four weeks of truck driving school near home for 4 weeks beginning in late August, getting his license, going to headquarters to take his road test for Prime, and then getting on a truck as a trainee with Lori full-time.
That will work just like Lori's training with Tamara; 80,000 miles as a trainee before becoming a full-fledged "A" seat driver for Prime.
The original routing called for her to come over the Rockies and down I-15 through Utah. But she asked if she could be re-routed toward the south through Phoenix so she could stop and visit with her son and daughter-in-law. Headquarters said sure since it wouldn't add too many miles to the trip, as long as she made the scheduled delivery on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. That shouldn't be a problem since Lori's already in Phoenix this afternoon and can make it into Ontario with plenty of time if she leaves this evening.
She has offered to do any local So Cal runs that might be necessary on Thursday since she wasn't supposed to be home until Friday. She would, however, like to be able to attend grandson Tyler's kindergarten graduation on Friday!
The plan is for Lori to be home for the weekend through Monday so we can attend daughter Liz's wedding shower Sunday evening. That will also allow both of us to attend the Sunday afternoon memorial service for the wife of the assistant pastor at our church in Anaheim.
Lori's next return home will be the first week in July for Liz's wedding. After that, Lori isn't planning on coming home until it's time to come get Mike for the trip to Springfield after he gets his commercial driver's license. The plan is for Mike to attend four weeks of truck driving school near home for 4 weeks beginning in late August, getting his license, going to headquarters to take his road test for Prime, and then getting on a truck as a trainee with Lori full-time.
That will work just like Lori's training with Tamara; 80,000 miles as a trainee before becoming a full-fledged "A" seat driver for Prime.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Oh, NOW I get it...
It became painfully clear today why the other Prime driver decided he didn't want to make the deliveries on the nursery load Lori picked up in Salt Lake City. It seems some Home Depot garden centers require the driver to unload the trailer! That wasn't the case at the first drop in Rock Springs, where six Home Depot workers handled the task. However, when Lori got to her first Home Depot in Denver this morning, the workers put six pallets on the ground outside the back of the trailer and left Lori to slide the plants and trees to the door, jump out of the trailer, and then put the plants onto the pallets.
Three hours later, Lori called her dispatcher and explained the situation. After apologizing profusely, the dispatcher had Lori come into the Denver terminal to pickup another driver to help with the next load. That load went much smoother since the garden center manager at that Home Depot used a forklift to stack the pallets inside the back of the trailer and then would take them off as Lori and her helper got each one loaded. That delivery only took 45 minutes.
By the time that delivery was done, it was too late to make it to the Colorado Springs delivery today. So Lori returned to the terminal with one load of plants and trees left in the trailer. Fortunately, Lori has been spared the ordeal of making that last delivery since her dispatcher was able to find a local driver to handle it. We've also made a HUGE note to ourselves - don't accept any Home Depot nursery loads or any other load that says "driver to tailgate."
Lori's dispatcher had Lori spend the night in Denver to see what loads might be available in the morning. If nothing really good shows up, there is a meat load going from Dodge City, KS to California that she can take (though they'd like to avoid a 350-mile deadhead from Denver to Dodge).
Speaking of Lori's dispatcher (Cheryl), this was the first time they've met face-to-face. Cheryl works out of the Denver terminal and this is the first time Lori has been in Denver since going solo.
Three hours later, Lori called her dispatcher and explained the situation. After apologizing profusely, the dispatcher had Lori come into the Denver terminal to pickup another driver to help with the next load. That load went much smoother since the garden center manager at that Home Depot used a forklift to stack the pallets inside the back of the trailer and then would take them off as Lori and her helper got each one loaded. That delivery only took 45 minutes.
By the time that delivery was done, it was too late to make it to the Colorado Springs delivery today. So Lori returned to the terminal with one load of plants and trees left in the trailer. Fortunately, Lori has been spared the ordeal of making that last delivery since her dispatcher was able to find a local driver to handle it. We've also made a HUGE note to ourselves - don't accept any Home Depot nursery loads or any other load that says "driver to tailgate."
Lori's dispatcher had Lori spend the night in Denver to see what loads might be available in the morning. If nothing really good shows up, there is a meat load going from Dodge City, KS to California that she can take (though they'd like to avoid a 350-mile deadhead from Denver to Dodge).
Speaking of Lori's dispatcher (Cheryl), this was the first time they've met face-to-face. Cheryl works out of the Denver terminal and this is the first time Lori has been in Denver since going solo.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Home Depot run
What are the odds?! Pastor Joe was in Southern California this weekend, so Lori didn't get the chance to visit with him at his church in Provo today. Oh well, Lori still enjoyed the opportunity to go to a "real" church. They even had communion today, something Lori hasn't had a chance to participate in for quite awhile.
She had a load waiting for her as soon as she got back to the terminal. Another Prime driver had dropped off a trailer full of nursery plants headed to four different Home Depots in Wyoming and Colorado. The first delivery wasn't due until tomorrow morning but Lori hightailed it to Rock Springs, Wyoming and convinced the garden center manager there to take delivery this afternoon. Hopefully, that will give her enough time to finish all of the remaining three deliveries early enough on Monday that she can get a new assignment late Monday or early Tuesday.
She had a load waiting for her as soon as she got back to the terminal. Another Prime driver had dropped off a trailer full of nursery plants headed to four different Home Depots in Wyoming and Colorado. The first delivery wasn't due until tomorrow morning but Lori hightailed it to Rock Springs, Wyoming and convinced the garden center manager there to take delivery this afternoon. Hopefully, that will give her enough time to finish all of the remaining three deliveries early enough on Monday that she can get a new assignment late Monday or early Tuesday.
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