After their last drop at Charlie's Produce in Spokane, WA on Sunday morning, it took all of about two nano seconds for them to receive their next assignment. There will definitely be no rest for the weary this holiday season for these two. They were told to head to Wallula, WA to the Tyson Meat Plant, and pick up a loaded trailer with four stops.....one in Vernon, CA and the other three in Phoenix, AZ. With the timeline, it was a dispatch that could only have been accomplished by a team and not a solo driver. Might as well squeeze out as many miles out of training Charles as we can until it's time to set him free to fly on his own.I don't know why it almost always seems like Craig is stuck with the night driving. Let's face it, whether I am with him or not, when I know he is driving late, and on top of that, through inclimate weather, I don't get much sleep either. But it is what it is, and Craig was the lucky one that would take over the driving duties around 5pm after Charles got them as far as Biggs, OR.
We all have been hearing about the winter storm warnings, not only in Oregon, but get this, also in Modesto, CA where they were predicting the possibility of SNOW ! I thought I had packed up and left that behind me, at least until I get back on the truck, but there it was, plastered all over the news, that for the first time in 32 years, snow would fall. But I had my thoughts and concern more on my husband pulling an all nighter in the middle of a storm, where I knew he would get more than a trace of snowfall.
As is usually the case, the biggest concern while driving on snow and icy roads, are the four wheelers, who think that just because they have 4 wheel drive, they can drive as they normally do. This usually results in many of them sliding off the roadway, and constantly hitting their brakes, causing everyone behind them to swerve and slide. Once Craig got through the populated areas, and had most of the four wheelers behind him, he had clear sailing into Corning about 4am this morning. I was ever so thankful for a quick email update knowing that he had arrived safely.
As it turns out, this run will be short lived. Seems since they got such a great jump on this load, and drove through the night, they were promptly sent a message about 30 minutes ago to drop the trailer in French Camp. With any luck, I'll be able to drive there in a few hours and meet up with Craig for a long overdue hug and kiss, and to bring him his favorite Chinese food combination plate. As long as I'm at it, I'll get Charles one as well. Might as well keep both these busy guys happy!
I made a phone call to my Mom on Wednesday, saying that I would be headed home the next day, and that I would call her over the weekend after I settled in. Then I left Walla Walla Thursday morning with a stop over in Klamath Falls, OR to break the drive up. This afternoon, I rolled into Modesto, CA and made the following phone call when I was two blocks from my Mom's house.
It sure was fun to pull off a great surprise like that and to see the happy looks not only my Mom's face, but my niece's as well. I did enjoy my drive to California, especially in our pickup, where I could stop and take pictures whenever something caught my eye. It was also great to be able to pull into any Starbucks that called my name as well. I have no doubt that my Mom will enjoy by visit, and I will be looking forward to finally getting back onto the truck with Craig as soon as he is done training Charles and can get back down here to pick me up. If all goes well, he will be here to pick me up by my birthday. I couldn't think of a better present to receive than that!
Since I have been visiting, we have baked, and cooked, and cleaned, and shopped, and well.....if I do say so myself, I haven't been this busy in such a long time, I think I just might be feeling my age. One thing is for sure, it has been so much fun, and I have so enjoyed being able to spend this time with my best friend Cori. I couldn't have asked for a better place to call home for a couple of weeks. But all good things must come to an end. Come Thursday, it will be time to pack up and take my vagabond bones back home for a few weeks, until Craig comes home again and we close up the house for the winter. 
Speaking of Craig, on Saturday they drove from Lebec, CA to Medford, OR which set them up with a relatively easy drive on Sunday into Pacific, WA to stage for their delivery this morning. Charles took the opportunity to make use of his personal vehicle which was parked in the company yard, and spent the evening at home and got to sleep in his own bed, albeit for just a short time. He was back at the truck this morning at 4am in order to make their delivery appointment at 5am in Puyallup at the Fred Meyer distribution center. 
It came as no surprise, when they were told to drop the trailer there and await a load heading out again later today. With so many of the drivers wanting to be home for the holiday weekend, I'm sure it was difficult to find drivers for all the loads that needed to be delivered. Craig's assignment was to deliver in Coeur d'Alene, ID tonight at 11pm. When completed, they will head to the company yard in Spokane and take advantage of the laundry facilities in the morning while they wait for their next dispatch. 
If all goes as planned, and we all know how easily those plans can go awry, Craig and I should be back together again in the truck in three weeks. We're both looking forward to getting back into our normal routine again, but until then, I still have a couple of days to get all my Christmas decorating out of my system. Do I hear a Fa La La La La?
Craig and Charles made it to their delivery this morning and got quite a nice collection of detention pay as it took about 5 hours to unload the frozen french fries and to figure out if indeed they needed to pay the extortion fee for the lumpers to unload the trailer or not. After several phone calls it was determined that in fact this time they would not have to pay. Put one in the win column for the good guys. 
While waiting, they did receive their next assignment, to head to San Diego and the little hole in the wall warehouse, tucked into the residential neighborhood, to pick up a load of bananas. As I type this now, Craig is yet again collecting 5 hours of detention pay as it was rather busy since the Port of San Diego was not operating due to the holiday weekend. They were putting the last pallet of bananas on as I was talking to Craig, and then he was taking off and driving until he feels like stopping. My guess is that he will be stopping in Lebec, CA. 
This load of bananas is scheduled to be delivered at 5am Monday morning in Puyallup, WA. Will make for a nice easy run for them. Word on the street is that Charles is doing quite nicely perfecting his backing skills, and it looks like he is on target to get released from training in just under three weeks. Looks like that is just about how much time I will need to fit back into my clothes and get back out on the truck with Craig. All I got to say about that is.......it's about time!
With the holiday this week, all the drivers that can, were staying out over the weekend. I know, call us weird, but we work all the holidays by choice. Anyway, it looked like slim pickens for getting a load out Saturday. He did get an assignment, of a heavy haul trailer loaded with beer, for a delivery in Idaho and Montana, but when he went to scale out, he was 3,000 pounds overs on his drive axle with no way to adjust it, so just as quickly it was taken away. 
Charles did find his way back to the yard Yesterday afternoon, after getting a ride in Seattle from another trainer. Then later in the day, Craig was told that his next assignment would be Monday morning, at 5am at Johanna Beverage in Spokane, (again with a heavy haul trailer), and take it to the company drop yard in Pacific, WA. From there we don't know what he will get to get them through the holiday week and back on track running hard again. 
As for me, I made it into Walla Walla, WA Friday night and am already helping to plan the Thanksgiving festivities at my friend Cori's house. I heard from Craig this morning and there is already 3 inches of snow on the ground in Spokane. Should be a lot of fun later today when he gets Charles out in the yard and has him practice his backing skills. 
The pictures posted are from when we left our home on Friday and made our trek into Spokane.
Thirty minutes past when I thought he would be there, I get a phone call from Craig asking where I was. He was expecting me at the yard waiting where I told him I would probably be. I said, "Never mind where I am, where are you"?, to which Craig said, "the yard". Having watched with eagle eyes for the arrival at the store, after all, how hard is it to miss a semi truck with a 53 foot trailer, I asked a stupid question knowing full well what the answer would be, but I forged ahead with it anyway....."Did you do your delivery already"? To which he of course said, "No, I'm at the yard dropping Charles off". Well darn, so much for the surprise at the store. 
I quickly told him I was waiting for him at his delivery site with a now warm burrito, and he said he'd be there shortly. Seems they ran into a bit of snow over Snoqualmie Pass on their way to Spokane, and since Charles was driving back home to Seattle for his home time, he wanted to get on the road before it got too bad. Twenty minutes later, Craig shows up, I hop into the truck, deliver a kiss, hug, and the all important burrito, and we go arrived and wait for the unloading to begin.
As far as me? Well as you can see, snow or not, the pickup is ready to head into Spokane and pick Craig up as soon as he gets there. They are slated with a pre plan to get the earliest load out of the Fred Meyer DC in Puyallup and head into Spokane with it hopefully by 8pm tomorrow night.....and when they do, I'll be at the company yard, ready to whisk him away to our house full of home cooked meals that are waiting for him.
Such seems to be the case this time around when Craig asked for home time on the 16th of November. When given his last dispatch on Thursday, to pick up the apples in Washington, and deliver them in Salinas, CA on Saturday, Craig confirmed his request to be home on Monday. Then comes the weekend, and the weekend dispatcher, who was unaware of the home time request. Oh sure, Craig will get home eventually, most likely a couple of days past when he wanted, and I know it's not the end of the world, but when you had plans.............. alas, I guess there's just not much to do but sit back and enjoy the winter wonderland around me, and hoping for a little miracle.
Their arrival in Selah, WA was ahead of schedule and it didn't take long for them to get the apples on board. Craig called ahead to their next stop to see if they could come in early. He was told to "come on down", and they were in Moxee City for yet some more apples. Arriving early didn't necessarily mean of course that they would be loaded early, and such was the case in Moxee City. But just 30 minutes past their appointment time, they were loaded and on their way to scale out the load. 
Craig continued to drive and made it to their first fuel stop in Biggs Junction, OR where Charles took over. Their stop there wasn't without a little bit of drama, as the fuel islands at the Pilot always seem to be busy with drivers jockeying for position for an open pump. Seems one driver took exception to a couple of other drivers finding an open pump before him and he tried to take his frustration out on them, but he was soon subdued by a more alpha driver and he retreated to his truck. 
With a forecast for snow predicted in the early morning hours today, they stayed in La Pine, OR with Craig scheduled to start out the driving duties this morning very early in hopes of out running the storm. They will make another stop in Corning, CA for fuel, showers, and laundry and then make their way to Santa Nella, CA where they will stage for the 8am Saturday morning delivery.
While in the middle of that spinach fiasco, Charles and Craig were given a pre plan of their next assignment. They are to head to Selah, WA and then to Moxee City, WA to pick up apples Thursday morning. The load of apples will have them returning once again to Fresh Express in Salinas, CA to make the delivery on Saturday morning. Conventional thinking is that they will then get a load out of Fresh Express on Saturday, delivering it to the yard in Spokane, WA by Sunday night so that they will be able to begin their home time that was requested. Time will tell if that indeed happens.
I can relate to Mr. Club Soda.........You would think with all this free time on my hands while Craig is busy training, I'd be running around and keeping myself busy. Nope...I mainly sit at home, and couldn't be loving it more. I love the area we live in......mountains, pine trees, a huge river, and wildlife all around. Today we even have some blue skies trying to poke through the grey clouds, I'm sure to try and get some face time before the predicted snow flurries we are suppose to get Thursday. Yep, me and Mr. Club Soda are doing just fine...thank you very much!
Not knowing yet what their dispatch would be and to where, they both decided to take naps, and in hindsight, that turned out to be a good decision. Shortly after waking up around 4pm, the QualComm started beeping with an appointment at 4:30pm. They headed down the street and hooked up to their trailer and Craig did the honors of driving first. By 10pm he had made it to Dunnigan, CA where they stopped for 5 hours to get some non moving sleep, and then Charles took over at 3am to begin his driving time.
Yeah, that's right....go ahead and grab the stone from my hand Grasshopper. I'm sure that's what it felt like when pearls of wisdom are finally not only recognized, but put to use by by Craig's young trainee. I'm sure it was a boost to Craig's training techniques to know that sometimes, what you preach finally sinks in. Such was the case this morning when Charles not only requested to do his virgin drive into the San Francisco Bay area, but spent almost two hours planning his route into and out of the receiver's location. Not only did he make a clean arrival, more importantly, he made a clean departure around the 6 other trucks that were parked here and there, and well, just about everywhere, waiting their turn into one of only two docks. 
So I'm sure you surmised that things went well today, and I can confirm that assumption on your part. They made it back to the company yard in French Camp,CA where Charles' backing skills were yet again tested and honed. Afterwards, I'm sure there was a lot of meeting of the minds around the picnic tables with all the other drivers biding their time staging for thier own deliveries. Hopefully Charles continues his pre planning activities, as he has two more deliveries in San Leandro tomorrow morning. Keep your eye on the stone Grasshopper.
Here is finally a true picture of the Dole banana boat. Craig had to be extremely stealth, as it is forbidden to take any photos while at the Port, so you only get a partial viewing of it on the other side of the truck in the dock next to Craig. It was nice to at least see what the boat looked liked, and to know that, yes in deed, the bananas come right from the boat onto the trailer, and fresh to your local grocery store.
So imagine yesterday, after loading at Sara Lee in Tolleson, AZ and heading west, Charles announcing to Craig that he wanted to keep driving until he reached a weigh station that was open for him to drive through. Shouldn't be a problem right? Well they come up to the first one before they even get out of Arizona, and the green light on the PrePass goes off allowing them to pass it by. Crossing into California, they quickly come upon another weigh station but soon realize when they get the green light again, that the weigh station is closed.
Boy, Charles sure knows how to do it right on his first time, even the Officer had to chuckle out loud when Charles handed him his temporary commercial license and didn't even have 8 days worth of logs in his log book. But after a thorough check of all the required paperwork, and a complete inspection of the truck and trailer, they were rewarded with stickers on both the truck and trailer, and a reasonable assurance that they wouldn't be called in for another inspection at least until next year. Yep, be careful what you ask for.......you just might get it!
Their next dispatch came over the QualComm, and it would be to complete a team load headed to the greater Phoeniz, AZ area with 5 different deliveries to Fred Meyer stores. That was the good news, the not so good news, was that it would be handed off to them at 3am in the morning, to complete the deliveries, with the first one starting at 11am on Wednesday. Of course that started a debate between us as to the time difference between Arizona, who like a stubborn child, has refused to participate in the whole Daylight Savings Time thing, and what time it would actually be when they crossed the border into that State. I'm not sure we ever settled it, but they made all the deliveries well ahead of schedule.
You can see from this photo, that Charles is giving Craig the "stink eye" glare, as he took this picture for me. What my dear husband won't do to appease me, and I'm sure if Charles stays long enough to finish his training, he'll get used to being in front of the camera. They completed the deliveries and yet another first for Craig, tracked down the company yard in Phoenix where they called it a night. First reports on this yard are that it's facilities are comparable to our other yards in California. You can see from the photos Craig took, that it was sunny and warm in Phoenix.
They are slated to get out of sunny Arizona today, with a pre plan to load at the Sara Lee plant in Tolleson, AZ and head north to the Albertson's distribution center in Portland for a Sunday morning delivery. As for things on the home front, I awoke to the first snowfall of the season, and a prediction of 4 to 6 inches of snow. Thankfully, there is a warmer front coming through later this afternoon with rain that will melt any snow left on the ground after this morning's storm. I'm just not ready to give up Fall yet for Winter.
