At the dock at 6:30.   They don’t open until 7 but another trucker came around and told us that the farmers market had coffee so we walked over there and got a biscuit and coffee for Greg and a muffin and Diet Coke for me.   Now the gate is open and we are ready to go in and hopefully get unloaded in good time.

Got unloaded in about an hour which is fantastic.   Now on our way to Auburndale, Florida to the Coca Cola distribution center.

We tried to hook up with Gregory or Johnnie on the way through but couldn’t get the timing right.   We have to be in Cheyenne by Saturday so need to get on the road.   Sorry guys!   Will try again next time.

We had to get a trailer washout after we dropped our load off and the closest one was in Haines City.    Can’t have any possibility of meat in the trailer when picking up orange juice or whatever.

Got our load of 42,000 pounds of orange juice and lemonade.   Heading north.

It amazes me every time we go through this part of Florida, around Gainesville and Ocala, all the beautiful horse farms.   There are cows too but dozens of horses with big fences and houses like Kentucky.   So beautiful.

It’s a gorgeous night.  70 degrees with a light breeze.  We walked over and got a shower and just mozied back to the truck to eat dinner.

Yummy dinner if I do pat myself on the back.  LOL.  We had chicken and dumplings tonight and they were so good.   I had the chicken and chicken broth in the crock pot since about 10 o’clock this morning and then threw some canned biscuits in while we took our shower.   So good!

Well, bellies are full so we are going to rest a bit and get on the road early.   Long trip ahead of us.

DG:  In the land that Mickey built.  Lots of new construction on International Drive.  The hotel where I used to work is still there, but I don’t think they use the pool bar anymore.  Last time I was there was the 48th Daytona 500 won by number 48 Jimmy Johnson.  Cousin John, Gregory and myself went for the two days of racing.  Saturday was warm so no need for coats or jackets.  Sunday we were scrambling for something to keep us warm.  Rainy and cold.  It was a good time in spite of the weather.

Speaking of good weather, this was really one beautiful day here in sunny Florida.  I will appreciate it more as we head north and not so warm climates.

Looking forward to the long trip.  Those are so much better than a bunch of short ones that eat up your clock and don’t pay as well.  Annie has the truck kitchen tuned in and the meals are only getting better.  If she starts making deserts we’re in serious trouble.

Precious is doing fine.  She rides in her basket and looks out her little window when she is not sleeping.  The bumps and the noise don’t seem to bother her.  She is eating well also, getting the scraps of our delicious meals and even the turkey and ham from our lunch sandwiches.

For those that have not tried it, there is a brand of turkey and ham that we now call our favorite and guess what, it is made right there in Kentucky.  It is called Kentucky Legend and if you haven’t tried it I encourage you to do so.  Very good ham and turkey and you can get it sliced or not sliced.

Okay, going to go get some copies made of my trip sheets and then off to bed.  Early day tomorrow with lots of road time, which means lots of time for me in the seat.  There’s a part of me that’s never going to be the same after all this.

Good night and God bless.