DG: Idle time gives space to contemplation and feeds it with emotion. In an effort to cut back on my idle time I requested a dedicated route. I had heard from other drivers that this was the way to go if you wanted to keep rolling. Don’t believe everything you hear.  We were dispatched more regularly, that is we received our next trip prior to completing the one we were on, but there never seemed to be any weekend deliveries or pick ups. So we got a reset every week. Good for the clock. Not so good for the paycheck. So we opted to bring this over the road adventure to an end and start a new journey going back to the beginning, home. We have both had a sense of peace about it ever since making that decision so we take that as a sign from God that we have made the correct decision. But there are many more to come and we will seek His guidance in all of them. 

It’s 8:00 am here in Marshall, MN, a cool, crisp morning. My appointment is for 10:00 and I am one and one half miles from the shipper, so time is anything but of the essence.  

9:15, I can’t wait any longer.  Heading to shipper. 

9:20, well, apparently my GPS doesn’t know the length of a mile. At least it didn’t seem like a mile. 

Check in at the guard shack, “load won’t be ready for a couple hours”.  They give me their direct line number to call. Back to the truck stop. They did allow me to drop my trailer.  

This waiting thing can be fattening.  Just so happens this particular truck stop does not have a Subway, don’t know how the guys at corporate missed this one but glad they did, instead they have what all truck stops should have and that is an eatery owned and operated by local folks. This one is called Toni’s Depot.  Toni is a train enthusiast and it shows by his train displays. And while they do serve subs they also have other dishes, one in particular is what I had for lunch, Swedish meatballs on mash potatoes with gravy, green beans, chopped carrots and macaroni salad. 

And oh, the trains. 

The newspapers give the life account of Toni, whose real name is Frank, and Frank is no longer with us.  According to the articles Frank opened his first pizza restaurant back in the 60s, ran it for a good while, went out of business blaming the corporate fast food joints then reopened some years later in this truck stop.  As it is still open I assume it is his children who are now running it. 

11:30, I call to see if load is ready. They just got the paperwork and they will soon be going to lunch so I was told to call back in a couple of hours. 

1:30, I call, but there is no answer so I leave a message. 

2:00, no call back, I’m going. 

2:05; load is ready. Finally. It’s a beautiful day and my route is taking me right through the middle of the countryside. 

Came upon an interesting name for a town. Sleepy Eye, MN

Apparently Sleepy Eye was an Indian. Further research needs done. 

Then I found this lovely little spot. 

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A beautiful rest area. 

Cindy was excited to be on the road again. 

But she couldn’t figure out the giant chef. 

And neither could I. 

So it’s getting late and I should be getting to bed. Good night y’all and God bless. 

Annie – Abby and Lindsey got to stay the night again.   Abby made a key lime pie.   It was yummy.    

Getting late so turning in.   Good night y’all.