8 am.  Time to get on the road.   It’s a gorgeous sunny day.  Looks like the rain has finally moved on. We have about 600 miles to go to get to Oklahoma but don’t have to be there until Monday so no need to rush.  

DG:  If you are ever passing through Morrilton, OK, because I doubt you will be going there purposefully, you gotta try out the fare at Morrilton Drive In at exit 107 on I-40.  Besides killer BBQ, I noticed the smoke from the truck stop across the street and said to myself, “Self, looks like somebody is smoking some meat”.  And I was right. So there we went for to have lunch. Looking over the menu, which cried out to be photographed, there were items on there that showed a degree of imagination much different that that found in the boardrooms of major chain restaurants.  For instance, the Triple Giant Super Bacon Cheeseburger.  Oh, there was a time I would have had to try that. At $23.99 I’m sure this is meant to be shared. I would have liked to see one at least but none were ordered while we were there. And there were various degrees of smaller burgers down the line to the regular all American style. And of course there was the BBQ, pork and beef, and the best danged hush puppies I have had in I don’t know when. Sides of baked beans, French fries and coleslaw rounded out the slab dinner that I chose. Usually we save some of our meat, be it whatever, for Precious, and I did, but she came real close to not getting dinner this day. And I had a Woo Pig Chewy milkshake for dessert. That be chocolate and vanilla ice cream with chocolate chunks and comes in sizes small, large, TUB and Monster.  I got a large which was a regular size portion at most other establishments and I wish now I had at least asked to see the Monster size. Or the Tub. I looked for a cup that might be used for either of these but did not see one that might be associated with either size description. 

After lunch it was a short drive to Webbers Falls where we spent the night. 

 Annie – I had the beef barbecue with spicy fries and hushpuppies. I have to agree.  I don’t think I have ever had better hushpuppies.   
Sorry we didn’t post last night.   We finished watching the rest of the season of The Ranch on Netflix and fell asleep.    

On our way to Ponca City, Oklahoma!

6:30 am.  Time to get up and get our load.  It’s only about 30 minutes away in Lithonia, Georgia.   It rained off and on through the night but the sun is trying to peek through the clouds this morning. 

7:45 am. Arrived at shipper.  Small place, but full already.   I have to say I am a little concerned.   This is a lab and we are picking up something here to take to a poultry place in Oklahoma.   Hmmmm

By the way, I think I’m pregnant!  

Just kidding.   April Fools!   

This however is not April Fools.  Somebody turned right in to the cabinet door.   It’s a good thing he has a hard head.  

I’m trying to figure out which is weirder.   People who travel in trucks with cats or those who travel with stuffed cats.   The guy next to us has a stuffed cat in the window.  I’m a little scared actually.  Haha 

 
10:05 am.  Finally got a door.   Hopefully they won’t take forever to get us loaded.   Found out this place makes spice blends for poultry.   Now it makes sense why we are at a lab.   Had me worried there for a bit. 

12 pm.  Still waiting to go.  They finished the load and are now “finishing the paperwork”.  What I don’t understand is you know we’re out here and have been for 4 hours, couldn’t someone have at least started the paperwork and then just finished real quick once we’re done?   I mean it’s no surprise we’re here.  We had an appointment.  You know what you’re putting on the truck.   Couldn’t that be on the paperwork even before we get here or at least at some point over the 4 hours we’ve been here?   

12:30 pm.   Ready to go.   Paperwork is complete.  

7:30 pm.  We have stopped for the night in Fulton, Mississippi.   Still have about 600 miles to go.  

DG:  I would say I can’t believe she put those pictures on here but that would be a lie.  It’s only natural. As is the head wound. That was the third time I hit my head today but the other two times were against blunt objects so no blood. Don’t worry, I’m fine. 

Well, being in Mississippi makes you feel better about being from Kentucky.  Talk about country. Jeez. And the accents. I thought we were in a different country. 

We did have a pretty big thunder storm last night. The rain made for some deep sleeping but I was awakened a couple of times by thunder. And that had to be some loud thunder to wake me. 

All the rain has made the trees really blossom. I can’t believe how green everything is compared to just a few days ago. It’s beautiful everywhere. 

Oh, here’s a picture of our dinner last night. Found a BBQ place close to the terminal. It was really good. 

  
I had the ribs and Annie had chicken. Good eats. 

11:30 pm.  Turning in.   Got caught up watching The Ranch on Netflix.  It’s a new series that started tonight starring Sam Elliott, Ashton Kutcher and Debra Winger.   So funny.   Language is a bit rough but it’s still funny.  

Well, long way to go tomorrow.  Goodnight y’all.  

DG: And that’s the way it is in our world. Love to all. Good night and God bless. 

DG:  Arrived on time, as usual.  We were just 30 miles from our stop and at 4:00 am there is not much traffic although being as we are in Atlanta there is always some traffic. 

I ran my clock out yesterday so have to call logs this morning and get that straightened out. Got to the receiver and there was some discussion amongst the powers that be as to where to dock me for unloading. At first I was told to wait until the truck that was in door 36 left and pull in there and then I guess someone realized there were about 20 other empty doors on this side of the building so intelligence prevailed and I was told to pull in the door beside that guy. Good thing to because he is still being unloaded and I have been done and gotten my paperwork about fifteen minutes ago. I’m sitting now waiting for my clock to reset. Boy how I would like to take a Congressman along for a ride sometime and let them see the time that is wasted adhering to their stupid regulations. 17 more minutes and I will be able to legally drive to the terminal in Morrow where I will be able to sit even more. I sit for a living. Sometimes I’m moving and sometimes I’m not. Right now I’m not. But I am sitting. Oh, and no load yet. The planners don’t get in until 7:00am Central Time.  I’ll wait. Sitting. Of course. 

Came to Morrow yard. There is a trailer sitting here that needs to go to Salt Lake City. Sounded good. 1800 miles. However it does not deliver until 4/7 and receiver will not accept it early. That’s four days of sitting around so we had to decline that one. Now we wait. Here I am waiting. 

Annie – Sat all day.   All day we sat.  Time to turn in.  Have a trip to Oklahoma in the am.   Goodnight y’all.  

DG:  Yes, sit we did. For sitting is what we do. We sit and sit and sit some more for sitting is what we do. Do. Do. We sat. 

Now we sleep so that we will have strength to sit. Sleep, sleep, sleep. 

Good night you all and God bless. 

6 am.  Time to get up and get started on the day. It will be good to be on the move today.  

6:30.  Getting a wash out for the trailer.  Need to get the blood from the beef out of it before we put ice cream in it.  

7:30 am.  Well, it was a trailer swap instead of a live load which is great.   We are able to get right back on the road.  It’s a gorgeous morning here in Kentucky.   All the pear trees are blooming and grass is getting so green.   Just beautiful.  

   
    
 Kentucky River 

 
A river in Corbin Kentucky.  

Some pretty Wisteria in Atlanta. 

   
 We have parked for the Night in Atlanta.   Ran out of time driving because of construction and traffic.  Hopefully they can fix it in the morning.  We have to be at receiver at 5 am.  

DG:  Dinner at the Iron Skillet. Mmmm.  Weather is not too hot so we will get by on fresh air. Tried to plan it so I would have enough time and enough fuel to get here. Ran out of time and have very little fuel left, but we made it. 

Going to bed as I will be getting up around 3:00 am. Not far from receiver but want to have a cushion just in case. 

Good night all and God bless. 

11:30.   I’m up.  Greg is still sleeping.  I think I will take this opportunity to do some laundry.   What fun! 

1:30.  Laundry done.  Greg still sleeping.  Precious too.  Haha   

2 pm.   Greg is up so we have decided to shower and eat.  I’m starving.   All we kept running in to yesterday was subway and I just couldn’t do it.   Looks like Popeyes here.   

5:15.  Back in the truck.  Belly full.  Body clean.  Time for a nap.   We have a trip but it doesn’t leave until the morning so more sitting. We got Direct TV the other day because they have linked with AT&T and offering unlimited data. TV is $40 a month but saves me $150 a month on my phone bill.  Sounds like a win to me.  We had the satellite installed at Gregory’s but with the unlimited data we can watch what we want on the iPad while in the truck.   That’s what we do anyway but had to worry about every little bit of data.   

11:30.  Turning in.  Got a trip going from Erlanger, Kentucky to Forest Park, Georgia.  Tired of sitting.  Ready to get back on the road.  

Goodnight y’all. 

DG:  Me too. Good night and God bless. 

9:30.am.  Up and headed for caffeine.     All they have to eat here is Chesters Chicken and, you guessed it, Subway!   I think I’ll wait.    We are leaving about 3:30 for the last leg of this trip.  Load is due at 4:30 am.    

1pm.  Going to lay back down for a couple hours before hitting the road.  Not much going on in the parking lot.   

Alex taking a bath!   So cute!!  

That’s my grandson, keeping it clean. 

 
Mississippi River between Missouri and Illinois.   

 6:30.  Goodnight Illinois.  

DG:  The setting sun makes all the chrome and stainless on the trucks glow a brilliant golden color indicative of their value to this country’s economy.  There’s gold in them there trucks. 

Stopped for a break in Haubstadt, IN. If that ain’t a good old German name I don’t know what is. It’s 9:30 pm local time so there is a lot of activity with drivers trying to find a parking spot. Mine will be vacant in a few minutes but I am sure it won’t stay that way for long. 

Annie – 3:30 am.  Arrived at receiver early.  Only one truck ahead of us so we can go on back and wait. 

4 am.  We have a door!

5 am.   That didn’t take long. Now we are heading to truck stop.   No planners in this early so no trip. 

5:40 am.   Found a TA for the night.   Pretty full but had a guy pull out just when we needed it.  Hitting the bed.  Goodnight y’all. 

DG:  See?  Highly favored. I was driving around the lot looking for a spot and this guy literally shoots out of a spot right in front of like he was in a hurry to let me have it. It’s the favor of God I’m telling you. And it was one of those spots where you can make your turn and pull straight out so you can back straight in. Praise the Lord. He knows I’m too tired to wiggle into a tight spot. 

So it’s 6:00 am and we’re going to bed cause we is tired. 

Hugs and kisses and all our love to our faithful readers, all three of you. God bless you and good night. 

2:30 am.   I hear door slamming.   Greg doing his pre trip inspection. Guess that means it’s time to get up.   I stayed up a bit watching TV since I was able to get a good wifi signal at the Loves truck stop.   I watched iZombie, Shadow Hunters and Jane the Virgin.  Is that an odd assortment or what?  

Our appointment this morning is in Roanoke, Texas at 9 am.  We have our next trip sleazy picking up in Friona, Texas and going to Alexandria, Kentucky.   So glad they were able to get us a trip for the weekend but delivery time is tight.   Plan is to spend our 10 hour break at this receiver and get back on the road.  Pick up time in Friona is 2 am and it’s almost 400 miles. 

7:30.  Arrived a bit early for appointment.   There are several trucks ahead of us.  It is the warehouse for Anderson grocery stores.   

8 am.  Yay!  Didn’t take too long to get a door.  The other trucks must have later appointments.  

11:30.  Well, our excitement over getting a door early has worn off.   They unloaded us by 9:30 but we sat for two hours while they “finished the paper work”.  Out of time on the clock so just going to the parking lot and finish out 10 hour break.  

12:30.  Had a bit of lunch now going to take a nap before we get back on the road.  

5:30 pm.  Clock has reset so we are up and heading to Friona. 

Texas Motor Speedway. 

  
   
 
  
Melissa’s sister Megan had her baby yesterday.  A gorgeous little girl named Adelaide Ella Hood.  8 pounds 12 ounces.  20 inches.   I love the way she has her arm curled while she’s sleeping.  So sweet! 

12 am.   It’s snowing.  Coming down pretty good too.   It’s been really windy for the last little bit and now it looks like we have hit the tail end of snow.   Temperature has dropped to 33 degrees.   Feels like winter again.    

1:40 am.  Arrived at shipper. Fortunately this Cargill only procssess beef on day and evening shifts so we don’t have to smell that awful smell that’s usually at one of these places.  

2:30.   Greg has dropped the empty trailer and picked up the loaded one.   We have 39,000 pounds o beef.  This particular Cargill, just this one, processes 4500 cattle per day for a total of 3 million pounds of beef.  

Well, Greg’s not tired so he is going to drive a bit longer before stopping for his 10 hour break of .  I’m falling asleep writing this. More tomorrow.     

Goodnight y’all.  

12 am.   Time to get up and get going.  Several hours ahead of us to get to receiver outside Houston.  

8 am.  Made it early before our appointment at 9 am.   Now we sit. 

10 am.  Still sitting. 

11 am.  Finally get a door to unload.  

Noon.   They have stopped unloading the truck.  We figure they have gone to lunch.   More sitting.

12:30 pm.  Done. Now have to pay the lumpers. There’s a communication problem. Instead of letting me write a check, they take payment by phone. They have their own check. They give me the number and the amount and a thank you.  The only other thing I heard was that the lumpers would call me to have me come get my papers. I wait. 25 minutes. No call. I go in. Lumper says no one has contacted him. I call back. Now I’m told I was supposed to verify the check. I do that. Another 20 minutes. Call back. Check has gone through. Lumper will be notified of payment, release of bills will be forthcoming. Check with lumper. Head shake. I wait. Ten minutes and call back. Second person I speak with seems to be confused. Payment cleared but no notification sent to lumper. This is my clock you all are messing with people. Bills in hand I head to the truck. Truck stop 30 minutes away. Clock has 20 minutes on it. I have been resting in the truck for five hours yet the DOT in their finite wisdom deems me unfit to drive because it has been 14 hours since I logged on last night. So, I use “mandate to leave” a little loophole in the system that allows a driver to get to a parking spot after running out of time at a customer. 

Dinner at Arby’s. What’s this, a truck stop without a Subway.  Someone missed an assignment. Either that or we have entered a parallel universe. I feel light headed. Confused. Panicked. Is there someone I should call. This has to be reported. 

DG:  Shower, ahhhh, much needed.  Then a walk and a cigar and one might make the argument that I need another shower. Not so. 

Walked around a bit and found some cows. 

  
I walked toward the fence to get a closer look but I spooked them and they ran off. 

A beautiful Texas sunset. 

  
 And whatever these are.   

Well, need to get some sleep. 2:30 comes early. Good night and God bless.