ROUTE: Belleville, MI to Martinsburg, WV: 517 miles (457 loaded + 60 deadhead)
My previous assignment ended with a delivery in Port Huron, MI. From there I was instructed to pickup a load in Centerline, MI headed to Fishkill, NY but I was suppose to bring it to our terminal because the consignee did not have empty trailers for us to pickup. Instead I was given this assignment that was scheduled to deliver on Monday 11/10 but I could deliver it on Friday by 23:00.
I had a decision to make. I could make the delivery on Friday afternoon but then I would have a limited number of hours left. Though I was assured I would get another assignment then I would not be able to advance it much on that Friday. I would be rolling on Saturday and most probably the delivery would be for Monday, so I would be stuck on some truck stop on Sunday. I opted to do a reset at our terminal on Friday-Saturday and leave for West Virginia on Sunday. That way I could do laundry, take a shower, do some errands and have more eating options.
I was exhausted. Thursday I had worked fifteen hours, thanks to a Split achieved at one of the deliveries that day. Thursday night I was wired so did laundry to unwind. Friday 11/07 I started with a shower after some errands I went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Saturday I started the day with a Western omelet at a diner that has truck parking and spent the rest of the day at the Panera working on my laptop and had a salad for dinner. Sunday started with another shower and drove six-and-half hours to the TA in Breezewood, PA that has ample parking, though most is paid-parking, and a Middle Eastern restaurant that I enjoy. I usually order the beef over rice but the manager insisted I have the cow’s neck specialty of the day. I had my doubts. I’ve had cow’s heart, anticuchos, a typical dish in Peru, oxtail, tongue but never the neck. The manager convinced me by saying that if I didn’t like it I would not have to pay. It was quite good, but not something I will be make a habit of eating.
The delivery appointment is scheduled for 08:00 on Monday 11/10 and I’m only one hour away.
The seasons are in flux. The leaves on the trees are very colorful but last night there was a light snow in Michigan.
BOOK REVIEW: The Mechanic by Tom Fowler (2020), FICTION – RATING: (****)
Good writing with a suspenseful plot though at times unrealistic but it’s fiction. Lot of action scenes that are entertaining.
The main character, John Tyler, is a likable character that is easy to root for. Good guy and good father that is trying to make the most of a shattered life until his past comes to haunt him.
