I requested home-leave time for Friday 11/14 because I had a doctor’s appointment with the retina specialist. I see him every six months. I tend to schedule my doctors appointments for a Friday or Monday that way I can have the weekend to see the kids.
My CDL and hazmat endorsement expire in February 2026, so I needed a business day to take care of those. The CDL can be renewed online but I wanted the new REAL ID because airports now require them even for domestic flights. To renew the hazmat endorsement a new FBI background check is required which entails fingerprinting. It also requires to pass a written test at the DMV. My doctor’s appointment was schedule for 10:15 in Mt Kisco, the fingerprinting session in White Plains at noon and finally the DMV at 14:00 in Yonkers. Fortunately all went well but it was good that I left time between appointments as I made each one with little room to spare. I passed the hazmat exam.
The great thing about being home for several days is that I rent a car and have multiple dining options to choose from. When I arrived on Thursday night I had pizza at the Pilot truck stop. Friday morning I rushed to pick up the rental car and only had time for a coffee and some pretzels. After finishing with the DMV I found an authentic Cuban restaurant and had a great meal. Cuban food is very similar to the Venezuelan cuisine and I had a traditional disk, Ropa Vieja (aka Pabellon Criollo).
Saturday I slept in and ran errands, some with my eldest daughter: Post Office, Arcade Books, Citibank, Costco, Staples, Kohls, Neri’s Bakery, Wells Fargo and had lunch at Sunrise Pizza then had a great steak dinner at Frankie & Johnnies. Sunday I had Mole Poblano for breakfast at Puerto Vallarta Orange, unfortunately this restaurant did not have breakfast options. I did laundry, returned the rental car and took the train into Manhattan to go to Mass and have dinner with the youngest of my daughters at a Thai restaurant that we both love. I took the train back to Milford, CT where the truck is parked and tomorrow there will be a new assignment for me.
