ROUTE: Redford, MI to Statesville, NC: 593 miles (578 loaded + 15 deadhead)
The previous assignment ended on Sunday at the wee-hours of the morning, 2:00am, after driving just over nine hours for that working day. I was exhausted is an understatement. I was bringing the load back to our terminal in Canton, MI, so the arrival time was irrelevant.
Monday March 23rd I started my day at 11:00am, the pickup time was set for 1:00pm but I could pick it up earlier because it was a drop-and-hook facility but once my clock is disrupted with such a late night on Saturday then it’s hard to get back on a normal schedule. I showered beforehand then had to fuel the truck and go through our truck wash. The owner of AD Transport prides in having clean trucks and trailers on the road. I arrived at the shipper right at 1:00pm. The trailer was at a different location than the customary which added to the pickup procedure. I left the shipper at 3:00pm and drove an hour to a diner on route that has truck parking. I had a Greek Gyro and fries that is pretty good for a Michigan diner. I was transporting car engines which is a heavy load so I had to scale it to make sure I was compliant with DOT Regulations. The total weight was 77,040lbs, the maximum allowed is 80,000lbs and there are also restrictions per axle weight, which I was compliant. Charleston, WV, is roughly a six hour drive from the diner and there’s a small mom-and-pop truck stop that normally has parking and an IHOP next door. I left the diner at 5:00pm but after an hour driving I was tired, must have been from the exhausting drive back on Saturday still lingering on. It takes a while for the body to adapt to late nights. In trucking school they emphasize that they only cure for fatigue is rest. Coffee, power drinks or opening a window to let cool air does not do the trick. I stopped at an Ohio Travel Plaza and took a 45 minute nap. I arrived at the Charleston truck stop at midnight and had to do Creative Parking but I managed.
Tuesday March 24th, I could not legally start my day before 10:00am due to the ten-hour mandatory DOT Regulation Break but at 9:00am I moved the truck from my creative parking spot to a regular one. I proceeded to have a hearty breakfast at IHOP as I knew that had to carry me for most of the day. I left the truck stop at 11:00am. The delivery appointment was set for 6:00am on Wednesday but I could deliver it on Tuesday as long as I arrived before 3:00pm. The drive should have taken three-and-half hours given me a sliver of leg-room to make delivery. Unfortunately, that is a hilly part of West Virginia and weighing 77,000lbs slowed me down. I arrived at the consignee at 2:58pm and miraculously they took delivery. Had they refused I would have gone to a nearby truck stop and made delivery the next day when it was due.
I normally listen to one book per assignment but it doesn’t always line up and I get to fit two in. I didn’t enjoy the first book so the second one I went with an author I know and love her work.
BOOK REVIEW (1): I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (2022), MEMOIR – RATING (***)
The book title intrigued me and the author is the blond girl from the show iCarly. My kids and I loved that show when they were growing up. I had high expectations though I was baffled by the title.
The book’s pace is slow and mostly depressing. It reveals what is mostly common knowledge that child actors are driven by their parent’s ambition for stardom more than their own. Few make it as adult actors and their lives are screwed up for a long time due to the rigors imposed by that industry. Jennette’s story fits that mold and it’s good that she sought therapy several times to get her life back on track. Unfortunately, her mom set her on a path of eating disorders and that explains the book’s title. She seems to be in a better place now but the story ends with certain ambiguity of what that represents.
BOOK REVIEW (2): Murder at the Mill by Irina Shapiro (2020), FICTION – RATING (****)
Irina Shapiro does a great job with closed-door murder mysteries and this is no exception. This is the third book in the Redmond/Haze series set in 1860s in a small town in the English countryside not too far from London. The camaraderie is palpable between Captain/Lord Redmond and now promoted to Inspector Haze from Constable. There are elements of continuity from the previous books but also reads as a stand-alone book.
Frank Darrow is murdered, but this is no ordinary crime of passion but one that intends to humiliate the victim after death. The naked body of the victim is discovered tied to the wheel of his failed mill. Redmond and Haze need to piece together the few clues of who would commit such a crime. Was it revenge from a romantic affair, a business deal gone awry or something else? There’s a slew of other characters including some from Redmond’s past and Haze’s family life that keep the story interesting.
The ending is a little dark but overall the story is entertaining and suspenseful.
