SMITHVILLE, TN to NEWPORT, MI: 800 miles (524 loaded + 276 deadhead)
Thursday July 9th, I arrived at the shipper at 7:00pm EST. My day started at 6:30am at the Pilot in Hurricane Mills, TN, with the pre-trip inspection of the truck and drove two-and-half hours to make the previous delivery in Memphis, TN. Then I waited there for two hours until I received this assignment. I drove five hours drive to get to the shipper, passing Nashville along the way and being greeted by plush green mountains when getting to my destination. On the way I had to stop for fuel. I left the shipper at 8:00pm EST and drove two-and-half hours back to the Pilot in Hurricane Mills arriving at 10:30pm EST. On the drive there I caught a nice sunset from the road.
Friday July 10th, I started my day at 9:00am, a little over the ten-hour minimum DOT Regulation Break we need to take after completing a day’s work. I drove eight-and-half hours to get to the consignee. Along the way I encountered some traffic, needed to make a stop for DEF and take the thirty-minutes minimum DOT Regulation Break before reaching eight hours of continuous driving, I also saw a car that was in the ditch between the highway lanes product of an earlier accident. Before arriving at the consignee I stopped for dinner at Fifth Wheel Diner that is across the street from them because it would be closed if I tried to stop there after making the delivery. I arrived at the consignee at 6:30pm.
BOOK REVIEW: These Still Black Waters by Christina McDonald (2023), THRILLER – RATING (*****)
An exciting psychological thriller with unique twist-and-turns that maintain the level of suspense throughout combined with heart felt moments that brought tears to my eyes.
Neve Maquire is married with a fifteen year old daughter, Ash. She hides a dark secret from her youth that has sabotaged her marriage and still haunts her. The story starts with a home invasion to her house. She is separated from her husband so decides to spend the summer with Ash at the house by the lake that her family owns. Once there the body of her neighbor is found murdered. Detective Jesse Lambert is in charge of the investigation. She’s a functioning alcoholic since the death of her daughter.
An entertaining story with sublime messages about the choices people make and the driving force of parenthood.
