NEWPORT, MI to WINDSOR, CT: 750 miles (700 loaded + 50 deadhead)
Thursday October 1st, I started my day at 8:00am with the pre-trip inspection of the truck. I had requested the weekend off in Rye, NY. This load would get me close enough to the Pilot truck stop in Milford, CT, where I leave the truck when I’m on home leave. The drive to the shipper took a little over an hour from where I had spent the night. I arrived at 9:30am. After picking up the loaded trailer I stopped at the Fifth Wheel Diner across the street for lunch that would last me until dinner. I drove an additional eight-and-a-half hours to the Sheetz in Buckhorn, PA, with a stop for fuel. I arrived at 11:30pm and shut it down for the night. Though relatively small it tends to have easy parking even late at night because there’s a much larger TA truck stop down the street. This facility, though, has 24/7 food service that the TA does not have.
Friday October 2nd, I started my day at 9:30am with the pre-trip inspection of the truck after the mandatory ten-hour DOT Regulations break. I drove five hours and arrived at the consignee at 3:00pm seeing the colorful foliage due to the change of the season. I dropped the loaded trailer, picked up an empty and had a nice football conversation with the shift manager there. Afterwards, I headed to Milford, CT, for my home break. It took me two hours to drive the sixty mile journey due to Friday afternoon traffic.
BOOK REVIEW: Do No Harm by Christina McDonald (2021), THRILLER – RATING (****)
A suspenseful psychological thriller with real life problems that no parent should face.
Emma is a well respected doctor living a storybook life married to a police detective and they have a five-year old son, Josh. Her brother, Ben, has been in and out of prison for drug trafficking. Josh is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The treatment is extremely expensive and their medical insurance only covers a small portion of the bills.
In an act of desperation Emma decides to start dealing opioids but can’t have her husband know because he’s a cop. She will end up in jail or he’ll loose his job. She’s estranged from her brother and can’t ask for his guidance. The police needs to curb down on the increasing opioids deaths in the county. Emma’s husband is assigned to the case where Ben is the main suspect. He doesn’t want to upset his wife but resolution of the case comes with a promotion which he desperately needs to afford Josh’s treatment.
The story brings attention to a parent’s dilemma when faced with high medical costs versus losing a child. It also highlights the dark truth of people that need to obtain illegally strong pain killers for chronic conditions that are ignored by the medical community.
Very entertaining suspenseful story with many twists-and-turns and an eye opener to the very serious problem related to opioids dependence.
