Butch's Thursday Drive~

 Making pet food is a 24/7 business in Meta, MO.  The company has eight facilities & is looking to buy more!  The road there was one of the most narrow, twisty trips Butch has made so far, which is probably why they have difficulty getting semi's in to pick up the loaded trailers.

Upon arrival the company asked each truck to go through the scale, so they know ahead of time how much weight in product they can load.  When he'd arrived, he was one of three CFI trucks waiting & twelve trucks total were in line ahead of him.  The operation was efficient though & Butch got through in decent time.

At the dock~

Truck/Trailer stats:

33,720 lbs. empty – Tractor/Trailer & ½ tank of fuel.

78,520 lbs. loaded

Steers – 11,780 lbs.

Drives – 32,680 lbs.

Tandems 33,600 lbs.

The load - 44,800 lbs. of dog & cat food!

The employee who was loading Butch's trailer, mentioned they have drivers come in who have no idea how to move the tandems & distribute the weight of the load.  The two brown bags in the center are filled with air, to keep the load from shifting.

Old grainery~

Butch used the last minutes of his drive time to go aross the scales & then had to creep at 5 mph to park for the night.  Since Meta is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, Butch was told he could park just across the way from the plant entrance.  He took his evening walk-a-bout while we were on the phone.

Diamond Pet Company

The population of the town is only 276 people, making the plant the primary & only large employer.

Beautiful old home~

As he was walking around town & taking a few photos, one man stopped to ask what he was doing.  Then another semi came in & Butch directed him to the correct location.  We both thought he might find a small cafe, but no luck.

Big Red, parked for the night~

Butch has learned it's not just about the driving, but its also a balancing act between how much time it takes to be loaded or unloaded, how many hours are on the drive clock & how effeciently he's dispatched to each destination.  Traffic plays a huge part too.  Sitting in rolling roadblocks, going nowhere - takes time.  Drivers would be happier out in the open, doing 65 mph. As the cities become more & more congested, it takes longer to reach any destination.

This last week, Butch drove over 3,100 miles.  His best weekly total since completing his OTR training the end of February.  From when he started, he's driven over 16,500 miles.  It will be interesting to see how many miles he's covered by the end of the year!

Appreciating the Park~

 Another great day in a seven day period.  Tomorrow is forecast to be in the 70's but with high wind gusts.  The round of welcome rain/snow/slush had made the Wabash way too wet to ride.  The closest again & my favorite go-to place - Lake Manawa would get me on the trails. 

Southern Trail~

The beginning of the green is at least a week overdue, when I look back on prior years.  Even without one of my favorite colors, it was another great day to be outside.  The air smelled fresh & clean after the last weeks rain.

Trail markers~

I've yet to find where the mileage starts, but there are plenty of markers on this portion of the trail system.  I didn't realize this section was not part of the Lake Manawa trail system.

Along the eastern edge~

Another almost windless day too, a real bonus for March.  There were a few riders out, more than I see during the week.  I'd parked within the park boundary, rather than out at the Wabash trail head.

Smokey in the bike path :-)

I was taking it easy today, no goal of miles I wanted to cover, just a cruize around.  The road above goes along the golf course & is a nice break from the traffic on Veteran's Memorial Hwy.  I followed it up to the old campground & did that circuit before continuing on.

SW corner of the lake, just across the Indian Creek Bridge~

 Riding up the long straight stretch along the west side of Indian Creek, the wind was blowing right at me :-(  It took some effort to keep pedaling!  :-)  I stopped on the far side of the bridge for a breather, when a lady walking her dog stopped to chat.  It was just that kind of day.  She admired Smokey, saying her son had worked for Cannondale & had always said they were the best bikes made.  I didn't ask when that was - even major brands once manufactured in the US are now made overseas.

Back on the beautiful southern trail~

No young Eagles were flying today, it was pretty quiet.  Even though this is our sixth-year back in my home state, I still can't get over all the sunshine days & bright blue skies.

Another trail marker~

At least here, the trail must start at the Indian Creek Bridge, as the  mileage was correct!  Now I want to find where the "Lake Manawa" trail system ends?  I finished  up my ride at just over ten miles.  Smokey & I managed a 35-mile week!  Pretty good for so early in the year!  

Ying/Yang Truck Driving Day ~

 Arriving Thursday evening, Friday morning Butch was in Atlanta, GA at the small CFI Terminal.  He'd come in from Sterling, CO & dropped a trailer in LaGrange, GA.  There, he picked up an empty & deadheaded with it to CFI.  When doing his post-drive inspection, he found a piece of wire sticking out of the sidewall of his rear, passenger side drive tire.  It came out, with an accompanying hiss of air!  It would be morning before the tire could be replaced.

3-17 - 7:51 p.m. CFI Atlanta

Thursday's weather had been perfect!  The GPS had offered him a shorter route option, so since he had an empty trailer, he took it.  Sunshine & mid-70's & no humidity!  A totally stunning drive past huge southern style mansions with blooming trees of pink, yellow & purple!  Even a Farmers' market!  

Once at the CFI Terminal & parked for the evening, it was so nice out, Butch left the windows open in the truck.  By Friday morning though, it was raining.

7:53 a.m. Decisions~

Butch was given two choices; wait until a tire the correct size could be found & mounted or get four new tires in less time.  He opted for new tires.

8:38 a.m. Four new rear drive tires!

At CFI he picked up a trailer loaded with Blue Mountain dog food, to deliver 41 miles away at Cedar Valley in Villa Rica, GA. 

The load~

He made it with ten minutes to spare!

11:47 a.m. Cedar Valley Distribution Center

Seventeen trucks ahead of Butch. A long wait to unload the dog food.  From here, he had another short 65+ mile drive deadheading the now empty trailer to Lithonia, GA.  There he was to pick up a load of Made in the USA wood products going to Michael's in Hazelton, PA.

3:05 p.m. Red's side mirror, missing its front cover~

On the way to Lithonia, Butch was in heavy traffic following several other trucks.  Suddenly, ahead the trucks were trying to avoid a large tree that had just fallen into the road.  In the second he had time to react, Butch moved to the left & the limbs raked the passenger side.  The sideview mirror collapsed against the side of the truck, but not before the front cover was torn off.  Thankfully, Butch could move the mirror back into position & continue on his way.

3:45 p.m. Traffic, 10 mph~

From this point on, traffic was horrible.  Traveling maybe 10 mph, with driver's constantly hitting the brakes, causing a continual stop/go, stop/go for miles & miles.   

4:27 p.m. Loading dock, Demis Products~

He was beginning to think he' d be late for his pickup but arrived in the nick of time.

4:36 p.m.
Nice docking!

The owner came out to talk & load the trailer.  Butch said it was nice to see a local business doing well in spite of the economic challenges.

Butch called to tell me he was finally on his way North.  I was hoping his day would go more smoothly, since he still had several hours on his clock.

4:55 p.m. & ready to roll~

When he called in the evening, he said it was about ten-minutes after he talked to me, he witnessed a horrible accident.  Three cars went flying past in the left lane. The car in the lead, clipped the corner of a truck about three up from Butch's position.  That sent the vehicle flying into the concrete barrier.  The impact sent the car airborne.  It flipped over in mid-air, three times before crashing down onto the hillside, rolling again, sliding to the bottom & landing upright!  Butch said a dog got out & took off.  The passenger got out & the driver was alive, but probably pinned in.  The trucks ahead of the accident, Butch & the few cars, continued on.  A close, very close call...

7:28 p.m. The cost of fuel~

When I received my evening call, Butch said the traffic had not improved at all.  He'd been in the same stop/go for miles & miles.  He finally gave up when he found the Kings Mountain rest area in NC.  The end of a very long day's drive & not necessarily in miles!

I was thankful!  Arriving Safe & Sound is the most important thing!

Mineola to Dumfries~

 Time to try out the Wabash Trace Trail again.  It would be my second ride here this month!  Mari Jo had been reporting it as having many soft spots on the sections near Silver City.  Leaving north from Mineola, I knew there were only a couple areas that might still be soft or slippery.

Mineola Trail head~

As you can tell from the photo above, the trail surface was bone dry.  So dry it was dusty in places.  The limestone almost felt like effort, after my rides on the hard surface trails of Lake Manawa!  It would be so easy to get spoiled if there were more hard surface trails to ride in our area.

Keg Creek Bridge~

There were some good wind gusts too, so between the wind & the uphill grade, I felt like I was gaining almost no ground at all.  I was determined though & took my time, thinking of the calories I was burning!  I passed Margeritaville on my way north, going on past Dumfries to the underpass before turning around.

Dumfried Underpass~

I dismounted & walked Smokey around the usual spot spot at Cowboy Pass.  I couldn't beleive how deeply it was trenched from the bike's that had just ridden on through...  After all, how hard is it to just go around on the grass?

Margeritaville~

I had Margeritaville to myself for a few minutes, before the couple I'd seen on electric bikes last time I was here, came by.  They kept going, but soon another rider stopped & sat at one of the picnic tables on the far side.  About that time, a big gust of wind came up & blew Smokey over!  The bike was fine, but I decided to head back.

View toward Mineola.  Luthern Church at the top of the hill~

The fields look so gray now, soon they'll be planted & we'll be seeing the pale green of new growth.  I'd looked forward to those four-miles of downhill grade, but the wind decided to blow right at me!  I actually had to pedal to make forward progress...  Not the usual easy/fast four miles back I'd hoped for!  

Almost back to the parking~

The wind is usually blowing pretty strong across the trail here, today was no exception.  I was still a bit stiff from my 15+ mile ride on Monday, so this 8-miles at least worked the kinks out!  It was nice to be on the trail again, but I'm looking forward to when I can ride out from Silver City.  

Riding Lake Manawa~

 I had fun writing about my OTR experience's traveling with Butch.  Now I'll be back to short bike riding stories to accompany my photos.  I've probably mentioned before, how I can do almost the same route, yet see changes every time.  It was a totally gorgeous start to the new week.  Low 60's & no wind!  I still felt like I was in recovery mode from the trip - but couldn't let this day go by. 

Smokey & the Explorer

I decided to park at the trailhead near Tastee Treat.  From there I'd gain a couple miles of riding going over to the park.

On the Bridge over Mosquito Creek~

Once I'm past the industrial area & Lewis Central bus barn, things quiet down.  

Connector trail from the park, looking back toward the Wabash~

The train was sitting off a way from the three underpasses going toward the park & Mid-American coal plant.  A Burlington Northern engine, waiting for the word to proceed.  I rode in from the east side of the lake, then turned north & west along Veteran's Memorial Hwy.  

An old campground~

This old campground is at the far NW corner of the park, almost hidden away now, behind the industrial businesses.  It's about a mile around the whole area.  A nice quiet mile where I take a short break.  Now the land has been sold, I wonder what will go in.  

Huge old Cottonwood, Coal plant in the background~

Today, I didn't stop for long.  I was sure Butch was driving & usually wait for him to call me.

SW corner, over the Indian Creek Bridge~

There was a crew of men working to replace some of the wood slats on the bridge deck.  The smell of fresh cut lumber was strong.  Just a way further, three large birds landed in one of the Cottonwoods!  I think they were either young hawks, or young eagles!  The photo I took wasn't clear enough, but when I zoomed in, they had the feathers of younger birds.

Above is a short video taken from my second stop, about mid-way along the south shore of the lake.  It's such a pretty spot & there's never anyone around mid-day during the week.  I'm sure as the season progresses it will be busy.

A day to enjoy!

I was thinking when riding back, this was to me, a Ten day!  The Omaha weatherman grades some days & keeps count of those he thinks deserve a Ten - during the year.  I've started counting early!  I'm more than ready to see the greens of spring!

Under the first of the three underpasses~

Even though there are signs asking for single file traffic, I've about been wiped out twice now.  Riders on electric bikes, whizzing along & taking up both sides of the trail.  Now, I'm a little cautious before going through.

Just over a mile later, I was back at the Explorer.  I thought about turning into Tastee Treat, but the lines were long!  I'll save an ice cream treat for a warmer day!  I covered every inch of trail there & did the pretty loop twice, giving me just under 16-miles.  The park & hard surface trails are spoiling me!  I ended the ride just two-miles shy of my first 100 for the year!

OTR - Julesburg, CO to Council Bluffs & Home!

 All the parking spots were full when we pulled into the rest area.  Butch picked a place out of the way.  I was thankful it was close to the restrooms.  It was well after midnight, by the time we went to bed.

We woke to snow, maybe 3" on the ground & windblown, leaving a drift below the passenger side door.  It was late morning when Butch took Nika out for a walk.  They were gone quite a while, Nika loves snow.  

Big Red, Trailer full of pinto beans in tow~

The shades of white, lent a stark outlook to the day.  By the time Butch & Nika returned, I had the cab organized for the day.  With the snow continuing to come down, the roads would be interesting.

Colorful Colorado!

Driver's heading west, were talking of chaining up.  I looked at the weather east, then texted Kathy, who was kind enough to agree to pick me up in Council Bluffs.  She confirmed no snow in Glenwood & it wasn't due to come in until late, if at all.

Smoked pork chop, potatoes & carrots!

We had enough time I decided to fix a meal for Butch.  I'd given up deciding whether it was breakfast, lunch or dinner!  I'd just bought a new little hot air fryer on Amazon.  Just cooking for one, it was so quick & easy.  I brought it along & it worked perfectly to brown the pork chop. We used the microwave for the potatoes & carrots, but if we'd had more time, I'd have browned them too.

Rider in the storm~

We pulled out right on time at 1:30 p.m.  

1:36 p.m. Icy surface~

We were cruising right along; the tricky part was being passed by other tractor/trailers.  The snow off the edges of the road would fly up & cause a white out in front of us.  Thankfully, it didn't last long.  

As you can see from the few minutes between the photos, the storm intensified.  Butch stopped at a Love's to fuel near North Platte & we were back on the road.  Eventually, we ran out of the storm & by nightfall, the sky was almost completely clear.  

1:42 p.m. Intersection of I-80~

We pulled into Sapp Brother's in Council Bluffs, about 9:30 p.m.  Kathy was waiting & helped us get all my things transferred to her car.  My husband gave me a final goodbye hug before climbing back into Red's cab & heading to Love's for a shower & rest break.  He'd be back on the road in ten-hours with Joliet, IL as his destination.  

Kathy's car was so full, Nika sat on my lap & stared at Kathy the entire drive home!  When we arrived, she was so excited to be home!  She exploded across the backyard when I turned her out.  Kathy helped me carry everything in & I had a piece of her pumpkin cake!  Thankful for good friends, after Kathy left, I couldn't wait for a shower & fell into bed...  

I'm super thankful I had the opportunity to experience a few days of the challenges my husband faces - every day & night with this occupation.  He's always been the best at anything he tackles & OTR driving is no exception.

OTR - Ogallala, NE to Buena Vista, CO

 I watched my second sunrise OTR, as we were crossing the second half of the great state of Nebraska!  Some snow still on the ground, but not as much as I would have expected.  It was perfect traveling weather.  Only stopping for necessary breaks, we were making good time.  Butch was scheduled to reach the Tractor Supply in Buena Vista Tuesday morning at 4 a.m.  He would have another 330-miles to accomplish this in his eight-hour drive time. (Big Red's top speed is set at 65-mph. for safety.)

It was dark again by the time we were traveling through Denver.  Thankfully, we'd missed the heaviest traffic.  The transitions between highway & the many overpasses though - were Awful!  With a 40,000 load, the bumps were incredible!  Our floating seats were bottoming out!  So hard & so many of them, all we could do was hope the Tractor Supply people had packaged our load in bubble wrap!  

Soon, we passed Morrison & began the climb up the mountain on Hwy 285.  The higher we climbed; the more snow was on the ground.  It was pitch black, the road was dry most of the time, but treacherous in spots to say the least.  Butch was driving a 80+ foot long tractor/trailer, bigger than some houses!  I was sad not to be able to see the scenery, but glad I couldn't see the drop-offs!  :-)

Tractor Supply, Buena Vista, CO

We pulled into the dark Tractor Supply right on time!  No one was around.   Butch checked with dispatch to find the crew would arrive an hour later, at 5 a.m.  I went to lay on the bed, motion sick from the twisty roads & exhausted from the lack of sleep.  Butch went out to do a reconnaissance of the area.  The parking area behind the building was very small & tight.  The loading dock, if you can call it that, was a moveable one & was stuck in the snow. 

Nika's preferred spot - when the roads were smooth~

When the crew arrived, Butch was asked if he could back into the dock hard enough to break it lose.  He drove forward, then put Big Red into reverse & WHAM!  The trailer bumper slammed into the dock.  This maneuver had to be repeated several times.  Each time, I got sicker & sicker.  Soon, it was free & Butch had expertly put the rear of the trailer where it needed to be for the offload. 

8:03 a.m. Parked for our ten-hour break~

A while later, we were moving forward & then we stopped!  I asked if we were stopped for a "while?  The answer was; "Yes!  For the next several hours!"  Butch had found a nice spot behind the small Love's.  It was bitter cold with a wind, but when I looked out - WOW was the only word I could think of!  

Revived!

In the days before soaring fuel costs, a driver could find a place to park the trailer & take the semi bobtailing around to site see.  No longer.  Once you're parked, that's where you stay, until dispatched to the next destination.

Butch & Big Red~

We were both actually hungry & had time to fix a meal & take some walks!  Butch pulled out his George Foreman grill & cooked us some wonderful Waubonsie Beef Pineapple Brauts!  Yum!

Nika takes me for a walk!

After lunch & our walk, it was time for bed, again in daylight.  It was nice & quiet, the quietest "sleep time" we'd had so far.

5:30 p.m. Butch & Nika, the OTR Buhund!

Soon, it was 5 p.m. & time for us to hit the road.  At least on the trip out, there would be enough daylight for us to enjoy the views.

6:08 p.m. Heading back toward Denver~

Our dispatch would take us to Sterling to drop the empty trailer we had & pick up another load, going to Joliet, IL.  This would bring us right back across Nebraska & through Omaha & Council Bluffs.  I made the decision to go home.  It was only Tuesday evening & I felt like I'd been out for days.

Arriving in Sterling on time, the train was blocking the only entrance to the dirt lot that held the trailers.  Butch finally found the correct trailer, with paperwork attached.  He backed up to it, to find it had been left jacked so high in the air there was no way to pick it up.  He had to manually lower a trailer with a 40,000 lb. load of pinto beans.  Once connected, we again had to wait for the train & drove out of the lot.  Now, the new GPS decided to lose its mind.  When we'd circumnavigated several blocks to arrive back where we'd started, we figured this out.  Just as we pulled over to see what was up, the dash lights went dark.  Butch shut down the engine, waited, started it again, still no lights.  

We could see the lot, so drove back in.  Butch got out, checked the pigtail to the trailer, added a seal to tighten it all up & tried the engine again.  This time - success!  We had dash lights!  I pulled out my phone & Google Maps.  Following those directions, we were soon back on Interstate 76 heading east.  Neither of us wanted to stay in Sterling for our rest break.  I remembered the nice rest area at Julesburg.  We pulled in there, with minutes left on Butch's drive clock.

Next - return to Council Bluffs~