Fifth & Sixth Days~

 Butch returned to Joplin Monday morning!  The tractor & trailer went through inspection.  The next dispatch has been delayed several times.  Originally set for 10 p.m. on Monday, it's supposed to come in late this afternoon. Butch is still waiting. If & when the load does arrive, he will be on his way north. 

In his first week, he's been able to drive 2.5 days.  The other three plus days have been spent waiting, either for a repair, or loads.  All since he left Joplin the evening of Friday the 25th. Once Butch gets on the road again & arrives at the drop, there's still a question as to whether he will get his home time quite yet.

Truck in the bay of a really Big Shop!

The weather has recovered from the snow & ice of Butch's last visit.  Now, CFI is a busy place.  Butch picked up my completed Passenger Pass, a requirement if I'm to ride along.

Flags flying at CFI headquarters~

Monday, the tractor went into the shop, it needed a new (front) steer tire.  Butch said it was the biggest, most organized place of its kind he'd ever seen.  Row upon row of tires, some already on rims & ready to be mounted.

Next stop - the truck wash!

In the truck wash!

The finished product!  Big Red ready to get back on the road!

Big Red is all Clean & Ready to Roll!

Our friend Doris had an unexpected change to her plans this month & is unable to take care of Nika.  Tuesday, after I told Butch, he filled out more paperwork & was charged a very large non-refundable pet fee.  Nika is now officially a CFI traveling Pet :-) How she will take to this, we have no idea, but I'm sure we'll find out!  For the amount we were charged, I think the sticker should be personalized with her name :-)

The little diamond; "Pet on Board"

Butch has seen & spoken with a few of the other guys he was in training with.  The Finisher's training techniques are varied, without a specific format.  It seems no two trainee drivers get the same instruction.  They are all having issues getting squared away with the many intricacies the job entails. Many of the office staff are still working from home, making it difficult to get questions answered.

I was getting excited, thinking Butch would be home soon...  After our phone conversation today, I'll wait until I see Big Red coming down our street!  (He's looking forward to racking up miles, but getting the truck outfitted with a refrigerator etc., would be nice first.)  I'm still not fully on-board with the idea of leaving home.  Butch has said something about it being more like six-weeks than four...  This will involve plenty of discussion - I'm sure. :-)