Finally a Real Truck Driver

Well, I'm a real truck driver now. I've been out for two weeks on my own, and if that wasn't enough, I have a CB radio too. This first outing took me to two new three new states, Utah, Nebraska, and Colorado. I also passed through Nevada, Wyoming, and Iowa. Iowa was cool, not because of the state so much (the roads were rather bumpy and hilly), but I got to my destination a day early, a destination close by Dubuque, and thus was able to spend most of a day with Ellery, Anna, and the kids.

Apart from the new states I visited, this two week outing also had some other firsts. I had my first load where I couldn't actually fill up my gas tank because I would be over weight (over 80,000 pounds), so that was exciting. Also, in Denver (which was my destination in Colorado) I blocked two intersections and had to back up in order to not take out a light pole. No one honked, but I doubt they were very happy about it either. But I haven't hit anyone yet (although I did hit my fair share of curbs, again in Denver....I don't think Denver, at least the parts I was in, was meant for trucks), so I still have a good driving record.

After such a short period I already know my least favorite part of the job, finding the darn places. It's not so bad when they are large mills or something, but my last two loads I had multiple deliveries to stores, so not only did I have to try to find more places, but the places where hard to get into and out of, and was all together unpleasant. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to get an iPhone sometime soon, mainly for its mapping ability. I'm hopping it will make my least favorite aspect of the job more pleasant.

Finally, I should explain why I haven't updated in a while. Well, most of the truck stops have internet, but most of them make you pay for it, something I've been reluctant to do since I still don't have much money. I should start to have more money soon, but the way the paying works, I've only had small paychecks to date due to when I got my paper work in on my loads. Thus, I didn't want to spend the money to get online. Hope no one was too disappointed by my lack of communication.