Battleship and Causeways

Just east of Mobile Alabama, is “Battleship Park”.A museum of sorts containing the Battleship “Alabama”,(photo) a WWII Submarine and now they're starting to add Warplanes. Need to stop here sometime and check out the Sub like my father served on in WWII. I cross numerous causeways(photos) across Mobile Bay and river outlets and onto Florida. Around Pensacola FL, home of the “Blue Angels”, they have mounted Jets (photo) at the Interstate Rest Areas. Not my time of the year in Florida, nice weather, but too many “Snowbirds” from up North creating a lot of traffic and inflating the prices on everything.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

My Kind of Country

Through Houston Texas and onto Mississippi on I-10 today. Louisiana is my kind of country. Trees allover, green grass and water everywhere you look. (the Cajun music of my Southern Cousins doesn't hurt either) Just East of Breau Bridge Louisiana, I-10 travels for 18 miles on a elevated Causeway over the Atchfalaya river basin.One river,lake or swamp after another all the way.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Boreing!!!

Along I-10 in Western Texas today. This stretch of road, between El Paso and San Antonio, has to be the most boring Interstate in the country. Speed limits of 80mph for cars and 70mph for trucks (a lot of good it does me with a 62mph truck). Nothing but desert, scrub trees, and brown grass with a cactus thrown in now and then. Even the towns are spread out, sometimes 50+ miles apart, and the type of towns, that if one blinks you miss them.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Along I-10 From Arizona to Texas

One of those loads; Dispatch held it to the last minute,and I have to run my backside off to deliver it on time. Through fields of Saguro Cactus in Arizona.The Saguro grows in patches only in the Sonora Desert at certain elavations (picture) I-10 across Arizona and New Mexico is pretty much nothing worth looking at, with the exception of “Texas Canyon”.I-10 goes through a 2 mile pass called Texas Canyon, which is strewn with hugh boulders, many looking like they should fall down if touched.(Picture)
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

On the Road Again

Picked up in Compton California and headed to Atlanta Georgia, with a stop along the way at Lakeland Florida. Expected light traffic today, the day after Christmas, and traffic was the normal daily rush hour traffic in the Los Angeles area. Traffic may have been even a little heavier today because a lot of traffic to the malls.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman.

Desert Snow

Took a load down to Fontana California, by way of the Mojave Desert. It snowed this week in the desert, and it sure looked strange, as it is usually dry and barren. Took a picture of a Joshua Tree in the snow. The Joshua tree only grows in the Mojave desert and the Holy Land, and is related to the Lilly plant. Home for the holidays in the San Joaquin Valley and looking forward to a White Christmas (Fog)
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Beautiful Country-Wrong Time of the Year

Sent into the mountains to the small town of Burney California. Beautiful ride as all the trees were snow covered and the roads weren't too bad, with only a few icy spots. The shipper is located about 4 miles off the main highway on a small one lane road I got to within a mile of picking up my load, when a loaded truck coming up the road slid off and got stuck blocking the road. No way for me or the 6 other trucks behind me to go anywhere for 9 hours waiting for a tow truck to pull out the truck blocking the road. By the time we got to the shipper, they were closed, and we had to camp overnight in their lot.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Slippin N Slidin From Wyoming To California

Spent the last two day going from Wyoming to California on I-80. Roads were pretty clear with only a few Icy spots along the way. Snowing last night in Utah, but the weather cleared up this morning and clear sailing across Nevada and across Donner Pass into California. Got lucky as Donner pass required chains for two days and lifted the Chain Law about an hour before I went across.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Rock N Roll Across Nebraska

Crazy weather! 60 degrees yesterday in Lincoln Nebraska, and 39 degrees this morning at 6am. Heading West across Nebraska and the winds started blowing up to 40 mph from the side.Luckily I have a heavy load to keep the truck on the ground and there isn’t much snow on the ground to blow across the roadway. The temperatures kept dropping all day and was down to 0 by 2pm (see picture) and at –7 by the time I got to Wyoming at 5pm.
Took a picture (attached) of the Platte River Museum which was built across I-80 a few years back to commemorate the Oregon and Mormon Trails which followed the Platte River.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

North to the Land of White Stuff

Through Chicago Illinois and Milwaukee Wisconsin to deliver a load in Richfield Wisconsin.Everything is snow covered but at least it’s on the ground and not falling. Temperature got down to 2 degrees last night. Too darn cold for normal people? from California. Back across the Mississippi going west to Nebraska (see pictures)
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Hang the S.O.B

The Governor of Illinois got arrested today. Great news for truck drivers! A few years ago, the Legislature of Illinois approved raising the speed limit to 65mph for trucks and the Governor vetoed the bill, supposedly because the roads were too bad for trucks to go 65mph. What a crock of BS. If the roads couldn’t meet the standards for trucks to go 65mph, then they wern’t built and maintained properly with the taxes levied for them. Probably another case of Illinois corruption in using the road funds for other things. All the Governors veto did,was to cost each truck driver lost wages while driving in Illinois and opened us up to extra speeding tickets when the state needed extra revenue. Hopefully the Governor spends a long time in jail and loses as much income as he cost us truck drivers.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Into the East, Once Again

Through Oklahoma and Missouri on I-44 then across the Mississippi River into Illinois.
(Picture)Looks like rain tonight,then possible snow tomorrow. Fun and Games, Maybe??
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Ghosts in New Mexico and Religion in Texas

On I-40 in New Mexico, between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari, is the little town of Cuervo New Mexico. Only signs of life is a small store, a few homes,a garage and a junkyard. Spread out on both sides of the Interstate are alot of old closed up mud-brick buildings. Must have been some town at one time as there are 2 churches and one school among the buildings. (see pictures (not very good))
This afternoon I passed through Groom Texas, home of what is claimed to be the "Tallest Cross" in the Western Hemisphere (picture)
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Back in The United States

Every time I leave California, I feel like I'm back in the US from a foreign country. Most truck drivers feel the same way because of the idiotic speed limits and BS they get while driving in California. Crossed the Colorado river on I-40 about noon (see picture) and my attitude took a turn for the better. The Colorado River was so named because of it's red appearance with all the mud and silt it carried. Today, with all the dams along the river, The Colorado is blue and clear, especially at the I-40 CA-AZ crossing.
About 20 miles into Arizona on I-40,I come to the Town of Yucca AZ. Known mainly as a military test ground, a real estate company tried to sell land there and advertised with a giant "Golf Ball" (see picture). Don't think much land was sold as there ain't nothing there, but the Golf Ball has become a home to someone who has added little flying saucers around it to make it appear as something from outer space.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Back to Work

Dispatched on a load from the L.A.area to northern West Virginia. Foggy all the way south to the I-5 CA 99 split,south of Bakersfield CA, when the sun came out and sunny all the way into the L.A. area and out through the desert heading East. Just east of I-5 on the I-210, I came across last months California fire damage. On the south side of the freeway everything looks normal. On the North side of the freeway there was about a square mile of nothing but streets and home foundations (no homes or any vegetation as it all burnt up)Looks like the freeway served as a fire break to save one side from the other. Will have my camera ready next time I go through.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Getting to Look Like a White Christmas?

Home for a few days, then out again till Christmas. Looks like a typical San Joaquin Valley Winter coming. Foggy as hell in the mornings, and sometimes clears up in the afternoon. Sometimes it doesn't clear for a week and while the temperatures don't fluctuate much between highs and lows, the dampness gets to one in his old age . Fog is our version of a "White Christmas"
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

What a Week (Murphy's Law)

Flat tire on Thursday, Broken passenger windshield on Friday. Worked for Wal-Mart for 5 days (supposed to be 2) and then today winter hit New Mexico,with me driving across it. Headed to California and the sun was shining in Oklahoma. Started to cloud up in Texas and the temperature dropped 30 degrees. Started to rain when I hit New Mexico and the rain change to snow then Ice. Cleared up again by Albuquerque New Mexico where everything was flooded. More accidents almost caused in the snow because some slowed to a ridiculous 20mph when the roads were good, then tried to do 70 through the ice storm (one SUV overturned and one car slid up against the wall) Almost involved in my own accident because of a couple of dumb ass truck drivers. I had heard about the rollover from the CB and was slowing down because the left lane was closed for the police activity. I was in the right lane, and two trucks came up behind me, trying to pass in the left lane doing about 70.They had to swerve in front of me to keep from hitting the police. Possibly the trucks didn't have their CB's on, but should have guessed something was up when I was slowing down and had my flashers on and all the police light flashing in front of them.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

I Love My Job

Sometimes driving a big truck is a pain in the ass. Empty yesterday morning and Picked up 15 hours later at midnight last night. How dispatchers think we can sleep the 8 hours the night before we deliver and then go back to sleep for 15 more hours waiting on the next load, then drive with it amazes me. IT JUST DON'T WORK THAT WAY!!
When you expect an easy day, Murphy's Law takes over. Had a trailer tire blow out, and had to wait 2 hours to get it into a shop to be repaired.(Repairs only took 15 minutes)
Outside St Louis Missouri tonight.Supposed to go down to 16 degrees tonight (Where the hell is this so called "Global Warming")
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Appropriate Town Name

11/18/08
Cold all day and never got above 32 degrees.Snowing when I got to the receiver and supposed to go down in the 20’s tonight.The name of this place; “Wintersville Ohio”
How appropriate!!
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Into the East

11/17/08
Crossed the Mississippi River into the East this morning. Pretty view of Memphis TN crossing the river on I-40.(Even had a riverboat chugging up the river) Sun was shining till I crossed the river,then it turned cloudy and in the 30’s all the way up to Cincinnati OH. Even a few snow flurries in Kentucky from Louisville on.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

It's Getting Colder

Ran into some snow flurries in northern Kentucky today,and figure it will clear over night.Free wifi in the KY rest area for 15 minutes only, then they want money. Most other states are free like Texas, California, New York. Must be some private outfit allowed to operate on State property to make a buck
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Just My Luck!

11/16/08
Picked up a load of paper in Texas,and headed for Ohio. My company has over 200 trailers at the shipper,and of all things, my load was loaded on a trailer with a flat tire. No big deal, just a delay in heading down the road to get it fixed.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Hello Winter

11/15/08
A cold front came through and the temperatures went from in the high 60’sdown to the low 30’stoday in Missouri. Got to Dallas TX and still only in the 50’s. Temperatures in the 30’s at night and saw my first snow flurries last night. One of the fun things about driving a truck, the hugh changes in weather on a daily basis.I might be in the 60’s one day and in the 30’s the next.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Greensburg Kansas

11/13/08
Last year a tornado all but wiped out the town of Greensburg Kansas.Went by the town today and it is slowly rebuilding. Seems like a few more houses and businesses added each time I go by. The town still looks ghostly as there are large vacant lots and streets, and the trees are still leafless and probally dead.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Lord of the Flies

11/11-13/08
I’ve always said “That driving a truck, is about 55 minutes of boredom and 5 minutes of excitement every hour” My last three days of boredom,from California to Missouri, have been spent killing over a 1000 flies. Seems I picked up thousands of flies at the tomato plant, and have been swatting flies going down the road, ever since. Sure gave me something to do during my hours of boredom. Mostly swatting flies one at a time, but sometimes two and once four at one swat.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Dumb Farm Operations

11/10/08
Picked up a load at a tomato canning place. Took me over 5 hours to get loaded and that seemed to be the norm around there. Typical food operation; they have a load to fill and order a truck before they have the product to ship, then make the driver wait while they get around to getting the order ready. I’ve dealt with the same problem before when I used to haul produce. No matter what time the driver appears, the product is never ready. The driver loses,as we don’tget paid to sit for the first few hours, and the shipper loses as they get charged extra for the truck to sit, and it all gets piled onto the cost at the grocery store.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

On The Road Again

Been on vacation since the 31st of October. Amazing how far things get behind when your on the road so much. I've been working with things I've downloaded from the internet almost 2 1/2 years ago, and just got the time to work with them.

California Grafitti

Headed to California,land of the truck graffiti artists. No matter where I am in this country,when I spot a trailer that has been tagged with graffiti, there is more then a 90% chance the trailer has California License plates. Seems that Los Angeles is the home of trailer graffiti artists, more so then anywhere in the United States.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Bad Economy

Looks like the economy really is getting bad. I've noticed that I seem to wait more between loads,and freight seems almost non-existant in some areas. Looks like companies are holding back on shipments waiting to see what happens. Getting colder everyday up here in Pennsylvania, and I bet it will be just as cold when I get to Chicago (the dump of the mid-west)
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Weeds of the South

Down in the South this weekend. A weed that grows all through the South,is Kudzu. Imported from outside the United States, Kudzu has taken over the south and grows so fast that it can't be eradicated. Kudzu is like Ivy in that it has broad leaves and grows in vines.It climbs trees and poles and makes some interesting sights along the roads.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Iowa Gold Mine

10/16/08
Driving across Iowa, I noticed that the Farmers are planting giant wind turbines in their corn fields. What a racket? The Government subsidizes the growing of corn, which is now being diverted to make ethanol(a costly gas replacement, that is only profitable with another Government subsidy)The wind turbines don't produce enough electricity to justify their existence without another Government subsidy Food gets diverted from the food chain and we pay more for it at the stores, and pay taxes to provide the subsidies. When will this country wake up to the con game of the Al Gore's of this world.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Getting Colder

Left California in shorts Saturday and headed to Utah. Clear over Donner Pass, but snow on the mountains in the higher mountains. Got to Fernley Nevada and the wind was blowing 30mph and the temperature was in the 40's(Good bye shorts).Clear drive to Salt Lake City Utah Sunday where I ran into snow. No big deal, but just enough to mess up the windows. Short night Sunday, delivering at 5am to a Wal-Mart grocery warehouse. Finally headed East Monday to Illinois, and blew a trailer tire Tuesday about 5 miles from our terminal in Nebraska. Getting the truck and trailer serviced anyway so no big deal. Weather cold since California, and raining all accross Nebraska.
Keep on Trucking
The Iceman

North to Indiana then home to California

10/2-6/08
Took a load to Indianapolis Indiana, then home to California. Weather getting colder, hardly getting into the 80's anywhere. In Oklahoma on I-44, is what is claimed to be the biggest MacDonalds in the world. It strattles across the highway. (See Photo). Thunderstorms across New Mexico (Photo)

Atlanta Georgia

From Ohio to Atlanta Georgia along I-75. Atlanta is one of the worst towns to drive around. Three Interstates, I-20, I-85, and I-75, converge into one big traffic jam. Big trucks aren't even allowed to drive straight through town and have to go out of the way around the loop around town. Speed limit on the loop is 55mph, but everyone does 65-70mph. Always thought the Northerners (was actually the retreating Southerners) did the town a favor when they burnt it down in the Civil War. Too bad they rebuilt it.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Back to the Buckeye

9/27/08
Across I-80 through Pennsylvania to Ohio. The highest point on I-80, East of the Mississippi River is in Pennsylvania. Only comparable in elevation to the foothills, west of the Mississippi River
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Cesspool of the United States

9/28/2008
Started pouring rain in Pennsylvania, as soon as I had to get out of the truck. Went through 2 sets of clothes just trying to drop my load. Delivered my load in Pennsylvania and sent to the "Cesspool of the US" The East Coast, North of Virginia, and South of New England Bad traffic, some of the worst drivers, and everyone has a bad attitude because of it. Hopefully, Al Gore is right about Global Warming, and the oceans will rise and wash away this place.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Great Circle Route

9/25/08
Headed south on I-81 from Northern PA, through Maryland, across the Patomic River into West Virginia,into Virginia and headed to Knoxville Tennessee. In a valley all through Virginia between two mountain ranges and one Civil War Battlefield after another. Never saw the sun all day as it was cloudy all day
9/26/08
In Tennessee today delivering in Knoxville in the morning and reloading in Chattanooga in the afternoon, and headed to Columbus OH.(Tennessee has become one of the worst States to drive a truck in. Speed limits for trucks have been dropped to 55mph within 40-50 miles of any large town, for no reason other then to create speed traps to make money off of big trucks. Also creates a safety problem between trucks cars because of a 10-15 mph speed difference. Stupid politicians in Tennessee seem to be trying to out dumb the ones in California)
9/27/08
Dropped my load in Columbus OH and headed back to Pennsylvania. Rain on and off all day. Will empty out in Pennslyvania with this load about 50miles from where I started on last Wednesday (an 1800 mile "Great Circle Route")
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Pennsylvania and Upstate New York

Crossing from Ohio into Pennsylvania on I-80 is like going into another world. Pennsylvania is all tree covered mountains with many rivers in deep valleys. Heading north into New York on I-81 is much the same with a few more lakes formed from the ice age glaciers. Getting to be that time of the year as all the trees are changing colors, and the temperatures are getting down in the 40's at night.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

I-80 Through Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio

Mostly much the same as going through Nebraska(without the Lakes), Iowa has a few more rolling hills, with a lot of fields of either corn or soy beans. I cross the Mississippi River from Iowa into Illinois and the speed limit for trucks drops to 55mph, giving me a $5 per hour pay cut from a 65mph state. (Only California, Illinois, Oregon, and Ohio still have a 55mph speed limit for trucks and it costs us truck drivers money) Illinois is pretty flat traveling and a lot of Chicago Metro traffic just before entering Indiana. Toll road across Indiana at 65mph, and Toll road across Ohio at 65mph (only place in Ohio where trucks can exceed 55mph as an incentive to get us to travel the toll roads and not clog up the old back roads)
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Interstate 80 in Nebraska

September 20
I-80 in Nebraska, going West to East, the first 100 miles are mainly rolling hills and ranch land. The remaining 350 miles keep getting flatter and follow the Platte River to Omaha. The Platte River is known as "The Great River Road",in that the Oregon Trail and the Mormon trail pretty much follow it through Nebraska. One interesting fact along I-80, is that there is a lake almost every mile along side the highway. When the interstate was constructed, the sand and gravel was dug along side the highway, and the remaining holes have since filled with water making the lakes.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Wyoming Towns on I-80

September 19
Interstate 80 in Wyoming, pretty much follows the old Trans Continental Railroad route. All the major towns along I-80, with the exception of Cheyenne, are spaced approximately 100 miles apart. At the western end is Evanston Wy, the 100 mile marker is Rock Springs, 200 mile marker is Rawlins, 300 mile marker is Laramie, and at the Eastern end is Pine Bluff. All these towns were established or grew out of being construction camps for the building of the railroal. The one big exception along I-80 is Cheyenne, which grew as a crossroads between Denver Colorado and Casper Wyoming.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

California Exempt

September 18
Headed north from Los Angeles to Utah on I-15. Just before the Nevada State line, there is a 55 mph construction zone (no workers as usual). Traffic was keeping between 55 and 60 and was pretty heavy through the work zone. In my rear view mirror,I noticed a red SUV, going at least 70 mph, swerving in and out of traffic, going from one lane to another, and following too close when other vehicles didn't move fast enough for him. When the Red SUV came up beside me I noticed the "California Exempt" license plates, and a big sticker on the side saying "Cal Trans". Now Cal Trans is the agency that has created the "Double Fine"in construction zones to protect their workers, and is the first to complain about speeders in work zones endangering their workers. Some example this guy set! I always thought "Cal Exempt" meant Government vehicles exempt from paying license fees. but I guess it really means "Exempt" from obeying the laws.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Grumpy Elves

Sept 17-18
Back on the road today, and took a load of baked goods to a warehouse of those cute little Elves (you know the ones)I've had many a load to other warehouses of this company across the country, and they've always been one of the better places to deliver to. Not so with the one in the Southern California area. Drove straight through and got only 4 hours sleep to meet their 4:30 am appointment. First I was ignored by the receiving clerk, who seemed to be more interested in her morning cup of coffee and shooting the bull with her co-worker, then doing her job. Next sent to the warehouse foreman, who seemed to have quite an attitude against doing any work for the day. Finally dropped my trailer and got the hell out of there. Don't these companies realize that every time they mess with a truck driver, they lose us as a customer of their products.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Blog Posts Information

Due to the fact that I'm not connected on a daily basis, In the future I might make multiple posts when connected to cover my travels.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Home Time

At home this week in California. What's a truck driver do when home? I spend most of the time trying to catch up with what went to hell while I was away. I spend some time with the family, and spend a day getting ready to hit the road again. Pretty much don't get any sleep doing too many things in too few days, and always glad to hit the road again, just to catch up on some sleep.
USC #1
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

The Firemans Tree

The Sherman mountain range splits Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie Wyoming. Along this portion of the Interstate, in the center divider, grows a pine tree, seemingly growing out of a rock. The story goes: The railroad used to pass by this tree and the Fireman used to stop and water this tree growing out of the rock. The railroad has long moved it's tracks far away and was replaced first by The Lincoln Highway (US 30) which was again replaced by Interstate 80. The tree still thrives today. Also through the pass through the Sherman mountains is a statue of Abraham Lincoln, commemorating the "Lincoln Highway"
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

US-287 From Amarillo Texas to Limon Colorado

Still on US 287 today. Rolling hills of grassy plains almost 300 miles. Only 3 towns of any size; Dumas Texas, Boise City Oklahoma, and Lamar Colorado, none much bigger then 2 miles from city limit to city limit. Dumas was a shock, as it is the first town I've seen in years that had the intelligence to time their traffic lights to the speed limit. Just north of Lamar I came across millions of yellow butterflies,on both sides of the highway for almost 3 miles.(Unfortunately a few hundred of the butterflies attacked the trucks windshield and won't live to see another day) One bad experience today; Stopped to fuel at a truck stop and pulled up behind a truck on the fuel islands with no hoses hanging down indicating he might be done fueling and was going to pull forward. Ten minutes later, the guy must have remembered why he was on the fuel island, as he got out of his truck and started fueling. After he finished fueling, he pulled forward and went inside the truck stop. I pulled up, fueled my truck, and backed out as the other driver was still playing in the truck stop. At lest 30 minutes of my time wasted for some inconsiderate asshole.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

US-287 From Ft Worth to Amarillo Texas

Headed back to Utah. In Texas today and traveling US 287 from Ft Worth to Amarillo. Came upon a couple of dumb ass girls, traveling in a convertible, spending more time talking back and forth and speeding up and slowing down instead of paying any attention to driving.I finally went to pass them and they stayed on my right side enjoying the shade of the truck for about 2 miles. As soon as I got in front of them, they sped up and passed me on the left and took off. Typical of the jerks you meet on the road.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

More Backroads to meet Hurricaine Gustav

Still running mostly old backroads in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas and now Mississippi. A lot of small dying towns with many old vacant buildings from better days. Pretty country through the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. Went through Memphis Tennessee today and marvel at what a dumpy town it seems from the Highway (must be a nice part of town somewhere, but I've never found it) Crossing from Memphis Tennessee into Mississippi is like traveling between two different worlds. Mississippi is clean and green and not dumpy at all. Hurricane Gustav is supposed to arrive on shore about 300 miles South of me in the morning, but all I expect to see is the left over rain. At least the truck will get washed.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Backroad Boredom

From El Paso Texas to Santa Rosa New Mexico on US-54. Has to be one of the most boring drives in the country. Nothing but scrub trees, sage brush and cactus. Very few hills to break the monotony and even fewer towns worth mentioning. The only excitement on the road was the ICE checkpoint at Alamogordo NM (where I was given a thorough going over by an agent) and the new New Mexico scale right next door (sat there while one DOT agent inspected the truck in front of me, while another agent sat and watched him, while eating his lunch. Finally waved on after 5 minutes of watching the lazy one eat his lunch) New Mexico Taxpayer money well spent!!
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

Canyonlands and the Devil's Highway

Drove south down US 191 from Interstate 70 through Moab UT headed to Texas. Only hit this route maybe once a year, but it has to be one of the most scenic highways in the West. Sandstone hills of almost every color imaginable, The Colorado river, and Arches National Park along with Canyonlands National Park along the way. The town of Moab Utah has turned into a tourist trap, but interesting to look at all the people walking around. US 191 continues onto Four Corners, but I turned off onto the old Devils Highway (US 666 now called US 491)Mostly just high desert to I-40 in Gallup NM, but it travels through the Navajo Nation. The road between Shiprock NM and Gallup NM is under construction and quite a rough, bumpy mess, in places. Bounced my TV out of it's cupboard and onto the floor.Oh Well! I needed a new TV anyway.
Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

The Bee Hive State

Utah, in most cases, has pretty good roads. They are just always under construction around Salt Lake City and they can't seem to get it right.
The only place I know of outside of Utah where a driver has to travel surface streets to get from one Interstate Highway to another that intersect, is in Dallas Texas, where one travels about a block to get from I-30 E to I-35E S. In Utah I know of at least 3 places where Interstates intersect and you have to travel surface streets to get between them. In one case, one has to travel almost 9 miles on on an old US Highway to get from one Interstate to another. (Seems either the State never heard of ramps between roads or just likes to send us on the scenic routes)
Utah likes to restrict compression brakes in way too many places. Sure they make noise: but Utah seems to worry more about noise then the safety the compression brakes provide to the truck driver.(Always wondered what would make more noise: The compression brake or the scream of the 4 wheeler the truck stops on)
One last pet peeve! Utah has 3 new truck scales, two on I-15 at the UT/AZ border, and one on I-80 at the UT/WY border. On the ramp, drivers are to maintain 100' space between trucks at 20-25mph for a pre-weigh, then slow to 10mph crossing the scale. When traffic is heavy, everyone bunches up and sometimes stop because trucks can't maintain 20mph when they run into trucks doing 10mph. (Some engineer sure didn't use his brain when he dreamed up this multi-speed plan through the scales)

Keep on Truckin
The Iceman

The Truck Gods Must Be Listening

Shacked up in a motel today, while my company installs an Axillary Power Unit on my truck. Maybe my company (or Gov Arnold) read my post from yesterday?? Should be nice to treated like a human being when it comes to heat and air conditioning. Besides I can now install a microwave and eat something other then "cold food" for a change.
Keep on truckin
The Iceman

Escape From Hell

Loaded up and headed to Nebraska. Thanks to California's "no idle Law" I drove a little extra to get out of California and spend the night in Nevada. The law requires drivers to not run their trucks supposedly to help clean up the air. Never mind, a driver trying to sleep in a hundred degree plus truck doesn't get much sleep and is dangerous as hell for the lack of sleep(watch out 4 wheelers). The State of California is offering truck owners of trucks registered in California a cash handout to install auxiliary power units on their trucks, but this doesn't do me any good being with a company registered out of State. Being a resident of California,I just get to help foot the handout with my taxes. Hope the exhaust from my truck in Nevada, blows the right way back to California (I'm sure it was nothing compared to the exhaust from Arnold's Hummer and Private Jet)
The Iceman

Intro

Well, as if I don't have much to do, I thought I'd start a blog of my driving around the country and the things I see along the way. I'm a Company Driver for a major carrier, driving mainly East of the Mississippi River and living on the West Coast. (You drivers know how they love to keep us as far from home as possible)
The Iceman