Pepe La Pew!

Well it took almost 2 days to get loaded. Picking up from Calexico first, before heading to El Centro. By the time I got to Yuma, AZ. The place was closed. Couldn't re-book the collection until 8am the following morning and by then the only slot available was 11:00. Finally got scaled off and away for 17:00.

Having only had a few hours sleep the night before I got as far as Quartzsite, AZ and realizing I wasn't going to make Las Vegas safely (bobbing head syndrome!), I pulled in and called it a night.

The following morning, after a shower and (half) decent meal I sent in my morning satellite messages and headed out across the Mojave, first stop Vegas for fuel. I'd already planned on a big day today so I could get in-front and maintain a bit of a time cushion for my delivery. So once I got fueled in Vegas I put my foot down all the way through to Willard, UT. Which is just north of Salt Lake City. A distance of 1100km. Got a good nights rest in preparation for an even bigger run the following day. Willard, UT all the way through to Calgary, AB. A distance of 1300km.

The following morning all started out well. Pre-tripped the truck, got some breakfast and fueled up. Then headed north. I hit the snow crossing over into Idaho and by the time I reached Idaho falls it was thick on the ground. Before I reached the Montana state line, I'd already passed 6 vehicles off the road. All of them 4 wheel drives!

Travelling at 65mph on snow covered roads in a vehicle weighing almost 80000lbs is unnerving at the best of times. So as I crossed  the Monida Pass (elev 6811ft) I decided discretion was the better part of valor and slowed to a measly 60mph. By the time I reached Clark Canyon, MT. The road had once again cleared and it was hammer down all the way to the Canadian border.

Approaching Shelby, MT. and in need of a coffee. I decided to top off my fuel tanks and crack on.

Around 10 minutes out from the border you drop down into a coulee. Its fairly steep walled and you tend to get a lot of wildlife crossing here. So I wasn't too shocked when, what I first thought to be a Badger appeared in my headlights. Giving the brakes a tap and hoping I didn't squash him, I watched him disappear under the front right of my hood, before re-appearing in my mirror down the right side. Just as I start to congratulate myself on missing him, the smell struck. I've never smelt anything so bad in all my life! It took 2 days for the smell to finally leave the cab. If I'm planning on doing a bit of walking and taking pictures of wildlife, I really need to learn to tell the difference between a Badger and a Skunk!

I finally roll into Calgary tired, later and colder than planned (had windows down to get rid of the smell). I drop my trailer at the customer and hit the sack.

The following morning I get details of my next load. Take an empty trailer to Lethbridge, AB. Swap it for a loaded one there and be in Sumner, WA for 05:00 on the 22nd (today being the 20th). So not a great deal of time spare.

I'll fill you all in on that trip soon. As I'm out of time at the moment and have other jobs to do! I'm actually on a reset in Tacoma, WA. But want to get my laundry done and out of the way. So maybe I'll post something a little later!

Thank You!

As I'm sat here waiting to start todays shift, I was looking through the stats page for the blog. It seems Mick and Cath are my number 1 referrer's! If we get chance to meet up at some point, I'll deffinately be buying you both a drink!! :) Thank you.

Ontario, CA.

"Mos Eisley spaceport TA Truckstop, Ontario CA. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."


Ok maybe a bit far fetched, but its deffinately an interesting place to have a reset. As I sit here this morning waiting for the nod to head towards my collections. I've heard CB conversations that went from 'Black v White' to 'Black v Mexican' At which time a lady trucker waded in against the men, before asking for help setting her gps up. After which everybody turned on Obama and congress. I suppose if nothing else, Obama can say he united the people. 

Over the 48 hours I've been here, I've been approached by most of the local 'salesmen' with various wares. Including laptops, gps, cb's, dvd's and if I saw anything I liked in the shop, let them know.

Anyway. I'll be out of here shortly. I have collections in Calexico, CA - El Centro, CA and Yuma, AZ to get on today. Delivering in Calgary on the 19th. As long as I can get the collections all picked up today it gives me 3 full days to cover the 2700km trip back to Calgary.

Just a quick update

Well it's been awhile since my last post. Thought I better get the blogging ball rolling. Hopefully now things have settled down I can get into some sort of routine.

Since I started driving, just before christmas. I've had runs into Arizona, California, Idaho, Nebraska, followed by four successive trips across the Trans Canadian Highway - between Brampton, Ontario and various places in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Followed by a trip in the other direction to Vancouver, British Columbia.

I'm currently sat at the Flying J truckstop in Barstow, California. Loaded with beef to be delivered in Vernon, CA in the morning.

I've been as high as 6600ft and as low as 100ft below sea level. In temperatures as high as 26c and as low as -41c. Covering 24418 miles in 8 weeks. Thats 3052.25 miles per week on average. It could have been quite a bit more but for breakdowns, weather, waiting for loads, road closures, customs not being pre-notified of loads properly and of course........those pesky resets!

All in all its been quite a busy and eventful, first couple of months. But I have some time off coming up soon. My wife Sandra is coming out here to have a look around for a couple of weeks, and it will be good to have some company for a while.

Once I get delivered in Vernon I need to take a reset. So if I can find an internet connection I should be able to write some more. For now it's time for bed. 4am start tomorrow!

I hate mornings!!!