Fuel for Thought

Nasty weather

         I spent Wednesday at home this week due to dealing with some family issues, then got back on the road. Thursday night I picked up a transfer load from another driver in West Virginia, that was headed to Chicago for Friday morn.  Dispatch called and let me know the other driver was going to arrive at the transfer point 2 hours early, so I headed on down.  It wasn't scheduled to deliver to 8:30 Friday, but since I picked up early, I was hoping they would open early, and luckily they were.  I delivered about 6:30 am, then headed over to a nearby Walmart to crash out for the day.  Some Walmarts don't allow trucks to park in their lots, so I try and respect that even tho I'm in a van.. I figure if they don't want trucks idling out there, then I shouldn't. 

          Well, after getting my rest, I got called for a pickup down in South Bend, Indiana, headed over to Cleveland, Ohio.  Close enough to home for me, so I was glad to get it, and head that way. Of course, anyone around this area knows what I hit a few hours later!  After I picked up, and headed towards Cleveland, the snow hit.  Within an hour or two, I was on very slick roads, and was starting to pass wrecks.  luckily I was hauling about 1700 pounds of equipment, so it helped keep me stable.  By the time I got to Cleveland, there was a good six inches of snow on all the roads, plus blowing snow.  I pulled in the delivery to find an unplowed lot! I 'plowed' the lot as I drove in LOL... I found someone who directed me to the dock area.. but I told them, no way would I be able to back up a ramp, covered with 6 inches with snow.  They directed me to try one around back, and found someone had just shovelled it, so once I actually made it thru the parking lot, (ok.. slid my way LOL).. I was able to get up the ramp, and get unloaded.  Being 160 miles or so from home, I headed down I71 to home... of course when I got there, I was bouncing thru 2 ft high snow drifts on my road!  Crazy night, but the old van did well, getting me home about 4 am Saturday. In service now, waiting for the call! Should be back out in the morn.