WHEW, an update

WHEW! Well, let me try to do an overview to update a little. I updated this once when I had a chance, but it must've gone into the black hole because it never published it here!
Joplin had an ICE STORM all weekend we were there. Monday we finally got the truck loaded with our stuff, and waffled some about getting a load out, but finally decided to go. If it gets worse out there, we'll just shut down.
We got a heavy load of copper to Du Quoin,Illinois, near St Louis for the first run, an easy 360mi run for next morning delivery. From there we were deadheaded up to Bolingbrook, Ill, a Chicago burb. We got loaded there with auto/truck parts with 3 deliveries in Tacoma, Wash, a 2017mi run in a day and a half. Welcome to team driving! We made it in plenty of time to spare, but wore out. This will take some getting used to sleeping while the truck is moving, and also sleeping at different times of day. From there we deadheaded down to Portland, Or for a load of printer cartridges to El Paso, Tx, total was another 1850mi apprx. At least we will get some warmer weather! One of the challenges of this run is a famous pass in Oregon on I-84, "Cabbage". It was a looooong pull going up it headed east. Would have been really challenging headed the other direction and fully loaded! During this run, we were able to stop in Salt Lake City, get our mail, and visit with our son and future daughter-in-law for an hour. Was nice to see them and touch home base, even for a short min.
At El Paso, we were on the board for our next load, so decided to bobtail up to the truck stop a couple miles away. El Paso is a drop yard that CFI uses, and there were alot of trucks and trailers there. We were able to get a shower and had planned to come back later and try to get laundry, but,,,,,,the famous Qualcomm chirp, and we had a load. During our trips so far, we have managed to get a shower at least every other day out.
From El Paso, we were given a load of Hallmark card to deliver to Lawrence, Ks Hallmark warehouse. So remember, next time you pick up a card for your loved one, we may have had a hand in getting it to you!! :)
As of right now, we are sitting in the lot at Hallmark, waiting for our next adventure.
Some of the ups and downs of this so far.
Sleeping! We have not been very good about setting a schedule for ourselves and sticking to it. I have hooked up, and start out, and continue till my log runs out of time, or I run out, whichever comes last :)
On the up side, so far when we have delivered, we have had enough time to get some sleep and catch up before our next dispatch.
Eating: We get to eat about one meal a day, and snack out of the truck while driving the rest of the time. We have a microwave so that help. We also have a coffee maker, and Kim makes a mean pot of coffee on the road for me!
Bathroom breaks: The first part of the travels was a little harder to get those in. Now we have a porta potti, so that makes life a LOT more convienent for us, tho, the privacy thing is a little lacking.
I don't know how truckers did this in the past. We are able to get on-line and pay bills, use the cell phone and keep in touch when we want, etc. We also have a GPS that is pretty good about giving directions right to the customer. Tho when you go a different direction than what it has planned, "Lola" gets a little irritated, and just says "re-calculating" in that irritated female tone! We call her Lola because of the movie "RV".
All in all, so far we are enjoying the adventure and being together. We just need to learn how to work the system a little better for us. It's a steep learning curve, but we'll get there.
Looks like Christmas this year will be with Kim's mom in Ironwood, Mi, JUST across the Wisconsin border in the U.P. This will be the first time with them in 15yrs. Hope she keeps the roads clear for us! Can't believe its only about a week away.
Well, this update has dragged on long enough, good bedtime reading for some!
Till next time, keep safe out there!