There and Back

We made it to a truckstop about 30 mi from our drop on Sunday nite about 6pm local, went in, had dinner at the resturant, then went back out to the truck and watched half of the super bowl.
Next day started out good, went over to the customers early, got in at 6:30 instead of 7:30, and got unloaded. There was one other CFI truck and us, so we had plenty of room.
After our unload, we headed out of the customers area, and sent in our empty call. It didn't take long for our next assignment,,,,,back to Calexico! We were to deadhead over to Bryson city, SC,,about 200mi west, and load. No problem. Interstate to Waynesville and refuel, then a US hiway down to Bryson City. We got there about 12:30 for a 2pm load time. Good shape. Waited our turn, then put 'er in the hole (the dock). I kept watching the air suspension gauge while they were loading us, and noticed it didn't move much, meaning the load was really light. When they finished, I went to get the paperwork. About 13,000lbs of steel frames with plastic dashes for the new Kenworth trucks. If we keep this up, we'll be able to say they built some entire trucks thanks to us!!!
Now for the fun, heading out of Bryson City. It had cut us down from I-40 so were were headed southwest toward I-20. Only thing there is no good way to get there. We were headed the way our "suggested routing" sent to us had us going. All of a sudden Kim said we neded to pull over and look at the map. Sure enough, they had us headed for a restricted route on US 64 in a National Park between N. Carolina and Chattanooga. OOPS. So we detoured south on what we hoped was a good road, and kept winding our way down to I-20. Man, that entire road trip between Bryson City and I-20 south of Rome, Ga was a challenge. Would have been great on the bikes. Sure was some gorgeous countryside. Th Blue Ridge area of the Smokey Mountains lived up to its name. Bluish mountains in the distance, and low laying clouds and fog around, giving that smokey appearance. And when it wasn't winding around the countryside, they decided we should have to bypass Rome, only the entire bypass was under construction. FUN nite!
Today we are currently on the way to our teminal at Lancaster (Dallas), and will refuel and shower there. Then we'll see how far we can get tonite. Should be able to shut down again for 3-4hrs sleep while parked tonite like last nite, and still be on schedule.
Oh, schedule,,,,our original dispatch had us arriving in Calexico by 7:30 Wed morn, which was something like a 54mph ave dispatch on a 24hr/day schedule. We are supposed to get dispated at 47mph ave for no more than 22hrs/day. We each can drive a MAX of 11hrs/day. We sent in a request that they take a look at the dispatch, and oh by the way, the suggested routing tried to sent us on a restricted route! We got a change in our delivery time, so all is better now. That was just another frustration point in the day yesterday.
Weather is really warm down here in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tx. Temp was about 68 all nite, and is now 75 at 10am about 80mi from Dallas. I feel for the drivers up north right now. I am sure we'll have our turn again, and they will be down here.
Till next time, keep it safe out there!