Finally, An Update Opportunity

DATELINE: TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS. Well, I finally have some free time (AND a Verizon signal) to post an update. We are parked at a Flying J truck stop just east of Texarkana and the Texas border. Bruce is taking the opportunity to use their shower facilities, so he'll be a while. (In case you were wondering, I took my shower when I finished up my driving shift this morning at USA Truck's terminal in West Memphis, AR.) So what's a good blogger to do besides take the opportunity to post? (What do you mean, "How would you know?")

This morning's shift covered 561 miles from 8:30 last night (starting in Tipp City, OH) 'til 6:45 this morning. This is likely my last week of training, and we're repeating my first week, four weeks ago. On Monday and Tuesday we made a round trip to Opelika and Auburn, AL from Tipp City. We had a few hours off at the Vandalia, OH terminal after that trip 'til we picked up the trailer for this run, which will take us to McAllen and Los Indios, TX. Then it's back to Tipp City with whatever we pick up down there (auto parts of some sort), finishing up Friday evening. Then I'll likely have the weekend off before starting orientation and road testing at the Vandalia terminal on Monday. After that, I'll get a few days off, which will happily include Christmas at home with my family, before USA assigns me my own truck. Then I'll be able to take time almost daily to update this blog.

Well, I'm still behind on sleep and face another long overnight drive tonight (and one more tomorrow night), so I'll sign off here. Happy trails to all, and keep on truckin'.