Still on Vacation

Just a reminder, I have not quit, I have not gone anywhere. I am still on vacation...a much needed, long overdue vacation I might add, and I should be back soon. Maybe as early as next week but certainly no later than about the 8th of January 2010. We will be going back to work on or about then and look forward to getting back to Waking up America.

I hope you all have had a Merry Christmas, are looking forward to a safe and Happy New Year, and are preparing for the fight of our lives in defense of our Constitution, Our Country, and our Principles and Values.

God Bless and Stay safe during you New Year Celebrations.

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Arrived in Carson, Now off to Denver 12/10/09

We got to Carson yesterday at about 1630. Promptly, upon arrival, we were asked to run a load to San Francisco, one that had been dropped at the LAX yard, and then they would get us a load to Dallas from there. We turned that down. We just didn't want to go to San Francisco.

Our trip here was pretty uneventful, except for the weather and road delays in and around Flagstaff AZ. Here are some pictures.


This is a picture of a government vehicle passing me, on the icy roads, with an amazingly safe, courteous, government employee flipping me the finger, the middle one, while passing. I didn't have my camera out in time to get a picture of his courteous gesture towards me but here is the license plate if anyone has the ability to find out who might have been driving and let them know that their picture is online.

We also, on our way to Carson, ran through a pretty bad wind storm just west of Oklahoma City, OK. There was an beautiful, an somewhat unique, cloud formation just above us as we drove. Here are some pictures of those clouds.









And finally, not that you care to see, but here is a picture of our dash top Christmas tree. I suppose it looks a bit tattered, but this little tree has traveled almost as many miles than most vehicles do in 20 years. That's right, Tina and I have had this tree for over 10 years and have used it in the truck for that loang. We usually put it on the dash just after Thanksgiving and leave it there until December 26th. thats about 22000 miles average in the average year and for 10 years that comes to 220,000 miles. The average driver drives about 12000 miles per year and in 20 years that would be 24000 miles. So, though tattered, it remains a tradition, that if Tina has her way, will continue. My guess is that Tina will get her way. I mean...I'm just sayin'.

Finally, we took a call at about 0300 this morning and we were asked to make a run to Denver, CO. I really didn't want to go to Denver, nor did Tina, but sometimes, you are given an opportunity to do something that will better your lot in life, and though you may not want to di it, you have to be thankful for the opportunity. We agreed to take the load if they would route us across I-40 to Albuquerque Nm then north on I-25 to Denver. The normal route would be about 250 miles shorter but would take us through the south western Rockies on I-70 into Denver. They agreed, we agreed, at first reluctantly and later, very thankfully. Somehow, I must find a way to make it a habit to just be thankful as an immediate response as opposed to reluctantly thankful.

Anyway, below is a map of our route into Denver. We have no idea where to from here, but we are hoping to head in the general direction of Orlando or Tampa. The closer vacation time grows, the harder it gets to go in the opposite direction of home. We, however, will do what is needed and take advantage of the opportunities afforded us to make better our monetary position, regardless how hard.

View Larger Map

Hey, don't forget Tina's Scream-n-Fling Dolls. Just in time for Christmas. They are available now at Conservabid.com at the bargain price of $6.95 as an introductory offer and that even includes shipping to the continental United States of America. Check out the video.

For those of you that would rather have something other than a doll for Christmas or to give as a gift for Christmas, check out our T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, etc. at the links below.We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

12/07/09, On I-44 West in Missouri

The load from Chicago to Los Angeles was ready about 2330 last nigh, long before one to Chicago from Milwaukee WI. I checked on the Milwaukee load at about 0001, and they told me it would be about another hour or so, possibly longer.

They finally called us at 0045 and said the load to Chicago was ready. I got up, cleaned up, went to the office for our paperwork, and hooked and inspected the loaded trailer. We were off and running, towards Chicago down I-94, at about 0115.

We got to Chicago at 0235, dropped the trailer and picked up the LAX load. We were out of there by about 0300 and headed south on I-55. About 70 miles south of Chicago, the snow started, and the roads got pretty bad for about 100 miles or so. We finally ran out of the bad weather just north of Springfield.

We stopped in Alorton IL this morning and fueled. We chose that stop because someone in the area had purchased, on conservabid.com, 10 of Tina's Scream-n-Fling Dolls, and we had made arrangements with the buyer to pick them up there.

We are now headed west out of Saint Louis MO and are about 70 miles west of the city on I-44 West.

Hey, don't forget Tina's Scream-n-Fling Dolls. Just in time for Christmas. They are available now at Conservabid.com at the bargain price of $6.95 as an introductory offer and that even includes shipping to the continental United States of America. Check out the video.

For those of you that would rather have something other than a doll for Christmas or to give as a gift for Christmas, check out our T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, etc. at the links below.We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

12/7/09, Milwaukee WI Back To Chicago Then to Los Angeles CA

We arrived in Chicago at about 1215 Sunday afternoon. We took a call on the way into Chicago and they asked to pull a load out of Chicago to Memphis then an empty trailer to St. Louis and a load, on Tuesday morning to Atlanta. We agreed, to get a little further south and somewhat warmer. The load out of Chicago was to be ready about 2330 on Sunday evening.

We went to bed early to get a nap before we had to leave, it was about 1800 or so when we laid down. The phone rang at about 2130 and the load to Memphis had canceled. They asked us to pull a load to Cleveland Oh and I declined that one due to the ability for us to get into that facility so they had us pull a load to Paw Paw Mi, meet another truck, swap trailers with another driver from Detroit MI, and pull his empty back to Chicago. I agreed to make that move.

Our load to Paw Paw was ready about 0001 and we hooked to the loaded trailer, performed our inspection and headed to Paw Paw. We arrived there about 0315 and the other driver arrived about 15 minutes or so later. We made our trailer switch and turned back towards Chicago.

Once again, before we even got out out of Michigan, we were contacted and given a sob story about needing someone to pull a load to Milwaukee WI and an empty right back to Chicago. The load would be ready about 0500, by the time we got back to the Chicago terminal and we could leave right away. Dispatch told me that they had three other trucks accept the load and then give it back. Two of the drivers put their trucks down for maintenance and the third, according to dispatch, said he was out of hours. Again, we accepted the load.

The snow was falling pretty hard by the time we got into Indiana and the roads were getting slick. I was beginning to regret the fact that we had accepted the load, but oh well, we gave our word. By the time we got back to our Chicago terminal there was about 1 1/2"-2" of snow on the street and they were getting feeling pretty greasy. It was about 0630 when we got there and the load wasn't ready. I laid down for a nap and the call came at about 1130 that the load was ready...5 hours late.

We hooked the loaded trailer and headed north. When we got here we took another call from dispatch and were advised that if we would hang here, for a little while, and wait for a load back to Chicago, instead of hooking an empty trailer and going right back, that they would give a a load to Los Angeles, out of Chicago, tonight. We agreed to wait and they sent the load information. The load, out of here, Milwaukee, is to be ready at 2200.

We will leave here about 2230 or so, assuming the load is ready on time, head back to the Chicago terminal and, if the load to Los Angeles is ready on time at 0200 like they predict, we will head that way at about 0230. We shall see.

I have placed a map below so that you can see the route to Los Angeles out of Chicago. You'll notice that the route takes us south and west to I-40 rather than I-80 east to Salt Lake City then I-15 south to Los Angeles. The reason for this is weather. Dispatch runs us out of route like this, and pays us for the miles, to keep freight moving and not stuck in transit due to poor weather and or road conditions.


View Larger Map

From what I can see, the weather, and roads, in Flagstaff AZ is pretty nasty right now but I am hoping that it will have moved north east by the time we get there.


Hey, don't forget Tina's Scream-n-Fling Dolls. Just in time for Christmas. They are available now at Conservabid.com at the bargain price of $6.95 as an introductory offer and that even includes shipping to the continental United States of America. Check out the video.

For those of you that would rather have something other than a doll for Christmas or to give as a gift for Christmas, check out our T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, etc. at the links below.We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

To Atlanta, Then Back to Dallas, Then Chicago Tonight.

We arrived, as expected, at our DFW terminal in Irving at about 0130. We went to bed, promptly, after arriving and got a great nap. Nice and cool outside, no trucks or generators running, just quiet.

We got up about 0900 or so, got cleaned up and decided we'd have breakfast at Cracker Barrel. We are lucky enough to have one located just about 4 miles or so from our terminal and they are in an area with plenty of parking.

After breakfast, we went back to the terminal and just kinda relaxed. It was way too cold outside to do much so we just vegged inside the truck.

We took a call from dispatch at about 1600 or so and they offered us a Sacramento load and an Atlanta load, our choice. We chose Atlanta so that we could stay out of California. They hate trucks and when I left there I brought everything with me to Florida so I really don't have any reason to go back unless it is for a load when nothing else is available.

The Atlanta load was to be ready at about 2330. As usual, the load was late. It ended up being about 0045 before we got notification of the load being ready to go. I hooked and inspected the loaded trailer and went for my paperwork. Then I had to pull around to the fuel island and get fuel. I had planned to buy 205 gallons. I pumped the first 53 gallons, like the brainless wizard I seem to be at 0100, in the generator tank. I didn't want to do that but oh well. After I woke up and realized what I had just done, I pumped the other 153 gallons, in the correct tanks and then promptly dropped the fuel hose, in the on position, handled locked, on the ground and proceeded to pump another 4 1/2 gallons on the ground. Okay, so I'll take the d/a of the week award. so what?

I happened to have 20 lbs of oil dry in my tool box on the back of the truck, that I usually carry during the winter, for getting unstuck on icy parking lots. I used the 20 lbs of oil dry to clean up my unbelievably careless mistake and off we were, to Atlanta, but only after ruining a pair of boots, a pair of gloves and drenching my jacket and jeans with diesel fuel, and wasting 20lbs of oil dry. What a way to start a day.

We drove straight through, other than a driver change in Vicksburg MS, and arrived in Atlanta at about 1500 on Friday afternoon. It was cold in Atlanta too. Down to about 50 degrees of so and as far as I am concerned, anything below 68 is cold and below 60 might as well be freezing. I had chores though, so I put my insulated coveralls on and went to work. I just had to grease the truck is all but the ground is cold.

Dispatch contacted us before we arrived in Atlanta about pulling a load back to Dallas for another company. The load would be ready about 0400 and we had to go north of Atlanta to get the loaded trailer. We went to bed early and got up about 0130. I found an empty trailer to take to the customer facility and headed that way. by the time we got there, dropped our empty and hooked the loaded trailer it was about 0345 and we were on our way back to Dallas. Hutchins really is where we are going with this load. We will drop the loaded trailer and grab an empty trailer that is parked at the customer and head for our terminal in Iriving, about 22 miles to the north.

Again, before we ever got to Jackson Ms, dispatch contacted us and wanted to know if we'd pull a load to Chicago out of Dallas tonight. I didn't see a problem with that, other than the nasty weather, so we accepted the load.

We should be in Dallas about 1730 or so and the load to Chicago is to be ready at about 1700, so that should work out well. Our route out of Dallas and to Chicago will be US 75 to US 69 north to I-44E to St. Louis area where we will get onto I-55N and take that all the way into Chicago. There is a map posted here to show the route.
View Larger Map

Given the distance and the route, and if we leave Irving by about 1830,we should be in the St Louis Area at about 0630 tomorrow, Springfield Il by about 0800 and then in Chicago, if we don't make any stops along the way, by about 1200-1230 tomorrow afternoon.

We don't expect to get a dispatch out of Chicago for tomorrow but stranger things have happened. Our freight volume, despite the liberals obvious attempts to destroy our economy, has been unexpectedly high, so who knows what might happen.

Hey, by the way, did I mention Tina's Scream-n-Fling Dolls. Just in time for Christmas. They are available now at Conservabid.com at the bargain price of $6.95 as an introductory offer and that even includes shipping to the continental United States of America. Check out the video.

For those of you that would rather have something other than a doll for Christmas or to give as a gift for Christmas, check out our T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, etc. at the links below.We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Off To Dallas This Morining

We left Miami, the night of the 29th and into the morning of the 30th, and went to Orlando. We arrived in Orlando at about 0330 and decided that rather than sit there for the day we'd go home and check on the house, make some small repairs on the truck and just basically, relax...away from work for a bit. We got home at about 0530 and I had to have a short nap.

I got up at about 0800 and went outside to my shop to do some work on the truck. I had to replace a mud flap and an anti sail bar, then I had to repair the pigtail that hook to the trailer. We had some work done at a shop a few weeks ago, on the ABS system and they took the pigtail apart and didn't put it back together correctly. After that I had 3 slight air leaks that needed attention , my water tank was loose on it's cradle mounted to the side of the truck and I had to check and adjust the air pressure in the tires for winter driving. When the air gets cold it gets more dense and the tire pressure drops, I had to add about 10 pounds to each tire.

I piddled around in the shop working on the truck the biggest part of the day, busted my knuckles up pretty bad, ruined another pair of britches, man that makes Tina mad, truly enjoyed the day, alone, in my shop.

I had called dispatch early and found out that they were going to send us to Dallas out of Orlando and that the load would be ready at about 0500. I just wanted to make sure the truck was ready to go and will get us through the next 17 days. Yes, 17 days and counting. Out of the truck for at least 3 weeks and maybe longer. WooHoo. Oops, sorry, I tend to get a bit excited about impending vacations.

We headed back to the terminal at about 2000 last night and got there at 2200. I had to repair a tail lite problem that was discovered and reported to me by a motorist with some very colorful descriptions about our truck not having any tail lights. I found that I had inadvertently grounded a power lead by mistake. Boy, was I mad at me.

I got cleaned up and went to bed at about 2300. We got our load ready message at about 0500 and off we went. I got up made myself presentable to the world, retrieved my paperwork from the office and went to hook to the loaded trailer. I looked for the trailer and the number on our manifest didn't match any of the trailers in the dock doors. Back inside I went and found out that they had the wrong trailer number and the wrong dock number on the paperwork.

After getting the correct information, I hooked to the load, shut the doors and sealed the trailer, performed my pre-trip inspection, caught up my log book and we were off. We stopped in Reddick Florida for fuel at the Petro Stopping center and that will be our last stop, except driver changes, until we get to Dallas.

We will be traveling I75 N to I-10 west and run that to I-65N in Mobile. We will run that about 5 miles to U.S. 98 and go west to Hattiesburg MS and access MS49 North. We will run that up to Jackson MS where we will get onto I-20 west. That will take us to Terrell TX and we will go north west on 80 to I-30 and the TX 183/114 to our terminal in Irving. We should be in Irving at about 0130 I would guess. Map Below.

View Larger Map

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Now in Medley...Miami Fl, Waiting to Deliver

We arrived at our destination here in Medley at about 0600. We picked our load up in Reynoldsburg OH yesterday at 0930 and headed south on 33 out of Columbus then to I-77 and took that to I-26 East to I-95 South. The traffic from Ravenswood WV where we accessed I-77, was unbelievable. The toll plazas on I-77, the junctions at I-77 and I-26 to to I-95 were terribly backed up.

Everything ranging from drivers, that couldn't drive, inconsiderate, self centered folks in too big of a hurry. You know, the good ole Christmas spirit that seems to come out of people this time of year.

Anyway, we are here now and waiting to unload. This is one of those loads that we have to wait for the customer to unload. We don't pull a lot of these but we do take one once in a while just to keep moving.

We have had some great encounters in the last few weeks with folks asking about the truck and the 912 project. Just wanting to know what it was all about and what they could do to get involved. I have a few pictures of people signing the truck and I will get them put up soon as well.

Not sure where we will be headed out of Miami, but I will be sure and post our next destination as soon as we get a dispatch.

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Just a Quick Note

Just thought I'd better write a quick note to let those of you who check back often, as I have asked you to do, that I haven't deserted the site. We have been very busy the last week or so. As a matter of fact, since I last posted here, we have driven about 10,950 miles. Here is what the map looks like.


View Larger Map

This started in Atlanta, Ga and went to Sterling Va, then to Newqrk NJ, orlando FL, Las Vegas NV, Salt Lake City UT, Groveport OH, Irving TX one day off for Thanksgiving dinner and much needed rest, then on to El Paso TX, Groveport OH and now we are on our way to Medley FL which is in the Miami area. We are to be there in the morning to deliver and then our destination is unknown. I am hoping we can head back to Las Vegas though.

We are looking very much forward to some time off in December. We will be taking off from the 19th until sometime in January. Until I can post more details of our past few days, this should give you an idea of where we've been and why we haven't been posting here or at Stop the Destruction of America.

More Later.
In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

11/19/09 Sterling Update

Our load was ready on time last night. We ended up leaving Atlanta at about 2045 by the time we got our paperwork, hooked to the loaded trailer and I performed a pre-trip inspection.

After we left, after we got well on our way and they knew we would go on to the receiver, they changed the destination to the airport cargo area at Washington/Dulles International Airport(IAD). We were about 30 miles or so from the Atlanta terminal when we got a message, via Qualcomm, that the destination had changed and then they sent directions to the new destination. Now, I believe they knew where the load was going in the first place but waited until we were gone to tell us because they know how we feel about going into airports...But I digress.

I called dispatch, and like a child, threw a temper tantrum about the change. I knew it wouldn't do any good. They couldn't care less as long as they get the load moved. I probably would have made the move anyway, but it would be nice to make that decision based on truthful information. Airports can be tough to get into sometimes in this truck because of the length. I just like to look at the facility on Google Earth before I agree to make the move if we've never been to the facility.

We arrived at the airport facility at about 0800 and it ended up being no problem. The area was plenty large and had a lot of room. We were unloaded by about 0845 and headed back to our IAD terminal.

We are now at our terminal, sitting and waiting for our next dispatch. We were assured by dispatch that they would be able to keep us moving from here, but they told us we were going to be delivering to our terminal at IAD and not to the airport too. Wee shall see.

Be sure and check out Tina's brand new, just released for the very first time, just in time for Christmas, Scream-n-Fling Dolls. Below is a slightly comedic infomercial about Tina's Scream-n-Fling Dolls.



In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Off to Sterling Tonight

Well, we took a call, actually a message by Qualcomm, a bit ago from dispatch and it seem that they need someone to run to Sterling VA tonight. The load is to be ready about 2000. We'll see.

We accepted the load, more for something to do, rather than just sit around here. The Sterling facility is pretty slow for freight too though. My guess is that we will be sitting when we get there as well.

We will travel up I-85 north out of Atlanta to Charlotte and get onto I-77 North to I-81 and then take I-66 east to 28 N to the terminal off highways 606 and 28.

We should be there about 0800 and then who know what from there. I'll let you know when I know.

In the mean time be sure and check out Conservabid.com for our new Scream-n-Fling dolls. Released just in time for Christmas. Below is the infomercial for the dolls.

Waiting For Dispatch From Atlanta

We arrived in Atlanta yesterday at about 1630, dropped our trailer, and turned in our paperwork. It was raining a bit and chilly when we got here. Tina decided she'd do laundry, so she went to the driver's lounge and I sat in the truck, like any and all self respecting males might.

We have yet to get a dispatch out of here. Freight is very slow right now. We just received a message from dispatch, via qualcomm, and it doesn't look very good for today either.

Another friend couple that we know, drivers for this company, came by here last night on there way back to their house in Chattanooga, Tn. They had been in Florida for a short vacation and just happened to be coming through. We had a great visit with the couple and always enjoy their company. He is a former military cook and she used to work for Covenant as a driver qualifications verifier. They now run as a team for this company.

Tina has been making some crafts to sell, over at a friends website called Conservabid.
She has made several items but for now we are posting an item she has named the Scream-n-Fling Doll.

Below is a slightly comedic infomercial about Tina's Scream-n-Fling Dolls.



Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget for a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Headed For Atlanta This Morning

We were dispatched back to Columbus before we ever actually got to DFW on Sunday evening. The load was to be ready at about 0600 on Monday so we accepted the load and moved on. We got to DFW at about 0130 on Monday and since we had been dispatched out already I fueled the truck and checked it over.

We had some shopping we had to do to restock the truck with food so we headed to Wal-Mart. We could neither one believe how stripped the shelves at Wal-Mart were after everyone done their Sunday shopping. We were there for bout an hour and finished our shopping. Headed back to the terminal and to bed at about 0315 for a nap before our our load was to be ready at 0600.

I woke up about 0800 and called dispatch to check on the load and when it might be ready. I was told that they had about 14000#'s on the trailer then and that it should be ready soon. The dispatch on the phone said they were waiting on the arrival of some late freight. No problem, we need the sleep so we went back to bed. We got up at about 0900, worn out from sleeping, and the load still wasn't ready. I called again at about 1300 and was told by a different dispatcher that there was about 14000#'s on the trailer and that it should be ready soon, they are just waiting on some late freight to arrive. I decided I wouldn't call again. It was actually pretty obvious to Tina and I that the load wasn't going to run but they(dispatch) didn't know about the apparent cancellation.

We went to bed early, just in case they decided to call in the middle of night with the load or with something else. Good thing we did. The phone rang at about 0100 and they told us our load had been canceled but that they had a load to Atlanta we could pull if we wanted. The load to Atlanta was to be ready about 0200. We accepted the load and drifted back off to sleep for another hour.

Just as promised the load was ready at 0200 so we got up and got ready to go. I hooked to the trailer and performed my pre-trip inspection and we were on our way by about 0245. We are currently in, or near, Pelahatchie MS. There is an accident just ahead and all lanes are blocked. The Highway Patrol is routing everyone off the interstate at the exit 69 and right back on on the other side of the exit.

We should be in Atlanta, depending on how long this hold up is, by about 1630 or so. Unsure of where we will be headed from Atlanta.

Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget to help with a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

11/15/09 On our Way to Back to DFW

We kinda feel like a couple of ping pong balls right now. We have been bouncing back and forth between Columbus and Dallas for about a week or so. Now I'm not complaining, this is a good route, great weather, decent roads, other than Kentucky, but I woke up this morning and had to ask Tina where we were.

The Qualcomm, the satellite device we use to communicate with dispatch, sounded an alarm to let us know our load was ready at precisely 0600. I jumped up, looked at the clock, tried to clear the cobwebs, and asked Tina, where are we, Dallas or Columbus? After she rolled out of bed laughing, she answered Columbus. I proceeded to get dressed, cleaned up and went to the office to get our paperwork. The load was ready on time but the paperwork wasn't ready for another 1/2 hour.

At 0630 I headed back to the truck and drove to the onsite fuel island. After fueling the truck we went and found our trailer, hooked to it , performed a pre-trip inspection and we were off and running for Dallas.

I was starved to death, as you can see in any of my pictures, so I stopped at a McDonalds in Jeffersonville OH where they have truck parking and got us some breakfast. I have never eaten a McDonalds hamburger, I can't hardly stand the smell of them, but I have a nealy unquenchable hunger for their Egg McMuffins...How sad huh? We have facilities to fix breakfast in the truck but we are currently running pretty low on food stuff. We have a middle of the night shopping trip planned when we get to DFW.

We ordered our food to go and headed south again. I knew there was going to be heavy traffic in the Louisville area if we didn't get through there early because they have a lot of construction going on on I-65 south of town. We got through Cincinnati, continued south on I-71/I-75 and I missed my exit to take I-71 to Louisville. Now, never mind, I've driven this route probably 5 times in the last 30 days or so, but we were just riding along, listening to our Cowboy Church on XM radio and I just missed the exit. I ended up running 14 miles out of route to turn around and go back to the I-71/I-75 split. Okay, so I get the mindless driver of the month award.

Incidentally, as a short side note,XM radio, The Cowboy Church, Bill Mack's Sunday Social, and Enlighten is how many of us, who drive for a living, get our church. Most of us work 7 days per week and we too need refilled after being drained for an entire week so thanks I'd just like to say thanks to Dr Harry Yates of Nashville Cowboy Church, thanks to XM Radio for the broadcast, and thanks to Willie Nelson of Willies place on XM and To Bill Mack for doing his Sunday Social where he plays all Southern Gospel Country music for 3 hours on Sunday morning. Our cups, too, need refilling from time to time.

I got turned around and we are now headed south again. We just came through Nashville, TN on I-40 and headed for Little Rock where we will get on I-30 and run that to DFW. We should be in Dallas at about 0200 or so and will do our shopping then get some sleep.

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Location and Destination Update

Tina and I left Dallas this morning at about 0445. We were notified at about 0400 that out load was ready. By the time we got up and got ready to go, I hooked to the loaded trailer, fueled the tractor and performed a pre-trip inspection though it was about 0445 before we drove out of the gate at the terminal.

We ran I-30 out of Texas and into Arkansas all the way to Little Rock. We got onto I-40 in Little Rock and ran that to Nashville TN where we got onto I-65N and went into Louisville, KY. From there we will run I-71 into Columbus OH.

We were contacted early this morning about a load back to DFW, so that is where we are headed at about 0600 on Sunday morning...if the load is ready on time.

We are going to need to run out to the Flying J travel plaza, East of Columbus, to empty our waste tank after we drop this loaded trailer at the terminal. We really don't want to run out there, it is about 40 miles round trip, but the tank has to be emptied and we can't do it while we are hooked to a trailer, there just isn't room at the truck stop to turn around where the dump stations are located. Oh well, we should still be in bed shortly after midnight and get a pretty good nights sleep.

As far as routes we will travel back to DFW, just reverse the routes above and that will get you there. Assuming the load is ready on time we should be in Dallas at about 0100 on Monday and then who knows where we will be headed.

We have another 5 weeks before we take off for 2 weeks over Christmas. We have actually worked the last two Christmas', so we decided we would take this one off and spend it with family. We will, however, be on the road for Thanksgiving.

Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget to help with a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Sarah Palin Radio Talks With the 912 Truck Owners

On the 13th of September, the day after the 9/12 Event in D.C., LaDonna Curzon with Sarah Palin Radio came and spoke with Art and Tina who own and drive the 912 Truck. Below is the culmination of that conversation. This video was put together, in amazing fashion by the curator of annieoakley.org and conservabid.com. Please do all you can to show your support for her and all or her endeavors. Not only is she a talented video producer, she is a gifted writer as well. Karen also writes over at ThePalinNation.com. I would just ask that you watch this video and consider the amazing work, the talent, and the hours involved in it's creation. This is truly a highly talented, blessed young lady. Thanks again Karen and thanks to LaDonna Curzon at Sarah Palin Radio for speaking with Art and Tina.



Thanks again Karen.

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Sittin' in Dallas, Going Back to Columbus OH

Before we got to Columbus on Wednesday evening the notified us and asked if we would take an empty trailer to Louisville KY and then a loaded trailer to Dallas. We got there, Columbus, at about 1800, refueled the truck, grabbed an empty and by about 1900 we were moving on south, to Louisville KY. We got to Louisville at about 2215 and dropped our empty trailer. I checked in at the office and found that our trailer was loaded and ready to go. I hooked to the trailer and we were off and running.

We left Louisville at about 2250 and drove straight through to Dallas. We changed drivers near Memphis and Tina drove the rest of the way to DFW. We arrived here at about 1300 yesterday and it appeared, and later proved true, that they wouldn't have anything out last night. We did get a good nights sleep though. It was a nice, cool night. No generators or other trucks running, windows open and plenty of fresh air. Sometimes, just the sound of "quiet" is grand.

We got up this morning , contacted some folks about our water damage repairs, insurance, contractors, adjusters, etc.. After some paperwork completion, we went and had breakfast over at the local Cracker Barrel. We came back here to the terminal and I performed a grease job on the truck and changed my engine oil bypass filter. I was going to wash the truck but just didn't feel like it today. I decided it wasn't really that dirty. I'll wash it when we get to Columbus.

Our load is supposed to be ready about 0500 on Saturday and we should be, if the load is ready on time, in Columbus by about midnight on Saturday. We'll get another good nights sleep tonight and be ready to go in the morning. we hope to see you along the way. More tomorrow.

Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget to help with a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

11/10/09 Location Update

First...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MARINES, ALL PAST AND PRESENT. NOT THAT ANYTHING I COULD SAY HERE WOULD MATTER A HILL OF BEANS TO YOU, BUT YOU HAVE MY UTMOST SUPPORT IN YOUR EVERY MISSION AND THANKS FOR YOUR EVERY MINUTE OF SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR OUR PRESIDENT WHO SEEMS TO BE WORKING TO DESTROY EVERYTHING FOR WHICH YOU ALL HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED. MY HEART HURTS, FOR YOU AND THE GRIEF YOU MUST ENDURE WATCHING THIS HAPPEN TO OUR COUNTRY. INCIDENTALLY, THIS THANKS AND SUPPORT GOES TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE THE MILITARY, PAST, CURRENT AND FUTURE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

We had an interesting day in Vegas yesterday. I was sitting in the truck, working on some paperwork and looked out the window. When I did, I seen 2 Police Officers, taking pictures of the truck. I thought, uh oh. I got out of the truck and started talking to them only to find out that they loved the truck, the mission, and the design on the truck. We talked for a few minutes while they got some pictures, I asked them if they cared to sign the truck and they did. I also got some pictures of them during the signing and asked if it would be alright to post them and they said it would be okay. Later in the day though, one of the officers called me and asked if I would forgo publishing the pictures to the site, though they support our mission and everything we are doing, they shouldn't have their picture posted online unless in an official capacity. I chose to comply with the request and NOT post their photos. I do, however,
cherish their support and the photos I have will be prominently displayed in my office at the house. I thank them for their work and their service to our country.

We finally left Las Vegas about 073- this morning. The load was about 4 1/2 hours late. That really is about normal for this facility though. They are very busy here but running the warehouse on a shoestring budget to keep costs in line. This is really a very conservative company. They pay as they go. An all cash company. I like that about them, no debt means no money woes in most cases, and if they have no money woes, that means they can keep paying me and I have no money woes either.

Anyway, we traveled down 93 to 95 and 163 to 68 and back over to 93 as to bypass Hoover Dam. From there we went south to I-40 and are now very close to Albuquerque NM on I-40. We plan on one stop between here Vegas and Columbus OH for fuel. We hope to make it to Tucumcari NM for that stop.

We should be in Tucumcari by about 2030 this evening and then in Columbus OH at approximately 1900 on Wednesday evening.

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
adw

Leaving Vegas for Columbus OH Tonight

We just took a call from dispatch. Looks like we'll be running to Columbus OH out of here this evening, well, really early in the morning, about 0300 or so.

We will travel back down to I-40 and run to Oklahoma City OK. From there we will get onto I-44 to St Louis MO and then I-70 on to Columbus. Assuming the load leaves on time we should be in Columbus by about 1400 on Thursday afternoon short of any delays.

I will update more upon departure of Vegas.

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Vegas is Beautiful Today

We got to the terminal at about 8:45 last night. We checked in, dropped the trailer, parked and went to bed. We were pretty tired. After thinking we would have a relaxing day off at home the other day, and finding that our house was under water and having to deal with getting repairs and claims started, we didn't get much relaxation.

Anyway, we got here, safely, and had a great nights sleep last night. Today, we don't have any real plans other than a remote access repair and cleanup of this laptop. We were able to get our old computer back from the shop that replaced the screen after I placed my thumb, prominently, through the middle of the screen. I don't really have much faith in the ability of the guy that replaced the screen to do a cleanup, so I have called a guy that does a remote access repair/cleanup service, who was recommended to me by some friends. I await his call even as I speak here.

After we get the computer work done, we plan on a nice dinner at one of the best Mexican restaurants at which I have ever eaten. we have no idea at, at this point, to where we will be headed from Vegas or even if we will get out tonight.

I emailed a few 912/Tea Party groups to see about meeting with them and getting some pictures of them signing the truck. I have yet to hear back from those groups.

Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget to help with a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

11/08/09 Location Update.

I woke up this morning after a great nights sleep. We were coming into Albuquerque NM. I think this is one of the most beautiful cities in America. Good people, Great fresh air, beautiful from the mountain tops as you fall off into town. Just an all around great place to visit.

We stopped just west of town for fuel and are now back on I-40 west bound and headed for Vegas. we just passed through Gallup NM and should be in Vegas by about 2100 or so this evening.

I am just speculating but we will probably be in Vegas all night tonight and all day tomorrow. That is fine though. There is a fantastic Mexican food restaurant just around the corner from our terminal. We like Vegas mostly because we can walk about everywhere we go, even in the winter. There are some nasty days too but they are pretty few and far between.

Anyway, I guess I'll update again when we get there. If there are any Vegas 912er's that would care to see and sign the truck, please get in contact with us and we will try and make that happen. We'd love to meet with you.

In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

Columbus OH to Miami FL, Home Then Off to Vegas Baby

Well, it happened again. After meeting with Cherilyn Eagar we called dispatch and we were given a load to Los Angeles, CA that was to leave at about 2300. We knew we would have to get some sleep so we got our chores done, had supper and got ready for bed. Just about the time we were crawling into bed, dispatch called and said the load was meant for another truck and that he would have to take it from us and give it to the other team. No problem, what is right is right. If the load was promised to someone else, then they should get the load. We hung the phone up and after being told that we would be there until the next evening, this was at about 1730 eastern time, we decided we'd watch a bit of television and drift off to sleep. I ended up watching television until about 2330 that night, I mean, we weren't going anywhere anyway, right? NOT!

The phone rang at about 0115 and dispatch had a load in Denver that desperately needed to move to Columbus OH as soon as possible. Another case of poor planning on their part creating and emergency on our part. I nearly turned the load down but with freight the way it is, we needed to run while things are still moving. We had to grab an empty trailer and head to Denver Co where there would be a loaded trailer waiting when we arrived. I jumped up, got myself ready to go, headed for the fuel Island at the truck stop where we were parked and proceeded to ready the truck for another trip. Oil Checked, brakes and hoses, coolant, tires, etc., I fueled the truck, took my flags off the back and put them away, and we took off for the terminal in SLC about 5 miles down the road, to grab an empty trailer and make our way to Denver CO.

We left SLC about 0200 and arrived in Denver, uneventfully, at about 1030 am on Tuesday morning, the 3rd of November. Our load was ready, as promised, and we switched the empty trailer for the loaded one. One of the guys at the terminal in Denver was reading the side of the truck when I came out from the office and we talked a minute or two, he is a vet and really liked what we are doing, he signed the truck, let me get a picture, shook hands, and we were off to Columbus OH. We actually got pretty darned lucky, we had a tail wind all the way to about St Louis Mo. That is pretty unusual for me, I am almost always going the opposite way of the wind, and that burns a heck of a lot more fuel than having a tail wind. Anyway, We stopped in Pontoon Beach Il for fuel at about 0100 on the 4th and then moved on to Columbus OH.

We were asked, before we ever got to Columbus, about pulling a load to Medley FL that was to leave at about 1100 am on the 4th and deliver at 1600 on the 5th in Medley. this load was to go to a customer rather than to our terminal in Miami. I always hesitate going to FL, unless we are going home for time off, because the freight is scarce coming out of there, especially as for south as Miami. Tina and I discussed it though and decided we had better keep moving.

We arrived in Columbus at about 0745 am on the 4th and had a little time so we took a short jaunt over to the local greasy spoon for some breakfast. After breakfast we went back to the terminal and hooked another empty trailer, fuel the truck again, and went to our customer for the pickup going to Medley(Miami) FL. The guard at the guard shack of our customer liked the truck so I had him sign it and took his picture, gave him some pamphlets and a pocket constitution and we headed into the complex to get our load.

While we were dropping the empty trailer, a mobile trailer repair service truck cam e and parked beside our truck and was reading. He got out of his truck and took some pictures and we talked a little. He hadn't heard of the 9/12 Project so I gave him some information, a Glenn Beck book and a pocket constitution. I also asked if he cared to sign the truck and without hesitation he grabbed my pen and started signing while I took his picture. I had to go to the office to get paperwork for our load and when I came back out he was still reading the material I had passed to him. We hooked our loaded trailer, performed a pre-trip inspection and headed south.

We headed down hwy 33 from Columbus to I-77S at Ravenswood WV and then to I-26E to I-95S and on to Miami. Naturally, road construction in Jacksonville FL, I guess they'll never finish the I-10/I-95 interchange. We were detoured off I-95 twice but that was okay, other than the slight inconvenience, we had plenty of time to get to Miami. We made it as far as about 40 miles or so south of Fort Pierce, FL and we seen that if we kept going that we would just be fighting traffic going into town so we stopped at a rest area and took about a 4 1/2 hour nap. We both just hate traffic if there is a way of avoiding it and not be late.

Tina got up at about 1030 or so and made her way the rest of the way to our delivery. the receiver doesn't start accepting deliveries until about 1400 and we got there about 1200. good deal, time for another nap. Ya know, before I reached the dark age of 40 something, I never took a nap. I just thought that that was something old people done to waste time. Guess what, I now nap every chance I get. You just never know when the next dose of shut eye will come so you have to meet every opportunity head on. We got up at about 1500, I checked to see when we would be unloaded and they told me to wait in the truck, they'd come and get me. Now I remember why I quit pulling for individual customers and went to work for someone that 90% of their loads are drop and hook. Oh well, back to the truck and just like clockwork, 15 minutes before they had to start paying detention time, they knocked on the door and asked me to back into a different dock than I was in. I complied and they proceeded to unload the trailer.

We hadn't heard from dispatch yet so I called them and they only had 5 loads out of there and they had 15 trucks. I made a deal with the dispatcher that if he would pay us to run empty to Orlando, we would go to the house for the day, Friday, and he could find us something out on Friday night or Saturday morning. He jumped at the chance of having 1 less truck to worry about and checked his Friday night schedule and offered us loads to Los Angeles CA, Columbus OH, or Las Vegas NV. I said Vegas Baby, give us Vegas. I love it when a plan comes together. This turn of events, our going home now and not having to wait till December for our planned time to go home, actually turned out later to be an indisputable case of Divine Intervention.

We were finally unloaded at about 1830 and headed for the house. We got home at about 2330 and started carrying things in from the truck, laundry, computer, etc., I went down to my father's house to pickup our mail and when I returned, Tina was outside shutting off the water to the house. She said that we had a water leak inside and the carpet was wet. When we went back inside, The floating floor in the dining room gave new meaning to the term "floating floor". I had to turn the water back on to find the leak and found that it was behind the drywall in the wall between the bathroom and 1 of the bedrooms. knocked a hole in the wall and found a small pinhole in one of the copper lines going into the bathroom. I shut the water off, repaired the leak, turned the water back on, showered and went to bed. Now, the only reason I told you about the water leak was to show you how great God is, truly. We were not due home until December 19th. Our house would have floated to the nearby Withlacoochee River if we had waited that long. While we did have severe damage, the damage was limited drastically by our unplanned trip into Florida and consequently to the house. Believe what you will, I just praise God for his guidance and direction.

We are now in Louisiana, headed for Las Vegas. We left the house last night at about 2000 and went to Orlando, laid down for a nap and our load was ready at 0400 this morning. We left there at about 0430, headed up the turnpike to I-75 north. We stopped in Reddick Florida for fuel and headed north again to Lake City where we accessed I-10w. We took I-10w to Mobile Al and got on US98n to Hattiesburg MS. In Hattiesburg we got on 49n and went to Jackson MS. We went west on I-20 in Jackson and will continue, after a stop in Greenwood LA(Shreveport) for fuel again, to Exit 499 in Texas. We will meander up 80,635, I-35, and 380 to US 287. We will run 287 from Decatur TX to Amarillo TX and get on I-40w. We will stop for fuel again in Albuquerque NM and then continue on to Kingman AZ. In Kingaman, we will go north for a few miles on 93. Trucks aren't allowed over Hover Dam anymore so we will have to turn west on 68 and run that through Laughlin to 95n back to 93 and then 93 on into Vegas.

We should be in Vegas tomorrow evening about 2100 or so and will likely be there until Monday night or Tuesday morning. The way freight has been though, all bets are off. I'm taking a nap when we get there.

Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget to help with a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

A Day in Salt Lake City

We, Tina and I were able to make contact with the Cherilyn Eagar for Senate campaign here in Salt Lake City today. David Kyle, Ms. Eagar's campaign manager, was ever so helpful in arranging a time for us to meet with and talk to this 912 candidate. Ms Eagar also was more than happy to sign the truck and grant us enough time to video our conversation with her.

I had to wash the truck to make it presentable, so we ran out to the Flying J Travel Plaza and had breakfast and filled the water tank. We went back to our terminal over off Bangerter and 201 and I proceeded to do the quickest 1 person truck wash in the history of truck washes. Now, granted, it wasn't a full on detail type wash but I was able to make it look like Little Sisters in Eloy had done the wash in just over 30 minutes. As long as you didn't look too closely and inspect all the nooks and crannies that truck drivers like to gripe about, it looked pretty darned good, tire dressing and all.

After I was done washing the truck, we rushed back to the truck stop, the Flying J, and waited for Ms Eagar and her campaign team to arrive. Just as Mr. Kyle had promissed, they showed up at about 1030 local time and the following is the result of our 15 minute or so conversation.





I ask you please, if you are in Utah, take a look at this highly conservative, very well versed, amazing American Patriot to replace the 8th most liberal Republican in the U.S. Senate, his name being Bob Bennett. Bennett is serving his third term as an entrenched politician, controlled and elected by the money of special interests due to his liberal leanings. Just please take a look at Cherilyn Eagar for Senate, Utah

Back to Columbus and Now to Salt Lake City

We stopped in Tucumcari for fuel at about 0530 on Wednesday morning. After fueling we moved on towards Phoenix. The snow started flying just East of Albuquerque, NM and just got nastier the closer we got to Flagstaff, AZ. I suppose, considering how bad it was up north, that the weather there really wasn't too bad there. I guess there was actually only about 4 inches of snow, but the ridiculously stupid drivers are just amazing. Big trucks and cars in the ditches, in the medians, on their sides, their tops etc. I just never get used to how crazy the people drive. Anyway, we finally made it to Phoenix at about 1400 EST on Wednesday and dropped the trailer at the terminal. We were both tired but we had, on the way to Phoenix, made contact with a couple of 912 Candidates from the Phoenix area and made plans to meet with them for some pictures with them and their 912/West Valley Tea Party Patriots group from the greater Phoenix area.

After dropping the trailer, we headed to the truck wash and had the guys there clean up the truck while Tina took care of the laundry. The truck was took way, way longer than necessary because the guy in front of us decided that he didn't like the job that they done the first time and made them do it a second time...and then a third time, until the manager of the facility ran him off. They done a great job on our truck, we grabbed a burger and off we went to meet with the 912 candidates.

We ended up meeting with Jim Deakin, Senatorial candidate for Arizona, working to unseat the liberal Republican John McCain, and Hugh Kealer, running for the gubernatorial seat in Arizona. Both of these guys seam to be amazing Patriots and dedicated to the service of their country, state and constituents. We were able to do a short interview with the two of them and as soon as I can figure out how to edit the material, I will get the video posted here and at the 912 candidates site.





We also were able to have them sign the truck, got some pictures of that happening and there again, as soon as I get my other computer back, I will get those pictures posted here.

The 912/Tea Party Patriots meeting started about 2100 EST and the folks started getting there at about 2000 EST or so. The response to the truck was fantastic. There were about 45-50 Patriots at the meeting and they were all very pleased with the truck and very happy to sign it and have there pictures taken for this site,(again to be posted at a later date).

I guess I have never met a more gracious, accommodating, pleasant bunch of folks in my life. Well, other than the 1.2 million or so at the 912DC event last month. I just can't get over how all the people involved in this movement are alike, but yet individuals. This is truly the most organized, disorganization I have ever witnessed. I mean, every body is working towards one goal, using different means to arrive at the final destination. Organized disorganization is the best way I can think of to describe what is happening in this movement. After the meeting we went back to our hiding place in south west Phoenix and went to bed.

Much to our surprise, we were dispatched back to Columbus, OH. The phone rang at about 0400 EST and the dispatcher wanted to know if we would pull a load back to Columbus OH. The load was ready then and needed to go as soon as possible. We got up, fueled the truck, checked everything out and off we went to the terminal to hook to the loaded trailer. After figuring out where the king pin lock key was, and locating the paperwork, I performed a pre-trip inspection and took off towards Columbus OH. I-17 North to I-40 East to Oklahoma City. There we got onto I-44 and ran that to St Louis MO. In St. Louis we got onto I-70 and took that all the way in in to Columbus,OH.

Before we ever got ot Columbus, we were asked if we could pull a load to Salt Lake City UT. We let them know that we could do that but that we needed some time, about 4 hours or so, to ready the truck for the trip. We needed to find an RV Dump so that we could dump the waste tank, and we needed to find somewhere to get the oil changed. We don't normally drain the oil and put new oil in because we have an oil bypass filtration system that allows us to extend our drain intervals. When we had the EGR cooler failure, though, that allowed coolant to get into the crankcase. We performed an oil sample, which we do each time we change the bypass filter, and that sample indicated that there were enough traces of coolant properties in the oil that we should drain the oil, replace the filter and refill with fresh oil.

There are few places that carry enough oil, 11 gallons, of the brand and type that we use, that we can buy it all in one place. I usually do the changes at home so I don't have to worry about finding that much oil while traveling. I knew I could get the oil at Speedco, but they are pretty expensive. $35.00 per gal as opposed to $19.95 at Wal-Mart. The problem, though, is that I can usually only find about 3 gallons at a time at any given Wal-Mart. Anyway, I begrudgingly purchased the oil and moved on thinking I could get our terminal to do the drain and fill. I was surprised to find out that they couldn't do the drain. They have no ability to dispose of the waste oil.

We ran out to the Flying J travel plaza, emptied the waste tank, and then back to the terminal. We went ahead and hooked to the load and took off for Salt Lake City, UT, and had the oil change done in New Paris OH at the Petro Travel Plaza. That is on I-70 at the Indiana/Ohio state line. About 1.5 hours and we were off and running again.

We ran I-70 to Indianapolis In and got on I-74. We took that to Moline Il and got on I-80 all the way to Salt Lake City. The highway, I-80 was closed at North Platte NE until right before we got there. We stopped there at the Flying J for breakfast and to kill about 1 1/2 hours and then we headed off to SLC again. This was a very uneventful trip. I didn't get to write this until we got here though because we had no signal for Internet access. We arrived here in SLC at about 0130 this morning.

We were contacted by dispatch, again, before we got here and asked if we could pull a load to Denver CO. We had to decline that load because Tina is out of driving hours and I am very close. We will be here, in SLC, until Monday night while our DOT clock resets. I plan to make contact with Cherilyn Eagar while we are here. Cherilyn Eagar is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Utah and she is running as a 912 candidate. I hope to be able to meat with her and get some pictures of her signing the 912 Truck. I also hope to get the opportunity to ask her a few questions on video and get that posted as well(after I figure out how to edit the vid that is.).

Anyway, here we sit, relaxing, in sunny SLC. It is about 60 degrees here, far warmer than I had expected, and a very nice day.

Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget to help with a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW

DFW to Columbus and Then Some

We got to Dallas at about 6 o'clock pm. We dropped our trailer and checked on our outgoing load. Not ready yet, but would be by 8pm. We decided that we would have dinner in the truck and just relax a bit. Tina fixed dinner and I answered a few emails. Our load was ready at 8 o'clock, as promised, and off we headed for Columbus, OH.

We traveled I-30 to Little Rock, AR and then I-40 to Nashville then I-65 to Louisville and I-71 into Columbus. Before we got to Columbus, again, dispatch contacted us and they wanted us to run a load to Rock Tavern NY, hand it off to a truck going to Windsor Lock CT, and for us to grab an empty trailer and head back to Columbus. They would have a load for us, going to Phoenix AZ, Tuesday morning if we would do the Rock Tavern relay so we said we'd be happy to do that for them.

Our load for Rock Tavern was ready about an hour or so before we got to Columbus and it has to run straight through to Rock Tavern. We had hoped to be have enough time to get a hot, restaurant meal in Columbus, but since the load was ready, that wouldn't happen. We got to Columbus at 2 o'clock, dropped our DFW load and hooked to the loaded trailer and headed to Rock Tavern NY. We have fuel available at the Columbus terminal,but there was a long line and we decided to go on up the road and fuel elsewhere. We got to Hubbard OH and bought about 100 gallons of fuel, to get us the rest of the way to Rock Tavern NY and all the way back to Columbus OH. We arrived in Rock Tavern at about 1230, the other truck wasn't there to make the change, and since we aren't allowed to leave loaded trailers unattended due to the increase in freight thefts in the industry, we laid down and got a short nap until he arrived. The nap was actually very short, about 20 minutes or so.

We handed off the loaded trailer and hooked to an empty and headed back to Columbus. I made it as far as Scranton PA, about 100 miles or so, before I had to go to bed. Since we were empty, and our load to Phoenix wouldn't be ready until Tuesday morning, there was no hurry to get back to Columbus. I parked at a truck stop in Scranton and we slept until about 830 am or so. We got up, showered and went inside for a nice, relaxed, hot breakfast. We left Scranton at about 1000 am and continued on back to Columbus.

When we turned south, on I-71, I looked at the fuel gauge and the little red warning lite was flashing. I recalculated the fuel mileage, figured how many miles we had driven and decided to go on to Columbus. The closer we got, the more worried we both were that we wouldn't make it all the way. I proceeded on, passed a few fuel stops, against the wishes of Tina, and worried our way into Columbus. Now, any of you guys that might read this, know with all you are worth, if you run out of fuel, or gas, with your wife sitting there telling you that you need to stop, you're never gonna live it down. I got to the exit to our terminal, I exited, and got stuck, on an uphill exit, at a red lite. Sitting there sweating, looking out the corner of my eye, at Tina, looking out the corner of her eye at me. She had a scowl on her face that could burn me alive if she knew I was looking back at her. You guys know the look. The light turned green, we took off, and drove the last 3 miles to the terminal.

I pulled in the yard, with much relief, went and dropped the empty trailer and headed for the fuel island. I pumped 264.5 gallons of fuel in a set of 300 gallon tanks. Now, it sounds like, by that statement, that we had 35.5 gallons left. Right? Not so much. In a set of truck fuel tanks, only about 90% of the fuel is "usable" fuel. The pickup tubes at the bottom of the tank are off the bottom just a bit, to keep it from picking up all the trash, water, etc that is on the bottom of the tanks. That being said, I actually had about 5.5 gallons of fuel left. Trust me when I say, that wasn't a skillful calculation of fuel mileage but rather a very generous blessing from God. I didn't let Tina know it was luck though. I was sure to tell her, while humbly praising God, how skillfully the calculations were made.

After fueling, we went for dinner, and then to Walmart, to pick up some much needed food for the truck. After our shopping was done, it was back to the terminal for a good nights sleep.

Our load was late again this morning. It wasn't ready until about 0715. We got up, hooked the load and we are now headed to Phoenix. We will be traveling I-70 west, into St Louis Mo and then I-44 to Oklahoma City OK. When we get to Oklahoma City, we will travel I-40 west to Flagstaff AZ. In Flagstaff we will take I-17 south into Phoenix AZ. We will have to fuel somewhere along the way, but I will be letting Tina make the decision as to where. Currently, we are coming into Indianapolis In and it is about 1100 am.

Tina and I have decided that we think that Ohio has the most 912 Project fans in the country. Every time we come here, we get more folks taking pictures form their cars, giving us thumbs up as the pass, riding beside us reading the truck, walking up to the truck in parking lots etc., than we do anywhere else in the country. The reaction is amazing everywhere we go, but Ohio takes the prize for being the most enthusiastic.

We had contact from a few 912 candidates the other day and we are planning to meet a few of them in Phoenix, if we have some time, when we get there.

I have several new pictures to post but am unable to post them until I get my other computer back from the shop. The computer is fixed but, to retrieve it, I have to get to Florida. I will get them posted here as soon as I am able to get it back. It has all my camera software installed and I don't want to install the software here. This computer has a Vista operating system on it and I think it sucks. I know very little about computers except to tell you that the XP system on the other computer is far more user friendly than this one.

Finally, we hope that you can find it in your budget to help with a small purchase or a donation in support of our mission.
We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that everyone can show their support of the 912 Truck. Click here to show your support, or go to www.printfection.com/912truck. For those of you that would rather have a hat or mug you we have another outlet at cafepress.com/912 Truck. You can also use any of the donate buttons on this page to make a contribution directly to our endeavor to Waking up America.
Thanks for your support.


In God I Trust
Have a Great Day and a Better Tomorrow
ADW