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

ATL to DFW Update

Our load was late again this morning. The load was to be ready at 0100. I woke up and called dispatch at about 0230 and was told that they had about 20000# on the trailer then and that it shouldn't be too much longer. I went back to bed and we were awakened by the annoying sound of the Qualcomm message signal at about 0345. The load was ready. I jumped up, got ready to go and before I could get inside to get my paperwork, the office ringing my telephone to let me know that the load was ready, and then, they sent another message. Another case of, we ran late so you have to hurry, I guess.

Anyway, I ran inside, picked up my paperwork, hooked to the loaded trailer, caught my log book up and off we went. DFW bound. The rain had finally stopped, I thought, we got about 30 miles west of Atlanta and it started again but really didn't last long. We are now about 40 East of Jackson and the weather is actually pretty nice.

Dispatch contacted us a bit ago and asked if we could hook a loaded trailer when we get to Dallas and head straight to Columbus. They want us in Columbus by 1400 tomorrow. That shouldn't be problem if all goes well. That can be a pretty big "if" though, in this industry. Traffic, weather, police, scales, Breakdowns, wildlife on the road, etc.. We should be in Dallas at about 1730 and then that will give us about 20.5 hours to get to Columbus...1075 miles. What we will do out of Columbus is unknown at this time, but my guess is that they have a plan of some kind, in their heads.

I mentioned break downs as a possible delay. I have been introduced to a new website called Find Truck Service. I certainly have no desire to breakdown but I do look forward to using this site if and when I do. As you know if you read this site often, I do most of my own maintenance work, but in the event I should need help on the road, I now know where to go to find help. Be sure and use the site, bookmark the page and refer to it often, or at least as often as needed.

In closing, 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

Just Goin' In Circles

I once worked, for a few months, as a parts man in an auto dealership. I found that job to be very conflicting. You see, I was always looking for something, that I hadn't lost, didn't need, and which I would never use. Sometimes, I feel the same way as a truck driver. We are always going...Somewhere. We, personally, never would think to go there on our own, and we are always looking for a place at which we would never go if not for our job, and we never really get to the end of our road. But I digress...

I mentioned in a previous post, probably a month or so ago, that I was working on a new website to combine this site with my Stop The Destruction Of America site. I had planned, and do still plan to combine the sites and add some trucking related news pages and links, some pontifications by other writers, and several other, rather ambitious features. I had no idea that task would be so labor intensive and time consuming. I will get it done, but I'd just like to say, I admire anyone that is computer savvy enough to build a site like some that I see. This task has brought new lite to the work involved. Please be patient, it likely won't be done this year, but it will get done, even if I have to pay someone for the setup and then do the upkeep and postings myself.

We left Phoenix on Tuesday evening, headed to El Paso, then it was off to DFW. On the way to DFW, I sent a mass email to all the 912 Candidates for which I have email addresses. I received several responses ranging anywhere from I'd love to meet with you and Tina to Yes, here's an invitation to an event we are holding, please attend. The response was very encouraging. I am in the process of looking up email addresses for the candidates that I don't have.

We had arranged, by phone, a meet up with Larry Kilgore, from Texas and running as a 912 candidate for Governor of Texas. We were to meet with Mr. Kilgore, at about 830 pm in the Irving area. Unfortunately, the closer we got to DFW, the harder it rained. I was forced to call Mr. Kilgore and tell him that we should probably reschedule our meeting.

Before arriving at DFW we were contacted by dispatch to take a load to Kansas City, Mo. The load was to be ready at about 0300 on Thursday and was to be in Kansas City 9hours later. We arrived in DFW at about 800pm Eastern time, and it was off to bed for a good nap before we had to run again. I woke up at 0430 and we hadn't been notified of load completion so I called dispatch and they said that it was running a little late and should be ready within the hour. We went back to sleep and was notified at 0658 that the load was then ready for departure to Kansas City.

Outa bed, face washed, teeth brushed, paperwork signed, trailer hooked, sealed and inspected for mechanical problems, and on the road by 0745. Whew, we headed for Kansas City, straight up 75 to 69 and right into Kansas City, MO. The trip was relatively uneventful. A very nice ride up through the country, off the normal beaten path of the interstates. Some beautiful trees with the leaves changing, this time of year.

We were actually starving ourselves because we were looking forward to a good dinner at Cracker Barrel. Again, though, before we arrived at the terminal, we were asked to take an empty trailer to Mexico, MO and pick a load up going to Forest Park, GA, near our terminal there. We got to Kansas City at about 500 pm EST, hooked to an empty and headed East. We had to stop for fuel in Oak Grove, MO, so we decided we would just eat there. You see, the Cracker Barrel Restaurants, don't have room for our truck when we have a trailer, nor do they want us there. Anyway, we had a good, hot meal, and headed East again.

We made it to Mexico, MO at about 1000pm and hooked to the loaded trailer and took off for Atlanta/Forest Park, GA area. The weather between DFW and Kansas City was rainy and nasty, but certainly got progressively worse between Mexico, MO and Chattanooga, TN. Actually, from Fort Campbell, KY to Mont eagle, TN was a near torrential rain with strong winds. But, Tina, being the trooper she is, drove through the weather and I took over in Chattanooga. HEHE, I love it when a plan comes together.

We finally got to Forest Park/Atlanta at about 1000am and delivered our trailer to the receiver. We headed back to our terminal and in short order we were given a choice of DFW, San Francisco CA, or Columbus OH. We chose DFW, again. The load is to be ready by about 0100 tonight/tomorrow and we will head for Texas again.

I will be contacting Larry Kilgore again and maybe he can meet with us when we get to DFW on Saturday afternoon. I hope to meet with many of the candidates and post the pictures and/or videos here.

If any of you reading this would like to meet up with us, or if you know of a 912candidate that would like a a chance to sign the truck and talk with us for a little bit, please send me a message and we will try to make it a point to meet with you.

In closing, 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

Finally, Gone From Phoenix

After sitting in Phoenix all day Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, we went inside the truck stop to visit with some folks we had met there and have a glass of sweet tea, and my phone rang. On the other end of the line was one of the dispatchers from our Sacramento dispatch office and he seemed somewhat frantic. It seems that they had a load, sitting in El Paso, TX, that had to be in Dallas today. He wanted to know if Tina and I could leave right now, take and empty to El Paso, and hook to the loaded trailer, sitting there waiting on us, ready to go, and get to DFW with "safe but direct" service between all three points. It seems that someone in El Paso had messed up and told them not to send a power unit out of Phoenix until just then and all of a sudden they had to have someone to move the load. In other words, poor planning on their part was to constitute an emergency on our part. I told the dispatcher we could be gone in about 30 minutes and he agreed.

We left our tea, our desert, and our friends, sitting at the table and off we ran. They knew about this load all day but just then had to get it moved. There was to be someone at the El Paso terminal when we got there to give us our paperwork and unlock the trailer, so that we could hook and run. After fueling, putting away lawn chairs and flags and grabbing and empty from the terminal in Phoenix, we were on our way. We left there at about 1100 pm EST and drove all night to get to El Paso and get the "forgotten load" and head for DFW. It is just amazing though, no matter how much we hurry, no matter how much of an emergency they tell us something is, no matter how urgent the matter is to be to us, we seem to be the only ones that think that way. We arrived in El Paso at 0700 EST, only to find the terminal dark, no-one there, kingpin lock on the trailer, no paperwork for the load, nothing. I called dispatch, in Sacramento, no answer, 15 minutes trying, still no answer, I called Columbus dispatch and they answered, told me where to find a key for the kingpin lock, how to got to the key, and hung up, thinking I would be on my way. I found the key, unlocked the lock and installed it onto our dropped empty trailer, hooked to the loaded trailer, performed a pre-trip inspection, pulled away from the door and went to the back of the trailer to get the paperwork and check the seal, only to find no paperwork. I, again, called Sacramento dispatch and the dispatcher must have awakened from his slumber and he answered the phone. I explained where we were, what we were doing, and that there was no paperwork with the loaded trailer. I vented a little, about how it always seems that we need to be in a hurry and no-one else needs to be and the dispatcher said, just camp out there until someone arrives, "they should be there shortly" he said. This was at about 0730 Eastern time and they were to be there, according to dispatch at 0500. We laid down for what I thought would be a 15-20 minute nap and at 1000 EST, the terminal day manager, knocked on my door and wanted to know what I was doing there. I explained and he said "drive around front and I'll get your paperwork so that you can be on your way." I did, he did and we are now on our way. We just went through Big Spring TX and we should be at our terminal in Dallas at about 800PM Eastern Time. We are to load for Kansas City, Mo out of there at about 0300 tomorrow. My guess is that it too, will be an emergency, but I digress.

We met some very good folks in Phoenix, we had some good vi sting time and we had a lot of people come by to talk about and to sign the truck I took several pictures and will get them posted here as soon as I get my computer back. This is one that I have borrowed and I don't have all my software loaded, no am I going to do so. I hate this one, it has a Vista operating system and locks up on me, often making me restart the system and losing my work.

Anyway, keep following and we have some exciting things coming. I am trying to arrange contacts with some of the 912 political candidates. We are hoping to meet with some of them, talk to them on video and or getting a photo op with them signing the truck. This is a very exciting time in America, folks are becoming aware of what is happening to our country, all the usurpation of power by the appointed "Czars", the shredding of the constitution, and the placement of yet more entitlement slavery programs into action, to try and make sure the sleeping pill of choice will continue to work to keep the citizens uninterested in their government and what their government is doing.

We are out here, along with many others, to awaken those folks and show them what their government is doing and the liberties that are being stolen.

In closing, 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

Relaxing in Sunny Phoenix

We arrived in Phoenix this morning at about 0800 Eastern Time. This is one of few of our company terminals that isn't a 24 hour facility. When we get to one of these terminals, we aren't allowed to leave the trailer unattended so we backed into a dock door and stayed hooked to the trailer. I have no idea what time the personnel that runs the terminal got there but we got up at about 1200 Eastern time and they were already there. I turned in my paperwork and opened the doors to the trailer and unhooked.

There were some of our friends there, some good folks we met when we first went to work for this company, and we all drove out to a nearby truck stop for breakfast. We had a very good visit with our friends and then went next door and had our trucks washed. This is one of the few truck washes in that I have been able to get to hand wash our truck so that the vinyl doesn't peel or rip. Danny's Truck Was and Chrome Shop in Phoenix, AZ. They done a fantastic wash and then shammied the truck dry and applied tire dressing. The truck looks amazing. Danny's has no website so I can't provide a link. They are at exit I-10, exit 137, just south of the interstate.

We had a lot of lookers at the truck wash. One fella from California, a Central Trucking driver, the old Dick Simon Co., came over and we had a great conversation about what is happening in the country, where this government might be leading us as a nation and what we can and should do, in the midterm election cycle to try and slow the destruction of the Constitution. I gave him some information on the 912 project, and a pocket constitution, he signed the truck, I took a picture and off we both went, our separate ways. We also gave out several other constitutions and pamphlets and had some good conversation with others. Just when you think people are falling back to sleep, the Lord blesses you with some great patriots and folks with which to talk. Incidentally, if you are one of the folks that have signed the truck and allowed us to take your picture but don't see your picture here, please afford us a bit of time to get that posted. The computer that we normally use is down and in the shop right now and I don't have my camera software installed on this computer as of this posting.

I have acquired a list of 912 Candidates that will be running for office in 2010 and we will be contacting these folks to let them know when we might be in there area and see if we can get some video interviews, some pictures and some meetups with them to sign the truck. I hope they can fit some time in their schedules to meet with the 912 Truck and provide us with the opportunity to speak with and them and post here, our videos and pictures of those meetings.

We have no idea where we are headed to out of Phoenix at this point. My guess though, would be that we will be here until tomorrow evening and then get a dispatch out of here. Again though, no idea to where we might be headed. I will be sure to post here when we know to where we are headed. Check back often and contact us if you care to see, and sign the truck when we come through your area.

In closing, 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

Left Atlanta @ 0100 This Morning

We arrived in Atlanta at about 1430 yesterday afternoon and I had some preventative maintenance to do on the truck. Before we got there, we were given a dispatch back to Dallas and then on to Columbus OH.

I had to change the engine oil bypass filter and do a grease job on the chassis and components. I also had a broken bolt in the left rear mudflap as a result of something off the road hitting the flap and breaking the bolt. I got all my tools and supplies laid out and arranged, I also plugged my battery charger in for my battery operated grease gun. I had remembered running the battery down during the last grease job so I wanted it to be fully charged. While the battery was charging, I proceeded to remove the FS2500 bypass filter canister, remove the old filter and "O" ring and installed a new "O" ring. I also wiped the inside of the filter canister out and installed the new filter into the canister and then the canister onto the filter head. After torquing the canister bolt to the recommended 40ft/lbs, I started the engine and checked for leaks. All was well, so I shut off the engine and checked the oil level, again, all was well. That is one of many things I like about the FS2500 bypass filter as opposed to some of the others, it only takes 1 1/2 qts to replenish lost oil from filter change. I won't top it off until the sump is a full gallon low. I'll get an oil sample for analysis when we stop for fuel later, while the engine is at full operating temperature.

While I was working on the filter change, another driver came over and wanted to talk about the truck. His name was Dave and he is a Vietnam Vet...God Bless Him. I thanked him for his service and we had a good talk about our mission with the truck.
We talked about the theft of our nation by the power hungry politicians, the shredding and subsequent burning of our constitution, again by the power drunk politicians in both parties, and the coming voter revolution in November 2010, by the power holding citizens, WE THE PEOPLE.

While we talked, another driver drove up and wanted to take some pictures of the truck so he had a ball with his camera while Dave and I talked. I didn't have either of them sign the truck though because it is so filthy right now that the signatures won't stay on anyway. I think I am going to start having the folks sign a sheet of paper, send that to the sign maker and have him make a vinyl signature to place on the truck. The fading of the signatures with indelible ink sharpies continues to progress and there is just no way to stop the natural fade. I think this is our best solution.

After Dave and I finished talking, he headed back to his truck for a nap before he had to leave for San Francisco, CA. I finished the truck grease job, replaced the broken bolt in the mud flap, and cleaned up and put away my tools and supplies.

Tina had ordered a pizza for supper so we ate and I took a shower. While I was working on the truck, Tina took a call from dispatch, and the terminal in Atlanta had added a load to Phoenix AZ and they wanted to know if we would take that rather than DFW then Columbus. We agreed and that was to be ready at about 1100PM.

The load was finally ready about 1230 this morning and we left Atlanta at 0100. We headed West on I-20 and will continue on that interstate to the Van Horn TX area where we will access I-10 west and run that all the way to Phoenix, AZ. We had to fuel in Shreveport LA a bit ago and had some really good feedback on the truck there as well. Really though, it seems as if things have cooled down a bit since 9/12. Not sure if that is just a mis-perception on my part, after our vacation, or if it is a real calming down, knowing that we win in November next year. I think, personally, that we can't afford to cool down, we must stay vigilant and keep the heat on these dirt bag politicians.

We are currently near Longview, TX and should be in Phoenix by about 0730 or 0800 tomorrow. We don't have anymore planned stops except driver changes at the proper intervals. Stay tuned though, you just never know what might happen on the road.

In closing, 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

In Dallas/Irving TX, Headed Back to Atlanta

We made it to DFW this morning at about 0530. We had a very uneventful trip, other than rain most of the way. After we arrived, we dropped the trailer and went to bed for a much needed nap, without the truck bouncing down the road. We got up at about 1000 and went for breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

After breakfast we needed a few items from WalMart, mostly water and bread and so off we went. While at WalMart, we were both amazingly surprised at how rude and inconsiderate the folks, the other shoppers seemed to be there. We often run into rude people but not usually so many, consolidated into one area, at any given time.

Anyway, we are back at the terminal, waiting out the weather, so that hopefully I can service and wash the truck. The truck, due to the horrible weather we have encountered the last month or so, is filthy and really needs washed. I just hope I can get a chance to wash it today.

We will be leaving here at about 1100 tonight, headed back to Atlanta. We should be there early tomorrow afternoon and then see what happens from there. Actually, I'd like to come right back here, to Dallas, but we'll see what happens. We will be traveling across I-20 all the way to Atlanta.

In closing, 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

Back in Atlanta, Leaving for Dallas This Afternoon

Wow, I didn't realize how far I was behind in my postings. We have been very busy running the truck and I suppose I just got wrapped up in running and not keeping you all up to date with what is happening and where we are going. I do apologize. After vacation it has just been really hard to get back into the right mindset. We didn't follow a lot of news while we were off and it is very hard, very, very hard, not to just go into the sleepy, apathetic, television watching stupor that most if us were in before getting involved with stopping the destruction of our great nation. Again, I do apologize. I will do better from now on. Oh, and no more vacations from politics.

Since I last posted here, we had to cancel Columbus, OH due to truck problems on the way to DFW. After the truck repairs we were dispatched to rescue a load from DFW to Atlanta. THen we went from Atlanta to Erlanger KY. From there we went to Columbus, took a load to Walcott Ia that we swapped with another truck and came back to Columbus, OH. From there it was off to Nashville, TN then the grand metropolis of Huntsville AL. We travaled empty back to Atlanta from Huntsville and picked a load up going to Gallatin TN then again, went empty to Lavergne Tn and loaded for Kansas CIty MO. From Kansas City we drove empty Back across I-70 to Mexico MO and hooked a loaded trailer going back to Atlanta. I think that gets us to where we are right now.

Currently, we are in Atlant at the terminal and waiting to pick a load up, from a customer, going to our terminal in Irving TX. The load should be ready anytime and we aill be traveling across I-20 to Terrell TX when we are finally headed in that direction. I suspect that will be at about 3:00 Eastern Time. If you are a memeber of a Tea Party Group or a 9/12 group and you are near this I-20 corridor between Atlanta and DFW, please feel free to contact us for a meetup so that we can have you see and sign the truck. We'd love to meet up with all of you.

Again, I am sorry for being remiss in my posting duties here.

In closing, 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

Back to Work, kind of a Rocky Week Though

We went back to work on Monday night, Tuesday morning this week. We left Orlando at about 0400 Tuesday morning and headed for Columbus, OH north on I-95 to I-26, then I-77 fueled in Rock Hill, S.C.and continued on to U.S.33 West at Ravenswood, W.V. on into Columbus(Groveport),OH. We had a very small problem on the way with a slight loss of coolant, (anti-freeze). We stopped and I added about 3/4 of a gallon, couldn't find an obvious leak, and really never gave it another thought. Well, not right away anyway.

We arrived in Groveport at about 8:30 pm on Tuesday evening, and had been pre-assigned to a load to Irving, TX at 0500 the next morning, so we promptly went to bed for a good night's rest. Our load was ready at about 0545 on Wednesday morning and we hooked to the trailer and headed south west. We travelled down I-71 to Louisville, KY and accessed I-65 south to Nashville, TN, then onto I-40 to Little Rock, AR and I-30 into Dallas.

The low coolant light started illuminating and ringing, a very obnoxious, impossible to ignore, warning bell just west of Nashville so I went on to Kinsington Springs, TN where I had to add a full Gallon of coolant, again. After another visual inspection of the engine, the oil dipstick, and under the truck at the coolant lines to the rear of the sleeper, I again found no visual indications of a leak, so journeyed on towards Irving. We made it another 240 miles, or so, to Palestine, AR, lites and bells again, so we stopped at the nearest truck stop and with more redundancy, I added another 3/4 gallon of coolant, visually checked and rechecked the entire cooling system for obvious leaks, This time I even checked the heater core areas in the cab and sleeper for signs of leakage, again with no satisfactory resolution. Once again we trodded on to Irving.

This time we made it about 120 miles or so, to about Omaha, TX on I-30, more bells and whistles and I found a place to stop near Whitfield, TX. I pulled into what I thought was a closed weigh station. That is to say, the sign indicated closed but upon exiting the interstate to the off ramp, I seen 2 Texas D.O.T. pickup trucks sitting near the scale house and several drivers entering and exiting the building. Let me just interject here, seldom, and I mean very seldom, is there a weigh station open at or about 11:00 or so on Thursday night, or any night for that matter, but I digress...I parked the truck, opened the hood and began my inspection of the cooling system, again. I added another gallon of coolant, and by this time, I can see that we aren't going to be able to make it back to Columbus to the shop I like there. We headed for Irving, got there about 0130 and dropped our trailer.

I called Kenworth's "Premier Care" and with their help,was able to find a shop in the area to get the truck in right away. I had already called dispatch and gave them a heads up about our problem so we took off for the shop.

We arrived at MHC Kenworthm Ft Worth, TX at about 0230 and Dan, the night manager, already had our repair order hand written and was waiting for our arrival. They proceeded to diagnose the problem. About 0400 the came to me and advised me that the EGR Cooler had Failed and would need to be replaced. They also let me know that it would be about 6 hours or so and that they had all the parts in stock,an available technician and would get started on the job immediately.

I called dispatch, to inform them of the bad news and they were very understanding, yet obviously distraught about what they would do with the load, who would cover the trip. The freight has to move whether we haul it or another truck makes the move.

I napped in the lounge, Tina in the truck, while they performed the repairs. After replacing the EGR Cooler, they performed a final test and also found the EGR Valve had failed. Another 2 hours but the had the parts and got the valve replaced. We headed back to the terminal at about 2:00 pm and were relieved to have the truck fixed. A special thanks to everyone at MHC Kenworth in Fort Worth, TX.

We called dispatch to let them know we were again ready for our next load assignment and they said they'd let us know what was happening as soon as they knew.

We settled in for lunch then a we were going to get a good nap, in a comfortable bed, rather than a chair in a customer lounge. Just shy of starting to prepare lunch, my phone rand and it was dispatch. They had a truck broke down, and the truck had been under a load that would be late for delivery in Atlanta, if it didn't get moving right away. They asked us if we would make the move so we complied, happily.

We fueled, at the terminal, headed for the Peterbilt shop, in Dallas, and hooked the loaded trailer. The other drivers met us there with the paperwork, had a brief conversation, and off we went, happy as a couple pigs in slop.

I had been watching my oil pressure slowly decrease since we took off on Monday night. I didn't think a lot about it though because there was no water or coolant in the oil and the pressure was high enough that there was no engine damage being done. I went to bed in Jackson, MS, where Tina took over. Sleep was good. Tina woke me up about 45 miles west of Birmingham, Al with the oil pressure warning lite blinking and the buzzer sounding off just like the low coolant buzzer. There was a truck stop at the next exit so we stopped, looked the truck over manually checked the pressure at a valve I have installed. The pressure looked good, I could see no visible signs of pressure loss, IE: loose filter, very low oil level etc. so on we moved towards Atlanta. The lites never came back on nor did the bells and buzzer. I decided that the pressure relief valve inside the filter had stuck open and that we would have the filter changed when we get to Atlanta.

After arrival in Atlanta at about 0430, we headed for the shop, again. Needless to say, it was way too early for the shop to be open, so we got another short nap. The shop opened at 0700, pulled us in and changed the filter. That appears to have fixed our problem. We shall see.

We have been assigned to a load to Erlanger, KY for about 7:00 tonight. We will head that way and see what happens. We will be travelling up I-75 to Cincinnati and stopping for fuel at mile post 12 on I-285 in Atlanta. Maybe we will see you there.

We did also meet another great Patriot at the shop this morning. Lynn is a manager for another local delivery company in Atlanta. His picture will be posted, signing the truck, as soon as we get our regularly used computer back from the shop. Lynn sent me, via email, a story called "Dinner With Obama...A Parable" and that can be read at Stop the Destruction of America. That short story is definitely worth the read. Thanks Lynn.

In closing, 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

912 Truck is Back to Work, Headed for Dallas, TX

After a much needed, long vacation we are back to work. We had a lot of fun during our time off, hunting, traveling, visiting family etc. We also, had a lot of grief with the 912 truck and dead batteries. Our battery problem actually started in D.C. a few weeks ago, during the 912 rally. Our batteries went dead there, then when we got home, we parked the truck and they went dead again. After getting back home from my hunting trip I proceeded to work on the truck and found two bad batteries. I had just replaced the batteries in March of this year, with what were supposed to be the best available for this application. I replaced them with Optima, yellow top, group 31, deep cycling and starting batteries. They worked well for a while but then they started going dead quicker and quicker and finally had left me stranded in D.C., where one of my best friends in the world, had to come to the rescue and jump start the truck so I could get moving. Anyway, I charged and tested the batteries, according to Optima instructions and Optima stepped up to the plate and replaced the two batteries that actually tested bad. The other two didn't show bad but we'll see. They were all 4 bought at the same time,my guess is that they will be bad in short order as well. I then decided to isolate another bank of 2 batteries, for starting alone, so that I would never have the problem of not being able to start the truck again. That was done, again, with the brain aid of the best technically minded person I have ever know, one of my best friends in the world, Colon Ampersand. This guy is one of the smartest people I have ever had the privilege to meet or know, and to call him a friend is truly an honor. I also had a bit of advise from another tech, another brainiac, at Clearwater Truck Center, in Clearwater, Minnesota. He helped me to figure out what some of the wires were for, originally connected to the starter by the factory. Colon is no longer in the repair business but if you ever get to Clearwater, MN, or break down in that area, I suggest you get a hold of the folks at Clearwater Truck Center and have the truck fixed by the best available technicians in the business. Thanks again to Todd. So, the truck is fixed, it will always start, or at least always crank and should always start, and we are on our way to Dallas, TX.

We left Orlando on Monday night, Tuesday morning at about 0345 and headed for Columbus, OH. We ran up I-95 to I-26 and ran that to I-77. We stopped in Rock Hill, SC for fuel and went on to Ravenswood, WV where we got on 33 west and ran that to Columbus, OH. Before our arrival in Columbus last night, dispatch had contacted us about a load to Seattle, WA. I told them we would run that if it was all they had but I'd rather not if they could come up with something else. They came up with a Dallas to leave at 0500 this morning. Fantastic, I'll, that we'll take. You see, I just don't like running Washington, or Oregon either one. Takes more fuel, weather is always nasty, D.O.T. bad in that area, (even worse than most other parts of the country), and I stay out of the area in the summertime just so that we won't have to run there in the winter. I figure if we go during the summer months we can't turn down the winter, so we choose to do neither, should work both ways but I digress...

We hooked a trailer this morning, and headed for Dallas. We were barely out of Ohio when we took a call from dispatch and asked if we could load for Las Vegas when we get to Dallas and then that was switch for us to go back to Columbus to accommodate another teams vacation in Phoenix, long story but the readers digest version goes like this, That team will go to Phoenix with a Vegas load and another team will take it to Vegas, we'll go back to Columbus and remain the happy 912er's, for which we always strive.

We should be in Dallas by about midnight tonight then load back for Columbus about 0500 Thursday. If you, or any of your 912/Tea Party Groups or Candidates have any interest in meeting up with and signing the 912 Truck, please feel free to contact us here and we will, when we are on a route that will get us near you, let you know and meet up with you for a brief meet-up and photo/signing of you and the 912 Truck.

Please be sure to check out 912candidates.org and try to attend the 912candidates convention in late February. Make plans now. The 912 Truck has been invited to be there and with the Good Lord's Blessing and assuming the rivers don't rise too high, the 912 Truck will be there. Thanks for the invitation Jacob Roecker.

In closing, 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

Two of My Least Favorite Things are About to Happen...At the Same Time!

As time grows near for us, and the 912 Truck, to go back to work, I sit here loathing the idea of A.) Vacation Ending and B.)Winter Beginning.

I must say, Winter, on the road, has to be my least favorite season of the year. Traffic is worse during the Spring and Summer, Fall is just bad because you know Winter is on the way, there is "Construction" season, but that goes on year round in some parts of the country, The Holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day etc., are all bad but I have gotten used to and actually find enjoyment in being the road, with my fantastic wife, during those times, but Winter is just miserable.

Let's start with colds and the flu. While always less than fun, on the road you just never have a real chance to get rid of them. Nasty truck stops, filthy public restrooms, a hygienically challenged public, you get the picture. Fortunately, we have it better than most drivers because of the amenities inside our truck, never the less, a cold or the flu, on the road, bites.

Then there is the weather. Snow, rain, freezing rain, sleet, whatever, the weather is bad at some point during the winter, in most parts of the country, save Central to Southern Florida and Southern California. Now don't get me wrong, I like the snow as long as I can be inside, looking out the window at the beautiful white landscape. Otherwise, not so much.

The salt and liquid, calcium chloride or potassium acetate, used to melt the snow and ice in many parts of the country is corrosive to metals, damaging to wiring connections, hard on paint and undercarriages, and gets in every nook and cranny while driving. The only way to combat this problem is to stay home during this season. Rinsing off the salt and liquids helps but you can never get all of it and seldom is there a self serve truck wash in the area where you need one. The best thing to happen, again, short of staying home, is a torrential downpour or rain in a warmer climate after traveling in one of these area, but again, that never happens at the right time.

Chain regulations, always harder on big trucks than on cars. Not because we are worse drivers but because it gives the appearance that safety matters. While it does matter to most drivers, it matters not to State Road Officials, D.O.T officers, or Highway Patrol Officers. Chains and the installation, or not, of them, is merely a source of revenue when not installed or even carried in some parts of the country or if improperly installed(according to the enforcement individual). Personally, I don't install chains. I believe that if it is dangerous enough for me to lay on the frozen ground, under a truck, along the highway, with automobiles cruising by at 55+ mph and risk my life to install a set of chains, then it is probably safer, for me and everyone else on the road to restrict movement on that roadway to snow removal equipment. Again, the safety of the truck driver is of NO concern at all, merely the appearance of safety to others is the concern to the lawmakers and a revenue source to the state.

Now, in some parts of the country, our industrious lawmakers have made it mandatory for the driver of a big truck to climb atop his truck and trailer, and see to it that all snow is removed from the tops of both, before starting a trip. There is an exclusion for snow accumulated during a trip though. How kind of the derelicts to think of this exclusion, huh. So, again, let's recap this brainstorm. They, the states involved, want me to carry a ladder, tall enough to climb onto a 13'6" tractor trailer, place that ladder on a snowy, icy, slick parking lot or roadside, climb atop my 102" wide by 53" long, snow and ice covered, truck and trailer with a broom or a shovel and proceed to remove the snow and ice from said truck and trailer, ALL IN THE NAME OF SAFETY? Really? I think not. I don't stop while there is snow falling or a chance of snow in that part of the country. Safer? Well, for the driver, it is most certainly safer.

Let me not be mistaken here, I realize it takes all four seasons to make ecology work according to God's plan. I would just rather not partake in snowy winters on the road. We grew up in Southern Illinois but I haven't lived there, for more than a week at a time in the winter, for over 20 years. I moved to California in '87 then to Florida in '98. I don't see me ever leaving Florida, other than for work, during the winter months. A summer place in North or South Dakota or even Minnesota or Montana would be nice but you'll not catch me there after September 30th for anything other than necessary, money induced, work.

All that being said, winters comes and goes, as do vacations. We have another planned for the last week of December and the first two weeks of January 2010 for Christmas with the families for the first time in 3 years, another few days of around the 20th to the 27th of February, for the 912 candidate convention to which the 912 truck has been invited, then in May for Tina's nephew's graduation from high school and a short 3 day cruise to the Bahamas, and finally, as far as "planned time off" we are planning a tour of the country, in "Tea Party Express Style" during last week of August and the first two weeks of September next year and plan to end up in D.C. on the 12th of September again.

We are, looking forward to getting back to work on the road with the 912 Truck. We are hoping and praying that people will be as receptive or more so, for the next 12 months, as they have been in the last 3 months. Tina stated the other day that she feels something big is about to happen. She said she wasn't sure what it was or even what it had to do with but that it would be big. I feel like it is probably the awakening of the greatest giant in the world...WE THE PEOPLE!! I guess I have never felt as optimistic about our country as I feel right now. After attending the 912 D.C. event, talking with so many Patriots, and reading and watching all that is happening in America, I feel re-energized for another 3 months on the road, even if they will be during the Winter months.

We have launched into a couple of apparel stores so that all can show their support of our mission, and the 912 Project. 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
Thanks for your support.


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