This ones for Bill....

So you say it's been awhile since I last said anything, well yeah it's been. There was nothing to say, nothing exiting happened....well then again maybe not...I finally lost the Peterbuilt, that truck (while it was roomy and comfortable) gave us the most problems we had for a long 8 months. We finally handed the truck in to the Charlotte OC with an over heating problem that they could not fix and sent the truck out to a CAT dealer for repairs, I didn't hear of that truck since. I received the flagship orange colored Freightliner (which I prayed for) since returning from my vacation. Once back on the road I couldn't stop running miles, they kept me so busy it wasn't hard falling asleep at night even though I've been missing not having my wife around with me. She had been in the truck with me for 2 years and it took a little getting use to with her not around. I still miss her..Well...you got it...it is what it is right?...Miles, like I said had been good until 2 weeks ago when I lost my trip planner. Miles has been a struggle since and the girls in the office is trying to get a handle on it, I just hope it happens sooner than later. Places I traveled since returning,...I'll say the 1 place that sticks out is the Willie Nelsons truck stop in Texas. I had a load that headed to Laredo TX that had a little time on it. I stopped at that truck stop around 4:30 one Thursday afternoon. Now I heard about this place in the past, but didn't stop until that day. When I entered the convenience store side, I walked down this hallway that was loaded with Willie Nelsons memorabilia and a room that captured his awards. Displayed were items like Platinum albums and movie memorabilia from movies he acted in. The truck stop had a restaurant, a bar, a radio station and a concert style room that hosted live concerts on Fridays and Saturdays. I arrived on Thursday and you guessed it, I missed a concert. So I did the next thing, check in the saloon, there's always something happening. Bingo, live band playing in the bar. I met with a couple of company drivers during dinner than headed over to watch a live band play called the Honky Tonkers. They were good and I really enjoyed myself that night, I've been wanting to watch a band(I didn't care what type of music) play live. Since then it's been nothing but work and I still enjoy driving and meeting other drivers within our company. I still keep up with Bill because someone needs to keep tabs on him. Lets just say I keep him on the right track to success...hahaha...lol..It's visa versa......but after all....it is what it is right?....well until next time....aloha Gus

ahem....We're back...agaaaan....!!

Believe me, I tried logging on this past weekend with no luck in the area I was in, the message being "Cannot Acquire Data", which means if AT&T really had more bars I"ll be drunk more often!!!!????!! HA, HA!! I really tried to announce on Sunday----HAPPY --th BIRTHDAY DAD!!!! I won't reveal his age, he's actually younger than the he says!! I love you pop!! Hope you had a blessed day!! Well another week passed---here's the highlights---Load was delivered on Kentucky on the 8th, the next load sent us all the way into upper upper Michigan in Marquette. We stayed about an hours drive before delivery in Rapid River,Michigan. That night it was a very comfortable 43 degrees. Loved it, slept like a baby! Next load picked up in Escanaba MI that moved us into Coon Rapids Minnesota. Did I mention all loads so far was paper loads(appx 43000-44000lbs ea load). Another paper load picked up in Sartell MN to deliver in Lomira Wisconsin. Why not add another load of paper from Wisconsin that delivered in Hamilton Ohio on 6/15. Finally a load that delivered store merchandise to a mall in Springfield Illinois on 6/16. The next load had us picking up a load of tires in Mount Vernon Illinois going to Gainesville Georgia, but someone in the office decided to have a bright idea and wake up the Mrs at 2:45 in the morning to change the load. It was a relay load from another driver who coulnd not deliver it on time that went to Chicago Il. Not my favorite place to drive/deliver/pick up in. Traffic..Traffic..Traffic.. Okay enough. We delivered this load to the Toy's R Us retail store in the heart of Chicago. Got the load there on time..but Traffic....Here's why this time. Pictures is worth a 1000 words, and no I don't know how badly anyone got hurt..Well next load we're picking up from a Bobcat plant in Illinois delivering in North Dakota... till next time...a hui ho...Gus.

Things from this week...6/1-5...

Since last blog we delivered that load in Sartell,MN. On the way there the Mrs and I stopped off at this rest area that had a scenic look out. We had a little extra time before delivering the load so we walked to the lookout. Well it was longer than expected (more than 1/2 hour with some hills), the Mrs was huffing and puffing when we stopped. I laughed a little,(shouldn't have, paid for it latter) but it really was a nice walk. Next delivered the load, spent the night on their lot and picked up a load 3 miles away from Electrolux heading to Laredo,TX some 1418 miles away. It's Friday and that load got delivered and the next load is staying with the over 1000 mile trend with 1261 going to Lexington,KY that will keep us busy through the weekend and delivers on Monday. No pictures this time, need to load it from the camera yet, will keep you posted. I noticed more new followers. Thanks for looking in. Kids,your mom needs to be checked up on every now and then..!!HA!!. Jaime, changes her picture every so often, I like that, New one with Alan?? Good. (Replies to Bill),Gus is my nickname back home. It was something given/earned by my best friend Masao. A friend like no other, through thick and thin this Guy and his wife has been there for me and my family and that's something special that I hold near and deep in my heart!! I also seen your last blog with Mule, I'll work on something for y'all, and I'm not sure if you meant it like that but aloha is not spelled AHOLA......peace out love y'all...see ya..Gus

Hi Again it's just us!!

We've been back on the road since May 5 and I only place 1 blog since then...shame on me..Well since then we had it rough. Miles been low for a better time of it (2 weeks worth of it)and we only sat waiting for loads. Hanging out mostly on the East Coast from Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. It's Sunday night 5/31 and the current load came from Maine going 1726 miles in 3 days to Sartell,Minnesota that delivers Monday 6/1. Last week miles has been better for us and this load is a good start of the new week. I noticed a new follower to blog. What's up?? Hey, I got your message on 5/11 I'll call later and explained what happened and thanks for the birthday wish. No pictures this time, cameras in the truck and will update next time. Currently in the Gary Indiana OC which we call the Chicago operating center (OC). Well till next time......aloha's......Gus..

Pictures from Mothers Day and Birthday ride

Here the photographer is doing a silhouette on the pass window of me.

Look, canoe racing! (nah!) row boating in a Connecticut river.

Worcester,Conn. Looks like a train depot.

Not sure which Church it is, but it is nice in Connecticut.

Morning sunshine, wake up to natures beauty.

Happy Mothers day to all Moms. Its been a long week. I didn't feel well so I did not go to the races during my time off. Went back on the road 5/5 Tuesday and been suffering for miles ever since. First load out to Taylor Pennsylvania then to Hagerstown Maryland, then off to South Portland Maine then now to Dayton New Jersey. Sound like a lot but its not. We will keep holding the faith that things will change soon. We'll keep smilin' and taking pictures of our road trips. till next time....it is what it is....Darrell

If it can Happen it will....hey a new one....

I know by now your wondering what's going on with us. Remember the last load I was working on(the delivery to Goodyear) in Illinois? Well the Mrs and I went to bed around 8:30pm, we planned on delivering the load at 8am on Thursday, around 2:30am my phone starts ringing(for those who know me,my phone is my alarm clock also). I look at the number first and see the 920 prefix from Green Bay. It's a call to help save a load from another driver who had truck problems and a load that needed to be delivered Thursday afternoon. I double checked to see if I could make it there first before I accepted it. I could but it would be tight. It was a 3 stopper to Home Depot, 2 in Kansas City Mo and 1 in St Louis Mo. I accepted it because it would get me home for some much needed time off that was coming up. Problem was I could not deliver the last delivery as scheduled, well they relayed the last delivery because I would run out of time in Kansas City. Good news bad news, needed a place to park overnight in KC MO. I called my trucker buddy Bill for directions to the casino.(see I remember Bill visited it not too long ago). Ha, got the truck parked, filled up on a casino buffet.....mm mm...then proceeded to attack the machine that made the most noise and that still has the handle for the 1 arm bandit. No luck of course, the Mrs had more luck than me as usual, but we still walked away happy and refreshed. I'm posting pictures of the casino and a lucky shot of the Mrs in action...till next time....aloha...Darrell

A little catching up is in order!!

Since last post, it snowed just a little in Green Bay Wisconsin nothing to worry about and we made the delivery in Albany GA as planned on Friday morning 4/24. Our next load was a pick up from a nursery farm, a load of potted plants and flowers. Here's the deal, I don't have a refrigerated trailer so this load was doomed from the start. Temperature was 92 degrees when they loaded it and called for the same all weekend, mind you this load is heading for Clifton New Jersey a 1072 paid miles and delivers on Tuesday(4 days away for a load that will take approx 2 1/2 days to get there). Almost all was on pallets except the last 5 feet of plants, they stacked them 1 on top of each other, then blocked it with a wooden fence with load locks. I told the kid it would not work and it will get damaged, the supervisor approved of the load and I let it be. Well you know....(it is what it is...heh...)....of course it got damaged. They had me relay the load in Charlotte NC at our OC on Saturday 4/25. I'll let that be, it's in claims right now. Next load was waiting at the OC going to Brookville Indiana delivering on Monday 4/27. The ride wasn't that eventful except,when I shut down for the day in Walton Kentucky I had the truck washed and polished the rims and aluminum. Next load picked up in Cincinnati Ohio and delivered that in Raleigh North Carolina on 4/28 Tuesday. Currently haulin' a whole lot of rubber (Goodyear tires) to Dekalb Illinois for delivery on Thursday morn 4/30. The good news is we're off this weekend and NHRA is in St Louis this weekend and I'm going for my birthday. Till next time... Aloha....Darrell

So, as I said It is what it is.....

Well since the last post I didn't sleep as I said I would and at 1530 I finally called the office to find out how long more this time. I got a hold of Julie (our Driver Services Rep), she explains, "it looks like nobody sent you any info to take the MT trailer to the OC in Green Bay WI and turn in the truck for a PM-B!" I waited 6 hrs for that. I told her to send me the info and I proceeded to the OC, dropped the trailer and turned in the truck for maintenance. YES finally a hotel to sleep in for the night, oops did I mention the forcast called for snow in Green Bay? HA....life is good now. Oops did I mention both of our phones went dead and we forgot the charger in the truck? Yep, watched some TV and more TV. Next morning the truck was ready by 9am and I called the office to notify them of that, but Ms Julie had other plans like send Darrell to spring training class!!??!! So again nothing else got done,but recieved the next load,picking up on Wednesday morn in Green Bay going to Albany GA. 1131 miles that delivers by 7am on Friday 4/24. Yep, now it is what it is......aloha....Darrell

Some Pics from the Greyhound Adoption

Easter Sunday with Doug

1 layover 2 layover 3 layover....no.....nomore....!!!!!

Maybe I should've stayed in the doghouse...I mean when life hands you lemons you supposed to make lemonade....I couldn't even squeeze it if I tried. After we left the Greyhound adoption agency we headed to Cedar Rapids Ia for the next load. I need to remove the pallets from the last stop first then drop this trailer and p/u a relay heading to Sturtevant Wisconsin a 296 mile run, with problems. I delivered the load on Saturday 6am 4/18 as planned, I checked the work assignment address, then the bills, both different... Work assignment said"open 24 hrs, just come on in" in the quallcomm. Now that's the first time I seen that on a delivery..(shoulde've known)..I arrived there, and bam staring at my face a sign-open 7-12 on Saturdays and Sundays-- aha -- first sign, second I waited till employees arrived at 7 then approached them, found out I was in the wrong place to begin with. So I went to the new building across the ways, third sign, not a soul insight. Drove up to the gate, lifted the guard phone, no answer. I noticed 2 cars near the office and I walked around to it,knocked on the glass, 2 guys opened it up, I asked them if they accepted deliveries on the weekends...nope not a chance....so office made me relay it at the drop yard and waited for another load. An hour later new load p/u on Monday and deliver on Monday, a 107 mile run. Got 2 days layover, shopped stocked the truck with groceries, delivered on Monday and parked again.....can you say layover???? I'm going to sleep it's 1440 now. till next time....Darrell

Rachel Ray and I.........Wait.....What????!!!!??

Okay I hoped you read the last 2 blogs first, but I know how it's formatted latest entry first and like most readers you'll probably see the title and read this first. Yes you did I know. Anyway, the next load I got since delivery in Bradford PA, could not originally pick up until the next morn 4/16 at 10am(live load)and delivery on 4/17 1030am(live unload) a 714 mile journey. I contemplated calling the office asking for the p/u or del be moved due to the fact of not making an on time delivery with D.O.T rules or the backroads I needed to travel to get there. My buddy Bill and I decided I needed to call the office and at least try. I did and we changed the p/u to 8am instead. It worked. Okay you're asking what does this have to do with the title??? Well, my work assignment said this"Promo Product, Driver must speak english, might be interviewed by news crew".. I said what? When I called office to change the p/u she notified me that it was a big thing and that Rachel Ray was going to be there and I would get interviewed. She had donated a load of dog food products to this Greyhound adoption agency in a little town in Iowa called Maysville. Wow excitement now!!(I told the Mrs I'm getting her phone number)...(like real right)....ahemm back to the story. Well, load picked up on time and we made time by not stopping but for 1 rest area break, I rolled till my 14 was up. Spent the night in Gary IN (at the OC). Next day I was a little early actually, so I stopped of at the Flying J at the exit I needed to take to Maysville. I called the CN and they said wait until 1030 to arrive, no problem. When I rolled I thought what would it be, you know balloons..-..parade..-..or somethin' right.......nada!! They watched the Mrs and I pull up, they were all in the same T-shirts banners made up thanking Ms Rachel, they thought she was with Me:(....I thought she was with them:(....No Media:(.....yep.....I know, your not sad,your now laughing at me thinking I thought I would meet a celebrity and all.....Ha..but I met the most nicest people you could meet. After a few minutes of talking exchanging who thought what you know, we decided to unload the trailer,then I asked if I could visit these poor animals. Story goes like this, when the owners are done racing these dogs or if their hurt, the send them to these places if not they put them down...sad story, I love dogs and I got to see greyhounds for the first time... Well news media called and said they would show up at 1pm, Rachel's publicist called apologizing for the no show for her and the media and would work something out later. Well that was fun actually. We've made new friends and now probably have a couple of them reading this blog now. Well Life....you never know where it leads somedays.....till next blog.. aloha....Darrell

2 long since I last did this.... heres an update.

Since I last wrote, I delivered the Atlanta load with some parody. The parking is usually tight at grocery warehouses, the driver that parked next to me almost take out my drivers mirror and door if the Mrs did not warn him with the air horn, he was thankful after the fact. The driver next to him was not so lucky, he did not get out and look as he reversed and placed his front bumper into a yellow cement pillar(ouch!), it was a new Cascadia and not from our company. From there we grabed a load from Atlanta headed to Fond Du Loc Wisconsin, not a bad run with 831 pd miles and delivered on Thursday 4/9. No problems there then headed to P&G in Green Bay WI and picked up a load for our journey east to Tunkhannock PA. Well,delivery made and then stop, no load till the next evening, got the layover pay(wow!). Adding insult to injury, I found 1 headlight out, not a big deal if I had a Freightliner(SNI orange trucks), no-I got a Peterbuilt. I asked another SNI driver for a spare halogen, he had one but no match. As with all things, these trucks has to be different. So,I just went on down the road till I found a truck stop to purchase one. No big deal now,but...you know. Next load was a duesy(I mean a 2 stopper). It delivered in Virginia at Sam's clubs, but I had time on the load and to enjoy Easter Sunday with my wife and good trucker buddy Doug(see pic). He was coming north on I-81 and I south, the funny part was I drove 490 miles and he 495. We had brunch together, food was not bad it was just sharing company that made the stop good on a holiday and just relaxing. Well he needed to press on after the D.O.T 10 hr break while the Mrs and I had another layover day to contend with. Delivery went rather smoothed. Next load we headed to a place called Big Island,Virginia. Now normaly I wouldn't say anything at this point but, paper loads suck! The locations of all paper plants is in the middle of valleys, small towns, tightest roadways to drive in/out on and among the heaviest loads carried. Well you get the picture. This place(been here before) has a one way in/out route. Load picked up on 4/14 and delivered on 4/15 in Bradford PA. No events here just needed a place to stay overnight till I can pick up the next load and found a Diner that had room for parking. The food was very good and service was helpful. Read next blog...it gets better.....till then Darrell

Mike Found.....Maybe..

When I arrived at the Atlanta OC I needed to send my paperwork in for processing, while doing that, A voice behind me asked If I knew a Bill (Bobtail Bill that is, Illinois's finest, T--E extrodinaire, firemans.....) OK I'll stop, I looked up at him and said I do, he introduced himself as being "Hapa Haole"(means half Caucasian half Hawaiian for my Caucasian friends), we laughed then it hit me this guy looked exactly like Mike Bell. No its not him, but boy a twin of some sorts. Here's the funny part, this guy is Hawaiian.....no joke!!. His Dad is Hawaiian and from Wahiawa Honolulu,his mom from Georgia, you know born in Hawaii,then family moves to Georgia. Name is Joseph "Mule" Kaapa. Likes to go by Neil . Nice-nice guy. Mrs and I seen this Guy several times and noticed the resemblance to Bell but did not approach him until my trucker buddy Bill ran into him and talked to him about us. I don't have photo of Mike but will look for one and update later. Wow check it out.....Darrell

Our Texas Journey.

Well since I picked up the Del Monte load in Kansas, we made way to Plainview TX, on our way we stopped at a Petro truck stop in Amarillo Texas for the night. We had a buffet lunch/dinner since we were going to turn in early for a early delivery in the morning. Guess what I found out while paying for the bill? Our last name "Aguiar" means-Foward...To Drive-in Spanish, a Mexican guy behind the counter told us. He explained to the Mrs, I drive her. I thought that was cool learning the meaning of our name. Well I delivered the load as planned on Saturday morn by 6am, then no assignment. I needed to leave the facility, they don't allow parking for long periods of time, I found a truck stop 24 miles away,notified Schneider of my move, then as always no reply. My next assignment finally arrived at 11am for a live load pick up at 12pm, problem is I was no near it to pick up on time. My move was not noticed by the office so I arrived 15 minutes late. Shipper had no problem with it though, they just loaded me(in swift time too) 45 minutes for 44500 lbs on Wesson oil to deliver in Atlanta Georgia on Monday 4/6. I had time to drive 220 miles to Weatherford Texas, just outside of Dallas for the night. I found out my other buddy driver Doug was on home time and arranged to meet me in the morn for coffee before I head out to Georgia. That was cool. Now sitting in the Atlanta OC waiting for time of delivery at 23oo tonight.......but another story coming....I found Mike----well......Darrell

John Deere & Elmer..? more snow??

I finally made my last John Deere delivery this morning in Marysville Kansas at 8am. When i woke up I thought I was in the middle of winter season all over again, snow-rain-temperatures in the mid 20's, no I was not dreaming. I seen snow plows working the roads so I set out to Kansas. I checked in, seen several people working by the recieving area then I saw him-Elmer(not his real name but he looked like him), this elderly gentleman, bless his soul, he looked outside, saw my truck, he knew I had a delivery to make, looked at the snow, looked back at me, and then it hit me, he looked outside again to his left, he had left his big forklift outside overnight in the cold,wet snow. It was covered from top to bottom with white stuff. He proceeded outside with an airline and a blow gun to blow off the snow. (now a picture of this should had been great at this point...I did not see it then). With all the younger people in ths place not one person came out to help. I jumped in and helped him(more for my benefit than his I guess..so I could roll along). He appreciated my help till the end. We need more people like him out there. In the meantime the qualcom beeped off with my next work assignment, p/u a load from Del Monte plant in Topeka Kansas and deliver to Wal-mart in Plainview Texas. Deadhead for 97 miles to p/u and 576 loaded, delivers on 4/4. The day turned out better as it went along. The sun came up, the roads cleared up and it made for a nice afternoon of driving. Staying in Salina Kansas tonight at Bosselmans Pilot truck stop. Got 494 miles left till delivery and will make it there sometime in the afternoon. till then......Darrell

OOOPS forgot to explain.

Alright,
I've been asked why the title "It Is What It Is",well perhaps another Schneider driver Doug can explain it for me. I use it all the time when he and I talk. He say's if I ever hear it said by someone else he's going to ask that person if they know me. You see, it's like this throughout my (short) lifetime (ha ha), I, like you a'll, been dealt with positives and negatives with whatever it may be, work, health, hobbies, relationships, personal vehicles, bills, communication with bosses, by now you know where i'm going with this. It is what it is when you need to understand that, sometimes no matter what you do it is and you just need to accept it or you can change what it is when you can. Enough-it is what is!! Darrell

OH Canada!! well it goes something like that.

Hey all,

Sorry for not updating soon, plan was to work more on blogsite the next day but work got in the way. New work assignment had us pick up a load from the Carlise OC on Sunday morn 3/29 to deliver on 3/30 @ 9am, so moved load to Canada on sunday and luck would it have it no Wi-Fi. Morning started off with fog for about 200 miles, then cleared up for really nice day, I couldn't wait to get to the truck stop called"Fifth Wheel". We've been there before and service and food was good plus it sets up right by Lake Ontario and outside the dining window it was an Awesome view,kind of felt like being in Kona out on the Lanai of a restaurant. Well next morning delivered the load as planned @ 9am. Next load was to pick up from John Deere in Welland Ontario, it was a 5 stopper in Nebraska and Kansas. It's where we are now in Nebraska, we delivered to 4 stops running out of time for the 5th one. Weather for tonight calling for rain and snow. Not wanting this, had a shorts day today with temps from 24 lows to 50 high today.

1st Blog from Darrell & Roberta Saturday 3/28/09

Aloha All,

We started our blog site here in Carlise PA at our company operating center. We just thought of creating something fun for all to enjoy, something to share with our children, family and friends to keep track of our little trip around the US. A little background about us we have 5 children (2 girls and 3 boys), 4 grandchildren (2 boys and 2 girls) Love um and miss um.... Anyways, I started driving since January of '07 and the Mrs came on board in August of '07, since then made the most of all our travels. We are 6 states short of completing all 49 states and plan to complete it all soon. Alaska will be a handfull because Schneider does not go there, Imay need to call my buddy Tod and fly over to visit him just complete that task. All in All it's been a journey so far and I have enjoyed every moment as I been traveling it with my best friend. I'll save more for later, need catch some sleep now, will work on some pictures also......Darrell