Sitting in Oak Grove, MO. The shipper canceled the load we were going to pick up at 1100. We're picking up a load from the same shipper going to Blythe, CA at 1900.

RT was wondering what was going on with the map. I installed Microsoft Streets & Trips 2008, the program I use for navigation. The program that transmits my position over the internet (my radio is broken right now) APRSPoint 4.4, interfaces with Microsoft Map Point 2004. When I upgraded Streets & Trips everything went haywire. No GPS, no maps, nothing. After a lot of work, everything seems to be working & stable now.

The problem with the laptop that runs the truck cam turned out to be overheating due to a combination of dust & an inoperative fan. More work, it's fixed.

I finally set up my HP F340 Printer/Scanner/Copier in this truck. Had to hit the Wal Mart for a new black cartridge. It's fixed.

Now I'm going to take a look at my Kenwood TM-D700A radio to see if I can fix it.

It's also time to hit the Truck-O-Mat for a desperately needed truck-o-bath!

I just dropped a load in Lakeland, FL.
Maybe I can find a freshwater lake to go swimming in.

My new co-driver is working out great. He's just out of training so he still has lots to learn, but he seems to be picking things up pretty quick.

Normally I figure my ETA by dividing the mileage by 50 MPH and rounding to the next higher hour. I don't think I'll need to add the Anthus Factor anymore. I used to add 2-3 hours to the ETA for each shift Anthus would drive.

If your laptop starts flaking out, suddenly turning off without a warning, beep, or even a blink, Make sure the battery is firmly latched in place!
If one of the latches vibrates halfway loose, it will give you nothing but trouble!

Oh yeah, by the way, the camera works now.

Heading for Florida with my new co-driver, Chris. So far he seems reasonably mentally stable.

Having a strange problem with the truck cam computer, still working on it.

I was hangin' out with my old 5th grade teacher the other day. I bet I'm not the only student he's had a lasting effect on.

How do you not dote over Rebekah?

Click here for more pictures

Six-year-olds love it when you untie a balloon, inhale the helium, and say your ABC's like Donald Duck! They also love it when you blow up that balloon and let it fly around the room! One problem...after you blow up the balloon a few times it becomes filled with the blower-upper's slobber. Six-year-old's call this phenomenon a "Slobber Bazooka"

I still can't believe 'the boys' are six years old.

Colin on the left, Cody on the right.

Cody & Mr Forehead (me) on an air slide!

Like the group in Phoenix, we have a WidowNet get-together once a month in Southern California. We meet somewhere at noon on a Saturday for lunch & conversation....and to razz Ray about his 'Alleged Harley' (we've never seen it) It's all in fun, Ray's a good-natured guy

It was great to meet Janet. This was the first time she was able to come.

Carol, Carol, Janet, Me, Ray

The shipper for the load in Modesto that would have gotten us home early this morning rescheduled. CRST forgot to tell us. They gave us a load that picks up in Minden, NV, just south of Reno. CRST didn't send it to us on the Qualcomm. We show up in Modesto when we should be heading up Donner Pass to Reno.

Instead of getting home early this morning, I'll get home late this afternoon.

Good job, CRST!! Thanks for being on the ball. This is so very professional! Good way to keep your "most important resource" (as George says) happy & not looking for employment elswhere!

I can't fault my dispatcher, Jake, for this. It all happened after he went home.

I'll be home sometime this afternoon. I'll be back on the road Wed. Oct 31st.

Dropping a load in South San Francisco. Then Modesto to Rancho Cucamonga. Then home!

Good thing Anthus stopped at a casino in New Mexico last night. Really helps me get home.

One more day with this loser...

Looks like San Diego County is on fire again.

I put dots where I, my parents & brothers live.
News 8

Please pray for us.

Sitting in OKC right now. It looks like there is a major thunderstorm brewing a little west of here. I couldn't quite tell from the NWS (National Weather Service) radar if it's coming my way. Just to be on the safe side I folded down my Comet CSB-7900 & yanked the whip off (can't say that without wincing) my High Sierra Sidekick.

Don't need the Antennasaurus getting struck by lightning!

If you know me, been reading for a while, or have seen the link on the right, then you know that I'm a member of WidowNet, an online support group for widows & widowers. There's a group of WN'ers that get together once a month in Fenix, AZ. I was finally able to make it to their lunch today. It's been said many times that there are no strangers on WidowNet. The experience we share bonds us. While I had never met any of these people in person before today, it was like having lunch with old friends. When Gerry & I started talking electronics (he's a power engineer) the women kinda rolled their eyes and left us alone.

Patty, Jan, Gerry, Patti, Kathy & me
It's a little blurry, shoulda used the flash.

Drove 600 miles from the I-10/I-20 split in Texas to Fenix, AZ last night. After getting my teeth pounded loose from making WAY too many runs in the northeast over the last few weeks, it was really nice to enjoy some smooth Texas highway! As beautiful as the Appalachian Mountains are, it was a nice break to not have to shift every 3 minutes! My right arm is as big as it needs to get. Steroids are for sissies. I clocked 250 miles without touching the brake or clutch. Stupid weigh station broke my streak!

Having lunch with some friends from WidowNet today. Film at 11:00.

Sitting in our Carlisle, PA yard. I'm taking a hazmat refresher course this morning. Then we're headed for Dallas.

This is the 5th time I've been here since getting out of truck 5306, the first time while the office was open. I'll finally be able to find out if any of my gear from 5306 can be recovered.