Vol 17 No 3 - 31 May, 2013

Wednesday 30 April, we loaded in Laredo, Texas.  Eastbound with a light and low load, equals less fuel consumption and good paying freight.  Nice start to May!  Two large metal rings originated in Mexico and we picked them up at the Landstar crossdock in Laredo.

Delivered to General Electric in Greenville, South Carolina on Thursday afternoon.  Friday morning over to Sumter, South Carolina and loaded shelving.

Shelving for Home Depot in Delray Beach, Florida

Website L J S Solutions:  Instead of discarding older, aesthetically damaged pallet racks and fixtures, LJS Solutions will restore these assets for further use.  When the product is returned to you, it will look and perform like new at a fraction of the cost.

The company was still painting when we got there and we waited three hours for the paint to dry on the shelving before it could go on the trailer.

The load went to south Florida, and we got to Daytona Beach Friday evening 3 May.  We had left a week ago, Jim had a couple of things to do around the truck, otherwise we had a relaxing day there.

Met with Lis and Harvey at a Mexican Restaurant that had recently opened and we wanted to check it out, Lime.  It was casual, lots of hot sauce and salsas and nice food, but music was too loud for socializing which is what we wanted to do – talk to each other.  We decided to go somewhere else, as we were leaving it had stopped raining, so we got a table on the outside patio under a big umbrella – no one else was there and no music playing, we had a good catch up with them.

Sunday afternoon we headed to south Florida and delivered the orange shelving on Monday morning at a Home Depot in Delray Beach (north of Miami).

Then over to Belle Glade to load at TKM Farms.

Website: TKM Farms, the largest lettuce grower east of the Mississippi, is a family operation that has grown lettuce for three generations.   In addition to iceberg and romaine, the rest of the 4,500 acre farm is growing baby spinach, spring mix and arugula, as well as escarole endive, Boston, cabbage, parsley and cilantro.

TKM has farms in Quebec as well – VegPro International, and each Spring they move their farm equipment from South Florida to Quebec to get year round growing.

Driving out of the farm over the irrigation canal.

The farms are near the town of Belle Glade near Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

Wikipedia: Lake Okeechobee is the headwaters of the Everglades.  Until about 6,000 years ago it was dry land.  As the sea level rose, the water table in Florida also rose and rainfall increased.  From 6,000 to 4,000 years ago, wetlands formed building up peat deposits. The wetlands built up layers of peat reaching 4 to 4.3 metres (13 to 14 feet) thick to form a dam, until the lake overflowed in the Everglades.

There is a network of irrigation ditches and canals that bring water to surrounding farms for irrigation.   Saw some alligators in the canals!)

Our load was a bit of a mixture: a large irrigation pump, 630 lengths of irrigation pipe, a ‘bobcat’ vehicle, wire arches that go over the lettuce, a flatbed agricultural trailer (upside down on the pipe), and rolls of mesh that goes over the arches were on top of that.  It was an interesting load, 3849 pieces.  It took a long time to load.

Saw this WWE rig several times on Tuesday in Virginia.

Before crossing the USA/Canadian border near Champlain, NY.

Sherrington, Quebec is about 20 km (12 miles) over the over the USA/Canadian border.  We delivered on Thursday morning, 8 May to a farm.  Lots of little lettuce growing.  They are ready for the arches to go in, then the polypropylene mesh over them – it was called ‘frogmesh’ on the invoice.

Sherrington, Quebec lettuce farm.

Our next load was in Valcourt, Quebec east of Montreal (capital of Quebec) at Bombardier Recreation Products (BRP).   A huge manufacturing plant, they make Sea-Doo jet skiies, Ski-Doo snow mobiles and Roadster Can-Am Spyders, the two wheels in front, one rear wheel – three wheel motorcycles.  ATV’s (all terrain vehicles, Rotax engines, Evinrude out-board engines.

Bombardier Recreational Products shipping in Valcourt, Quebec

Website:  In 1942 Joseph-Armand Bombadier started up l’Auto-Neige Bombadier Limitee in Valcourt, Quebec.  The company built tracked vehicles designed for travelling over snow.  The first Ski-Doo sled was launched in 1959.  The first company to mass-produce snowmobiles and creates a new sport.  1972 BRP grew to include the Can-Am lineup, a new division created for motorcycles.

On Friday we loaded 16 Sea-Doos.

Quebec Province of Canada’s first language is French.  Most people speak good English as well, but the road signs are in French which cause some anxiety!  Out in the small towns where we were, English is not common so we surprised people in the shops when we went for a walk in Valcourt.  The people were great though.

We changed our mobile phone carrier, and added a global plan so phone calls in Canada are not as expensive, but internet is still very expensive, so unless we find a free or inexpensive wi-fi we don’t go on the internet unless it is urgent.  Some truckstops have a 'pay by the hour' internet between $2 and $5 for an hour.

The most direct route to northern Wisconsin was through Montreal, into Ontario through Ottawa and the northern highway to North Bay and we crossed the USA/Canadian border at Sault Ste Marie, Ontario to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  560 miles / 900 km through Ontario – we had not been on that highway before.

Soon after we entered the Upper Peninsula it started snowing!  Snowing heavy too!  We had planned to go for a motorcycle ride on the Sunday – those plans changed.

In Hurley, Wisconsin we found a motel with truck parking.  Hurley is just over the Wisconsin state line from Michigan, 18 miles (28 km) south from Lake Superior.

Wikipedia:  Hurley is located next to the Montreal River, the border between Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It was founded to serve the interest of both lumbermen and miners.  The discovery of high-grade Bessemer ore on the Gogebic Range prompted the iron boom in the mid-1880’s, and saw recurring booms and busts from 1884 to 1967.  The Timber Industry remains a prosperous industry in Iron County still today, second only to Tourism.

It was an interesting day for us, we enjoyed the day in Hurley and Ironwood (across the Montreal River) in Michigan.  Lumbermen and miners needed somewhere to spend their spare time and money - Silver Street in Hurley, about a one mile walk from the motel.

Long known for gambling and prostiution Hurley ignored Prohibition.  The historically lively nightlife drew the likes of Al Capone, and his brother Ralph, John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and others.  Ralph Capone retired to Iron County and died quietly in a Hurley nursing home in 1974.

Trivia:  Ralph "Bottles" Capone, Sr. (January 12, 1894 – November 22, 1974) was a Chicago mobster and an older brother of Al Capone.  Ralph Capone got his nickname "Bottles" not from involvement in the Capone bootlegging empire, but from his running the legitimate non-alcoholic beverage and bottling operations in Chicago.

Silver Street bar and restaurant area is just three blocks, and one block is "gentlemen’s" clubs (strip joints) and saloons, we heard it referred that as ‘lower’ Silver Street. A friendly bar attendant told us there were 40 liquor licenses in this three block area – there were a lot of bars!  Many were closed on a Sunday, but we did investigate several of them. (The ‘lower’ Silver Street establishments did not open until 6pm each evening, so we didn't investigate any of them!) 

Over a dozen beautiful welded sculptures are on the lampposts along Silver Street. The artwork compliments the historic photos displayed on red banners.  Each depicts a prominent aspect of Hurley's Heritage.

The beautiful lady represents Silver Street's colourful saloon history, the prohibition era and Hurley's reputation as "THE PLACE" to go for night life and entertainment.

Lotta Morgan was a famous dance hall beauty who worked the halls of Hurley in the early days of the town's history.  In April of 1890 she "fell victim to both a pistol shot and an ax blow", according to the coroner's report.  Lottie is buried in the Hurley cemetery under her real name, Laura Whitley.  Her funeral was attended by all walks of society.  Her murder remains unsolved.

Other banners show: A logger (Timber Industry):  The 1800's bought the lumbermen, and Iron County's white pine resources provided valuable lumber needed to build homes in growing industrial cities.

A trapper (Voyageur):  Many of the area’s first settlers journeyed on the famous Flambeau Trail.  This woodland highway opened up the area to new settlers.  Saxon Harbour (Lake Superior) served as the gateway where Native Americans and voyageurs once landed their canoes to portage beaver pelts and trade goods between the Chippewa villages and Northwest Fur Trading Posts.

A miner (Plummer Mine and the Mining Industry):  Iron County’s mining history had a unique and profound impact. "Red Gold" drew immigrants beginning in the 1880's, to mine the iron ore needed by a growing industrial America.

Olkie's Bar in Ironwood, Upper Peninsula Michigan.

We crossed the Montreal River into Ironwood, Michigan.  Not much going on in the business section, but we found Olkie's Bar.  This bar has been in business since 1887.

Jim had a beer at Olkie's while I walked up to see Hiawatha.

Hiawatha

Ironwood is the home of the World's Tallest Indian – a 52 foot (15.8 metre) fiberglass statue of tribal leader Hiawatha.  Statue was erected in 1964.

Hiawatha is a legendary Native American leader and co-founder of the Iroquois Confederacy.  Depending on the version of the narrative, Hiawatha lived in the 16^th century and was a leader of the Onondaga or the Mohawk.

Back to Hurley and we ate dinner at the Iron Nugget then walked back to the motel.  It was a fun day in an interesting town (population less than 2000).

Hurley and Ironwood are pursuing tourism for the future of the towns.  There are several ATV rallies, a motorcycle rally, and a snowmobile rally held each year.  Hunting, snow skiing, hiking trails and outdoor adventure is offered.

Delivered ten Sea-Doos the next morning in Hayward, Wisconsin and six in Webb Lake.  Tuesday morning over to the west side of Minneapolis and loaded at Tri-State Drilling.

Oversize load from Minneapolis, MN to Felicity, Ohio.

Tri-State Drilling Website: Whatever your project and whatever the terrain, whether you are crossing a river or crossing the Rockies, a swampland, a desert or tidewater flats - Tri-State Drilling can install the foundations.

It was an oversized load - 10 foot 6 inches wide.  Needed placards and permits for five states: Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.  Three sections of drill casings needed for foundations for communications towers along the Ohio River.  We delivered them the next afternoon near the town of Felicity, east of Cincinnati in Ohio.

The next morning we loaded air conditioners at TRANE in Lexington, Kentucky.  Friday morning we delivered two units to a crane company in Canton, Ohio and that afternoon delivered two more units to a crane company in Cleveland, Ohio.  The remainder of the load was for Lockport, New York, so we spent the weekend at Joe and Michele's place in Attica.  Jimmy was there for the weekend as well, but Joe was in Daytona Beach!

Weather was much nicer this time.

TRANE air conditioners - Lexington, Kentucky to Lockport, New York.

Monday morning we delivered to a building site in Lockport, then over to Hamilton, Ontario ready to load the next day.  Monday, 20 May was a public holiday in Canada for Victoria Day, most businesses were closed.

Wikipedia - Victoria Day:  In honour of Queen Victoria’s birthday celebrated on the last Monday before 25 May.  The holiday has been observed since before Canada was formed, originally falling on the sovereign’s actual birthday, the holiday has always been a distinctly Canadian observance.

Hamilton, Ontario to Green Cove Springs, Florida.

Loaded at a company that makes tanks that go on trucks: Transway – custom vacuums and pumps.  Used for pumping septics and portable loos, chemicals, etc.  By the time we loaded and got paperwork faxed to the customs broker, it was 11am, then we went to the truckstop to wait for the shipment to clear customs before we could cross back into the USA.  The problems started mid-afternoon.  USA Customs requires an itemized invoice of everything being imported, where they were manufactured and $ value.  We had three tanks with accessories, there were hoses, valves, pumps everything was OK except each tank had a first aid kit.  The first aid kits were listed just like that and valued at $36 each.  The problem was that the ‘contents’ of each kit had to be itemized, place of manufacture and $ value of each item. (scissors, gauze, bandaids, bandages, tweezers, etc.)  The company could not do that, so they asked us to take the first aid kits out of the tanks and throw them away.

Firstly, we could not get 'into' the tanks – took the top hatch off and looked in.  It was dark, even with a torch we could not see much.  There was no ladder and not enough room to put a regular ladder in.  We didn't know what we were looking for as there were several cardboard cartons.  Secondly, if we took out three first aid kits, the paperwork would be wrong – the piece count would be less three and the value of the shipment would be less $108 (the cost of the three kits).  We stayed overnight and were at Transway first thing Wednesday morning.  They had a small ladder especially for inside tanks that hooked on to the edges.  They looked in the first one and found no first aid kit, the second one could not find any, but found one kit in the third tank.  Then they knew what to look for, so had to go back to each of the other two and take the kits out.  All the paper work had to be redone with piece count and value and faxed again to the customs broker.  Back to the truckstop and wait for it to be checked again.  By 1pm we had clearance to proceed to the border.  Thankfully, we had no more problems.

Delivered Friday morning at Green Cove Springs in Florida. A company in Florida – VAC-CON will finish the tanks and these ones will ship them to Afghanistan.

Full moon and Delta IV rocket and Daytona Beach Main Street Pier.

Had a relaxing evening at Daytona Beach.  Walked to the boardwalk near the Main Street Pier to wait for the full moon.  Took a few photos and then a rocket went up!  Was not expecting that!

FloridaToday.com   24 May  A multimillion dollar military communications satellite is speeding around earth after a spectacular night launch.  A full moon was rising over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station when a 217 foot Delta IV rocket rumbled off its launch pad and arced over the Atlantic Ocean as it roared toward orbit.  Its four large solid-rocket motors could be seen peeling away from the vehicle when they were jettisoned in pairs about 1 minute 40 seconds into flight. 
It will carry the fifth in a series of Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft into orbit.  The $342 million Air Force spacecraft will provide high data-rate communications services to the US Department of Defense and military forces in Canada and Australia.

Daytona Beach Boardwalk at sunset.

Saturday Jim and I met Ron and Gina Hewitt in New Smyrna Beach and planned a day on the motorbikes.  Had breakfast in Oak Hill and went to the Flea Market.  Stopped at a few places and then checked out Hontoon Marina and Resort.  Did a little research for a return visit and possibly spend the weekend.  It is on a bend on the St Johns River near DeLand.  There are pontoon boats, kayaks, river and nature tours, and Hontoon Island park. Hontoon Island is surrounded by the St Johns River, and easy kayak paddle to get to it.

Gina on her Harley, Ron and his Can-Am Spyder and Jim on the Moto Guzzi Bassa.

Hontoon Marina and Resort, DeLand, Florida.

Finished my lunch - it was catfish fingerlings and hushpuppies!!

Saturday evening back to the Boardwalk.  Jimmy was in Daytona for the weekend so we all went to the Memorial Day concert in the Bandshell.  Full moon again and fireworks this time!  Derek and Cindy were over for the weekend, so had drinks and a catch up with them.

Full moon and fireworks at Main Street Pier, Daytona Beach.

Castaways Restaurant in Astor, Florida.

Sunday evening we caught up with Lis and Harvey for dinner at Castaways in Astor.  Since we were last here the restaurant has a pontoon addition into the St Johns River, it moves around a bit in the current.

Monday was the Memorial Day public holiday.  We had a quiet couple of days and lined up a load out of Pooler, Georgia for Thursday, 30 May.  

Loaded at Keen Transportation - cab supports and fuel tanks for John Deere dump trucks.

Over to Charleston, Tennessee (north of Chattanooga) and loaded an LTL (partial) on Friday – one tank. 

Tank on the deck is the partial, remainder is load for Guelph, Ontario, 

Wacker website:  In April 2011, Wacker started construction work for the company’s integrated polysilicon production site, which will have an annual capacity of 18,000 metric tons.  WACKER POLYSILICON represents Wacker's continuation to invest in the growing photovoltaic and solar energy industries.

(The production plant will make hyperpure polysilicon, which is a key raw material for solar cells.)

I didn’t know what polysilicon is:  Wikipedia:  Polycrystalline silicon also called polysilicon, is a material consisting of small silicon crystals. It differs from single-crystal silicon used for electronics and solar cells, and from amorphous silicon used for thin film devices and solar cells.

(Short story) Polycrystalline silicon is a key component of solar panel construction.

I was interested because there was more than usual security for a construction site and NO photography allowed (that is usual for military facilities).  Security asked for our cell phones and put red tape over the camera lens.  After we loaded and left the site I peeled the red tape off the lens, and white lettering showed “REMOVED”, though no one asked to look at the phones/tape as we left).  In our truck there is a dash cam on all the time and takes video, a laptop that takes photos and video, and a digital camera.  No one asked for anything other than cell phones.  I did NOT take any photos / videos!  It was just a construction site, not very exciting!

The tank had been damaged and needed to go back to the manufacturer for repairs.  Delivers near Buffalo and the machinery parts to Ontario.