Vol 19, No. 3 - 31 May, 2015

After leaving the truck in Kentucky to have the engine rebuilt, we arrived back in Daytona beach Thursday evening 30 April.

It was different being in Daytona Beach without the truck and trailer. Jim had a bit of free time without the truck and/or trailer to work on or around.  The estimated time for the truck engine repair to be completed was Wednesday the following week (13 May).

Jim did a service and check over of the Le Mans, because it was time to put it on the truck.  On the Sunday afternoon, we took it for a test run, put about 150 miles (240 kms) on it.  North to Flagler Beach and west and worked our way back to Ormond Beach.  Stopped at Riverside Grill Restaurant and Tiki Bar beside the Tomoka River.  Had not been there before, it was relaxing.

Monday we received the sad news that Jim’s Aunt Marguerite has passed away.  We were able to fly to Buffalo on Thursday for her wake, and her funeral on Friday, 8 May.  She was 90 years and ten days old – she was a favourite of both Jim and I,

After the funeral, Aunt Marg was remembered and toasted thoroughly at the Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub on Seneca Street in South Buffalo.  In true Irish style she had 'bequeathed' a party and open bar for friends and family after the funeral.  Caught up with Jim's cousins that live in other parts of the country.  Aunt Marg was Jim's father's youngest sister - a special lady and we will miss her.

Friday afternoon, at Aunt Marg's farewell party, Jim received a phone call that the truck was fixed!  We arrived back to Daytona Beach at 8pm Saturday night, and left on the Le Mans (motorbike) before 8 am on Sunday, 10 May.  We had planned to take three days for the trip to Kentucky to do some sightseeing - but made it in two days.

Jim found a route without getting on Interstate Highways, through central Florida into Georgia along the west side of Okefenokee Swamp, through small towns.  Logging/lumber is a main industry in the area.

Wikipedia:  The Okefenokee Swamp is a shallow, peat-filled wetland straddling the Florida-Georgia border.

Folkston, Georgia, Okefenokee Parkway.

Even though we didn't have spare time to look around, we did enjoy going through the centre of the towns, in historical areas and places we can't go in the truck.

Stayed Sunday night at the Bulldog Inn, north of Athens, Georgia.

We have loaded or delivered in Athens, but always to a business or industrial area – and never been into the city area.

We did a bit of exploring looking for somewhere to eat dinner.  Athens is a college town and home to the University of Georgia (UGA).  The Georgia Bulldogs is the name for all UGA sporting teams – football, basketball, tennis, cross country, golf, soccer, volleyball, etc.  "Uga" is the official mascot.  Since 1956, all the dogs serving as "Uga" have been part of the same lineage of English Bulldogs.  To date, 9 dogs have carried the name "Uga".

"Uga", the sport mascot for University of Georgia.

On the Sunday we rode 440 miles (700kms) in just under 9 hours.  It was flat roads and hot weather in Florida and southern Georgia.  The Le Mans has always been the ‘truck bike’ and we haven't ridden it all day before, but we were comfortable on it.  I had a backpack with the laptop and stuff in it, once I figured out to lengthen the straps so when I was sitting on the bike, the weight of the backpack could rest on the rear mudguard – that helped.

Up early Monday morning and rolling by 8am.  North Georgia is more hilly and runs through the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue ridge Parkway area of the Appalachian mountain range.  A much cooler ride on a motorbike.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A little later than we had hoped, but we arrived at Thorough Truck Inc. in Mount Vernon, Kentucky at 5.20 pm.  The weather report was for a 20% chance of thunderstorms, and we were in that 20%!  A nice day on the bike all the same.  360 miles (580 kms) in 9 and a half hours.  We enjoyed both days on the Le Mans, just would have preferred to see some things along the way.

The truck rebuild included: new pistons and liners, rings, new head, rods and main bearings, cam bearing, oil pump, oil and filters.  Mileage was 1,064,255 (over 1,712,700 kms), should be good for another million miles!

On Tuesday we loaded at TRANE Air Conditioners in Lexington, Kentucky – a light load for the first trip on the engine.  The first delivery of three units was at a heating/air conditioner company near Anamosa, Iowa.

Lexington, Kentucky to Anamosa, Iowa and Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Scene through the windscreen while delivering near Anamosa, Iowa - field freshly ploughed/planted.

The remainder of the air conditioner units delivered to a new building construction at a Senior High School in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Loads were a little scarce, and we wanted a long one to include the weekend.  The next day we loaded three LTL (partial) shipments.  Pump parts in Rogers, MN; a concrete pump on a trailer at Schwing America in White Bear, MN.  Schwing America was interesting, they design, manufacture and distribute concrete pumps.

Loaded at Schwing America - agitators, concrete pumps and equipment.

We parked beside two agitators and a pumper.

Schwing America concrete pumper at work - photo stolen from their Facebook page.
"72 hours of continuous pumping by this Schwing S 58 SX resulted in these slip formed silos in Marysville, OH."

We had a concrete pump on a trailer to take to Florida.  The first two LTL's were on the north side of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the third one was on the south west side of the twin cities and it was getting late Friday afternoon, it was going to be tight to get there between 4 and 5pm.  About ten miles from Crystal Lake we blew a drive tyre!  Jim stopped and removed as much of the debris as he could and we 'limped' in at 5.40pm.

Drive tyre blow out - tore off the mudguard, bent the motorcycle ramp and took out a light on the front of the trailer.

Damage done only to our stuff.  See how it bent the motorcycle ramp.  More concerning is if it hits the load.

Our third LTL going to Florida was a dump truck tray from TBEI  INC. (Truck Bodies & Equipment International) encompasses five leading manufacturers of dump bodies, landscape bodies, grain bodies, platforms, hoists, truck and trailer equipment and accessories.

Three LTL shipments from Minnesota to Florida.

Seventy miles to the closest place with commercial truck tyres, so we continued ‘limping’ to Albert Lea and got a new tyre the next morning.

On Monday morning 18 May, we delivered the truck bed in Jacksonville, Florida, then the pump parts to Thompson Pumps in Daytona Beach, then spent the afternoon at the house.  Jimmy was in town, so had a few beers and dinner with him.

At DJ's Deck seafood restaurant in South Daytona.

Up early Tuesday to deliver the concrete pump trailer in Orlando, then to Newberry, Florida and loaded one ‘cold trap’, then headed to St. Louis, Missouri with another nice light load that we delivered to ABB the next day.

Newberry, Florida to St. Louis, Missouri.

Temperatures dropped again! Had to get out sweatshirts and jackets!

Thursday morning we had a nice drive south to Sainte Genevieve, Missouri and experienced some interesting rural roads to Earthworks, Inc. stone quarry.

Earthworks, Inc. quarry near Sainte Genevieve, Missouri.

Blocks of limestone - Ste. Genevieve, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois.

Five blocks of Silverdale limestone were loaded on the trailer.

Research: Silverdale Limestone is a tight-grained stone that is very consistent in colour.  It is often favoured when a more established or rustic appearance is desired.  A yellow-beige American limestone with occasional darker beige veining. A nice earthy colour with character, it is known for its fine texture, colour, durability and versatility.

This load was heavy!  Near maximum weight, but the truck with its new engine handled it without any problems.

Delivered early the next day to a masonry business near downtown Chicago.  They rebuild / restore historic stone buildings – very interesting.

Galloy & Van Etten website: Established in 1899, Galloy & Van Etten is a family owned stone company proud to be woven into Chicago’s history for over 115 years.

Then 160 miles (160 kms) north to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and picked up a trailer load of roller doors, and tarped the whole trailer.

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to Ithaca, New York.

Tarped!

It had been a busy week, but we needed to make up for the truck breakdown and time off with it.

It was the Memorial Day long weekend, and we arrived near our delivery late on Saturday afternoon.  That gave us Sunday and Monday to fill in on the motorbike.  Weather forecast was for nice weather.

Sunday morning, first stop was for coffee and chocolate in Watkins Glen.

Then we worked our way to north of Ithaca and found our delivery address for Tuesday.  A little further up the road in Freeville, NY was Hopshire Farm and Brewery.  That was a fun place.

Website: We have combined our belief in New York agriculture, local food and great beer into a brewery that will use as many local ingredients as possible to produce high quality beer of several styles.  During the 19^th century New York was the primary hop producer in America. Hops were grown on family farms on small plots.

Beer is one of the oldest and most natural products humans have ever made. Our beers will use New York hops, but also look for locally grown cherries, raspberries, honey, maple syrup, and other ingredients to be featured in our beers.

We continued a little further north, then south to Owego, a small town on  the Susquehanna River and I noticed as sign for Farmhouse Brewery – we had not heard of that one, so we turned around and went back to investigate.  Another craft brewery that uses all New York ingredients when possible.  Great tasting beer and friendly owners, workers and patrons.

We started working our way west again towards the truck, through small towns and narrow country roads. The city of Corning was hosting their annual Glass Fest and we arrived late Sunday afternoon as they were disassembling the stalls and displays on the beautiful and historic Market Street.  A big weekend for the area.

Website:  Glass Fest is a celebration of glass and the fine arts in Corning’s Gaffer District.

A person who blows glass is called a glassblower, glassmith, or gaffer.  (Corningware, corelle, pyrex…)
Of interest:  Corning Glass Works was founded in 1851 in Massachusetts, moved to Brooklyn, NY then moved again to its ultimate home and namesake, the city of Corning, New York in 1868.  

For over 147 years, Corning maintains its world headquarters at Corning.  The firm established one of the first industrial labs there in 1908.  It continues to expand the nearby research and development facility, as well as operations associated with catalytic converters and diesel engine filter product lines.  Corning has a long history of community development and has assured community leaders that it intends to remain headquartered in its small upstate New York hometown.

We found the Market Street Brew Pub and Restaurant which has been in business in Corning since 1997 and has won many awards for their brews.  We had a nice meal there, met interesting people and enjoyed their beer.

Glass Festival in Corning, NY.

That was a full and interesting day on the motorbike about 200 miles (300kms), lots of stops and starts, small towns and nice roads.

Monday was the Memorial Day holiday, I had found a 'suggested' motorcycle route west of where we were and we chose to check that out. Took a detour through Corning again to have a look around the historic city centre.

Norman Rockwell Museum also in Corning, NY.

The Market Street Brew Pub, Corning, NY.

Then travelled highway 417 west.  There was nice scenery, but the road was bumpy!  Decided to get off that road and headed north and meandered a bit.  Ended up in the start of a small town’s Memorial Day parade…

Had lunch in Birdsall – it wasn’t a town, just a bar.

We got to Hornell and I was interested to visit because Jim’s ancestors had spent time there around the 1880’s, his great great Casey grandparents were married in 1889, it was named Hornellsville at that time.

Had a wander through one of the cemeteries, but we didn't stumble across any of his relatives.  Beautiful historic cemetery.

Hornell Cemetery.

Unusual headstone in Hornell cemetery.

Back to the truck late afternoon and loaded the motorbike, did some odds and ends around the truck and prepare for the coming work week.

The truckshop was almost two hours from our delivery and we got up early as Jim had to back into the driveway off the busy road going into Ithaca.  Much easier to do at 5.30 am than 7.30 am! A beautiful sunrise on the way to the job.

The tarps were off and folded before anyone arrived at work there.  The roller doors are for new mini-storage units.

Not many loads about, ended up heading up to Rome, New York and loaded three containers Wednesday morning.  One 10 foot was for beer kegs, the other 10 foot one was a boiler room for hot water, and the 20 foot one was a shower building.  All for Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

Website:  The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an annual four-day music festival held at Great Stage Park on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee.  The festival typically starts on the second Thursday in June and lasts for four days.  Main attractions are the multiple stages of live music, featuring a diverse array of musical styles including indie rock, classic rock, world music, hip hop, jazz, Americana, bluegrass, country music, folk, gospel, reggae, pop, electronica, and other alternative music.  The festival features craftsmen and artisans selling unique products, food and drink vendors, a comedy tent, silent disco, cinema tent and a Ferris wheel.

Trivia:  The word Bonnaroo, popularized by New Orleans R&B singer Dr. John with his 1974 album ‘Desitively Bonnaroo’, means 'a really good time’.  It is taken from the French ‘bon’ meaning good, and ‘rue’ a French street, translating to “the best on the streets”.

It has been shortened to 'The ‘Roo' Festival.

Rome,  NY to Manchester, TN.

Delivered Thursday afternoon in Manchester, Tennessee, (obvious which one is the shower block?).  Then over to Liberty, Kentucky to load Friday morning at Tarter Industries.  Loaded twelve trailers, then headed to New York state.

Liberty, Kentucky to Queensbury, New York.

On the way to deliver, we stopped for an overnight visit in Attica to see Joe, Michele, Baillie and Jimmy was there.

Jim and I looked at a caravan (travel trailer) we saw advertised on Craigslist. Our motor home has been through eight New York winters, and has water damage and mice are pulling out the insulation to make nests for winter.  

We decided on a caravan (travel trailer) instead of a motor home because we didn't go anywhere in the last one.  While visiting in the Buffalo area we like to have our own space and try not to cause too much disruption to Joe, Michele and Baillie’s schedule.  Now we own a 2000 model Fleetwood 26 foot travel trailer - it will be delivered next week to Joe and Michele's property. 

It was a beautiful warm sunny day in Western New York.  Joe uncovered the (unregistered) 1969 cadillac convertible he would like to restore some day.  It sits outside under a tarp all year and starts right up every time, even the power windows work.  It only has 24,000 miles on the odometer.  Time for joy rides along the country roads!

Joe, Michele, Greg (neighbour), Baillie and Jimmy.

The dogs love the caddie as well - Samantha, Toby and Bella.

Decided to visit neighbours, Mike and Annie, but not all of us could fit in the caddie, so Jimmy and I rode along with Baillie in her big truck.  Baillie turned 16 on the prior Monday and had her learner’s permit for four days.  Her truck is a huge 1986 Chevrolet with a manual transmission, but she has been driving around the property and country roads for several years and handles it like an experienced driver.  Baillie is close to 6 feet tall and the only one who can get in and out of it without a ladder! She keeps a ladder in the back.

Lesley, getting into Baillie's pick up truck.

It was a fun afternoon.  

Rain settled in during the night and temperatures dropped.  Joe got a fire going the next morning.  Wet, windy and cold when we left around lunch time to make our delivery for Monday morning.

This was about noon on Sunday, 31 May - with the rain and wind, the 'RealFeel' was 31 degrees F (-0.5 degrees Celsius).