Vol 21 No. 6 - 31 August, 2017

August 1, we travelled beside the Columbia River towards Portland, Oregon.

Jason Aldean (country singer) tour truck.

Delivered the reels of cable at PacifiCorp, Pacific Power & Light in Portland.

 77 miles back to Jim’s cousin Marianne and Vic’s house near Parkdale. 

Taking the highway towards Mount Hood.

Through the orchards.

They live in a beautiful part of the country and it is easy to know we are getting close to their house.  They live on the western side of Mount Hood.

We parked the whole rig in a neighbours pear orchard. Nothing going on at the orchard, other than pears growing and ripening.

Tuesday evening, hanging out and catching up with Vic and Marianne and their son, Pete.

Their view from the back deck is hard to beat!

Wednesday morning, I enjoy the back deck - with the mountain and hummingbirds.

Another hummingbird feeder at Vic and Marianne's without the mountain backdrop.

Later we went into the town of Hood River on the Columbia River.  A resort / tourist area – in summer all kinds of river, water and wind activities.  Walked along the riverfront, then to Pfriem Family Brewers for cold beer and lunch.  Something new to eat – Salmon Chowder, delicious!

A drive around Hood River town and another beer at Full Sail Brewing Company.  This brewery has been around for years and nationwide distribution.

Internet:  Full Sail Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Hood River, Oregon.  Founded in 1987, the first commercially successful craft brewery to bottle beer in the Pacific Northwest for retail sale, and one of Oregon’s early microbreweries.

There was a heat wave happening in the north west – temps over 100 F (37 C) for the week. As well as several wildfires made thick smoke in the valleys.

Wildfires in Washington and Oregon.

Vic and Marianne's berry bushes are a treat.  I spent some time picking blueberries for us to take on the road.

Thursday afternoon, in Hood River is the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM).  Two huge buildings with planes, cars, motorcycles, and all sorts of transportation related and collections.  Wow, an excellent couple of hours spent there.

A replica 1912 Curtiss Pusher - built in 1947.

Slip-on snow landing gear.

Yes - a moto guzzi!

1938 BMW R71 with sidecar.

For getting around in snow and ice.

An absolutely fabulous museum!

Thursday afternoon, Mount Hood could barely be seen through all the smoke!

Can barely see the mountain through the smoke.

Jim spent many hours with the computer checking load boards and making phone calls to get a load before the weekend.  Finally got one to load on Friday afternoon.  I spent one more beautiful morning on the back deck with Mount Hood and the hummingbirds.  The smoke had cleared with the light morning wind, but the mountain had an orange tint.

Lots of hummingbird photos - but they are awesome little creatures.  The mountain is a spectacular background!

Mid-morning Friday, after good-byes to Vic and Marianne, we were back to the truck to load in Stayton, Oregon, south of Portland.

 Loaded at Redbuilt Lumber Company; bundles of lumber.  We have not had many loads of lumber, they are mostly considerably heavier than we can haul.  This shipment was for a jobsite, it so was distributed between three trucks and we could scale it below maximum weight for our trailer. 

Stayton, Oregon to Heber City, Utah.

Back east along Interstate 84 and the Columbia River.

Western Idaho.

A Jason Aldean tour truck going back east.

Late Saturday afternoon, we arrived at the Flying J truckstop in Ogden, Utah (just north of Salt Lake City).

The next morning, we unloaded the motorbike, and had a ride through the historic town of Ogden, Utah.

Internet:  Ogden, the city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a convenient location for manufacturing and commerce.  Ogden is also known for its many historic buildings, proximity to the Wasatch Mountains and the Weber State University.

There are also 54 painted horse statues around the downtown area - I took photos of some of them:

Two horses here and a sculpture of kids on a sled.

In 1972, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints completed construction of and dedicated the Ogden Utah Temple.

Trivia:  The Osmonds came from Ogden, Utah:  George Jr. (Virl), Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie, Jimmy – entertainers.

The northern entrance/exit to Ogden.

We headed north east out of Ogden on the motorbike – busy roads with campers, motorcyclists, vacationers.  In summer time the area is popular for climbing, hiking, dirt bikes and quads, lots of bicycles, the numerous lakes and rivers were busy with tubing, boating, skiing, swimming.  Numerous campgrounds were all packed for the warm summer months.

Internet:  The Wasatch Range stretches approximately 160 miles (260 kms) from the Utah-Idaho line, south through central Utah.  Since they top our just below 12,000 feet (3,700 m), Wasatch peaks are not especially high.  However, they are sculpted by glaciers, yielding notably rugged, sweeping upland scenery, they also receive heavy falls of snow, in some placds over 500 inches (2,300cm) per year.  The Wasatch Range is home to a high concentration of ski areas, with 11 stretching from Sundance in Utah to Powder Mountain and Wolf Mountain northeast of Ogden, and two near Park City to the south.

Due to the relative humidity in wintertime, along with the added lake-effect from the Great Salt Lake, the snow has a dry, powdery texture.

The mountains were a vital source of water, timber, and granite for early settlers.

Crossed from Utah into Wyoming.

Historic downtown Evanston, Wyoming.

Stopped for a coffee in Evanston.

Some flat but heavily farmed country south of Evanston, WY.

Back into Utah, mountain range in view.

A late lunch at Back 40 Bar and Grill in Heber City, UT.

 We rode by where we had to deliver the next day in Heber City - easy access for the truck.

Stopped in Ogden's historic 25th Street.

Internet:  The Historic 25^th Street neighbourhood occupies three blocks.  The history began with the opening of Union Station at the west end, during the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869.  During the early 20^th century, 25^th Street was a centre of activity in Ogden.  Home to retail shops, restaurants, ice cream parlours, hotels, and laundries, the street was also a site for illicit activities such as gambling, prostitutes and narcotic deals.  Popularly known as “Two-Bit Street”, the area obtained such a seedy reputation that Al Capone is rumoured to have said that Ogden was too wild a town for him.

We found Roosters Brewing, which was an interesting place - roosters all over the place!  Opened in 1994 in a historic building.  We had a couple of beers and dinner there.

Website:  The (127) year old building, constructed in 1890, originally housed everything from Chinese laundries to houses of ill-repute in the early 1900’s.  The restored building was unique building, with a unique ambience and outdoor patio area made the 25^th Street location a perfect place for meeting and mingling with friends.

Back to the truckstop in Ogden to load the bike.
Early morning to deliver in Heber City.

Saw two hot air balloons near the truckstop outside Heber City.

Delivered the lumber at a construction site in Heber City, then over the mountain pass to the south side of Salt Lake City.

A little light rain shower on the way.

Loaded at Right Manufacturing in Lindon.  This was an LTL shipment - a rock tumbler.

Lindon, Utah to St Sebastien, Quebec.

Headed back over the mountain pass to avoid Salt Lake City traffic.  We were loaded light.

A quick stop to check the load after the hills, east of Salt Lake City.

It was still hot temperatures in Salt Lake City, until we headed west along Interstate 80 into Wyoming and we experienced snow!  We could not believe it!

I always take a photo of Flaming Gorge, Wyoming - it is spectacular.

Sun rising in Wyoming.

The next morning sunrise in Iowa - east of Omaha.

En-route, a quick stop at the Literary Rest Stop near Tiffin, Iowa – according to the Iowa Department of Transport, it is designed to reflect the importance of literature and education in Iowa.  And to draw attention to Iowa authors.

Lots of quotes and information all around and ‘literature’ themed objects, incorporated with the picnic area and walkways.  The pen nib out front is eye catching!

I liked the pencil post behind the blocks.

Only one LTL shipment on the trailer.  We had been rolling right along to load another partial in Joliet, Illinois (south of Chicago), on Wednesday 9th August - they finish shipping at 2pm.  We did not want to wait until the next morning.  Got there at 1pm and loaded eight bundles of rolled steel tubes - and tarp it.

Two LTL's.

The trucking companies and industry in the Joliet/Elwood area is growing and taking up a lot of land that was once farms.  This old barn is standing in among huge warehouse and constant truck traffic - seemed a little sad and tragic.

Some nice sunrises along the way:

After loading in Oregon, we found out that Jim's cousin, Vince had passed away - we visited him and his wife, Kathy only 3 weeks prior.  We arrived in Buffalo for his wake Thursday evening, and funeral on Friday in Orchard Park, New York. A very sad occasion for everyone.

We caught up with Bob and Barb Walters for a fish fry dinner Friday evening.  Saturday, Jim did some maintenance on the truck and late afternoon we went for a ride on the moto guzzi stone that is stored in Joe's garage - to give it a run.  Found a fireman's picnic at Harris Corners. Near where Jim used to live and just down the road from Windy Brew.  We stopped for dinner there.  "Picnic's" are fundraisers for the rural fire departments.  It was just getting underway about when we were leaving.  Great food, and a bar, and a band, in the centre of a farming community. 

Harris Corners. New York, fireman's picnic.

Really, really good blueberry cheesecake!

We were also near where Jim's brother and mother are resting - the Sheldon cemetery, so stopped in for remembering and reflection.

Sheldon cemetery, with a storm brewing in the distance.

In the truck early Sunday morning to stop at the Bergen Diner to meet Aussie friend, Stephen and his wife, Teri - also five other Aussie's!  Stephen had his mate, Andrew visiting from Adelaide, South Australia; and the Harnett family from Sydney area, now living in Rochester, NY; Paul, Cathy, Tom and Emma. The Diner was inundated with Aussie accents - we all had a great breakfast, and was great to be with so many Aussie's in America.

Aussie's in America.

Spent the night on a Mohawk Reservation in Hogansburg, New York, near the town of Massena in the north central area near the Canadian border.  The restaurant/truck stop called Bear's Den.

Dinner was excellent!  An Adirondack sandwich -  "sliced turkey, apples, melted cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on toasted sour dough bread."  Wow!

Delivered the steel shipment Monday morning at the Alcoa plant in Massena.  Wasted no time getting to Saint Sebastien, Quebec to deliver the rock tumbler at Liquid Granite (A. Lacroix Granit).  The company had a second shift and were happy to unload us when it was less busy in the factory.  There were several granite business along the highway.  Granite is mined locally.

Internet:  Saint Sebastien granite - widely used for the construction of steps for churches and other important buildings, this granite is a heritage material in Quebec.

Its grains are small and uniform and it has good structural properties.  Its warm grey and subtle beige is different from any other architectural granite on the market and makes it easy to pair with other stones.

This the is the yard, a large stockpile of granite, we were impressed!

North out of Saint Sebastien towards Lac St. Francois and the town of Lambton, Quebec.

Loads on the boards were scarce and low paying coming out of the area.  We stayed until noon the next day, looking and hoping - but decided to head back to the US.  Lined up a load out of Alcoa in Massena.  A 250 (400 km) deadhead, but at least it got us rolling again.  Spent the night at the Bear's Den again and had another Adirondack sandwich!  :-) 

Early morning crossing of the Grasse River going to Alcoa, Massena, NY.

Loaded aluminum billets/ingots Wednesday morning and headed towards Toledo, Ohio to deliver at Midwest Terminals.

Aluminum ingots from Massena, New York to Toledo, Ohio.

Internet:  Midwest Terminals of Toledo at the mouth of the Maumee River, includes 180 acres and consists of the General Cargo Terminal, the Ballast Terminal, and the Ironville Terminal.  Modes – marine; the Saint Lawrence Seaway System via the west end of Lake Erie; rail and truck.

Delivered the aluminum ingots at Toledo Ports on Thursday morning, 17 August and over to Painesville, Ohio and loaded bundles of steel channel - purlins for a solar project in Florida.

Painesville, Ohio to Vero Beach, Florida.

Arrived at Daytona Beach late Saturday afternoon.

Sunday afternoon we relaxed at the Oasis Tiki Bar, it was overcast, hot and humid.  Enjoyed great music from Tom.

Oasis Tiki Bar, Daytona Beach.

Dinner at Hulls Seafood in Ormond Beach.

An early morning start Monday to deliver near Vero Beach, 110 miles (180 km) south.

The sun rising as we headed from the house to the truck - Beach Street and the ISB bridge.

There were driving directions on the paperwork, but no mention of a few miles of dirt track!  The signs indicated we were going to an orange grove.  A little anxiety.

Florida Power & Light (FPL) are expanding solar power plants with eight new centres.

This one is the Blue Cypress Solar Energy Center.

Palm Beach Post, Newspaper July 10, 2017.

At our solar energy centers through Florida, we’re making the most of our state’s sunshine.

FPL installed the first of nearly 1 million new solar panels along the Treasure Coast on Monday at the future Blue Cypress Solar Energy Center in Indian River County.

Combined, the (8) new solar power plants will be comprised of more than 2.5 million solar panels with nearly 600 megawatts of solar capacity – enough to power 120,000 homes.

It wasn't as scary leaving!

Then back to the house for two days – Jim replaced the water pump on the truck.

Left Daytona Beach early Thursday morning 24 August.  Saw the sun rise at the Port of Jacksonville.  Going over the bridge and snapped a few photos.

Loaded at JCB near Savannah, Georgia.  Another shipload of machines in from Great Britain.  We picked up a JCB Loadall forklift, going as less than truckload, so we had to find something else to go on the trailer to make revenue.

New truckstop open in Columbia, South Carolina - cool decor!

Loaded the next morning in Kernersville, North Carolina at John Deere Hitachi Construction Machines.  

Website:  Back in 1988, Deere & Company and Hitachi Construction Machinery, Ltd., combined, creating a joint venture that set a new standard for quality and performance in the heavy equipment industry.  Today, we are still producing our distinctive yellow and orange excavators in our Kernersville, North Carolina plant.  We’re recognized as a premier producer of hydraulic construction and mining excavators.

Shipping begins at 7 am, and there was a line of heavy haul trucks.

A lot of yellow and orange seen through the windscreen.

Our less than truckload (LTL) shipment was an arm attachment on rear of trailer, a hose and a small crate on the trailer deck.

Drove for the remainder of Friday and parked at the Speedway Truckstop in London, Ohio early evening.  Saturday was the annual Admiral Merchants Driver Appreciation BBQ & Picnic.  We attended for the first time last year, and enjoyed it, so made a point of attending again.

All early arrivals are included in the Friday evening, for meet and greet. AMMF HQ personnel we have met before at truck shows and last year's picnic, and a few meeting for the first time - hugs all round.

Friday's dinner was at Ann and Tony's Italian Restaurant in West Jefferson, Ohio - about 14 people at the table; head office personnel and drivers.  Fabulous food, and great conversation.

Back to the truckstop and Dick's Bar that is next to it.  Jimmy had a load from Alabama to northern New York and was able to swing by, so we met him at the bar.

 Always try to toss coins into the vase thing behind the bar.  The bar attendant cleaning them up - a good way to get more tips!  A free beer if anyone gets a quarter coin (25 cents) in.

It was a great day for the picnic - warm and sunny.  Jimmy parked next to us.  Admiral Merchants trucks and driver's rolled in all morning.

Two large tents, lots of tables and chairs provided for shade and comfort.  Large coolers of drinks, and a delicious catered barbeque lunch was provided.  Jimmy is leased to a different company, but he was welcomed by everyone at Admiral Merchants (of course there was some cajoling to persuade him to switch companies).  He enjoyed a lovely meal with everyone and left early afternoon.

 About 60-80 people attended, people coming and going.  After lunch were speeches, information updates, questions and answers on trucking issues.  Door prizes and new straps, caps, t-shirts, pens, etc. handed out.  It was a very well organised event and everyone had a good time - emphasis being on support and appreciation of the job driver's do.

Some drivers and agents nearby put their toys on show - this cool rat rod. 

After the barbeque was completed, it was time to relax and hang out at Dick's Bar again.  Everyone had an early night.  Sunday morning there were planes to catch, and distances to drive.  Jim and I left early to go to Wisconsin.

Stayed at the TA Truckstop in Janesville, Wisconson Sunday night - ended up with a cattle truck each side of us for the night.  No cattle in them, but there had been recently!

Monday morning we unloaded the two LTL's, delivered the CAT arm, crate and hose to a CAT dealer in Sun Prairie and the JCB Loadall forklift to a new Sunbelt Rentals business in North Fond du Lac lat morning.  Scheduled a load for the next morning, parked at a truckstop and Moto Guzzi friends Chris and Judi came and picked us up. Had a lovely afternoon and spent the night with them, drank some beers and had a fabulous dinner at a Friess Lake Pub.  Always good to talk and share adventures with them.

Early morning to load Tuesday near Malone, Wisconsin.  Several cranes had been needed for a windmill upgrade by Jensen Cranes, and required shifting to another project.  By the time we got there, we were about eighth in line.

Windmills and corn, and an overcast sky - finished loading at 1pm.  There were several over width loads, but ours was legal.

Malone, Wisconsin to Remington, Indiana.

A short drive to Remington, Indiana to another wind farm to deliver the next morning.

Most trucks stayed the night at the Petro Truckstop on the interstate highway. An orange sunset that evening.

Because there were so many trucks involved and we had a reload lined up for the afternoon, it required an early morning for us.

Dense fog and gravel country roads were a challenge the next morning.

Unloading was to begin at 7 am, six other trucks were already there - they appeared to have been there all night.  Sat until the sun rose.  The trucks hauling the forklift and crane needed to unload the trucks were 'oversize' loads and could not travel at night - therefore were still near Chicago.  They arrived around noon and 20+ trucks were waiting to unload.

Trucks with crane sections waiting to unload.

The windmill farm was already up and running, but one blade on a windmill was cracked and the new one was there to replace it.  It is lying on the ground below the windmill on the right of the photo.  The crane was required to replace that blade.  A big job!

Once we knew we would not be unloaded until the afternoon, Jim gave up our reload, and found another one for the next morning.

Drove partway to Marion, Indiana that afternoon and experienced another great sunrise for an hour drive the next morning on two-lane country roads in central Indiana.

At Ozark Materials on Thursday, 31 August, we loaded 11 totes of yellow paint.  This paint is the reflective type used for highway marking.

Website:  Ozark Materials, LLC is a pavement marking material manufacturer that produces products for all types of roadway applications.

Marion, Indiana to Concord, New Hampshire.

The Labor Day long weekend coming up, we could not deliver in New Hampshire until Tuesday morning, 5 September - five days to drive 900 miles (approx. 1550 kms).  We will stop in Buffalo for a couple of days.

Some more hummingbird photos!