A Small Vacation in Carrington, North Dakota!

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On Saturday, July 23rd, Tomo picked up a load in Muscatine, Iowa and swapped in Carrington, North Dakota with a driver on Sunday, the 24th that the other driver would take it the rest of the way. From Monday the 25th, Tomo was told to wait and they were looking for a load for him.  After many checks throughout the day with the drive manager, Tomo had a restful time in Carrington, North Dakota (not even a fully equipped truck stop, only pumps and a mini mart store) from Sunday to Wednesday.  

On Wednesday the 27th, Tomo was allowed to move to Fargo, North Dakota.  In Fargo, he was able to wash his clothes, take a shower and clean out his truck with still time to spare.  On Wednesday night, Tomo was able to meet up with some lovely friends from West Fargo and attend a Gospel meeting in Moorhead, Minnesota (just over the ND border from Fargo).   After the meeting Tomo plus two couples in their late 50's, then went out for pie and coffee and enjoyed a bit of fellowship.  During this visit, familiar friends name's from Tri-Cities, Washington, Missoula, Montana and Rogers, Arkansas came up.  Truly a small world.  

The plans was that he would be in Fargo at least until 10 am on Thursday and the latest would be Friday noon or so.  It was supposed that the worst situation would come out to be that he would deadhead back to the year.  Apparently it was cheaper for the company to have him sit empty than to move him around empty.  Really hard on the itchy feet of this young trucker!! At least they pay him for the daily expenses and so..... he is making something (albeit very little!). 

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After all, on Thursday, the 28th, Tomo head south down to Springdale, Arkansas.  After all this turned into a 1000 mile trip.  He picked up a load of frozen chicken and headed up to Edmonton, Alberta.  Tomo made a call to our friends in the area, and at first thought he would not be able to fit into their schedule, but in the end Jim was able to come out and have breakfast with Tomo before heading back north.  Unfortunately, Ellen was in Nepal with a teachers group.  OH well, boys only!!  Nice to see Jim again.  

Detour for I-29. US Hwy 71. 

Kansas City 

Kansas City 

Just south of Kansas City

Simple Snack/Dinner trucker style. 

Chicken/Corn Salad with a roll and followed by

(not pictured) broccoli flowerets and baby carrot 

My plans and the company's plans...... don't always come together!!

After coming down from Prince George, British Columbia empty to the yard, the manager finally realized my truck needed work.  So the AC is now fixed. My Jake Brakes (compression brakes) got fixed finally, as I refused to pull anything in the mountains again without them.   It only  took them 6 months to get it done.


Took a load up to Edmonton, Alberta and was unloaded, then the wait in Edmonton for the next order.  


Lovely rainbow that I saw on the way to Calgary Sunday afternoon. 07/17/2011.

On the way to Edmonton on Tuesday. Flooding in Calgary. 4 lane Hwy that's closed up 4 lanes and passing through in the emergency lane. 20:00 and took me 90 min to get through a mile stretch because of this.

Getting loaded with wood chips at Acheson. All though this trailer in the fore ground was getting loaded with wood chips too!!  Seems a bit odd.....
Tomo didn't think that logo seemed right.

Packed to the back with a full load of wood chips.

This is what the AB/SK border looks like on Hwy 16 in Lloydminster.

Great morning in Raymond MT. 07/21/11.

After arriving at the Walmart in Watertown, Iowa, exactly on his driving limit of 11 hours.  He figured out all his hours and discovered he was soon going to be out of all USA hours.  So.... all his plans to make it to Aylebury for the weekend just flew out the window.  Had been promised the weekend off but when the company suddenly loses four drivers all at once well ....... that is the way it goes!!  Disappointed but..... not much to do about it!  

Unloading the wood chips.

Got two tires repaired on the trailer and got new lights on the trailer and tractor in Muscatine.

In Atalissa for the night. Tomo did a reset on his driving time there and then on Sunday he would relay the load to another driver in Carrington, North Dakota. The load is late and so he needed to get to Carrington,  asap. Now the young man is in Carrington, North Dakota and will be hearing in the morning where he will head next.  Probably south for another load.  

Some like it hot, and others like it HOTTER!!

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On Sunday Tomo was in Great Falls.  Tomo had a load of Cranberry juice to Calgary.  Then on Monday morning, he dropped his load in Calgary and deadheading towards the yard to get a load bound for Edmonton. 

More Canola fields nearby Claresholm AB.

Following a oversize load that was taking two entire lanes. 

They pulled off to the side soon after and was able to pass them. 

Tomo's truck's AC hasn't been working all that good these last few days and finally it called it quits.  In Great Falls it was up in the high 90s if not 100. Then even with my windows open completely screaming down I-15 at 68mph didn't help a whole lot. And these photos are the results of the temperature on the floor boards of my truck. 

Not pleasant at all....

Traveling on to Prince George!! and beyond.....

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Leduc, Alberta

Jasper National Park on the way to
Prince George, British Columbia

Entering Prince George, British Columbia

Prince George, British Columbia

Crossing the Yellowhead Bridge over the Fraser River
 in Prince George, British Columbia

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Tomo is in Sherwood now. Going to pick up a load of wood shaving tomorrow morning and go down to the yard. 
 

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This is Doug. A rather wild but interesting 52 year old trucker. 

Very cool guy. We get along very well.
 Larry Pendell & Doug started together at swift. Then to WMF.

Doug getting loaded this morning. I wad right after him. Getting loaded with wood shavings. His load was going to MN but was going to swap loads at Minot.
Mine is going to TX but I'll swap trailers at the yard and head back to Edmonton. 

Our dinner last night. Doug cooked up some steaks and rice and raw veggies  

With the BBQ that he carries with him. 

Canola fields north of Lethbridge.