Greetings drivers from the King City, WA truck stop off US395. I'm 2560 miles from my front door in Florida. This is a beautiful area, but I've never been a "West Coast" kinda guy. Waiting for dinner, I was reading the Wala Wala real estate guidebook. I found a great house on the Columbia River for $2.1 mil! Maybe if I owned the trucking company, rather than driving for it, that might be possible. But for now we have the night off, and will wait for dispatch tomorrow. I ordered the deluxe burger (swiss, mushrooms, cooked onions, tomato, lettuce, mayo and pickles) with fries and an ice tea - bout $9 bucks. Too bad only one waitress was doing all the work. She earned her $2 tip.
Today, the "Reverend" Jerry Falwell died. I never liked him. I did not like what he stood for. I did not like anything he said. If there is a heaven, I don't think he will be welcome there. I'm sure we'll see a cover profile and memoriam in an upcoming Pilot Challenge Magazine. Anyone wonder where "Lynchburg" got its name? I'm a believer in reincarnation. Maybe this evil pasty faced fat bastard will come back as gay slug. What goes around, comes around.
It's been a month since I returned a defective wi-fi card and antenna to FJ corporate headquarters. I have heard nothing from them so far. This is typical FJ who NEVER answers customers complaints or concerns. They owe me $90. I should charge them for my time for the three weeks my laptop was screwed up by the defective software.
When I was doing my pre trip this morning I noticed one of my trailer tires had blown. I was parked at the Idle Aire free T/A at Boise, Idaho. I was in and out in about an hour. One thing about the company I work for - they don't screw around with road repairs and new tire replacement. We have a national Bridgestone account and use it.
Later in the day I stopped at the I84 Oregon scales for a visit with their DOT. Apparently my plate number showed that I did not have an OR permit. It was a paperwork error and they issued me a correct permit. At all times, everyone I came in contact with was professional and easy going. In other words, they were not anal retentive assholes like - oh, let's see - Mississippi. Driving across the Washington scales at 3 mph is, well, moronic.
Idaho is ugly. Oregon magnificent. Washington marvelous. The dual speed limits are bullshit. There is no active Pre Pass. I chose to stay at the legal limit of 55 - screw everyone else. Greyhound, Central Refrigeration, Wal-Mart, Interstate, and every other RV chose otherwise. I don't blame Greyhound from flying along at 80 - he has to stop at every jerk water town that has a bus station.
I see the fine in OR for not wearing seat belts in $97. Who came up with that figure? I think it should be $500. Why screw around?
The "company" I delivered to was nestled in between a bunch of vineyards. And guess what? The white (slave) owner with the $75K Mercedes employs MEXICANS! The supervisors are all in their early 20' s and white. They drive late model Ford and Chevy pick-ups. When the break whistle blew - all the Mexicans huddled at one end of the yard and the white "supervisors" smoked their cancer sticks* at the other. No company bowling team here. At quitting time, all the Mexicans drove off, piled into two trucks, for what I imagine is less than desirable housing at the edge of town next to the interstate or the Santa Fe tracks. The owner probably went home to his big house and pool knowing he isn't giving these folks any health insurance, 40lK's (yeah right!) or other typical benefits. Who knows if any of these workers are even legal. It' s a long way from W. Richland WA to the Mexican border.
There is a debate tonight. Who cares? It' s too early. There are only 4 "players" who really matter anyway. What's more important is 3 of our service members are in the hands of the enemy in Iraq. 4 others lost their lives in an ambush. They need your prayers tonight.
Where I'm at there are no painted lines, no Idle Aire, no local "Barney Fifs" hassling drivers, very few T/A style potholes, easy access Wi-Fi and plenty of parking - 24 hours a day. I'd like to slap the president of FJ with a damn paintbrush full of white line paint right on the side his head.
Lastly folks, the General Lee sold at auction for $9.9 mil. Can ya'll believe that? Apparently acourtesyflush can't confirm that this story is true or a hoax. We'll get back to ya'll.
* $40 for a carton of smokes - are ya'll crazy? Pilot, FJ, T/A and Love's love selling ya'll this junk. Time to call it quits was 5 years ago for goodness sakes! Cancer, heart disease and emphysema is no fun.
