Mutual of POSSLQ's Wild Kingdom

It's not often that something happens at work that makes me feel good for the rest of the day, but when  it does happen, it's a doozy.  This is something that could have taken a completely different twist, maybe even had a different ending.  I am glad it turned out the way it did.

This being Ms. Darkstar's day to do her volunteer work with rescued kitties,  I took the bus in to work.  I grab the first bus because there's no issue with making all of my connections, and the buses that I ride are usually fairly empty.  So, I got to work early, and since there was nothing for me to do that early in the morning, I just went to the truck and sat for a little while.

Around 7, I fired up the truck and rolled slowly through the parking area.  As I made the turn from where I was parked, I saw a couple of dark shapes sitting about where my truck tires had been.  I stopped the truck,  set the brake, and went to investigate.  At first, in the early morning light, I thought they were a couple of big toads.  Nope.

It was these.

Three little baby rabbits, the two were closest to the driver's side of the truck, and the single was over by the passenger's side.  I was very glad I let the truck roll straight for a few feet before turning the wheel.  

I approached slowly, the rabbits remaining immobile, eyeing me warily.  I looked them over quickly, talking to them in what I hoped was a reassuring voice.  I snapped a few pictures, and then ... 

I petted each one lightly on the head.  Only the lone rabbit started to hop away, but stopped to watch me a little more.  Other than that, they didn't move or flinch.  It was more to see what kind of reaction I would get or if they would hop to safety in the grass, under the trees.  No one moved.  I took a couple more photos.

I got back in the truck and went to see what work I had waiting for me.  As it turned out I had to come back up to get the other trailer, and when I returned, the rabbits were gone.

And then I saw this:

I would like to think that all of the rabbits made it to safety, although evidence I found leads me to believe at least one of the cute little critters became a hawk snack.  Circle of life, baby.

Sidenote: All the time the hawk was there, and the hawk had moved from its original position when I approached, it was being divebombed by a smaller bird.  I got the above picture in between attacks.  The hawk didn't even appear fazed by what was going on, and when I attempted to get closer to get a better picture, it flew up to a nearby utility pole.

Such ends my little drama for the day.  Work went as usual from that point, but for the whole day, no matter what I was doing, or how dull things seemed, I could tell myself that at least this morning, I got to pet baby bunnies.

And that's something.

Where was I ... and where am I?

The big problem with playing catch-up with the blog is I get so busy I lose track of time, and can't remember the last time I was able to post something.  Add in the fact that I also lose track of what day of the week it is (all day yesterday I kept thinking it was Sunday), and it makes for an interesting time trying to remember what I last talked about.

The break I was hoping to take was a short one, and after finishing the multi-drop load on the 28th, I got to rest until the morning of the 29th, when I was sent to South Carolina to pick up a load going to Laredo, Texas. The only problem was the load was already a day behind schedule, and there was no way I was going to make it for the delivery date.  So, I ran the load as far as Atlanta, and swapped out with another driver.  I was then given a load out of Columbus, GA, going to Laredo.  And, since this load contained hazardous materials, I had to be extra vigilant in my inspection of the trailer I was given.

It's a good thing I was, because it had one tire that had not only gone bald, but had the steel cords showing.  The registration was gone, meaning I had to call in to the office to get a copy of it faxed to me at the truck stop, and then take the trailer over to a tire shop to get fixed before I could pick up my load.  Which meant I was later than I wanted to be in getting to Columbus, but still on time.

I made it to Laredo without running into any of the nasty weather that was moving through the area I was driving through.  I hit a couple of downpours in Louisiana and some fog through Alabama, but other than that I didn't get hit with anything.

The nice thing about being in Laredo is there's a Wal-Mart that has truck parking.  After dropping my trailer, I headed over there and stocked up on things that I needed, like more food (canned soups, canned pineapple, some meats that don't need refrigeration) and other items like sodas and personal hygiene products.

I got my load early this morning.  I have a stop in Lewisville, Texas before heading to Lebanon, Tennessee, and the final stop is in Elkton, Maryland.  The only major problem I can see is that Maryland and Tennessee are due on the same day, about six hours apart.  Forgetting the time zone change, there's no way I can cover over seven hundred miles in what will amount to three and a half hours by the time I'm done unloading in Tennessee.  I've let the office know about it, and I'll continue to send the running late reports if need be, but as far as I'm concerned, it is officially Not My Problem anymore.


I didn't have a lot of time or opportunity to take pictures this past week or so, but the picture to the left is of the retreating storm clouds in Piedmont, South Carolina.  The picture to the right is sunset in Dallas, Texas, where I'm staying for the night.  It's sad that I'm home, but I can't go home.

Here's hoping for a decent week.

Working from sun to sun

My day started in Phoenix, right around sunrise, when I went to fetch my load.  I was pleasantly surprised to find it all ready, so all I had to do is hook up, weigh out to make sure everything was legal (needed a minor correction but overall was fine), and down the highway I went.  I missed the bulk of Phoenix traffic leaving when I did, fortunately, and made good time to my fuel stop in Willcox, and from there I headed to my stopping point in Van Horn, TX.

I wasn't sure if I would be able to grab a decent picture when I stopped this evening, so I took this one before I left Willcox.  You may have noticed that I like taking pictures of the mountains when I'm in that area of the country.  Maybe it's just me, but there's just something about seeing them rise up over the landscape, watching the sun rise and set over them, I just find it awe-inspiring.  And, the different lighting angles at times produce amazing colors on the rocks.

Timewise, I was cutting it close getting to Van Horn, but this was the only place I could stop that had a) actual facilities like restrooms and a place to grab some food and other supplies, and b) anything else would have been too far away to be of any use in saving as much time prior to departure, so after making sure I would be legal on my times, I rolled, just catching the beginnings of El Paso traffic as I was leaving the city (yay for my planning [yes I planned it, don't be silly]), and got parked just as the sun was beginning to set.

Tomorrow should be an easier day, as I can stop a short distance from my receiver and rest up, preparing to roll early in the morning from wherever it is I decide to camp.  There's some places nearby, but before I say for sure where I will be, I want to do some more research.  Luckily, I can do that at my fuel stop, and if worse comes to worse, I just stay where I fuel.  No big loss either way.

Also, because I know you all might be getting tired of the landscapes, and because I've been reading blogs about other people's cats, here's a photo I shot last night at the truck stop in Phoenix.  I don't know where this cat came from, but it seemed to have the right attitude for hanging out at a truck stop.  I watched as some of the truckers and other customers tried to gt the cat to come over to them, but each time kitty side-stepped and moved back to a more secure location.  Pretty cat, though, and I wonder if it lived nearby or was truly a stray.  Looks a little too healthy to be a stray, I think.

Tomorrow, up bright and early yet again to roll to my next stopping point, and delivery on Thursday morning.  Depending on where I end up, I may be able to blog, so I guess we'll see what happens, or even if I have anything to write about.

Have a good night.

Kinda ready to get rolling

Today's the day I should be receiving a dispatch and heading out once again.  I don't know when that will happen, so I'm getting some last-minute stuff done beforehand.

I was going through some of the pictures I had taken on my last trip out, and decided to share this one.  I had stopped for the night in North Little Rock, Arkansas, at the truck stop you see in the picture.  It was a dreary, rainy day, and I had to conduct some business at the truck stop across the street.  This is what I saw when I came back outside.

I need to pick up some more traveling supplies, and perhaps get some breakfast.  I have no idea which direction I'll be headed, or even if I'll get out of here today.  No matter, I'll just have to take it as it comes.

I'll write more when I'm able to do so.  Enjoy your day.

Trying something new (to me)

So, how stupid am I that I had absolutely no idea I could post the pictures from my phone's camera to the blog?  To think of all the wonderful stuff I could have had here.  Oh well, at least I'm using my down time to actually learn something.

This is a picture of the sunrise over the mountains near Albuquerque.  This is actually the better of the ones I took.  When possible, I try to take a picture a day, mostly because it's cheaper than buying postcards, and not a lot of truck stops offer postcards for sale.  It also provides a way of keeping those at home posted as to my whereabouts and allows me to share some of the things I see on a daily basis.

I keep the pictures confined to my Google Plus account for the most part, but if I think there's something fairly interesting to those of you that follow this blog (and that fact still amazes me), I will put it here so as not to overwhelm you all.

Have a great day, everyone.