Blog, Where we are today
On the Road-FINALLY (with challenges)
By MrBoyd • Jun 22nd, 2008 • Category: Blog, Where we are todayAfter waiting since Tuesday evening for our load to California to move, we finally got started this morning. But not without problems. To start off, the driver could not drop his third drive axle. The reason: a wire had corroded loose on the actuator for his air bag. After about an hour, we jury rigged it to work and got started. We had the normal start of a run problems: the OVERSIZE LOAD sign was upside down; one of the “skid belt”s came loose. The REAL problem came when we made a left turn from one Farm to Market Road to another in south Texas…and quite solidly got stuck!
This is a new trailer for this driver. Normally, he pulls trailers with hydraulic necks. He forgot that this one didn’t have a hydraulic neck, so we dragged flat bottom right across the road at the intersection. Fortunately, these two roads are not heavily traveled. In the three hours we worked to free ourselves, we saw maybe six vehicles. There is a gravel pulloff at that intersection, so traffic was able to get around us. Finally, my friend and partner Dave Hibbard went into Del Rio to a hardware store and got some big timber. With that, we were able to get backed up and approached the road from a different angle. As bad as today was, tomorrow has GOT to be better!
Next up is the issue of how to get through NM. We have about three options to get from El Paso to Cortez, CO. The load actually is going to central California, by way of NM, CO, UT, NV and CA. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to complete this trip. I have a medical appointment on Thursday in Big Spring, TX. I will try to get them through the Albuquerque area, providing we can get through there on Tuesday…but I will have to break free after that. It is a shame. This will wind up being about a 2800 mile trip…PLUS it is going to an area of California where I have never been before. That’s life! This is a medical appointment I’ve been waiting for about six weeks for.
We made it to Eldorado, TX. There is one motel and it certainly is NOT the Fairmont! We got in too late for the one known restaurant…so I had mystery meat (they called it chicken strips), and some milk. Now, I’m heading for bed! We leave at 6:30 AM.
MrBoyd is a professional pilot car/ vehicle escort driver licensed in the 48 contiguous states. He offers high pole service, professional demeanor, and is NUTS about your safety!!!
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[...] On the Road-FINALLY (with challenges)We made it to Eldorado, TX. There is one motel and it certainly is NOT the Fairmont! We got in too late for the one known restaurantso I had mystery meat (they called it chicken strips), and some milk. Now, Im heading for bed! … [...]