Busy, Busy, Busy

[pipetrucker]

Today I find myself sitting in Sioux City, Iowa. I was in Wisconsin yesterday and the day before, but due to business being very busy, and as a result my being very busy, I didn't even get a chance to stop by the office.
I had hoped I would get by the office as I expect my Uncle Arthur pipe is waiting for me there and I am very much looking forward to seeing it "in person". Ah well, it will be there whenever I do get there.
Instead of going to the office I delivered three loads around Wisconsin before picking up a large snow plow truck from the factory to run over here to deliver to the Air National Guard base in Sioux City.
I delivered the truck this morning, and am now just waiting around for them to find me a reload back toward Wisconsin. As busy as we are right now they may just have me "bounce" back empty if a reload doesn't materialize soon.
I am hoping to get a little down time over the weekend as I am now wearing my last clean pair of trousers and need to do some laundry. I have just been too busy to wash any clothes. I have a couple of pairs of shorts I could wear but it's a little chilly for that, and I don't like to show up at a customer wearing shorts as I don't think it looks professional.
I have been sitting here in my truck smoking a bowl of North Woods in a Viking and watching the trucks and truckers going by. Sometimes just watching the activities in a truck stop can be entertaining. There was the one guy wearing shorts, flip flops, and a jacket.
If it is chilly enough for a jacket, perhaps a pair of shoes and some big boy pants might be in order? He just looked like his mother never taught him how to dress himself in the morning.
And then there was the guy who was walking his dog and it broke the leash and took off running. Very amusing watching the fairly fat fellow trying to chase down an obviously healthy and agile terrier. I watched him chase the dog all over the lot for a few minutes. The dog was obviously having a lot of fun, the fat fellow not so much.
I was a little disappointed when the dog finally decided it had had enough fun and beat the fellow back to the truck and stood there waiting, tail wagging furiously, as the man panted and wheezed to a halt. I was a little concerned the guy was going to drop from a heart attack, but still amused by the show.
Not really anything interesting going on now, but you can never tell when things can liven up again in a truck stop.

 

[cortezattic]

No one sees a bigger slice of life than a trucker!

Stay safe, and I hope you find a reload soon. :puffpipe:

 

[maduroman]

it's fun to play match the trucker to truck and dogs....
in the ontario ca t/a truckstop seen this huge giant of a dude, covered in tats carrying a toy poodle whom he clamed was his wife's...
the thing i miss most is the parade of humanity on the hyway... could i tell you stories of the things i saw.

 

[flipflopsandshades]

Just curious, how many pipes do you bring on the road with you? How much tobacco? How many times a day do you smoke?

 

[papipeguy]

I hope you're keeping copies of these posts, or at least good notes as there's a heck of a memoir to be written about your life on the road. I, for one, always enjoy reading about your exploits.

 

[schmitzbitz]

I hope you're keeping copies of these posts, or at least good notes as there's a heck of a memoir to be written about your life on the road. I, for one, always enjoy reading about your exploits.

I agree, your posts are wonderfully written, often thoughtful, and always amusing. I find myself looking forward to each installment of "Pipetrucker's Life on the Road" with glee.

 

[pipetrucker]

Thanks for the kind remarks. I do plan to eventually write a book (which will likely only sell one copy LOL).
I carry all of my pipes and tobaccos in the truck at all times since I live in the truck. Right now I think the number of pipes is around 50 more or less. Probably about 3 lbs of tobacco at any given time. I tend to keep a pipe going pert much all day long when driving, and am known to smoke some Half & Half or something similar in a Grabow or cob while chaining/strapping my loads.

 

[pipetrucker]

As I sort of expected, they are bouncing me back to Wisconsin. I spoke with the head of dispatch and let him know I was feeling a bit tired and was wanting a little time off to rest, do laundry, drink a couple of beers, etc.
He said he had a couple of fire truck loading on Monday going to a couple of military bases and I could have one of those if I wanted. I said that would be perfect.
I made it as far as Fairmont, NE, checked into a room, and am now at a bar. The local radio station is doing a charity event here for wounded vets. I bought a red "Support Our Troops" tee shirt. The shirt was $15. I gave the lady a twenty and told her to put the change towards the charity fund.
I am a vet, most of my family are vets, I have one nephew back from Iraq and another in Afghanistan now, so how can I not contribute?

 

[hobie1dog]

good man. we love ya :worship:

 

[pipetrucker]

LOL

 

[lonestar]

perhaps a pair of shoes and some big boy pants might be in order?

:rofl:
Enjoy your down time

 

[sockmonkey]

Hey Mason.
My wife wanted to know if your toe was feeling better...

 

[yoru]

Love these musings. Pleasure to read and think on. Cheers mate.

 

[pstlpkr]

Good man Mason.

And, thank you for your service.

You deserve a break.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

It's always fun to hear one's stories while on the road. Glad you're getting a little down time.

 

[pipetrucker]

Thanks, gents.
Yes, my toe is feeling better. It is still discolored, but otherwise is about normal.