Mundane or Adventure

Fretting over mundane chores? I understand, but things are a little different in the life of a truck driver. As I gather the clothes from 4 or 5 locations where they have been stuffed, and it's hard to tell where a person will put their dirty laundry when they are tired. Sometimes in the proper place in the laundry bag and then outside in the passenger side tool box. Tool boxes on a Big Rig may not be used for tools. I put them all together in a couple of netted laundry bags.
 The Ladies’ Room

In the process, I discover something has leaked from full water bottles or liquid detergent, in probability it is a mixture of both. It’s like the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A disgusting, stinking, slimy mess. I take everything out of the side tool box to let it air. Then I trudge across the parking lot, that appears to be a mile long, and already the pavement is like molten lava. I don’t dare set any of the items down because the lot smells of urine and other undistinguishable orders, none of them resemble lilacs or roses.  

I manage to get the door open, and I only knocked one thing off the shelf as I maneuver the obstacle course of items on tight rows of shelving. Then I begin the process of sorting, washing, and drying the clothes. Did mention that the washers and the dryers cost $2.50 each. But don’t fret, there is a slot for your credit card.

I am in Alabama, and the humidity has me soaked to the bone.

As soon as I finish with these loads, I’ll go back to the truck, leaving the detergent because I have two more bags to fill with our sleeping clothes, the bed linens, and towels.

I let Del sleep in, he's having a hard time getting enough rest this week. He gladly helps with the next loads.

We have time for a game of pool.

This is a great truck stop, with nice big clean showers, a pool table, attractive décor

in each room, and a big screen TV in a cozy room with comfortable chairs.

Little Mirrored Flowers in the Shower Room

TV Room 

Inside the laundry room is a desk, a table to fold clothes on, a rack to hang the hangable clothes, and a desk in case you have bought a laptop with you.

      Laundry day is always hard, not to mention expensive. I will go clean the tool box, and

prepare it for the return of the detergent and other cleaning supplies.

Del will get the sweeper out for me; then he will take Tootsie walking. I will clean the rest of the truck from top to bottom; then we'll be free to relax the rest of the day, or what remains of it.

 This Petro is minuscule, but the trucker’s facilities are lovely, and this team appreciates the extra effort, so if you ever find yourself in Shorter, Alabama stop in and enjoy the facilities. I would suggest you eat before you get there, the food selection is limited.  

Snow. Snow, Blizzards, and Windby Cher'ley

I'm so glad we have our own truck and trailer, and that we work for a company where we set up our own loads. We did, however, spend our share of past winters in the blustering weather. Our truck has been barely visible many times.

         
 I have seen conditions much worse than these. One time we stuck in a truck stop because the roads were shut down, and the only place for us to park was in the fuel island. We went in and explained there was no parking. They let us stay there.

One time we got caught in a storm, and there was no way to get off the road. As I and several other trucks were descending a mountain in Tennesee, the drivers were joking about not getting too close to me because I was plackered. I agreed with them. I had enough wiggle room that I was comfortable, until I hit the brakes, fishtailed, and realized I was on the solid ice. To make matters worse, a line of cars were stuck at the foot of the hill. I was picking my spot to go off the road. When I glanced in my review mirrors, those trucks that were behind me was like a mother duck and her ducklings, they did their winter dance as they hit the medium one after another. I was still picking which place might be the best options, so that I wouldn't hit anyone but that I wouldn't roll and kill us in the process. In the meantime, I was still tapping the breaks, and finally, it stuck, I hit a dry spot. I came to a stop just a few yards from the last car in line.