Our first load went to Carlsbad, CA which is only about 40 miles from home, but we didn't have time to actually GO home... so my Mom and daughter, Desiree, came north to Carlsbad and had lunch with us at TGI-Fridays. Boy, was it good to see them!!! A little taste of home.
We ended up on Feb. 15th in Portland, OR and expected to go straight home (since we hadn't taken our hometime during the flower rush). ... but they couldn't get us a load heading south. So we went East. (This practically broke my my heart).
We did three "pick-ups" in Washington (Union Gap, Yakima, and Prescott) of very cold fruit (35 degrees), mostly apples and pears, ...and headed toward North Carolina.
They (LCT) "route" us, meaning that they assign us Fuel Stops and the roads we are suppose to take to get to the fuel stops and our final destination.
This particular routing took us way north... across the I-90 then the I-94 across Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. However, as we were leaving Washington to go across Idaho on the US-12... it was closed from Lewiston, to Missoula due to recent avalanches a week earlier. (Sign of things to come...)
So we had to detour (about 7 hours worth) and head north on the US-95 to Coeur d' Alene (that is pronounced Core de Lane), then catch the I-90 East from there.
On our way heading north on the US-95.... I was driving, and climbing a bit of a hill/mountain. First it started to rain... Ok, I can handle rain. Go slower.
Then the rain turned to slush. (half rain, half snow.) OK, I can handle slush. Go Slower.
Then it started Snowing! and visibility went from bad to worse so I started Praying.
"Lord, what should I do? I was hoping to make it to Coeur d' Alene tonight but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. What should I do?"
Just at that very moment - a sign popped up that said "Rest Area 1/2 mile". And the Rest Area is not even in the map book. Thank you God!!!
Rest Area. Idaho. US-95.The Rest Area was on the left side and the snow was "banked" HIGH on each side of the street. As I pulled into the rest area, there was another truck in there, so I just pulled in behind him. When I first got there, you could see the parking lot, but within 5 mins... it was covered in 2" of snow. I have never been so happy to stop. Leroy was already sleeping. I just watched it snowing for a couple of mins, then went to sleep. The next morning... the plow-guy had been by and the streets were clear, and so was the weather. Thank you, God! And Thank God for Plow Guys!!! If they weren't doing their job, I couldn't do mine.
Rest Area. Idaho. US-95. We got as far as North Dakota before we had to stop for another Snow Storm.... and wait out a really bad accident (actually several accidents) on the I-94 having to be cleared up.
We did go to a great place to eat in Huxton, WI ( or was it Hixton?). Good food, and great staff.
I'm a big Packer Fan... as we were going through Wisconsin, you could just feel the Packer energy everywhere. You could see the snow, but feel the energy.
Then we headed south on the I-39 toward Bloomington, IL.
In Bloomington, we had to have an Alternator replaced, which made us late to our final stop. Wal-Mart.... and they are very picky about their appointment times and everything.
This was the first load Ever, that we didn't get empty. Meaning... they rejected 42 cases of fruit because of "bruising". Not our fault, but... none the less.... we have cases of fruit on board, so can't take another load! Help... what are we suppose to do with 42 cases of apples/pears?? Luckily, our CSR's (Customer Service Reps) know who to call in situations like this.... and they found a local produce warehouse in Raleigh, NC that would take the rejects.
All Right.
We did go to a great place to eat in Huxton, WI ( or was it Hixton?). Good food, and great staff.
I'm a big Packer Fan... as we were going through Wisconsin, you could just feel the Packer energy everywhere. You could see the snow, but feel the energy.
Then we headed south on the I-39 toward Bloomington, IL.
In Bloomington, we had to have an Alternator replaced, which made us late to our final stop. Wal-Mart.... and they are very picky about their appointment times and everything.
This was the first load Ever, that we didn't get empty. Meaning... they rejected 42 cases of fruit because of "bruising". Not our fault, but... none the less.... we have cases of fruit on board, so can't take another load! Help... what are we suppose to do with 42 cases of apples/pears?? Luckily, our CSR's (Customer Service Reps) know who to call in situations like this.... and they found a local produce warehouse in Raleigh, NC that would take the rejects.
All Right.
After some sleep and showers.... Ready to roll again!
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