Well I'm BACK.... I haven't been feeling so well so my mind wasn't working very well, so I did not write anything for awhile....SORRY, K. This week we are back in the cab, thank God! I have been driving around Winnipeg, getting use to dealing with traffic. Today we did a lot of backing up, this was fun. I didn't hit anything, so all is well! The in cab instructors are somewhat helpful. They like Timmie's, I have been to different locations with different instructors every day. The weather has been nice, somewhat windy at times, but still nice. Not as nice as home...so I have been informed, until this week. The challenges dealing with drivers that have no clue that you cant stop one of these trucks on a dime. They come in and out of traffic like fools! If one goes around , the others follow like sheep. It so funny to watch. I never really paid attention to it before. I do now! Everything's been great, other then the cold I caught on Thursday last week. I do miss all of you. I am going to go make my dinner now, so I'll sign off for now. Yak at ya later, see you down the road.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Well I'm BACK.... I haven't been feeling so well so my mind wasn't working very well, so I did not write anything for awhile....SORRY, K. This week we are back in the cab, thank God! I have been driving around Winnipeg, getting use to dealing with traffic. Today we did a lot of backing up, this was fun. I didn't hit anything, so all is well! The in cab instructors are somewhat helpful. They like Timmie's, I have been to different locations with different instructors every day. The weather has been nice, somewhat windy at times, but still nice. Not as nice as home...so I have been informed, until this week. The challenges dealing with drivers that have no clue that you cant stop one of these trucks on a dime. They come in and out of traffic like fools! If one goes around , the others follow like sheep. It so funny to watch. I never really paid attention to it before. I do now! Everything's been great, other then the cold I caught on Thursday last week. I do miss all of you. I am going to go make my dinner now, so I'll sign off for now. Yak at ya later, see you down the road.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Orientation
Sorry, that I have not been updating this week. The reason for this is that all I have been doing is reviewing company procedures and policies. We were given our long haul packages, they include, fuel cards, fuel network books on there locations, log books, DVIR books, the Bison reference manual, or as it is known here as the "Bison Bible". We were also given securement load seals. We have been reviewing hours of service (HOS), for log book compliance. I have been learning allot of new things about the industry. When I get on the road this will be more interesting to write about. I will leave for now and see you down the road.
Monday, April 27, 2009
At Bison Transport
Well I made it! Here I am at the Bison headquarters. The building is very unassuming and not pretentious in any way. Then you go inside and OMG! It is outstanding, I mean it is very modern and open and airy. The people are friendly and helpful. I got there early, so I had achance to look around, all I can say is "WOW"! They have a huge training facility with 3 simulators,one is a full size truck, a Volvo. It has been a good day, I did my test drive and pre-trip, then it was off to do my TGD (Transportation of Dangerous Goods). I then was off to sign up for my contract. I was also given a folder that has a benefits package as well as a drivers information package. I then was sent for my drug test...and man did I have to pee! I am going to be posted in Calgary it looks like, I'm ok with that. At least it's close to the mountains, and closer to home. It looks like I'll be here for 13 weeks, and then on to Calgary. I will find out more as time goes on. I am happy to be here so far. As the days go on I will update as much as I can, so as not to bore you with little details. I am going to watch a hockey game. I miss all of you, I'll talk to you all later, down the road.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The last Leg
Well its 6:30 am here in Regina, it cold and clear. I look out the window of my room and what do I see, Frost on the cars! After a shower and getting organized I again look out and see that the frost is melting away. After I check out It's off to Sevie...need my regular, and I have to clean the windshield. As I turn east onto Hwy 1 the morning traffic is starting to get heavier. I look in the rear view mirror and watch Regina fade of into the distance. I love the cool clear mornings on the prairies, it reminds me of where I come from ( that is a song I think). I a
m looking forward to Winnipeg and the challenges that are forthcoming in the next few weeks. The further East I go the more I pass thru some of the flattest land that I can ever remember seeing. I am approaching Brandon, and as I do I realize that this is the wheat capital of Canada. It's also the home town of hockey's "Great One" Wayne Gretzky.. The one thing that I notice is the lack of snow out here. I stop in Verdin MB for coffee and a sangi, I am not sure if it is an "diner, drive in or dive"...lol. The coffee was hot and the food good, so all is well. I head down the road towards my goal. Winnipeg. There are now trees around, more then I have seen in a while. I get closer and the traffic gets heavier. The road signs are well marked as I come into the city. I am blending into the traffic like a rain drop blends into a stream, seamlessly. I find my hotel, check in and settle in for the night. I do go out and take a look around and find the Bison yard, only a few minutes away from here...cool! The yard is huge! I have never seen that many trucks and trailers in one place before. Now I am getting excited! I head off and pick up dinner and its back to the room to watch a hockey game. Tomorrow I will do some exploring around Winnipeg. I am signing off for now, I'll see you down the road..goodnight!Friday, April 24, 2009
On to Regina SK
This morning when I got up it was cool and clear, so I know that its going to be a nice drive today. I went and had a lite breakfast, so as not to feel sluggish. As I point my Highlander east on Hwy 3 heading towards Medicine Hat, I am quickly reminded of the best friend I have left behind at home. The radio is playing a song .."Cinnamon Girl"! This reminds me of a trip to Hawaii my wife and I took in 1999. That is where I gave her that nickname, It was a great trip and it was the right tune to start me on my way on this trip. My head is full of good memories that come rushing back like falling into her arms once more, that embrace is like no other. I get the truck up to speed as I then settle in for a nice morning drive, with a smile on my face thin
king of her. The time passes quickly like the white lines dotted on the highway. I soon come in to Medicine Hat and into a detour due to a accident. As we are being rerouted I fall into line behind a local. I follow him. He decides to take an shortcut, so I follow. In my review mirrors I see the traffic continuing down the street, as I take a dirt lane behind the local, I am thinking to myself "am I going the right way". I am glad I did , before to long we are back on the street without any traffic around. I am so SMRT! I soon find myself on to Hwy 1 eastbound, towards Swift Current SK. Again the road folds out before me like a ribbon from God. I eat up the road like an machine, wanting, needing to feed a hunger that has become out of control. I soon come into Swift Current. I need fuel and a coffee. I stop at a Sevie and get it to go. I also stop and pick up something for the road. I swing back onto the Trans Canada, and again head east towards the capital city, Regina. The day, as I had predicted was clear with light soft clouds and bright sunshine. The traffic is somewhat lighter than I had expected. The truck traffic was steady, but the car traffic seemed light. Mind you I did not know what it should be anyways. I get my room in Regina early enough to do a little shopping for dinner. I get what I need and head back to the room and settle in for a night of hockey and microwave lasagna and Sunny D. I also get the opportunity to have a video call with my wife. I then get onto my blog to update my day. I am now going to leave you now, so I'll see you down the road. Have a great evening.
king of her. The time passes quickly like the white lines dotted on the highway. I soon come in to Medicine Hat and into a detour due to a accident. As we are being rerouted I fall into line behind a local. I follow him. He decides to take an shortcut, so I follow. In my review mirrors I see the traffic continuing down the street, as I take a dirt lane behind the local, I am thinking to myself "am I going the right way". I am glad I did , before to long we are back on the street without any traffic around. I am so SMRT! I soon find myself on to Hwy 1 eastbound, towards Swift Current SK. Again the road folds out before me like a ribbon from God. I eat up the road like an machine, wanting, needing to feed a hunger that has become out of control. I soon come into Swift Current. I need fuel and a coffee. I stop at a Sevie and get it to go. I also stop and pick up something for the road. I swing back onto the Trans Canada, and again head east towards the capital city, Regina. The day, as I had predicted was clear with light soft clouds and bright sunshine. The traffic is somewhat lighter than I had expected. The truck traffic was steady, but the car traffic seemed light. Mind you I did not know what it should be anyways. I get my room in Regina early enough to do a little shopping for dinner. I get what I need and head back to the room and settle in for a night of hockey and microwave lasagna and Sunny D. I also get the opportunity to have a video call with my wife. I then get onto my blog to update my day. I am now going to leave you now, so I'll see you down the road. Have a great evening.Thursday, April 23, 2009
Castlegag to Bow Island AB
Leaving Castlegar in the morning sunshine. I am following Hwy 3 into 
Alberta. I came over Kootenay Pass and into a snow storm, what a treat. It was beautiful sight! I stopped in Cranbrook to see a old friend. Spent 11/2 hours catching up on times gone by. The rest of the drive was spectacular. I saw lots of wildlife, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats, it was nice to see. After I crossed into Alberta the weather got a little cooler, but still bright and white, with the bright sun against the fresh fallen snow. I drove with the music softly playing in background, and enjoyed the day. I got into Bow Island Alberta at a decent time this afternoon...thanks Patty. ( I forgot it was Thursday). It was 400 miles of sunshine and a ribbon of blacktop flowing out in front of me, taunting me to eat up more and more pavement before I should stop. I have a nice room in a small motel in Bow Island, went for a nice dinner at a small restaurant. I will be going to bed early as the time here is 1 hour ahead of B.C,and I am just plain tired. I will be on to Saskatchewan tomorrow.I will for now watch a little hockey and do a little reading from the "Secret" and off to sleep. I will update tomorrow night when and wherever I am. I'll see you down the road, in a different time zone no doubt. Bye Bye for now.
Alberta. I came over Kootenay Pass and into a snow storm, what a treat. It was beautiful sight! I stopped in Cranbrook to see a old friend. Spent 11/2 hours catching up on times gone by. The rest of the drive was spectacular. I saw lots of wildlife, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats, it was nice to see. After I crossed into Alberta the weather got a little cooler, but still bright and white, with the bright sun against the fresh fallen snow. I drove with the music softly playing in background, and enjoyed the day. I got into Bow Island Alberta at a decent time this afternoon...thanks Patty. ( I forgot it was Thursday). It was 400 miles of sunshine and a ribbon of blacktop flowing out in front of me, taunting me to eat up more and more pavement before I should stop. I have a nice room in a small motel in Bow Island, went for a nice dinner at a small restaurant. I will be going to bed early as the time here is 1 hour ahead of B.C,and I am just plain tired. I will be on to Saskatchewan tomorrow.I will for now watch a little hockey and do a little reading from the "Secret" and off to sleep. I will update tomorrow night when and wherever I am. I'll see you down the road, in a different time zone no doubt. Bye Bye for now.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
In Castlegar
Man did I have a shitty sleep last night! I just could not wine down for some reason. I was in bed at 10:30 pm up again at 2:30, 4:15,5:35 am and so on. I finally crawled out of bed at 8:45 am! I went an fueled up and grabbed a coffee for the road and away I went. Jumped in a Pete today and was pulling around a 53' trailer. It was a day of challenges, but all good ones. I went over to some friends for dinner tonight, had a bunch of shits and giggles. Boy Murray and Cherryl are great people. After dinner we sat down and had a good "BS" session. I am now in my room at the Sandman getting ready for bed. Tomorrow is a travelling day after all. I am off to Medicine Hat AB. Leaving the mountains for the flat lands it going to be sooooooo boring! I guess I crank up the tunes my daughter made up for me. So I'll be rockin down the hwy,.. ya me! ( did I say that out loud !) ...oops*!- Anyways I am off to bed, I'll be seeing you down the road...K ? Buy for now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
