August 9. We all need practice

Fun day. Load from Olympia WA to Wauna, OR – about 100 miles (200 if you count the deadhead to Olympia). Nice 7% grade just after entering OR.. got it both up and down, as I came back the same way I went in. Load to Wauna was cardboard boxes

Next load was from Wauna to Halsey OR – 6 rolls of paper. I was supposed to just drop/hook a new trailer in Halsey, but it only took them 10 minutes to offload the paper. I felt bad for the May driver ahead of me. He was scheduled a load for Chico and Woodland CA – but some OTHER May driver took his trailer. Not sure how the mix-up happened. The two trailer numbers are not even close to being alike. Made me a tad concerned, since MY load is going to Woodland, too. Fortunately, my trailer is right there on the line, ready to go. 29,000 pounds of paper towels.

Hooked up and headed south. Got about 4 hours left of my 14, should reach Medford ok.

Actually, made it to the Petro in Phoenix,OR. Plenty of parking – and STILL people are parked outside the lines. Poor schmuck ahead of me is having one o' those nights. Can't park for shit. All KINDS of spaces available... granted, the aisle is a little narrow, but Pilots are generally tighter... and he can NOT get that Stephens truck in there. He gave up on one spot and went to go around... whereupon I swooped in and planted my rig in the next spot over. Muahahaha! One pull up, and that was just to move over a foot or so to center myself in the slot. I was parked and shut down before he even made it around to try again. Maybe having a truck on both sides of his desired slot will help.

Nope. He took one shot at it and moved on up the line. I dunno – maybe he's a trainee or somebody who needs the practice. Another fella of similar geographic origin standing on the tarmac tried to guide the driver in – to no avail. Eventually just gave up and watched.

I went inside the store to use the restroom and grab a lemonade.. when I came back out, the Stephen's driver was still at it. And the three slots next to me (2 on one side,1 on the other) were either full, or becoming so as a driver or two was backing in.

Tomorrow will be easy day. About 300 miles to consignee, but I figure to stop about 50 miles short. I know there are two truck stops in the town where I plan to stop.. should be a no-brainer finding a spot at dinner time.