Baldwinville, NY - Eau Claire, WI

After dropping off the trailer in Plattsburgh, I pick up an empty trailer and drive
to Baldwinville, a suburb of Syracuse and pickup a trailer loaded with beer at Anheuser-Busch
(45,000 lbs) and drive to Eau Claire, WI.

I woke up to snow this morning and it was slow going for a couple of hours, but
now the sun is shining and the roads are dry. I have 85 miles yet to drive.

Happy Birthday yesterday to both Aunt Marge (Grandpa's sister) and to Tom, Greta's
husband. Also March 19 has been cancelled for this year. So, grandpa weill remain
88.

James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Carlisle, PA

But first, Julia!



Just got into Carlisle, PA where I-81 and I-76 intersect. I'm at a Schneider operating center. I tried to stop closer to Norman's house, but the truck stop near there was full. Tomorrow I travel up 81 into NY and then east on 88 to 87 and north on that to Plattsburgh. I have about 500 miles to drive tomorrow.

I, finally, was able to meet up with Marc and his family. We had breakfast this morning at an IHOP in Charlotte. It was a lot of fun. Little Julia is quite a talker. Marc commented that she reminded him of Jenna. I just had to agree with that assessment. I gave my assortment of Schneider gifts (trucks, duct tape, hats, cup holders, etc). Julia got to sit in the driver's seat and looked pretty cute. I honked the horn for her and startled her in the process.

I talked to Jason last night, he was hoping I'd drive close to NYC, but I mentioned I was driving further west. Maybe they'll send me by there after Plattsburgh. Have you seen how far north Plattsburgh is? My goodness, it's almost to Canada. I wonder what tha roads will be like as I go further north. Erika, it's even further north than Burlington, VT.

Well, I'll let you know how this next leg goes. Hope you all had a good day. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Delay In Greensboro

I'm at a US Postal Service facility. I got here at 4:00 pm right at shift change.
The problem is they don't start the next shift until 7:00 pm. So I may not get
out of Greensboro until 8:00 pm. And then arrive in Charlotte at 9:30 pm. That messes
up dinner with Marc, Rachel and Julia. I'll try to have breakfast with them
in the morning.

My next run is to Plattesburgh, NY. 884 mi from Charlotte. I have no idea where
it is. I'll have to look it up on a map.

Well, I'll let you know how the evening goes. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

NC

I'm driving thru North Carolina. I have 2 more hours until I reach Greensboro.
I-40 from Knoxville, TN to Asheville, NC is beautiful. The mountains are spectacular.
Have any of you driven that? My goodness. The rivers rush down the mountains. Lots
of rapids. In a truck it is slower both because of steep inclines and steep declines.
I lost some time, but it was worth it. Temp is 65.

I should be to Charlotte by 6:00 pm. I'll meet Marc et al at 6:30 pm. That'll
be fun.

I hope it is warm where you are. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Georgetown, KY

I stopped last night in Georgetown, KY. Today I need to drive 420 miles before
I get to Greensboro at 3:00 pm. I'm planning on having dinner with Marc, Rachel
and Julia this evening before I make another dropoff in Charlotte at 9:00. I'll
be sure to take some photos of them.

Yesterday I needed to have some more repairs done on the truck. One of the fan belts
was loose and cracked and needed to be replaced. A front marker light was also out
and needed to be rewired. And a 12 volt receptacle in the cab was disconnected and
needed to be reconnected. All of this took 3 hours so I needed to drive until 9:00
pm last night.

This morning the skies are clear. The roads are clear. It should be a good day.
I have my coffee and 2 Vienna Cream Danish rolls. (Erika said she cringes when I
talk about these sweet rolls. They aren't the healthiest, but, boy, they're
good) So I'm set for a while. Kathy bought me a big box of KitKat's and
a box of candy bars and a box of chewy granola bars which I value highly.

Well, I'll let you know if I make it. And if I get to see Marc et al. Have
a good day! James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Madison, WI

I made it as far as Madison, WI today. Tomorrow I'll drive 9 or 10 hours and
then drive the remaining miles on Monday morning. All told, I'll drive about
20 hours from the Twin Cities to NC. The roads have been clear so far and I imagine
they will continue to be.

I was able to have dinner tonight with Erika, Sydney & Elsa at McDonald's.
Sydney had a chocolate milk shake again and I introduced Elsa to milk shakes also.
As you can imagine, she liked them also. Sydney had to get in my truck again and
we were able to take some pictures which I sent to Crish to put on the Blogsite.
They are cute kids. I had a great time with them.

I hope you all are having a good weekend! - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Greensboro/Charlotte, NC

I'm just about ready to set out. I have to pick up a trailer in Woodbury, MN
and take it to Rogers, MN to pick up a load and then off to NC. I drop half the
load in Greensboro and the other half in Charlotte on Tuesday aft. and eve, 3/05.
Hopefully, I'll be able to see Marc, Rachel and Julia.

It is clear and cold this morning. I get to drive in the aftermath of the storm.
I don't think it will be bad at all. We received 12-20 inches of snow in the
Twin City area. Tristan didn't have school thur or fri and spent the time with
me. We had a good time.

I'll let you know how it goes today. Maybe I'll be able to see Erika tonight.
- James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )