Panama City, FL

Currently I'm at a truck stop in Birmingham, AL. I arrived here at 8:00 pm after driving 11 hours (650 miles) today. How did I get here?

Well, yesterday morning I dropped off a truck load of exercise equipment in Canton, OH. I was then sent to Shelby, OH north of Columbus to pick up a load of snow blowers to take to Memphis, TN. I thought that was a bit strange since it was 107 in Memphis today. It took 5 hours to get loaded in Shelby. I had to wait 3 hours to get to a dock. From Shelby I got as far as Louisville, KY last night. This morning I drove south on I-65 to I-40 to Memphis and arrived at 2:30 pm. I dropped off the trailer and immediately got another one which I need to take to Panama City, FL. It's called a 'JIT' load. 'Just in Time'. It has to be delivered by thur morning at 7:00 am or else. I'll have plenty of time. In fact, I'll be there around 1:00 pm tomorrow.

It was really nice this morning in Louisville. I would guess in the low 70's. But, as I mentioned, it was 107 in Memphis and around 90 when I arrived in Birmingham. The AC is working great so the heat hasn't bothered me.

I bought a small printer to use with my computer in the truck. I tried it out for the first time tonight. It works great. I have my own little travelling office. It's amazing what we can do now-a-days.

I hope you are all keeping cool. I'll keep you informed of my whereabouts. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Bucksnort, TN

Just passed Bucksnort, TN. Thought you'd like to know. I wonder how it got it's name. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Memphis, TN

Short note - I'm heading back down to Memphis, TN into the 100 degree heat. The AC is on. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Canton, OH

I spent the night in Canton, OH (Home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame). I have a delivery to make this morning at 8:00 am. A trailer load of exercise equipment. I don't know as of yet where I'll be going next.

Yesterday I drove from just south of Louisville to Lima, OH and dropped off a load of pallets (504 of them) and then drove north on I-75 to Findlay and picked up the exercise equipment. The pallets were dropped off at a large Proctor & Gamble Dist Ctr.

I've driven 1900 miles the first 4 days, so I'm on pace for 6,000 miles for these 2 weeks. I'm curious about where they will send me from here.

I've also been working on my computer. I installed something called 'Fusion' which allows me to run Microsoft Windows on my Mac. It is really quite good. I need to access Windows to be able to backup my Blackberry and to access Outlook.

Some of you know this already, but for the rest of you, Frank has started a Blog on www.facemask.biz entitled Monday Morning Quarterback. Each week he will offer some analysis of the football in general and the NY Jets in particular. You can find the Blog by clicking on 'Chalkboard' after entering the website. Take a look if you have time.

I'll let you know where I'm heading once I'm informed. Have a nice day! - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Lima, OH

I'm in Memphis, TN. I dropped off the trailer in Olive Branch, MS late this afternoon. It was 100 when I arrived. Tomorrow morning I pick up an empty trailer in Gallager, TN and drive down to Southhaven, MS and pick up a load of pallets. I'll then take that load to Lima, OH and hopefully drop it off sometime Sunday. I drove just under 600 miles today.

Yesterday, I was able to drive over to Eyota, MN near Rochester on my way down to MS and pick up Tristan at his Dad's and take him out to lunch at a convenience store. It was fun. It was the first time he had taken a ride in the truck. He also helped me check it over (checked the tires with a hammer). We also ate our lunch in the truck.

Then I drove across on I-90 which merges with I-94 and goes through Madison, WI. I stopped there and had dinner with Erika, Pat, Sydney & Elsa. That was also fun. Those two girls sure are cute. I feel pretty lucky that it all worked out.

I don't need to get the trailer loaded tomorrow until 11:00 am so I'll be able to sleep in. I made a discovery that I sleep better in the truck than I do at home. Pretty weird.

I hope you all had a good day and I hope your weekend is a good one. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Olive Branch, MS

Good Morning - I'm in Blaine, MN waiting to hear where I'll be headed. The guy before me got back yesterday late afternoon, so I didn't need to start yesterday. I was ok with that. These weeks off are pretty taxing and I appreciated another day to rest up.

I had a great time in SF visiting Gene, Neil, Josh and Crish. I flew out with Kathy and Jim. I spent 3+ days at their house on Stinson Beach. We had good conversations, good food. It's a very comfortable place to stay. We watched some Dvd's, ordered shoes from NikeID and saw the new Bourne movie 'The Bourne Ultimatum'.

On Monday, I took Tristan and his step brothers out for lunch and a movie and then took Tristan down to his Dad's.

I've got the truck loaded with my stuff, which takes about 30 minutes, but now I'm all set. It'll be interesting to see where I'll be headed.

Just found out I'll be heading to Olive Branch, MS which is just south of Memphis. I need to be there by noon tomorrow. It's about 900 miles from here. I'm delivering store merchandise. (20,000 lbs) I'll let you know how it goes. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )

Bridge Collapse

A bridge on I-35w near the Metrodome and the U of M collapsed this evening. Whole sections of the bridge fell into the river. Phone lines are jammed so it is hard to call in or out. Greta and family are fine and I was in Red Wing when it happened. I did drive over the bridge yesterday on the way to Blaine. The bridge carried 100,000 cars a day and was built in 1967. It is reported 6 people have died. Fyi. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )