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Yesterday, my boss told me that I'd hate him. He had informed one of our sales people that I'd have no problem taking a delivery to Modesto.
If you look at that map, you see something. Namely, that Modesto is hell and gone from where I normally roam. My usual territory can be loosely described as Hwy 680 from San Jose up to Hwy 4. Going to Modesto is not normal.
Add in the fact that it was a busy day, and I had a heavy load leaving the yard. Frustrations quickly mounted, as every damn stop had drama. Nobody available to help off load, nitpicking about the paperwork, difficult to find... You name it, it happened. Finally, I make my last drop in the Livermore Valley, pick up some boxes from one of our suppliers, and head over the Altamont Pass bound for the Central Valley.
Everything was fine, I was happily listening to my iPod (plugged into the tape deck, of course!) enjoying the air-conditioning, and making the transition from 120 East to 99 South when I notice something. My temperature gauge, which never moves, was suddenly climbing rapidly into danger zones. I take the next exit, and pull over. Check for leaks. None. Call in the problem, and let the truck sit. After about 20 minutes, i get back on the road, and promptly start overheating again.
Did I mention we're having our first heatwave of the year? High today in Modesto was 103.
I make it to a truck stop and check my water levels. This is not as easy as you might think. Remember, I drive a cab-over model truck. To get to the radiator, I have to lift the cab up on its hinges. This means lifting everything in the cab.. seats, dashboard, windshield. Normally, this is a 2-man operation. I did it alone. Twice. I carefully removed the radiator cap, and enjoyed my own private geyser for a moment. Let the engine cool, added water, checked the belts. Headed for my drop (which by that point was only a few miles away.) By the time I got there I was on the edge of overheating, and had the heater going full blast in an effort to keep the engine slightly cooler. Offloaded, started out, got five miles, and had to stop.
Repeat four or five times. At one stop (on a residential street in Manteca) a homeowner threatened to call the police because I was legally parked on a public street. Right.
I finally made it to Tracy and was resting at a big Chevron right off 205-West when da boss called. It had been decided that it was too risky for me to come back over the pass, and a tow would be sent. Commence to waiting, reading, and sweating.
Lots of sweating.
Eventually the tow arrives, and a longer time after that, we drop the my truck at the repair place. I clocked out at 2008. I clocked in at 0650. You do the math.
Tomorrow should be amusing. I was told today that my new truck will be here next week. I wonder if this incident will expedite that change-over.
If you look at that map, you see something. Namely, that Modesto is hell and gone from where I normally roam. My usual territory can be loosely described as Hwy 680 from San Jose up to Hwy 4. Going to Modesto is not normal.
Add in the fact that it was a busy day, and I had a heavy load leaving the yard. Frustrations quickly mounted, as every damn stop had drama. Nobody available to help off load, nitpicking about the paperwork, difficult to find... You name it, it happened. Finally, I make my last drop in the Livermore Valley, pick up some boxes from one of our suppliers, and head over the Altamont Pass bound for the Central Valley.
Everything was fine, I was happily listening to my iPod (plugged into the tape deck, of course!) enjoying the air-conditioning, and making the transition from 120 East to 99 South when I notice something. My temperature gauge, which never moves, was suddenly climbing rapidly into danger zones. I take the next exit, and pull over. Check for leaks. None. Call in the problem, and let the truck sit. After about 20 minutes, i get back on the road, and promptly start overheating again.
Did I mention we're having our first heatwave of the year? High today in Modesto was 103.
I make it to a truck stop and check my water levels. This is not as easy as you might think. Remember, I drive a cab-over model truck. To get to the radiator, I have to lift the cab up on its hinges. This means lifting everything in the cab.. seats, dashboard, windshield. Normally, this is a 2-man operation. I did it alone. Twice. I carefully removed the radiator cap, and enjoyed my own private geyser for a moment. Let the engine cool, added water, checked the belts. Headed for my drop (which by that point was only a few miles away.) By the time I got there I was on the edge of overheating, and had the heater going full blast in an effort to keep the engine slightly cooler. Offloaded, started out, got five miles, and had to stop.
Repeat four or five times. At one stop (on a residential street in Manteca) a homeowner threatened to call the police because I was legally parked on a public street. Right.
I finally made it to Tracy and was resting at a big Chevron right off 205-West when da boss called. It had been decided that it was too risky for me to come back over the pass, and a tow would be sent. Commence to waiting, reading, and sweating.
Lots of sweating.
Eventually the tow arrives, and a longer time after that, we drop the my truck at the repair place. I clocked out at 2008. I clocked in at 0650. You do the math.
Tomorrow should be amusing. I was told today that my new truck will be here next week. I wonder if this incident will expedite that change-over.
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