I finally got the load adjusted this morning so that the weights are legal on all axles. The guy wanted 75 bucks but I gave him 50.
I started heading North and made it out of Florida, but had to stop at the state line to add more water to the radiator. I had just poured in 6 gallons before I left Jacksonville. I had to stop again about 30 minutes later and add another 3 gallons. I then had to stop again 30 minutes later, in Tifton, GA to add another 5.
That was it. I'd had enough of the bullshit. I called the office and told them there was no way I was going to continue this way, stopping every 30 minutes to put water in the radiator. The truck needed to go into a garage to have the problem fixed. I then got on the line with the boss and filled him in on the problem and told him I was ready to set a match to the damn truck.
I guess he could tell I was pretty irritated by the whole situation. I had already wasted way too much time just trying to get the load legal to move, and now the truck coolant problem was out of control. He told me that we needed to get the engine fixed and get the damaged bumper and fender fixed, and then we could set a match to it. Everything in the proper order.
That made me laugh, which was just what I needed. The bastard knows me too well. I immediately relaxed and put the whole thing back into the proper mental perspective. It's just more crap to deal with among a universe of crap that needs to be dealt with.
My life seems to be one big adventure. It's always something ( the very definition of adventure). I suppose if I had to choose between the bullshit and a boring, mundane lifestyle I would take the bullshit. I despise routine.
We found a diesel shop in Albany, all I had to do was get there. It was 39 miles, no big deal right? Right.
I called the shop and got directions. I filled the radiator with all of the water it would hold and set off to Albany, GA. Only 39 miles. Just outside of Albany I had to stop and put another 3 gallons of water into the radiator as the shutdown warning had started in the middle of a construction zone. I used every trick I knew to keep it running long enough to get me out of the construction and safely onto the shoulder.
I went into Albany, following the directions I was given, and realized that I was in no way in the right part of town. I called the garage and told the guy where I was (different guy). He said I had turned when I should have gone straight. That was all well and good but I was following the directions the other guy had given me, and the shutdown warning was blaring again.
I found an equipment rental yard with a lot big enough for my rig and pulled in. They were nice enough to give me enough water to get the engine running again and I headed back out to where the second guy said the garage was located. He was right and I found it. The damn shutdown warning came on again just as I pulled into their lot. The truck had gone through 6 gallons of water in less than 5 miles.
They took a quick look at things, said the new head was most likely defective, and suggested I call a cab and get a hotel room. I followed their advice.
After checking into the hotel I ventured out to get something for dinner and hopefully a nice cold beer or three. Across from the hotel I had my choice between Red Lobster and AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar. Hell, you can find a Red Lobster anywhere. I went into AJ's.
I had a pretty good time there. I enjoyed an excellent grouper sandwich and a few cold ones. The people there were very friendly. Every time I was ready to leave and return to my room someone else bought me a beer. It was a good time but I eventually excused myself, stopped by the package store next door to pick up a six pack, and returned to my room. I needed a bit of chilling out time.
I have no idea how long I'll be stuck here. They might have my truck fixed tomorrow, they might not. I may wind up spending the weekend here. Or not. The future is very uncertain, which is the way it should be.
I started out with a very bad attitude about all of this but I realized that it beats the hell out of a mundane routine life.
Or maybe it's just the beer.