This afternoon finds me in a hotel in Hagerstown, Maryland. I am on my way to Baltimore to deliver a fire truck and a generator.

The fire truck is a wide load, and, thanks to a toll booth worker who doesn't understand the rules, I was unable to make it to Baltimore before the afternoon rush hour curfew on wide loads went into effect. I'll be delivering tomorrow morning.

The toll booth worker stopped me as I was exiting the PA turnpike. Instead of taking my toll money she began berating me for not having a turnpike over-size permit. I tried to explain to her that my load was only ten feet wide, and the rules clearly state that a turnpike permit is required for loads that exceed ten feet in width.

Well, she kept insisting that the rules require a permit for loads ten feet and over, despite the fact that she had the rules in her hand and they clearly state it is required for loads that exceed ten feet, as I previously stated.

After 30 minutes of arguing with the woman, and furiously chomping on the stem of a Dr Grabow filled with Bishop's Move, I finally demanded that she summon her supervisor. At first she refused, but when I grabbed my cell phone and threatened to call the state police she acquiesced and called for her shift supervisor.

It took him all of ten seconds to comprehend the issue. He apologized to me and began berating her mercilessly. As I was climbing back into my rig I heard him saying that perhaps she needed to be suspended until she takes a reading comprehension class.

I just chuckled and went on my way.

Petty little people attempting to wield power they only imagine they posses can be highly annoying, but I don't let them get under my skin as I usually get the last laugh.

I am now almost over this nasty cold that has been bothering me for over a week now. Just a little lingering cough and a bit of sinus congestion remaining. My energy level is a still a tad low, but much better than it was a few days ago.

As it was still fairly early in the day when I got here, I checked into this hotel so that I could get some additional rest, in comfort, and to do a load of laundry. My truck is comfortable enough, but it's just too boring sitting in the truck for an extended period of time. You either sit in the driver's seat or lie on the bunk; those are about the only options.

I'll get an early start in the morning so that I hit Baltimore right at 9:00 am when the morning rush hour curfew ends. I need to deliver both stops and then get to Aberdeen, MD to reload before 2:00 pm. That'll be a little tough, but can be done if everything goes right (which it rarely does).