Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Heat Of The Road

We're back on the road, but instead of heading east, we've gone west to California.  From the frying pan, into the fire.  The freight sucks in Arizona, but at least we got a load out.  Unfortunately, it was going to California, a state we've generally been boycotting.  But, we didn't have to deadhead anywhere and we're hoping we can find something that will take us back across the country.

Passing through Coachella today, the dashboard display showed that it was 123 degrees outside.  I don't know if that number was entirely accurate because once we started moving, it cooled off a bit - to 119.  In any case, three digit temperatures are unnatural.  Sure, there are lots of places in the world with temperatures that high, but I really don't want to be anywhere near them.  Palm Springs wasn't any better - we registered 113 there.  I can't even believe people consider going to Palm Springs a "vacation". 

I really need to get out of the heat, because as my mother recently commented, she's never heard anyone talk about, and complain about, the hot weather as much as I do.  I know, I know.  I can't help it.  And I don't really know why it's such a surprise to her, since I was the one who hated wearing feetsie pajamas, or a hat and scarf, when I was a kid.  I was born with a hot gene. 

But I just can't think of anything else when the weather is so insanely hot.  It takes over my brain.  I can't function.  All I can think about is how hot the sun feels on my arm, how much my head is sweating, how my retinas are burning from the brightness, how I have to go outside if I want to go to the post office/grocery store/pizza joint/mall.  I feel trapped.   

Ed was looking back over our logs while we were home and determined that we've already taken 100 days off this year.  So it looks like the next three months are going to straight-up work - well, with breaks for going home to vote on November 6th, and then Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We're also going to be taking a class at the beginning of December, so we'll have to squeeze that in. 

OK, all of a sudden it seems like I've got a lot to do.  Where the hell am I going to fit in Christmas shopping??

Amazon, here I come!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2011:
My Super Handsome Man
2010:
It All Started With Betty
2009:
Traffic Stopping Skyline
2008:
When You Are Proud To Be Told Your Roots Are Showing
2007:
Engulfed In Color
2006:
Fish And Loaves Of Bread Are Not The Only Things He Is Generous With
2005:
23 Things

3 comments:

ELH said...

Salena, I'm in total agreement with you on the heat..and you're not complaining, everywhere I went this year, the heat was one of the main topics,as well as the drought..now that we're in the fall, the weather is gettiing beautiful and cool..aaahhh, finally..and looking forward to that first snow..
Did you realize that this month will mark one year since the "plums" went missing?? I often wonder whatever happened to Michelle and Kendall..have you ever heard from them?? I know you were their main inspiration and mentor for them to begin their trucking careers..

The Daily Rant said...

ELH: OK, I'm glad I'm not the only one who's having a hard time with the constant heat. Fall is my favorite season, so I can't wait until we get in an area where I can see some leaves changing and feel that crisp air!

As for the plum trucker - I have NO IDEA what happened to her. She just stopped blogging, has not returned any of the emails I sent her, has never contacted us, her future mother-in-law even unfriended me on Facebook. So I guess I did something to piss her off and she's just not capable of saying what it was. I gave her plenty of opportunity, I apologized if I said something that offended her, I offered to make things right if we did something to piss them off, but we got absolutely no response in return. I actually think it's a litlte rude and inconsiderate, considering that we (especially Ed) offered up a lot of his experience, but I guess you can't assess someone's true character through emails. Or even when you meet them in person! What can you do, right?

ELH said...

So true, but I'm sure you and Ed with your experiences and positive attitudes and enjoyable blog postings have inspired many other people, and that should give you some joy knowing that..