Bakersfield,CA

Reminds me of that song that Buck Owens & Dwight Yoakum sang. Anyway, made it here around 2100 tonight. Our appointment is in Tulare,CA in the morning at 0700 and it is only about 60 miles from here so we stopped here for the night. We saw the IdleAire and figured it was a good place to stay since they have these stupid no idling rules here in California and they are out and about writing tickets for people that are even using their APU's. This state has some dumbass rules. I would really love for the lawmakers that make these rules to come and live the life of a truck driver for a week and see what it is like when we aren't able to idle. I would like to see them sweat their ass off in the 100 plus degree weather and see how comfortable they are. One night isn't enough. They may be able to make it one night, but how about a full week. I would like to see how fatigued they are at the end of the week working the hours that we do and not having a single good nights sleep because it is too damn hot. It is simply ridiculous for them to think we can do it and then drive safely. I would love to see a solo driver offer to take someone out that was very Pro Anti Idling. We couldn't because we are a team. But a solo driver could do it. First I imagine that not a single lawmaker would take them up on that offer. And second, if by some chance someone did, I can just see them making up some excuse on the second or maybe third day so that they would get out of having to do it for a full week. They expect us to deliver every single damn thing that they use but yet by having no idling policies, it makes it to where the working conditions are no better than people working in third world countries or in sweat shops. And don't even get me started on the insane speed limits of 55mph for trucks when tour buses, Greyhound, large RV's and every other passenger car can go 70 mph. Tell he how that is safe. It isn't safe for us to go 15 mph slower than everyone else. Especially when cars are going at minimum 75, which puts them 20 mph faster than us. Ok, sorry, said not to get me started on that......

Anyhoo......Once we got in here we got another window adapter from IdleAire to fit the truck since we have the top mirror on the passenger side window. Got a TV from them and I cooked dinner. When we were at Walmart I picked up a box meal for $10.99 that had two 8 oz steaks, two twice baked potatoes, veggies and a mushroom garlic sauce. So I grabbed the George Foreman grill out and cooked the steaks. Then threw the rest of the stuff in the microwave and viola! Completely wonderful meal in about 15 minutes. I know I have said this before, but we are loving having the APU to be able to cook.

I was thinking earlier today about how much fun we have been having while we have been out here on the road. It is still hard to belive that we up and quit careers in law enforcement to come and drive a truck but I wouldn't change it for a thing. We get to spend quality time together, we get to see the country, we get to see so many things that other people don't get to. It isn't easy, especially having your own truck. I am finding that we have to be constantly on top of things, but I still wouldn't change it. We are so happy doing this. I guess I have a little bit of nomad in me. We both must. Enough about that, just thought I would share.....