Stopped over in the Flying J at Jerome in Idaho, we were going to press on and get a bit further north but we had a lot of faxing to do and after a large meal of Salisbury steak, mash potato and sweet corn and a steaming hot shower we took a vote on staying put.
Well the vote was 2 - 0 in favour of staying so i just checked the map to make sure we could do the rest of the journey in 1 day. The answer was "Yes", it would take us 10 and a half hours to get to Coutts (the border) and as you know you then gain an extra 2 hours driving which was ample to get us into the 'Bridge.
Next morning it was "Hammer Down", cranking the cruise control up to the max to make the best possible time. The only stop we made was at the Pilot in Butte to give the beasts a drink and it was off again.
As we got into the northern part of Montana the fun started, we came out of the mountains and caught some horrendous side winds. It seemed to gust in both directions and the trailers were leaning right over. As each gust it the vehicle the trailer would jump half a lane sideways and lean right over.
It was one of those days where you just dont want to check in your mirrors.
Anyway we reached the border and it looked like there were going to be problems getting the loads thru. I took a chance and just gave my paperwork to the border guard, i was expecting them to be handed back as failed but unbelievebly he just smiled, stamped them and handed them back.
Andy was about 4 trucks back in the queue so i told him (on the CB) that i was good to go. Unfortunately Andy's load failed (sorry for laughing mate) and we took a walk up to the customs broker to get it sorted. 20 minutes later we were pulling out of the complex and making the last 60 mile burn up to Lethbridge.
Well that was the end of our little trip and we gave Andy a lift down to Raymond as he was staying with his cousin Jonny who is another driver with H&R. Well Andy left for Salt Lake City this morning and i leave for Waterloo Iowa tomorrow morning.
Safe journeys buddy, see you next time...........................
Lyndon,
ReplyDeleteYou say it was "hammer down" for 13hrs. What are the rules on continuous driving time? Surely you have to stop for a rest break sometime?
Andy
I would recomend downloading the various hand books and having a read thru.
ReplyDeleteYou dont have to take breaks and the American "Window of opportunity" is just that, and we don ike to waste it.
If you get pulled at a scale hough and the scale master thinks you are tired he can shut you down even if you are within your hours.
You must have heared that it is hard work over here, well they are not kidding.
You cant drive over here with a brit driver's "mindset".
Its good fun though LOL.
Mate, you are at serious risk of developing DVT if you are driving for 13hrs continuous!LOL
ReplyDeleteDoes H&R time the trips to the legal speed limits of each state, so that the run can be done at each states legal limit, and allow time for some rest, or do they time the runs so it's "hammer down" all the way to the delivery?
This is the "last cowboy adventure"
ReplyDeleteWhen did you see John Wayne get off his horse in the middle of a cattle run and take his "45 minutes".
QUOTE:
"Get off your horse and take your break" LOL