Shower, steak and eggs, hair cut, and a little down time. I feel like a human again.

[Tobin S.]

I'm in Effingham, Illinois and I'm just chilling for a little bit while I wait for my appointment to get my truck wrenched on. I've got an exhaust leak and my engine warning light comes on when I'm pulling a grade. I don't think it's going to cost a lot to get it fixed, but I won't know for certain until later this afternoon.

I always thought Effingham was a cool name for a town. It's basically a town built around a bunch of truck stops. My truck stop directory says that there are 6 of them here. There's a seventh that is defunct and also an International truck dealer where I'm going to get my truck worked on. There's also a truck wash where I'll be headed to after they get my truck fixed up.

How are you all doing today? Have you got any big plans for the weekend?

[woo me with science]

1. Y'know what?

I like you.

Just been meaning to say that. I think you have made a terrific turnaround in your whole attitude toward life, and it's pretty damned inspiring.

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts on here.

[Tobin S.]

4. Thank you very much. I appreciate the kind words.

It's been a long road, but I'm finally at a point in my life where I can truly say I'm happy. That is when the cops aren't giving me a hard time. I've been inspected seven times in the last 3 months. I haul a lot of hazmat and those placards all over my truck seem to just scream, "Pull me in and inspect me!"

[supernova]

2. ^^What they said^^

:D

I love reading your notes from the road. Something I won't be able to do, if ever. So, I live vicariously through you.

Me? Going to spend the weekend with the SO. May catch a movie, may go see the George Washington exhibit at the history museum. http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/washington/index.html

[Tobin S.]

5. Thank you

It sounds like you have a nice weekend planned. Let us know what you think of the exhibit.

[brendan120678]

3. Isn't Effingham, Illinois where they have...

that big-ass cross?

[Tobin S.]

6. Yes, there is one here. I can see it from where I'm sitting

I've seen a few more just like it in other parts of the country. There's one near Amarillo, Texas which I think was the world's largest crucifix for a long time. I know there's another one elsewhere, but I can't place it right now.

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. It's called Effing Ham because there's not a whole lot else to entertain the locals...

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[Tobin S.]

8. I guess farm kids learn about the ways of the world sooner than other kids

What are those pigs doing, daddy?

[elleng]

23. And there's Cow Tipping!!!

[MiddleFingerMom]

27. Not in Effingham!!!! In Effingham. they're not tipping...

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[elleng]

29. Lovely leaner!!!

I'll have some!

[TZ]

9. Hey

You'll probably see a lot of my weekend on your FB wall in the next couple of days..I'm going into DC for Jon Stewarts/Stephen Colberts Rally.....:hi:
And Effingham sounds a bit like Breezewood Pennsylvania, ya know? ;)

[Tobin S.]

10. Howdy

I had to cancel my facebook account due to some privacy issues. I might decide to open a new account that's more anonymous later on down the line. Have fun at the rally and give us a full report. Take pictures, too.

[TZ]

11. Definitely taking some pictures...

I'll report back here on Monday I think..

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

12. Your're driving through Breezewood?

I'd find an alternate route. I don't know why, but I just don't like Breezewood. It's not that big, so the traffic nightmare doesn't last very long.

:hi:

Have fun in DC. Don't you work in DC? Dunno where I got that idea.

[TZ]

17. I've driven THROUGH Breezewood about a brazillion times

I just mentioned it to Tobin cause I figure he'd know it and it sounded like the place he was at.
I live AND work in the Metro DC burbs....:)
And yes, I'm going to have fun tomorrow...:)

[fizzgig]

13. no big plans here

i work tonight and tomorrow morning (ick), going to my dad's to help him stack wood and work on my car tomorrow afternoon and then just football and time with my husband on sunday.

hope the repairs don't set you back too much :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear Tobin!

I'm glad you're feeling like a human again! I was just remembering how much fun we had last week when you were here!

My husband and I both enjoyed the banter at dinner...

I'm just chillin' out at the computer while the bathroom gets warm enough for my shower...no hurry today!

No big plans for the weekend. I've got the kids' candy all ready...

I hope your truck repairs don't set you back much...

Are you heading for home yet?

Safe travels, sweetie!

:hug:

[Tobin S.]

18. I might get a night at the house on Monday

But the way things are looking, I will only be there for a few hours. Then it will be back out west, more than likely.

[Rambis]

15. Steak and eggs

Only time I get it is when I am on the way up to MN for the fishing trip. I missed it last month so I will have to wait until next June if it works out. Enjoy the road stories!:hi:

[Swede]

16. I am gonna do a whole bunch of nothing.

Sleep in,watch some sports. I like the way you look at life Tobin.

[Kali]

19. Hi Tobin!

Effingham sounds like somebody half-trying to be polite. Sure it's not Fuckingham?:P

A shower can really change your perspective sometimes, eh? My weekend is going to consist of keeping an eye on the neighbors to the east - they are gathering their cattle for branding and shipping and I need to make sure they don't have any strays of ours. I know there is a big hole in the fence between us and there have been some cattle from both sides traveling back and forth. They have a tendency to fix the fence BEFORE I can get my stuff out and then my stuff will trash the fence again trying to come home so it has become a bit of a tiresome cycle.

Took the new pup and the medium-aged dumb old dog out for about 4 hours this morning - got some of our cattle back on the right side but saw a bunch more in there way up high on the mountain - too far for the truck OR my feets. The big dumb dog taught the new girl how to go in a pond - at first she was hovering around the edge trying to get a drink, but it is stirred up and muddy there - he kept going in and coming back out to roll in the dirt, then going back in - she finally just followed him and got this hilarious look on her face when she realized she was out there up to her ribs.:rofl:

Oh and it is now regular deer season I guess - there were at least three other vehicles out driving around this morning. That is why we never try to work cattle during this time - too many idiots out there getting in the way or stirring things up or even shooting too close.:scared:


There is a huge Celtic cross near here, and down by Sierra Vista is another one, plus a GIANT Madonna - installed by the same rich guy.

[Tobin S.]

20. Good luck with the cattle

And watch out for those pesky cattle haulers. I hear they're a crazy bunch. :)

I bet your new pup had never seen a pond or a lake before. It might be something new to her.

[panader0]

22. Yeah, I worked on that guy's house for a year

Four stories with an elevator, not counting the small observatory on the roof. His wife is the religious (Catholic) one. The rich guy (and his name escapes me at the moment) was a high school dropout that was involved somehow in the creation of the bar code.

[Kali]

26. Gerry Chouinard (yes I had to look it up)

Hey panadero! funny - the husband worked on the chapel - pulled some early mornings to get down there, he still talks about it.

found this slightly nauseating history, but the pix wouldn't load for me http://www.ourladyofthesierras.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37

[Rhiannon12866]

21. Hope that there's nothing serious wrong with your truck...

And that it's back in shape in short order. I just got my car fixed after the window fell down inside the door... It took a week for the part to come in... :( I'll be knocking on doors for my congressman this weekend. It's a close race here, especially with the teabaggers making noise and scaring senior citizens about "Obamacare..." *sigh* Every vote counts. Safe travels... :hi:

[Ikonoklast]

24. I'll be in Effingham around 0600 Sat. for my ten hour.

Fueling in Okemah OK right now; got a 2200 p/u in Carthage MO for a Monday delivery in PA.

That Binder dealer is a fair one, they won't rob you blind. Got my starter replaced there.

[Tobin S.]

25. That's good to know about the dealership

I'm still here. Hopefully, I'll get going here in a little bit, but if I'm still here in the morning maybe we can have a little meet up at one of these truck stops. That is if I can get a parking spot tonight. These places fill up quickly now days. I drove past one in Missouri the other day at about 6PM and that place was already filled up.

[hibbing]

28. Question for you Tobin

Hi Tobin,
Love your stories, always, always learn something. Dumb question for you, just how much does a truck wash cost? I hope the repairs don't damage you too much and you can get back to it. Keep posting please.

Peace

[Tobin S.]

30. At the place I was at last night a truck wash was $40,

if you wanted the trailer washed that was another $28.