Uh-oh!!

Well, I had my first boo-boo.  My first boo-boo since 1998.  I've only been at fault for one accident in my life and it was in 1998 when I was a young driver and I was following too close and rear-ended a car in a pickup truck.  It wasn't too bad, I paid a few hundred to fix the victim's trunk and bumper and it was over with. 

Last Tuesday, I laid my trailer over on it's side.  It was awful.  I was dumping in the very back where we take certain loads that set of radioactive alarms.  (Side note - they have always turned out false, we don't haul or take in ANYTHING radioactive!)  I was dumping like normal on some muddy ground and I got 3 1/2 cylinders up out of 5 and nothing had come out.  Almost every time, it falls after 3 cylinders.  So, I stopped and began bringing my trailer down to see what was going on.  It started to lean to the right a little.  So, quickly, I released the brakes and put it into 1st gear to pull forward and change the momentum from side to the back.  But, it was too late.  It wasn't coming down fast enough and it fell over on it's side!! 



Trailer on it's right side, still hooked up to the truck, tilted in the air.

The wrecker was called out and he had it set upright by 7:30AM.  The trailer fell over at 1:30AM.  Not too bad.  It cost $1,550 to have the wrecker do that.  OUCH!  I drove the rig back to Snyder.  Last week, the insurance adjuster came out and did looked it over and ordered the repairs.  Friday, I took the trailer to Lubbock, TX to get repaired.  The truck is in Abilene getting it's repairs.

The trailer's frame is mangled pretty bad.  It is estimated to cost $20,000 to $30,000 to fix.  The truck's frame and cab are damaged as well.  Possibly $7,000 to repair.  Luckily, the truck stayed upright, but it was still damaged.  It all came down to unstable ground (mud) that gave way, the load being packed in way too tight (the load didn't even come out when it was flung down on it's side!), and me not getting it down fast enough. 

I gotta tell you, it was pretty scary.  I am fine.  It was sure loud!  But going forward, you can never be too careful!!

So, on to happier things.  It snowed!!  I know it's common to have snow where you guys live maybe once a year.  Out here, we get it maybe 3 to 6 times per year.  We have to be careful when driving on snow especially when the temperature dips below freezing (32 degrees).  Ice is formed where moisture collects on the road and makes it very dangerous to drive on.  It's hard to stop, steer, or change lanes on ice.  The roads are usually kept clear with snow plows, sand and salt put down on the road making it safe for drivers.  (SALT?!? - Salt keeps water from freezing so easily.  It would be a cool easy experiment in class.  Check out the difference between water freezing with and without ice in it!)  But we make sure we slow down and drive with careful attention when it's like that! 

Yeah, it got cold out here in West Texas!!  If you want to check out your map, the snow stopped in Santo, Texas.  If you went WEST of there, there was snow on the ground.  If you went EAST of there (towards Saginaw/Fort Worth), no snow.  Funny, Santo.  Santa.  Snow.  Hmmm......are we going to have a white Christmas??

I am in truck #10, now.  I've still been running to Midlothian, TX about every night.  I'm trying to make these night runs easier on me and my family. I've been trying to leave earlier (7:00PM) and getting back earlier (4:00AM).  It means I'm awake with my family more during the day!

We replaced an old toilet in our house.  That left us with a big box, so I had an idea while I was hanging out with Lindsey.  I cut the top off and cut a door and some windows in it.  Talk about fun!!  She has been running in and out of it, throwing balls in and out of it, and sitting with the cat in there!!  Funny how the simple things can be so fun!! 

I hope you guys had a great weekend.  I'm sorry it's been a while since I last blogged.  My sleep patterns and week had been VERY BAD after I had that layover.  I'll be better!!



Christmas is almost here!!!  Are you guys excited?

I know you have Christmas break coming up soon!  I will keep trying to blog through the holidays.  So, if you're at home and want to keep up with me, you can!!  Have a great week!!  --Mr. Walker