Pictures from the Road: Bustin Bugs and Mufflers, and the View Out of My Window

[Tobin S.]

I currently have the dirtiest truck in America. First of all, y'all got some bugs in South Dakota. I made it out to Sioux Falls with nary a busted bug on my truck, but as soon as the sun went down that all changed. I think there are more bugs in any given acre parcel of land in South Dakota than there are people in the entire state. Exhibit A:



I also had a little problem in Minnesota before I became the world's biggest fly swatter. I was cruising across I-90 there when I heard a loud thump and then three lesser thumps coming from the roof area behind me. Then I noticed that my truck sounded a little more rumbly than usual so I pulled into a rest area to take a look at things. The pipe that was on top of my muffler, called a stack, had fallen over onto a rail that goes across the back of the cab. I thought I just needed a new bracket there at first, but then I took a closer look and could see that the entire top of the muffler had become detached except for one small section that was the only reason why I didn't have to buy a stack as well as a muffler. I didn't think to snap a picture of the damage, I was too busy cussing, but I have a few here after the repair. Note: My truck isn't black, it's white. I had to drive about 3 hours to find a place that was open on the weekend and could make the repair. So all that soot that usually gets blown over the top of the truck ended up on my truck and trailer. For those of you worried about the pollution, they do have new emissions standards now for heavy duty trucks and diesel fuel that went into effect starting on trucks manufactured after 2006. My truck is older than that. A new muffler, new bracket, labor, and tax came to about $345.





And now for some pretty pictures. I got into Montana today and into its mountain ranges and couldn't believe my eyes- snow capped mountains in late July. The snow is hard to make out in the first couple of pics, it's off in the distance quite a bit, but you can see it pretty good in the last one.







I went through a couple of amazingly beautiful mountain passes as well, but it was unsafe to stop through there so no pics. I love coming up to the northwest. For sheer natural beauty, there's no place like it in the country.

Spell check isn't working for me so please pardon any misspellings. I've got to hop in the shower so I'll be a little bit in answering any questions you might have. It's about 6:20pm eastern right now. I'll talk to you in a bit.

[Haole Girl]

1. Ooooo

I love Montana. And I think it is some of the most beautiful country in the world. Glad you're enjoying your journeys! :hi:

[auntAgonist]

2. I really must stop looking at your threads ...

kidding of course. But I'm SO envious Tobin! These photos are great. I miss seeing the country from behind the wheel. D and I are heading for Pennsylvania next month so maybe I'll get a bit of the bug out of my system eh?

keep on truckin' and keep on posting your great photos.

:loveya:

aA
kesha


ps: give us a holler if and when you know you're coming back this way ok?

[Tobin S.]

3. I'll call you guys up if I ever find myself in Michigan

Probably not going to be doing too much up there, but we do have a terminal in Detroit and there's no saying for sure where the backhauls will take me. I'm glad you are enjoying my trucking threads. I'll tell you what, if you ever feel the pull of the road again, drive through Chicago a couple of times during rush hour. That might cure you of the wanderlust. :)

[auntAgonist]

5. That was the ONE place I used to beg my dispatcher

NOT to send me. LOL. He would however send me there if he could send someone with me, if there were two loads.
He always said Chicago wasn't safe for a woman to drive to alone. I didn't feel unsafe. I just hated the traffic.

And WHY do they call it rush hour when NOTHING moves?


:)

call anytime Tobin.

[Tobin S.]

6. Tell D to get his CDL so you can go trucking togther

That right there is what you need to do. :thumbsup:

[auntAgonist]

10. Uh Tobin. I do all the driving for a reason ...

I don't like his driving.

I tell him that all the time.

I can't imaging him driving a truck. OMG the clutch repairs alone would bankrupt us.

:rofl:

[rug]

4. If you get this you can play checkers with the bugs.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear Tobin!

Ah, wonderful pictures, bugs, snow, and all...well, I know you could have done without the repair ones!

I'm really glad you're having a great time ...

Take care, drive safe, and keep on writing!

:hug:

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. Count your bug blessings...

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...I knew better, of course... but it took one (and only one, EVER) big ol'
juicy gooey bug to teach me to ALWAYS smile tight-lipped on a motorcycle.
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PAH!!!!!!!
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Pah. PahPah. PahPahPah (gag) Pah. Etc., etc., etc.
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[handmade34]

9. love the pictures

myself, I'm stuck in Texas for the next 6 weeks, then AL, VA, NY, MI, MN, KS, CO and then will be headed up to Washington ...love it.

Drive yourself careful!

[mike_c]

11. keep 'em coming!

Great pics!