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#1
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The Timer-Enabled Roadcat
The last few days have been intersting. We ended up spending up two days
in LaPine, OR. The territory there is so beautiful that we had to take two kitten walks a day, one in the wee hours of the morning and one at night. Harri absolutely loved that! We then picked up a load in Springfield, OR. Springfield means Kingsford Charcoal, and they usually give me just over 45000 pounds. This time, though, I guess the gods of trucking smiled on me as I only got 25000 pounds. Makes the hills a lot easier. We then made it as far as Klamath Falls, OR before we stopped. Klamath Falls is a pretty place. The 18 Wheeler Truck Stop just south of town is not. And the open field on the south edge of the truck stop is worse. It's rough ground littered with broken bricks, an occasional piece of lumber, and a big stack of railroad ties in the middle, bordered on all four sides by ditches full of stagnant water. But it's the only area available for kitten walking, so that's where we went. Harri found a big clump of weeds to explore, and apparently heard something moving underneath. She sat watching and listening to it for a few minutes then started squirming deeper under the brush. I stopped her, not knowing if whatever was under there might have teeth. Harri gave me a look of total disgust, something that said "how can I find out what's under there if I don't go look?" The longer we walked that night, the more uneasy I became. When we got within about 50 feet of the stack of railroad ties I was so uneasy I could hardly stand it. I wouldn't let Harri get any closer, then started us working our way out of the field. That entire walk lasted only 30 minutes. And in the morning I did NOT take her for another walk. We then ran across the south end of Oregon into the California end of the Klamath Valley, over to US395, then south to Nevada and Interstate 80. We're now in Fernley, NV. This truck stop has a really nice kitty walk territory - a big stretch of open desert. We did a night time kitten walk and a pre-dawn kitten walk, and Harri is now napping on the dash as I finish this message and get us ready to roll for Las Vegas (we get to spend two whole days sitting in Las Vegas, waiting for our receiving customer to open). That brings me to my observation about the little stripey orange Roadcat - she is very time aware. When I climb in to the sleeper, if the next day's schedule requires that we be on the road by a particular time I set the alarm and tell Harri about the time I'm setting the alarm for. Without fail, anywhere from 3 minutes (today) to 20 minutes (normal) before the alarm goes off I will be awakened by a "mrrrqueak-squeak-purr" coming from my bunk. If I ignore her this will be followed by Harri washing my nose or whatever other part of my head is easiest to reach. It is quite remarkable! Harri seems to understand when I tell her what time I need to get, knows when that time is approaching, and knows how to wake me up. I am very impressed. Of course, if we've had a long day's drive and have a couple hours to spare, I tend to spend those couple extra hours sleeping. Since Harri gets very bored when I sleep, I can plan on those days (like this morning) getting the wakeup squeaks a few *hours* in advance as well. I tell her "thank you, beautiful girl, but it's still 3 hours til I have to get up". She grudgingly accepts that and let's me get back to sleep. Good thing I'm able to get back to sleep! |
#2
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Dan M wrote: The last few days have been intersting. We ended up spending up two days in LaPine, OR. The territory there is so beautiful that we had to take two kitten walks a day, one in the wee hours of the morning and one at night. Harri absolutely loved that! We then picked up a load in Springfield, OR. Springfield means Kingsford Charcoal, and they usually give me just over 45000 pounds. This time, though, I guess the gods of trucking smiled on me as I only got 25000 pounds. Makes the hills a lot easier. We then made it as far as Klamath Falls, OR before we stopped. Klamath Falls is a pretty place. The 18 Wheeler Truck Stop just south of town is not. And the open field on the south edge of the truck stop is worse. It's rough ground littered with broken bricks, an occasional piece of lumber, and a big stack of railroad ties in the middle, bordered on all four sides by ditches full of stagnant water. But it's the only area available for kitten walking, so that's where we went. Harri found a big clump of weeds to explore, and apparently heard something moving underneath. She sat watching and listening to it for a few minutes then started squirming deeper under the brush. I stopped her, not knowing if whatever was under there might have teeth. Harri gave me a look of total disgust, something that said "how can I find out what's under there if I don't go look?" The longer we walked that night, the more uneasy I became. When we got within about 50 feet of the stack of railroad ties I was so uneasy I could hardly stand it. I wouldn't let Harri get any closer, then started us working our way out of the field. That entire walk lasted only 30 minutes. And in the morning I did NOT take her for another walk. We then ran across the south end of Oregon into the California end of the Klamath Valley, over to US395, then south to Nevada and Interstate 80. We're now in Fernley, NV. This truck stop has a really nice kitty walk territory - a big stretch of open desert. We did a night time kitten walk and a pre-dawn kitten walk, and Harri is now napping on the dash as I finish this message and get us ready to roll for Las Vegas (we get to spend two whole days sitting in Las Vegas, waiting for our receiving customer to open). That brings me to my observation about the little stripey orange Roadcat - she is very time aware. When I climb in to the sleeper, if the next day's schedule requires that we be on the road by a particular time I set the alarm and tell Harri about the time I'm setting the alarm for. Without fail, anywhere from 3 minutes (today) to 20 minutes (normal) before the alarm goes off I will be awakened by a "mrrrqueak-squeak-purr" coming from my bunk. If I ignore her this will be followed by Harri washing my nose or whatever other part of my head is easiest to reach. It is quite remarkable! Harri seems to understand when I tell her what time I need to get, knows when that time is approaching, and knows how to wake me up. I am very impressed. Of course, if we've had a long day's drive and have a couple hours to spare, I tend to spend those couple extra hours sleeping. Since Harri gets very bored when I sleep, I can plan on those days (like this morning) getting the wakeup squeaks a few *hours* in advance as well. I tell her "thank you, beautiful girl, but it's still 3 hours til I have to get up". She grudgingly accepts that and let's me get back to sleep. Good thing I'm able to get back to sleep! I love your Harri stories, Dan. It really makes me wish DS had a companion, although I don't want him to get another cat. The more I think about it, Harri's really got it better than a lot of house cats. What most people don't realize is that those truck cabs/sleepers are as big as a small bedroom. And she has constant companionship, scritches anytime she wants to climb into the driver's side, and regular walks on top of all that! A lot of cats should be so lucky. Tell Harri to purr for DS. He is stuck in Memphis with a shattered windshield. Sherry |
#3
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#4
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Dan M wrote:
The last few days have been intersting. We ended up spending up two days in LaPine, OR. The territory there is so beautiful that we had to take two kitten walks a day, one in the wee hours of the morning and one at night. Harri absolutely loved that! We then picked up a load in Springfield, OR. Springfield means Kingsford Charcoal, and they usually give me just over 45000 pounds. This time, though, I guess the gods of trucking smiled on me as I only got 25000 pounds. Makes the hills a lot easier. We then made it as far as Klamath Falls, OR before we stopped. Klamath Falls is a pretty place. The 18 Wheeler Truck Stop just south of town is not. And the open field on the south edge of the truck stop is worse. It's rough ground littered with broken bricks, an occasional piece of lumber, and a big stack of railroad ties in the middle, bordered on all four sides by ditches full of stagnant water. But it's the only area available for kitten walking, so that's where we went. Harri found a big clump of weeds to explore, and apparently heard something moving underneath. She sat watching and listening to it for a few minutes then started squirming deeper under the brush. I stopped her, not knowing if whatever was under there might have teeth. Harri gave me a look of total disgust, something that said "how can I find out what's under there if I don't go look?" The longer we walked that night, the more uneasy I became. Go with your feelings. Something wasn't right there. When we got within about 50 feet of the stack of railroad ties I was so uneasy I could hardly stand it. I wouldn't let Harri get any closer, then started us working our way out of the field. That entire walk lasted only 30 minutes. And in the morning I did NOT take her for another walk. Again, go with your feelings. I've learned to live with mine. I get the uneasies sometimes and they have always done right by me. We then ran across the south end of Oregon into the California end of the Klamath Valley, over to US395, then south to Nevada and Interstate 80. We're now in Fernley, NV. This truck stop has a really nice kitty walk territory - a big stretch of open desert. We did a night time kitten walk and a pre-dawn kitten walk, and Harri is now napping on the dash as I finish this message and get us ready to roll for Las Vegas (we get to spend two whole days sitting in Las Vegas, waiting for our receiving customer to open). Awww, you need to take a pic of Harri snoozing That brings me to my observation about the little stripey orange Roadcat - she is very time aware. When I climb in to the sleeper, if the next day's schedule requires that we be on the road by a particular time I set the alarm and tell Harri about the time I'm setting the alarm for. Without fail, anywhere from 3 minutes (today) to 20 minutes (normal) before the alarm goes off I will be awakened by a "mrrrqueak-squeak-purr" coming from my bunk. If I ignore her this will be followed by Harri washing my nose or whatever other part of my head is easiest to reach. It is quite remarkable! Harri seems to understand when I tell her what time I need to get, knows when that time is approaching, and knows how to wake me up. I am very impressed. Awwww! She washes your nose! (giggling) Of course, if we've had a long day's drive and have a couple hours to spare, I tend to spend those couple extra hours sleeping. Since Harri gets very bored when I sleep, I can plan on those days (like this morning) getting the wakeup squeaks a few *hours* in advance as well. I tell her "thank you, beautiful girl, but it's still 3 hours til I have to get up". She grudgingly accepts that and let's me get back to sleep. Good thing I'm able to get back to sleep! Your Roadcat stories are a work of art! Harri is a work of art Jill |
#5
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I love your Harri stories, Dan. It really makes me wish DS had a companion, although I don't want him to get another cat. The more I think about it, Harri's really got it better than a lot of house cats. What most people don't realize is that those truck cabs/sleepers are as big as a small bedroom. And she has constant companionship, scritches anytime she wants to climb into the driver's side, and regular walks on top of all that! A lot of cats should be so lucky. Tell Harri to purr for DS. He is stuck in Memphis with a shattered windshield. Sherry Oh dear! He's stuck in Memphis?! Maybe he and I could meet for lunch. Memphis isn't that bad a place (although I'm a few miles outside of it). Jill From what I gather, he's at a "terminal" -- truck driver term of which I'm not exactly sure--but I think he has most of the comforts to make it not so bad, showers, food--even has a TV, laptop and Sega/Nintnedo in the truck, so he's probably pretty comfortable--he's only 23, you know how 23-year-old bachelors can kind of roll with anything. He is a long-haul truck driver, like Dan. That is a really sweet offer, Jill. Memphis is a neat place. I told him he ought to get a cab and see some sights while h e's waiting. Sherry |
#6
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#7
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jmcquown wrote: wrote: I love your Harri stories, Dan. It really makes me wish DS had a companion, although I don't want him to get another cat. The more I think about it, Harri's really got it better than a lot of house cats. What most people don't realize is that those truck cabs/sleepers are as big as a small bedroom. And she has constant companionship, scritches anytime she wants to climb into the driver's side, and regular walks on top of all that! A lot of cats should be so lucky. Tell Harri to purr for DS. He is stuck in Memphis with a shattered windshield. Sherry Oh dear! He's stuck in Memphis?! Maybe he and I could meet for lunch. Memphis isn't that bad a place (although I'm a few miles outside of it). Jill From what I gather, he's at a "terminal" -- truck driver term of which I'm not exactly sure--but I think he has most of the comforts to make it not so bad, showers, food--even has a TV, laptop and Sega/Nintnedo in the truck, so he's probably pretty comfortable--he's only 23, you know how 23-year-old bachelors can kind of roll with anything. He is a long-haul truck driver, like Dan. That is a really sweet offer, Jill. Memphis is a neat place. I told him he ought to get a cab and see some sights while h e's waiting. Sherry Well hey, I wasn't trying to take your 23 year old away from you! LOL Silly girl. I knew that. It's just so incredibly kind of you to make that kind of offer. You know what, I have been trying to remember where it is they have the Memphis Belle on display. Do you know? Sherry |
#9
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I love your Harri stories, Dan. It really makes me wish DS had a
companion, although I don't want him to get another cat. The more I think about it, Harri's really got it better than a lot of house cats. What most people don't realize is that those truck cabs/sleepers are as big as a small bedroom. And she has constant companionship, scritches anytime she wants to climb into the driver's side, and regular walks on top of all that! A lot of cats should be so lucky. Tell Harri to purr for DS. He is stuck in Memphis with a shattered windshield. Company terminals vary from city to city and company to company. I used to drive for the same folks your son does and have been to the Memphis terminal - it's not bad. Place to sit and chat with other drivers, TV room, reasonably clean free showers, laundry facilities, not far from restaurants, etc. I sure hope the Memphis shop is faster than that same company's Phoenix, AZ shop! Harri doesn't seem to mind living on the truck with me, though this time out she does seem to be geting pretty bored with the long driving stretches. This weekend will be rough on her - we're parked in Las Vegas. We arrived her at 2 PM Saturday, and can't deliver until 5 PM Monday. That's a lot of idle time for a kitty! We'll have to see if we can locate some decent kitty walk territory here in the north end. Dan |
#10
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On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 06:12:11 -0700, Dan M wrote:
The last few days have been intersting. We ended up spending up two days in LaPine, OR. The territory there is so beautiful that we had to take two kitten walks a day, one in the wee hours of the morning and one at night. Harri absolutely loved that! We then picked up a load in Springfield, OR. Springfield means Kingsford Charcoal, and they usually give me just over 45000 pounds. This time, though, I guess the gods of trucking smiled on me as I only got 25000 pounds. Makes the hills a lot easier. We then made it as far as Klamath Falls, OR before we stopped. Klamath Falls is a pretty place. The 18 Wheeler Truck Stop just south of town is not. And the open field on the south edge of the truck stop is worse. It's rough ground littered with broken bricks, an occasional piece of lumber, and a big stack of railroad ties in the middle, bordered on all four sides by ditches full of stagnant water. But it's the only area available for kitten walking, so that's where we went. Harri found a big clump of weeds to explore, and apparently heard something moving underneath. She sat watching and listening to it for a few minutes then started squirming deeper under the brush. I stopped her, not knowing if whatever was under there might have teeth. Harri gave me a look of total disgust, something that said "how can I find out what's under there if I don't go look?" The longer we walked that night, the more uneasy I became. When we got within about 50 feet of the stack of railroad ties I was so uneasy I could hardly stand it. I wouldn't let Harri get any closer, then started us working our way out of the field. That entire walk lasted only 30 minutes. And in the morning I did NOT take her for another walk. We then ran across the south end of Oregon into the California end of the Klamath Valley, over to US395, then south to Nevada and Interstate 80. We're now in Fernley, NV. This truck stop has a really nice kitty walk territory - a big stretch of open desert. We did a night time kitten walk and a pre-dawn kitten walk, and Harri is now napping on the dash as I finish this message and get us ready to roll for Las Vegas (we get to spend two whole days sitting in Las Vegas, waiting for our receiving customer to open). That brings me to my observation about the little stripey orange Roadcat - she is very time aware. When I climb in to the sleeper, if the next day's schedule requires that we be on the road by a particular time I set the alarm and tell Harri about the time I'm setting the alarm for. Without fail, anywhere from 3 minutes (today) to 20 minutes (normal) before the alarm goes off I will be awakened by a "mrrrqueak-squeak-purr" coming from my bunk. If I ignore her this will be followed by Harri washing my nose or whatever other part of my head is easiest to reach. It is quite remarkable! Harri seems to understand when I tell her what time I need to get, knows when that time is approaching, and knows how to wake me up. I am very impressed. Of course, if we've had a long day's drive and have a couple hours to spare, I tend to spend those couple extra hours sleeping. Since Harri gets very bored when I sleep, I can plan on those days (like this morning) getting the wakeup squeaks a few *hours* in advance as well. I tell her "thank you, beautiful girl, but it's still 3 hours til I have to get up". She grudgingly accepts that and let's me get back to sleep. Good thing I'm able to get back to sleep! Are there any "big cats" in the Klamath Falls rural area? Trust your uneasy feelings. Purrs for your safety on night walks. MLB |
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