". . . but I have MILES TO GO before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep." Robert Frost

Nice drive out to Indiana yesterday then headed up to Michigan. Got up this a.m., switched an empty trailer for one loaded with Cheerios and started back to Pennsylvania under blue skies. But the air compressor which pumps air into our brake and suspension systems kept coming on. The guages showed me losing air pressure, the compressor would build it back up and cut off, and the pressure wwould drop again. Thought it might be ice in the airlines to the brakes (it was about 10 degrees) which can be dissolved with an alcohol solution poured into those air lines you see hanging between the tractor and trailer. But when I pulled over I notice the air boags on the right side of the tractor were flat - the air was rushing in but no seal was there so the air just bled out like if your car tire deflated so much the tire seal to the rim breaks. Used the satellite keyboard to check with the service dept. who told me to sit and wait for a wrecker cause the uneven suspension can cause the wheel bearings on that axel to burn up. All in all it was quick, they showed up, tried a few fixes that didn't work, and then had me follow them 5 miles to the shop. It took 5 hours but they have an arrangement with a local Freightliner shop to open the parts dept. on request for a fee. They gave me a lift to a nearby truckstop for a shower and tv (it was either that or the nudie bar next to the shop, but 11am is a wee bit early for that!). They got the repair done and I was back on the road by 4pm.

I'll be late for the delivery appt. tomorrow because of the new hours of service rules. I can't drive my legal 11 hours today because that would go beyond a 14 hour work day when you add in my 6 hours getting the truck worked on. That's a 2nd circumstance in less than 2 months that these new rules are shown to be totally unrealistic for our normal business operations.
Oh well, not my problem! Time to check the weather and see what PA has in storre for me tomorrow. I'll deliver thisin the afternoon then take the evening off - the truck is scheduled for regular maintenance at the New Kingstown terminal Tuesday morning. Maybe time for some cemetery exploring in Carlisle to search for some Brandon ghosts!