The Year of 2013 started with final payment and ownership of a 2007 Freightliner. It also started with icy weather in Arkansas. So much has been done to get this far, to include “weathering the storm”, and sitting it out when it was unsafe. But this year, as an Independent Contractor, with the ability to choose my own loads, the idea of avoiding any weather became a challenge from the start. With an alphabet gone through with winter weather, it had a pause before tornadoes became a concern, since much of my time was south and west. My choices in loads did not keep me from working north, and much of my running north was preceding another snow event, only to roll south before its arrival. The process kept me moving, and the challenge of rolling north to south, and back again, was extremely exhausting.

When Moore, Oklahoma was struck, it was still an after thought. But when only eleven days later, and the death toll included some of the most experienced storm chasers, deciding how to work in a different part of the region became the next best option. Now the strategy was to work east to west, and stay north as the spring season matures. The idea is two fold; first, watch the weather, and roll west to meet up with any appending storms, with the challenge to keep ahead of the pace, and head east ahead or behind it (depending on if I took a restart in a safe place, and let it rain). If I were to stay ahead, looking back whenever possible would give me the option of going south or north to be in the least hazards of the appending storm. Its a strategy, nothing more. There will be times where no matter how it is played, the delay in loads, the maintenance of a semi, and the occasional miscalculation, will always lead to being in the path of mother nature.

Keeping with this concept, by Summer, I will again become proficient with the New England area, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Staying in casual weather is more for the truck, trailer, and the loads benefit. Extreme temperatures seem to make for more wear and tear on rubber materials; and so, to get the most out of the miles with the least time for breakdowns,  I started in May, with preventive maintenance and parts replacements to do my best to keep rolling.

I’ll continue to play this strategy. It also allows me to feel comfortable, and enjoy cooler weather. I do need to get back to staying focused on all my other projects though. The Oklahoma City Tornado threw my routine off, as I joined in with the rest to pay attention and pray for those most affected. The thoughts and prayers continue to be expressed.