Today's journey started out well. Along the way, things began to unravel.
I arrived at my 1st stop early. However, I did not begin to be unloaded until after my appointment time due to various delays. During the unload, a piece of equipment (step stool) I use regularly in unloading trailers broke. Fortunately, I did not take a nose dive onto the floor when it did give way. Nevertheless, after yesterday's harrowing dock experience, I was pleased that I was in one piece when the equipment gave way.
Unfortunately, the unload took 45-minutes longer than anticipated. Consequently, there was a good chance that I'd be late to my 2nd and final stop of the day. I may have made it if not for the wonderful signs that Chicago puts on their Interstate system. Upon leaving my 1st stop and making my way towards the 2nd stop, I almost missed the I-294 southbound ramp from Cicero Avenue (south of Midway Airport). There is one sign post and that's it (turn left up ahead). Then there's no signpost indicating you're supposed to turn right onto the entrance ramp. Fortunately, my guess proved accurate (along with following a tour bus).
My next snafu came while attempting to go west on I-80 from I-294 (south). In going through the last toll on I-294, one needs to stay in the manual toll booth lanes rather than going through the i-pass express toll lanes. Why? Because if you go through the express lanes, there is no way to make the exit onto I-80 west. Therefore, I had to go towards Indiana on I-80 east, turn around, and then go through another toll booth in order to go on I-80 west. And there's a ton of construction (literally) going on that area. So, 45-minutes later, I finally was on my way out of the construction zone and heading towards my next exit (I-57 south). In a quasi-humorous way, I had heard on a Chicago radio station complaining this morning about the Interstate system not being as clearly marked as perhaps it could be. I can certainly drink to that.
My 2nd stop wasn't too miffed at my being late but they did express their disappointment. I borrowed a step-stool apparatus they had to unload the truck. After that, things went fairly smoothly. I decided to avoid as many tolls on the way back since I had incurred an extra one (even though it really wasn't my fault) going to my 2nd stop. However, even in early afternoon, traffic was backed-up in downtown Chicago causing further delay in getting back to the warehouse.
As a result of the day's delays, I was unable to take my assigned preplan for tomorrow (The Marquette, MI run). So, I have another early morning run to Chicago, IL.
The good thing is that I received a brand new step-stool ladder after returning to the warehouse. After a day like today, getting a new piece of equipment on the spot was much appreciated.
miles driven = 319
5:13:13 PM
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