Before his surgery I went on a couple runs with him for work. I don't mind getting on the truck with him & going to different places, I just tend to get a little bored! Needless to say, this has been quite the experience for me on this trip!
The state of North Dakota is very flat & has green rolling hills that is mainly farmland. In sporadic places you will see farm animals (more on that later), tons of rundown houses that people still live in, lots of pickup & semi trucks, railroad, and travel trailers. Most of the towns are really small...if you blink, you'll miss it! Although Bismarck, Minot, & Williston are rather large. We went to the mall a couple times in Minot while we were waiting to run a load somewhere. Bismarck is where Josh had his surgery and where the airport I flew in and out of. But that was the extent of my time in Bismarck. We drove through Williston on our way to Montana for run. I was surprised how booming it was. It reminded me of Vegas when all the building and construction was going on before the economy collapsed.
My experience riding along in the truck is quite comical to me...I don't know how Josh puts up with me, he's so patient (with me anyway). I can never hear what he is saying to me because its so noisy in the truck. On the first day I went with him, the wind was blowing so hard I couldn't hear him and I thought my door was going to fly off! Josh said the wind blows really hard in North Dakota and tornados can form (great that's all I need to know).
So that first day wasn't too bad. It was the couple days after Josh's surgery I began having issues with. First of all, I had an issue with Josh because he's not suppose to be working and I just wanted him to rest until I left! And then the length of the run we did....holy crap! I had no idea! We drove to Montana. The drive was pretty, but long! And of course Josh hurts from his surgery so I am worried about him. He can't bend to put on his pants or shoes. I had to help him get his jeans and boots on. I have to get his boots on him just like a little kid and tie them. We can't figure out what he's going to so when I'm gone. His brother John is being very helpful with the work duties. Josh would have to climb on top of the trailer to open it, but in the state he's in he can't. John has been very kind to do his own driving and heavy work as well as help Josh do the heavy lifting that he's suppose to do. I am really appreciative of his help and support of Josh. We haven't always seen eye to eye with one another, but we both have Josh to lookout for right now.
So while Josh is driving I keep myself occupied with looking around, reading, playing a game on my phone or sleeping. Last night while we were at the never ending drop off place I placed my game while Josh slept. I was kinda waiting to see if I needed to go to the bathroom, but it never came (thank goodness, more of that later)! I finally decided to try to sleep about 11:30. Problem is I never sleep very good on the truck even when it's parked, it's too noisy and you hear all the other trucks around us. It's not easy for me to relax with all the noise. Another thing...I don't understand the order of how the drops are done. In my thinking the person who is there first goes first, not in the oil fields! Josh & John were trying to explain it to me, but it kinda went in one ear & out the other.
We ended up sitting at that job site for 12 hours. I woke up to see what Josh was doing because he climbed over me when he got up. I helped him put his boots back on because it was time for is to finally do whatever needed to be done. But...now I had to pee! It had been over 12 hours since I had went last. I did my best to not focus on needing to go. Problem is being on the truck..no place really for a girl to go very easily! Especially when there's lots of men around and no port a potty! Josh was so kind to empty a Gatorade bottle for me to use. I WAS NOT AMUSED, BUT HAD NO OTHER CHOICE! So broke down and did a first ever experience of peeing into a small opening of a Gatorade bottle! (I can admit I have pee'd into a cup before at the cabin during the wintertime, but the bottle was definitely a first for me!) I to Josh he had to close the curtains and stay in front of the truck while I went. He said, "I don't see what the big deal is!" We'll duh! Hello! It isn't everyday a girl has to pee into a bottle. Us girls don't have an aim and shoot tool like boys do! It's more complicated than that! All I can say is mission accomplished and without any mishaps!
Once everything we finally done, we were able to drive back to North Dakota. I decided that I was just going to sleep seeing as how I only got like 3 hours to sleep before everything started happening. So I slept in the back...again I repeat IT'S NOT EASY SLEEPING IN THE TRUCK! Sleeping on the truck while your driving down the road reminds me of when I was young playing crack the egg on the trampoline. It's bumpy! There is normally a time that I am airborne while laying down along with bouncing all over the place! I know I'm tired because I usually don't get up until we pull into a truck stop for food! I know...not great for my diet!
So here I am again, back on the road to Montana! I decided while I was just sitting I would share my experience and thoughts...
The following are some random pictures I have been taking while out on the road...
I have other stories, but they are worthy of a blog post of there own!!! Stay turned!
No comments:
Post a Comment