Going to Midland for 2 Weeks for Work

[dolinick]

A few days ago my "driver business leader" called me and asked me if I would go to Midland for a week or two to help train new drivers on cement trucks. My wife said it was ok so I told him I would do it. Yesterday afternoon a driver trainer picked me up and drove the two of us to Midland. It's about 5 hours west northwest of San Antonio. The trainer is a guy who got hired at the same time and went to orientation with me in Dallas at the end of June. He already got promoted to trainer. He gets to travel quite a bit. So far I have just sat around the motel. Tomorrow (not too early) we will go to the Schlumberger terminal and look over one of the cement trucks. They are pneumatic dry bulk trucks they sometimes call "airslides". I haven't worked with these types of rigs before starting this job. I feel confident enough to unload them on my own. That's basically what we do. Take loads of dry cement from "the bulk plant" out to the rig sites and unload or "blow down" into silos. I am a little nervous because in a day or two I may be going out with one or more other drivers to "teach" them how to do it. I have only gone on two cement runs since July when I was in training.

Yesterday evening a strong cold front blew through. It kicked up a lot of dust. I was walking to Denny's last night and could feel the sand in my teeth. It only brought wind and no rain to this part of texas. The nights are a little chilly now but days are warm and sunny. I am getting paid everyday while I'm here plus twenty percent higher rate per day. I should be able to bring home a litle extra money if I spend two weeks here.



Here's where I am staying: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolinick/s ... 926610288/ It's not too bad but not up to my wife's standards.

Here are a few photos from the drive up here yesterday and a few of the dust at night: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolinick/s ... 920429864/

Here's a clip from the highway: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolinick/6 ... hotostream Lots of cedar (juniper) trees have died because of our extreme drought.

[dolinick]

Video from the wind last night: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolinick/6 ... hotostream

[guerra]

Thats cool That you are in my Town..Maybe we could meet before you head out?

[wt4speed#2]

Yea Midland is a good place to be from... far away from. just kidding you can take a boy outta west Texas but you can never take west Texas outta the boy.
Dol, I too drive a bulk tanker (haul lime outta Cleburne). I get to Midland about once a month (haul a flatbed load or two a month to Buckeye). I have spent many a night in a motel 6 in Odessa.
Over the years I have resided in Midland , Odessa, and Crane tx( was born in Crane). Still have family and friends all over that area. When not living in that area of the Texas I've been in the DFW area
I'm sure that to some, a first visit to that area of Texas is some what over whelming. I sure hope your stay there was pleasent and didnt sour your taste for the area. there is lots to do in Midland /Odessa. At this point in my life ,if I had the means(cause the need is there) i would relocate to west Texas in a heart beat.