OZAR day 1

Van Buren, MO

I feel so unaccomplished.... We attempted to calibrate the truck fully today and then go collect some routes; it almost worked out. We have to calibrate our truck on a periodic basis and it was way overdue. We usually do most of the calibrations by hooking the truck up to "shore power" or power from a stationary source (outlet basically).

Shore power didn't turn out to be working since we re-wired some things a couple of months ago. So long story short... today sucked.

Got to use the NPS maintenance shop though... and they were a lot of help. Ended up having to change one of our belts today too, and Vinnie was a great help. Changing the belt sucked as well, but we did get it done.

It was another sticky, two-shower day. Humidity I've found just makes you tired and hard to think straight.

We also have a squeaking noise on our truck (figured it was the belt that we changed, but nope) that is worrying me a bit. Pretty sure we figured it out that it's a loose nut on one of our alternators. Hopefully get that fixed right away in the morning, do a pavement camera calibration, and pray it doesn't rain (60% chance) so we can collect. Not holding out much hope for the 3rd, but I'll take 2 out of 3.

So see, my job is not always "cake" or it's not just all sight-seeing. I mean it's a great job, love the travel, but days like this are tough. Tomorrow will be better though, it's gotta be.

Ate dinner at a place called "The Landing." Pretty nice, filet was a little well done; but eh. Wish we coulda been staying there, but they wouldn't give us the government rate. So we're staying at the Big Springs Motel .

It's ok... rooms were recently re-done; but shower heads apparently don't stay on here and the mattresses did not get updated. They have a bar across the way, but I'm a little scared to have a drink there, mostly scared to say I work for the Federal Government.

Ah well... maybe tomorrow I'll get a beer and meet some yocals.