Daddy! Take us to the mall!!

Sunday May 28, 2010

Sunday started out normal enough. I leave the house about 5am and do my walmart shopping. After stocking the cooler I was heading towards DeKalb, IL. It was a drop and hook which was simple enough but it was my next assignment that things stray from routine.

I had to be at The Cherryvale Mall in Rockford, IL by 9pm. All I had was a phone number of the guy who was gonna load my truck and unload it. The "load" was going to the mall in my hometown of Springfield, MO. Cherryvale was actually easy getting in with my 53 footer. After a phone call I find where I needed to park. The place was not a dock but an entrance. The customer asked me if I had a liftgate or moving blankets to which I replied no. This is when I realized that I was playing "moving van".

It was basically a portable store also known as a kiosk. two large aluminum tables, a lighting stand, Two cabinets and a sink along with miscellaneous pans were all loaded and secured. I had my doubts that these items would not survive I39's infamous potholes but I was proved wrong.

Since I only had to drive 486 miles and couldn't unload until 9pm I took my time and even swung by the house for a shower and a meal. About 8pm I head for the challenging task of looking for a way into the Battlefield mall. This proved to be challenging because the parking lot was filled with many curbs and signs where my 53 footer couldn't make the turn. The looks I got were classic. After circling the entire parking lot I find the store people and spent the next hour unloading. After a $20 tip I found a hiding place in Kmart and went to bed. Hmm maybe this moving van stuff isn't too bad.