Tour of Duty 27th June 2012 to 16th August 2012
Part II: 10th July 2012 to 27th July 2012
Tuesday was forecast to be a very hot day in Saskatoon at 33C/91F but the humidity made it feel more like 110F. I was granted a late checkout and hired a taxi to YXE where I checked bags which weighed 47.5 and 44lbs and I paid the baggage fee. I met another driver who was flying to Montreal before I cleared security. I cleared security after a short queue and my boot bag was swabbed. YXE is an airport that does not have US Customs preclearance.
Delta Connection #5724 YXE-MSP E-170
Zone 3 Seat 16D Cruising altitude 35,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:43, actual 1:46
Depart Gate B5 Scheduled departure 14h35, actual 14h37 Taxi/hold: 12 min
Arrive Gate G9 Scheduled 17h46, actual 17h55 Taxi/hold: 19 minutes
We boarded via jetway. It was announced it was mostly clear with few clouds and 84F at MSP. Pushback was 2 minutes late. Takeoff was to the north followed by a right turn then we circled around to head south. At 0:02 I saw the Yellowhead Highway then at 0:04 I saw the Saskatchewan River. Then we entered clouds. There were some bumps during climb then the clouds broke but I was unsure of location.
Seatbelt sign went off at 0:22. I saw what looked to be the Trans Canada Highway. At 0:32 I got a cup of soda and Biscoff. At 0:47 I saw what looked to be US2 and possibly Rugby, ND. At 1:10 I saw Interstate 29 and the Red River and Wahpeton, ND/Breckenridge, MN. At 1:12 I saw Interstate 94 and Fergus Falls, MN.
At 1:22 it was announced it was mostly clear and 88F at MSP and I felt descent begin at 1:23. At 1:34 I saw Interstates 94, 494 and 694 at Maple Grove, MN. We overflew MSP at 1:36 and there some bumps during the latter part of descent. We made turns and I saw St. Paul on final approach and we landed to the west northwest and waited in a holding area before arriving at gate 9 minutes late.
I cleared US Customs at MSP. Clearance went quick and easy. There was a queue for the initial interview and I was asked how long I was in Canada and what foods I declared (candy, crackers, nuts) then I claimed my checked bags (luggage carts were free) then I exited and gave the declaration form to an officer and was asked again what food I declared.
I had to reclear security before entering the terminal. There was only one lane and there was a queue. I opted out of the scanner machine and was patted down only after the agents unsuccessfully tried to talk me into using the machine. After that I entered the terminal to find the gate for my connecting flight.
Delta Connection #4838 MSP-DLH CRJ-200
Zone 2 Seat 12D Cruising altitude not announced Estimated flying time 0:25, actual 0:28
Depart Gate C14 Scheduled departure 19h40, actual 19h53 Taxi: 10 minutes
Arrive Gate 2 Scheduled 20h32, actual 20h36 Taxi: 3 minutes
Reclaim bags 12-13 minutes after arrival
We boarded via jetway and the plane was full. Pushback was 13 minutes late and takeoff was to the east. At 0:02 we turned north. I saw the Mississippi River then I saw the St. Croix River which is the border with Wisconsin. At 0:04 we crossed Interstate 94 and at at 0:06 it was announced due to the short duration of the flight there would be no scheduled beverage service. It was quite hazy outside.
I felt descent begin at 0:12 and it was announced there was wind out of the south and light rain showers in the area and 75F at DLH. It appeared clouds increased as we approached DLH. At 0:22 I saw Lake Superior and Superior, WI. I did not see much of Duluth itself and we turned west then south. We landed north to south and arrived at gate 4 minutes late. We deplaned via stairs.
I got a taxi after a considerable wait. The weather was pleasant and I saw the sunset reflected off a building. I spent the night in Duluth, MN and the next day I got a taxi to the shipper.
Trip: Duluth, MN to Winnipeg, MB 380 paid miles
Make: International
Model: Utility Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Route: Interstate 35 to US2 to US75 to Minnesota 175 to Interstate 29 to Mantioba 75 to Manitoba 100 (Perimeter Highway) to Manitoba 59
Maximum elevation: unknown
Highest diesel price US: $3.749/gallon at Tesoro Erskine, MN
Lowest diesel price US: $3.739/gallon at BP Duluth, MN
Diesel price Canada: $1.089CAD/litre at Flying J Cardlock Winnipeg, MB
Permits required: MN Trip Permit
Border Crossing: Pembina, ND/Emerson, MB
I made the pickup and it was different driving a smaller truck. I was unpleasantly surprised to find the air conditioning was not working very well if at all. Normally that would not be an issue in Duluth but temperatures were in the high 80's to low 90'sF. After fuelling up I headed west on US2 and had to make a number of pit stops. I attended midweek service at Northland Bible Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, MN then took some pictures of that city before proceeding and ended up spending the night in Bemidji, MN.
Thursday I continued west then cut north on US75 after taking a look at Crookston, MN. I saw Warren and Hallock, MN and by that time thunderclouds were building. I cut across to Interstate 29 and got dumped on with extremely heavy rain. I stopped at the truckstop in Pembina, ND and parked for about an hour before proceeding to the border.
I stopped at US Customs to get the title cleared. A copy of the title has to be in the possession of US Customs for 72 hours not counting weekends and holidays before clearance can be granted; therefore I was not able to cross the border the previous day. After that I got in queue to enter Canada and saw the broker and Customs and was cleared to proceed. I had a room reserved and spent the night in Emerson, MB.
Next day it was muggy but there was no rain. I proceeded to Winnipeg and the road was rough in some areas. I topped off the fuel tank just before delivery and after delivery I hired a taxi to YWG and the driver took the long way but I bargained the fare down some. Dispatch rented me a car from YWG to MSP and the air conditioning sure felt nice. Border crossing was no problem at Pembina, ND. I saw the sunset just north of Fargo, ND. Unleaded gas was $3.429/gallon in Fargo. I spent the night in Rothsay, MN.
Next day it was warm and muggy. I stopped in Alexandria, MN to send in some paperwork before heading to MSP. I saw major congestion going the other way on the 494 Loop as that side of the Interstate was closed due to construction. I hit a filling station to top off the tank then I turned in the rental car at the Humphrey Terminal and met my ride to Dodge Center where I picked up the next truck which was a cement mixer.
Trip: Dodge Center, MN to Langley, BC 1,862 paid miles
Make International
Model: Cement Mixer
Transmission: Automatic
Route: US14 to Interstate 35 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 405 to Interstate 5 to Washington 543 to British Columbia 15
Maximum elevation: 6,393 feet at Homestake Pass Interstate 90 about 10 miles east of Butte, MT
Highest diesel price US: $4.159/gallon at Flying J Ellensburg, WA
Lowest diesel price US: $3.549/gallon at various Town Pump/Pilot and Flying J locations throughout MT
Permits required: MN, SD, WY, MT, ID, WA and BC Trip Permits
Border Crossing: Blaine, WA/Surrey, BC Pacific Highway
I made the pickup and everything checked out OK during the safety inspection. I opted to take the southern route by dropping down to Interstate 90 west in southern Minnesota. That was due in part to the congestion I saw when I was in the rental car and the desire to see some places I haven't been in a long time. I took on fuel in Albert Lea, MN and saw the sunset there before heading west on the 90 and I spent the night in Worthington, MN.
Sunday morning I attended service at Worthington Baptist Temple in Worthington, MN. The sermon was on Matthew 25:31-46 and the pastor thought that passage was a parable. Then I continued west and stopped in Mitchell, SD and attended evening service at Grace Baptist Church in Mitchell, SD before seeing downtown Mitchell. Then I took on fuel and headed west and spent the night in Kennebec, SD.
A hot wind blew from the south and it got up to at least 107F in some areas of South Dakota after a low of only 79F in Kennebec and Chamberlain. I saw Murdo, Kadoka and Wall, SD before taking on fuel in Rapid City. Clouds increased west of Rapid City then there were a few raindrops west of Spearfish, SD and Beulah, WY. I saw rainbows in Beulah, WY. I stopped in Sundance, WY to get the Trip Permit at the Wyoming Port of Entry then went downtown to get something to eat before proceeding west. I saw lightning starting in Moorcroft, WY and rain started in Gillette, WY along with lightning and thunder. I took on fuel in Gillette then saw lightning but did not get much rain all the way to Buffalo, WY. I shut down to spend the night in Buffalo, WY and after I parked I checked in and during checkin the storm hit and there was heavy rain. I finally got settled in and spent the night in Buffalo, WY.
Next day it was warm but not as hot and it was a more or less routine day with a little rain west of Billings, MT. I spent the night in Butte, MT. Following day was warmer and another routine day. The company faxed me my Washington and Idaho Trip Permits and I spent the night in Spokane Valley, WA.
Thursday was another warm day to start. I got some rain near Ellensburg, WA then a thunderstorm near North Bend. Rain is common in Western Washington but thunderstorms are not. It was a lot cooler and I needed my jacket as it was in the 50'sF. The rain continued off and on and there was another thunderstorm as I shut down and spent the night in Arlington, WA.
Friday there was a thunderstorm in the morning then rain off and on. I crossed the border and delivered the truck. Rain started during the delivery process. I hired a taxi to the Campbell River Store where I caught the Quick Shuttle bus to SEA. My encounter with US Customs went OK but the bus was 35 minutes late to SEA. I spent the night in Seatac, WA.
Next morning I got the shuttle to SEA. I goofed in that I totally forgot that Saturday was the day people started and finished cruises so the airport was an absolute zoo and it wasn't long before I saw the long queue at Southwest and realised I was not going to make the flight so I phoned up Alaska and burned miles to get a nonstop to MSP that got me there sooner than I was originally scheduled. I checked in, checked bags and paid the fee and got a boarding document that did not have a seat number. I cleared security and there was no scanner and no hand searches. It seems Alaska was more efficient in the check in process. After I cleared security I phoned up Southwest and told them I would not be making the flight and explained why and was told that the fare would be refunded to the party who used the credit card to book the ticket.
Southwest #1504 SEA-DEN B-737-300
Boarding Pass: B53
Scheduled departure 11h50 Scheduled Arrival 14h57
Southwest # 2625 SEA-MSP B-737-300
Boarding Pass: B55
Scheduled departure 17h05 Scheduled arrival 20h00
I DID NOT TAKE THE ABOVE FLIGHTS
Alaska #38 SEA-MSP B-737-700
Seat 16B Exit Row Cruising altitude 39,000 feet Estimated flying time 2:44, actual 2:38
Depart Gate D1 Scheduled departure 12h25, actual 12h32 Taxi: 15 minutes
Arrive: Gate F3 Scheduled arrival 17h40, actual 17h34 Taxi: 7 minutes
Reclaim bags 16 minutes after arrival
At the gate I was able to get an exit row seat. It was considered a middle seat but there was no window seat in that row but I was able to look out the window. It was announced the flight would be full and we boarded via jetway but there were five empty seats when we pushed back 7 minutes late. Takeoff was to the south and I saw Puget Sound to the right and the Seattle metro area to the left. We turned east and were in clouds by 0:02.
There was still some cloud cover though that was diminishing as we crossed the Cascades. I saw the Columbia River and what looked to be Lake Chelan at 0:13. At 0:19 the F/A came through and offered Dig-E-Players for rental.
At 0:20 seatbelt sign went off and at 0:26 the captain made a PA announcment which I could not understand. At 0:29 I saw Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho. There were still some broken clouds as we crossed the Rocky Mountains but no more clouds once east of the mountains over Montana.
At 0:47 I got Snack Mix and BOB was offered and I got Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and Garlic Bread for $6 and it was quite tasty. I also got Deli Pack. At 0:52 I got cup of soda. I saw the Plains of Montana and the Missouri River but I did not see Great Falls. At 1:24 I got a second drink and this time I chose Orange Fanta. Later I saw what may have been the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers near Williston, ND.
At 1:34 I got water. I also saw what may have been the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River. Then at 1:38 clouds increased. I saw what may have been Interstate 29 at 2:03. I felt descent begin at 2:14. Descent was announced and seatbelt sign went on at 2:17. It was 80F at MSP. I saw some of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes during descent. I saw clouds increase as we approached the Twin Cities area. We landed southeast to northwest and arrived at the gate 6 minutes early.
After I reclaimed my bags I got ride to Dodge Center. Weather was muggy but not as hot (upper 80'sF).
Trip: Dodge Center, MN to Langley, BC 1,862 paid miles
Make: International
Model: Cement Mixer
Transmission: Automatic
Route: US14 to Interstate 35 to Interstate 35W to Interstate 494 to Interstate 94 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 405 to Interstate 5 to Washington 543 to British Columbia 15
Maximum elevation: 6,393 feet at Homestake Pass Interstate 90 about 10 miles east of Butte, MT
Highest diesel price US: $4.239/gallon at Flying J Ellensburg, WA
Lowest diesel price US: $3.689/gallon at Flying J Missoula, MT
Permits required: MN, MT, ID, WA and BC Trip Permits
Border Crossing: Blaine, WA/Surrey, BC Pacific Highway
I made the pickup and everything was OK. This truck went faster than the other cement mixers. I shut down and spent the night in Owatonna, MN.
Sunday morning I proceeded after I overslept. That meant I did not make it to church in the morning. I attended evening service at Community Baptist Church in Fargo, ND. I saw some large thunderclouds but they missed me. Sermon was on Revelation 2:18-29. After church I had dinner at the
Golden Corral in Fargo before proceeding. I spent the night in Jamestown, ND.
Monday was a routine for most of the day. There were rain showers from west of Medina to west of Steele, ND. I stopped in Bismarck to copy receipts and send them to the company. I saw Dickinson, ND. The scale in Wibaux, MT was closed so I proceeded. I saw lightning starting in Glendive and the light show was quite spectacular starting in Terry, MT. The rain started and intensified to an extremely torrential downpour to the extent that I thought the truck might get washed off the road about 18 miles east of Miles City, MT. I could not see where to safely pull off the road and I was going extremely slow then hail started. The storm seemed to last longer than it really did. Finally the hail stopped and the rain diminished then stopped. Later I heard there were 55,000 lightning strikes in Montana that night. I spent the night in Miles City, MT.
Tuesday the weather was much calmer and not as hot. I saw no apparent hail damage from the previous night. I stopped for dinner in Big Timber, MT where I had a steak sandwich at the
Grand Hotel then I continued west and spent the night in Butte, MT.
Wednesday the weather was good. There were delays getting the Idaho and Washington Trip Permits due to fax trouble. I finally got the needed permits just before dispatch closed and proceeded. I was pulled over in Deer Lodge, MT and given a Level 3 DOT inspection and got a sheet saying "no violations." I continued west through the rest of Montana and Idaho and spent the night in Ritzville, WA.
Thursday the weather was good and I had a routine day. The weigh scales at Cle Elum and Stanwood were closed. I spent the night in Fernwood, WA
Friday I proceeded to the border. There was a holdup at the broker as the paperwork they had showed the wrong VIN. That was soon rectified after a phone call and I went to Customs then was cleared. I proceeded to the receiver and delivered the truck. The check-in process at this receiver was thorough as the receiver wrote up a bunch of little stuff that I had no control over. Then I was told I'd be flying out of Abbotsford, BC to Hamilton, ON to get a truck from Caledonia, ON to the port of Baltimore. The weather was cloudy and I hired a taxi to Abbotsford, BC where I spent the night.
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