On Wednesday 25th May I awoke in New Haven, CT. I took a little time to look at the city and take some pictures. I ended up going into a parking structure and drove to the top floor and had a ready-made observation deck which was handy because my time was limited.

I got on the Interstate and continued toward the Foxwoods Casino Resort in Mashantucket, CT. This resort is owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. When I got there I attempted to contact the customer by phone. There was a trade show and the trucks were inside a building. I finally got a hold of the customer and found out where on the property the trucks were. I parked in the garage and found the Convention Center section in the Fox Tower. I learned it would be awhile before I would be able to drive the trucks out of the building due to other exhibits that needed to be removed. I asked the hotel staff for the use of a luggage cart so I would not have to lug my gear from the parking garage to the truck which was a long distance. The staff person told me I was NOT allowed to use the luggage cart. Very helpful...NOT! I lugged my two large bags and loaded them into the truck I was to take to NY.

I realised I was going bingo on time so I headed toward the New London Airport in Groton where I thought I was to drop the rental car. I stopped at filling station then went to the airport and found out I was at the wrong location and found that the proper location was near but not at the airport. I finally made it a little after the deadline and I dropped off the car and after I explained what happened no charges were made for an extra day.

I hired a taxi back to the Fox Tower then I loaded the rest of my gear into the truck and did what I could of the safety inspection without starting the motor. I had to wait and wait and finally I drove another truck that was there out of the building. I had to be careful because the truck barely fit through the doors and there were people guiding me. I parked the truck outside and hid the keys so another driver could come and take it to Virginia. Then I got into the truck I was to take.

Trip: Mashantucket, CT to Gardiner, NY 155 miles
Make: 2016 Kenworth
Model: Tank Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Route: Connecticut 2 to Interstate 95 to Connecticut 9 to Connecticut 66 to Interstate 691 to Interstate 84 to New York 32 to US44
Maximum elevation: 970 feet Interstate 84 near East Fishkill, NY
Highest diesel price USA: 2.659$ per gallon at Pilot North Stonington, CT
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.469$ per gallon at Mobil Mashantucket, CT

The truck assigned to me was easier to get out of the building as it was smaller. I went to the filling station to take on fuel then I had evening rations and took enough time off duty to remain compliant with federal hours of service regulations. Then I headed to North Stonington where I took on more fuel and it dawned on me that the fuel gauge was not working as it showed empty though I put in enough that the level should have been over half. After that I headed to hotel where I parked and spent the night in Mystic, CT.

Thursday I headed west or south depending on the highway. I made it to Gardiner, NY late in the afternoon and it was 90F there when I dropped the truck. I hired taxi to SWF Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, NY where I hopped in rental car. The company set up the rental to be dropped at the airport in Teterboro, NJ. I made it to Fairfield, NJ where I spent the night.

Friday I got up early and stopped by the shipper where I loaded my gear into the truck then I headed toward Teterboro. Interstate 80 eastbound was wide open and I was going about 5mph or so above the posted limit but a state trooper blew right by me. Traffic started to get congested in Paterson, NJ. I followed directions on my smartphone and stopped by the gas bar at Costco where unleaded was 1.95$ per gallon and in New Jersey self serve is not allowed for unleaded gasoline. Then I went to the address indicated and there was a guard shack. I told the guard I was to drop off the rental car at this address and he asked me if I am flying out. I said no and he told me I could not drop off the car there but gave me a paper with directions to a location nearby in Lodi, NJ. I went there and dropped off the car and after a short wait got a ride back to the shipper.

Trip: Fairfield, NJ to Boston, MA 240 miles
Make: 2015 GM
Model: Crash Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Route: US46 to local roads to Interstate 287 to Interstate 87 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 93
Maximum elevation: 1,729 feet Interstate 90 Becket, MA about 20 miles east of the NY/MA state line
Diesel price USA: 2.439$ per gallon at Gulf Natick, MA

I finished the inspection, the shipper signed the bill of lading/inspection sheet and I was good to go. My smartphone told me to take some local roads so I did not touch Interstate 80 and I got the 287 several miles north of the interchange with the 80. I made a pit stop in Sloatsburg, NY as I knew I would not make it to Boston by 16h00. I phoned up the receiver to let him know I was coming. I opted to take a longer route mileagewise but hopefully shorter timewise as I decided to avoid Interstate 84 which would have exposed me to the risk of congestion in Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford, Connecticut. Instead I continued on the Thruway to the cutoff to get to eastbound Interstate 90 and the Mass Pike.

I was in contact with the receiver throughout the trip to keep him abreast of my progress and I ended driving truck in the city of Boston proper for the first time ever. I had to cross a bunch of lanes once I got on Interstate 93 to get to my exit which was coming up quick. I arrived after business hours but the receiver was there and still took the truck. Dispatch was relieved and I was relieved because I thought I might get stuck in Boston for the long Memorial Day weekend. I was glad that did not happen.

I hired a taxi to BOS and asked to be dropped at the rental car location. After a wait I rented a car and ended up getting a room in Tewksbury, MA. I had evening rations and ended up eating too many Ipswich Clams and regretted it later. I spent the night in Tewksbury, MA

Saturday it was warm and my camera malfunctioned so I used my smartphone to guide me and went to Best Buy in Burlington, MA where I got a new camera and case. Though I was not happy my camera malfunctioned I was very pleased with the service I received. However that cost me some time. I went into downtown Boston and went to an underground car park. I went to the 50th floor of the Prudential Center where I took in the view of Boston and took over a hundred pictures. Then I took the lift back down and took a few more pictures. The temperature was about 92F so I opted to head back to the airport. I found the filling station nearest to the airport and took on fuel there then I dropped off the rental car.

I got the shuttle from the rental car place to Terminal B. I found out my upgrade request cleared (I used miles but was put on a wait list as I suppose AA was going to see if someone was going to pony up full fare for the First Class seat). I checked in and checked my bags free of charge and asked for a window seat which was granted. Then I was able to skip the regular queue as my Boarding Pass said TSA Pre Check. I went through the metal detector but there was a beep and I was told I was randomly selected for additional screening through the Scanner then I received a partial patdown.

American #223 BOS-LAX B-737-800 Priority Boarding
Seat 6A First Class Cruising altitude 36,000 feet Estimated flying time 5:46, actual 5:45
Depart: Gate B32 Scheduled 18h55, actual 18h57 Taxi: 11 minutes
Arrive: Gate 48A Scheduled 22h32, actual 22h04 Taxi/hold: 9 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 22-23 minutes after arrival

We boarded via jetway and the load in F was 13/16 and I was told there were about 40 empty seats in Y. The plane had the new Boeing Sky Interior. A Pre-departure beverage was offered with a choice of orange juice or water. I chose water which was served in a plastic cup. It was announced it was partly cloudy and 66F at LAX.

Pushback was 2 minutes late followed by takeoff to the south then turn east and I was on the wrong side to see downtown Boston but I saw the Bay and some islands. We turned to the southwest and I saw part of Massachusetts but not Cape Cod. At 0:10 I saw Providence, RI and at 0:12 I saw Interstate 395 in eastern Connecticut. Then I saw Hartford, CT to the distance.

At 0:16 the stewardess came and told me there was no printed menu but the meal choices were either Lasagna or Chicken Breast with mushrooms. I do not care for mushrooms so I chose the Lasagna. I mentioned that there was a time when printed menus were given to passengers in coach.

At 0:19 the captain announced cruising altitude of 32,000 feet just west of Hartford, CT and we were going to be on time and maybe a little early and it was 65F with winds out of the west at 15mph at LAX. The route was announced as going over southern New York, Pennsylvania, central Ohio and Indiana, southern Colorado and northern New Mexico and Arizona, south of Las Vegas, Big Bear, the Inland Empire into LAX.

We crossed the Hudson River at 0:25 possibly near Poughkeepsie, NY. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:34 and back on at 0:38. At 0:50 I got mixed nuts and a can of soda and a glass with ice. At 0:52 I got headphones. It was hazy outside so that detracted from the view. At 0:55 I saw Interstate 99 and Altoona, PA. Later I saw Washington, PA and at 1:10 we crossed the Ohio River. By 1:18 clouds blocked the view below.

At about 1:20 the stewardess came with the meal which was supposed to be Lasagna but it may have been Manicotti, either way it was good. There was a salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing as well as Hummus and a choice of French Bread or Pretzel Roll with butter. I chose the Pretzel Roll. At 1:35 I got another can of soda. The meal was good with the exception of the Hummus. After the meal the stewardess asked if I would like to watch a movie on a tablet but I declined. At 2:01 I got a made to order hot fudge sundae for dessert. That was the best part of the meal, just like the old days. Seatbelt sign went off at 2:36 but I was unsure of location.

At 2:44 I saw the Kansas City area and at 2:50 I saw Lawrence, KS and at 2:51 I saw Topeka, KS. I used the washroom which was quite small and at 3:05 I saw Salina, KS and Interstate 135 in the gathering darkness. Somewhere over western Kansas or southeast Colorado I saw lightning to the distance after darkness fell.

At 4:05 the stewardess came through with a Snack Basket and I chose Potato Chips and Cashews. I dozed off. At 5:20 I felt descent begin and I saw the lights of the Coachella Valley and the lights of the Imperial Valley and Mexicali farther out.

Descent was announced at 5:21 and seatbelt sign went on at 5:22. I saw the lights of 29 Palms and the Morongo Basin close in. It was announced it was overcast and 65F at LAX. I saw the lights of Beaumont and Banning at 5:29. I saw Moreno Valley at 5:30. I got a hot towel at 5:34 abreast of Corona/Norco. Clouds increased and blocked the view below.

We went into the clouds at 5:41 and under the clouds at 5:42 and crossed Interstate 110 at the same time. We crossed the 405 at 5:44 and landed east to west a minute later and after a short hold due to gate being occupied we arrived at gate 28 minutes early and deplaned via jetway. I reclaimed my checked bags and took shuttle home and thus ends this tour of duty as I got home after 46 days on the road.