Tour of Duty 11th September 2020 to 8th October 2020
Part III: 19th September to 24th September

I awoke Saturday morning in Aurora, CO. I got ready and checked out and got the shuttle to DEN. I checked in and there was a queue for check in. There was someone who seemed to take a long time at the counter. My turn finally came and I checked my bags which weighed 44.5 and 39.0lbs. I cleared security with TSA Precheck and the time elapsed from beginning of check in to clear of security was 26 minutes. I had midday rations in the terminal and bought an overpriced bottle of soda to take with me on the plane.

Southwest #988 DEN-IND B-737-800 Boarding Pass B27
Seat 26A Cruising altitude 41,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:57, actual 1:55
Depart: Gate C42 Scheduled 14h30, actual 14h32 Taxi: 8 minutes
Arrive: Gate B21 Scheduled 18h45, actual 18h38 Taxi: 2 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 21-24 minutes after arrival

We boarded via jetway. The capacity controlled load was 114/114 for a "full" flight. It was announced it was clear and 67F at IND. Pushback was 2 minutes late and takeoff was to the north followed by a turn east. I felt bumps during climb. At 0:23 I got Snack Mix and Plane Cookies. Clouds increased and blocked view below. At 0:25 I got cup of water. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:58 and clouds still blocked view below. By 1:06 clouds broke over northern Missouri but it was still hazy. Gradual descent started at 1:22. Seatbelt sign went on at 1:28 and descent was announced and it was 68F with light winds out of the east at IND. We crossed Interstate 55 at 1:29. I saw Interstate 72 at 1:33 and Decatur, IL. I saw the Champaign/Urbana area at 1:36 and we crossed Interstate 57 at 1:37. I saw Danville, IL at 1:40. We crossed the Wabash River and entered Indiana airspace at 1:43. At 1:51 on final approach I got glimpse of IND and downtown Indianapolis. We landed to the east northeast and arrived at gate 7 minutes early. We deplaned via jetway.

After reclaiming checked bags I got in rental car and went into downtown Indianapolis and took some pictures. Then I drove by hotel and looked for a restaurant to have evening rations. I was going to try Steak n Shake but found they did not have dine in due to corporate policy. I settled on Olive Garden and had ravioli, bread sticks and salad for my evening rations. Then I went to Rodeway Inn (formerly Clarion) and checked in. The front desk insisted on a deposit and I did not want the deposit taken off the card so I used the bank machine to withdraw cash for the deposit. I checked in and got settled in. I had to use a clamp to ensure the curtains stayed close for privacy and to reduce the amount of light pollution in the room. I spent the night in Indianapolis, IN.

Sunday morning I got up and got ready and I always or nearly take a shower in the morning so I start the day fresh and clean and that day was no exception. Actually the shower is usually the last thing I do before I put my clothes on and am good to go. I turned the water on and I tried to adjust the water flow on the showerhead but the showerhead broke off in my hand. There was still a fairly good stream of water coming out so I was able to adjust and take my shower and get cleaned up though it took a little longer. I reported that to the front desk when checking out and my deposit was returned. Then I headed to Free Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis for Sunday morning worship service. A pastor who I heard preach in Prince George, BC almost a decade ago spoke on John 2:1-10 The Wedding at Cana. I then headed to Cincinnati and stopped in Ohio for fuel. I arrived at hotel and checked in and got settled in and phoned a guy who I interacted with on Facebook and he was not free that day but he offered to pick me up the next day to take me to the truck. I headed to CVG and unleaded at Hebron, KY was 1.869$ per gallon. I turned in the rental car at CVG and got the shuttle to the terminal and was told where to go (not far) to get Uber. I took Uber back to hotel. I was going to have evening rations at Big Boy but they did not have dine in so I settled for some Baby Back Ribs, Broccoli and French Fries at Ruby Tuesday instead where dine in was allowed. I did some much needed laundry and spent the night in Cincinnati, OH.

Monday I got ready, checked out and met a new friend whom I interacted with on Facebook. We stopped at Walmart so I could pick up a couple of things then went to the shipper and the truck was pulled out front and I loaded my gear and did inspection.

Trip: Cincinnati, OH to Gonzales, LA 858 paid miles
Make: 2020 Kenworth
Model: Roll Off
Transmission: Automatic
Governed Speed: 64mph
Route: Interstate 75 to Interstate 71 to Interstate 264 to Interstate 65 to Interstate 24 to Interstate 40 to Interstate 65 to Interstate 10
Highest elevation: 1,160 feet Interstate 65 near Cornersville, TN
Highest diesel price USA: 2.389$ per gallon at Love's Falkville, AL
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.299$ per gallon at Pilot St-Rose, LA

I got started and made my way through Cincinnati and crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky and Dixie. I stopped in Florence, KY and had late midday rations at Big Boy. I made a pit stop then I saw the aftermath of the sunset in Pendleton, KY. I took the inner ring road around Louisville and started my run on the southbound 65. The weigh scales in Kentucky were closed but the weigh scale near the top of Tennessee was open. I shut down late and spent the night in Goodlettsville, TN.

Tuesday I drove into Nashville and parked the truck at the TA which is a fairly easy walk from downtown in good weather. I took a walk and there was pedestrian access to a bridge across the Cumberland River. I took that bridge to head into downtown Nashville and I spent a couple of hours walking around and taking pictures of the State Capitol and various places in downtown Nashville. I saw many people wearing masks outside. It appeared that the wearing of masks was strictly enforced inside businesses. I returned to the truck and resumed the trip. There was some congestion in Nashville but that cleared up. I stopped in Columbia, TN for late midday rations then I made a pit stop at the Alabama Welcome Centre where I saw the sunset. I stopped to take on fuel in Falkville, AL then I had late evening rations at Popeye's in Hanceville, AL. I had to take a detour as the ramp for the southbound 59/westbound 20 was closed. I ended up spending the night in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Wednesday I had midday rations in Eutaw, AL. I encountered heavy rain just south of Meridian, MS. I stopped for evening rations at Wards in Laurel, MS. There was more heavy rain south of Hattiesburg, MS. I spent the night in Picayune, MS.

Thursday there was a little drizzle to start otherwise it was cloudy. I headed through New Orleans. On the west side of the Greater New Orleans area I took on fuel at St-Rose, LA near Kenner and MSY. I burned up considerable time getting details worked out regarding the next trip and I accepted the dispatch. I proceeded to the receiver in Gonzales, LA for execution of delivery and conclusion of this trip. I got Uber to Baton Rouge and checked into hotel. I had evening rations at Cracker Barrel across the street from the hotel. I spent the night in Baton Rouge, LA.


My ride from Cincinnati, Ohio to Gonzales, Louisiana