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Tour of Duty 26th July 2019 to 5th August 2019
Part I: 26th July to 29th July

It was time to hit the road again and a couple of trip possibilities fell through but I finally accepted a trip from Kansas City, MO to Humble, TX. After some details were worked out I booked an air ticket with a somewhat unusual routing from LGB to MCI.

I had an early rise on Friday the 26th of July. The sun rose as I was en route to LGB. Traffic moved well on the 405 and before long I arrived at LGB. I checked in and checked my bags which weighed 47.0 and 43.0lbs. I cleared security after a short queue and I opted out and was patted down. There was no additional screening of my carry on items and total time from arrival at check in to clear of security was 22 minutes.

Southwest #1296 LGB-SMF B-737-800 Boarding Pass B29
Seat 28A Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:00, actual 0:58
Depart: Gate 1 Scheduled 07h30, actual 07h28 Taxi: 8 minutes
Arrive: Gate B15 Scheduled 08h45, actual 08h40 Taxi: 6 minutes

I boarded via rear stairs. The plane was not full and I had a whole row to myself. The load was 109/175. Pushback was 2 minutes early and takeoff was to the northwest and I saw Long Beach and the Grace Brethren Church on 36th and Linden. I saw Interstate 710 and traffic was moving well northbound but slow southbound. I saw the Los Angeles River, Carson, oil refineries and the various communities of the South Bay as well as the Palos Verdes Peninsula. I also saw Catalina Island. We went overwater at 0:03 over Redondo Beach then turned more north over the Pacific Ocean. We made landfall at 0:05 around Malibu and we crossed US101 at 0:06 and I saw Thousand Oaks. We crossed California 118 at 0:07 and I saw Simi Valley and Moorpark. We crossed California 126 at 0:09 and I saw Fillmore, Santa Paula and Ventura farther out then we went over mountains and I got a brief glimpse of Interstate 5, Gorman, Tejon Summit and Frazier Park at 0:12. Drink order was take at 0:13 as we were over the far south San Joaquin Valley. I got pretzels at 0:14. I saw Interstate 5 again at 0:17 and I saw a racetrack followed by Buttonwillow, CA. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:21 and at 0:22 I saw Kettleman City with Avenal to the distance. I got cup of soda at 0:23.

I saw Lemoore and the Lemoore Naval Air Station at 0:25. I felt descent begin over the San Joaquin Valley and we crossed California 99 at 0:31. At 0:32 I saw junction of California 99 and California 152 and I saw Chowchilla, CA. At 0:33 I saw Merced followed by Atwater and Turlock. Seatbelt sign went on and descent was announced at 0:36 and I saw the Modesto area. It was announced it was 64F at SMF. I saw Turlock at 0:38 and I saw Stockton at 0:41. It appeared that the Salinas Valley and Bay Area were socked in with the Marine Layer resulting in clouds in those areas. I saw Lodi at 0:43 and I saw the California Delta at 0:44 and Galt at 0:45. At 0:47 I saw Interstate 5, the Sacramento River and Mt. Diablo to the distance. We crossed Interstate 80 at 0:50 and I saw Davis, UC Davis and Dixon farther out. At 0:51 I saw Interstate 5 and Woodland. We turned east then south at 0:54. During the turn I saw the Sacramento River and the Sutter Buttes. We landed north to south and we arrived at gate 5 minutes early. After the thru passenger count I deplaned via jetway to use the facilities in the terminal then I purchased bottled water and a snack.

Southwest #1296 SMF-STL B-737-800 Thru Passenger
Seat 4A Cruising altitude 37,000 feet Estimated flying time 3:12, actual 3:12
Depart: Gate B15 Scheduled 09h35, actual 09h36 Taxi/hold: 12 minutes
Arrive: Gate E34 Scheduled 15h15, actual 15h04 Taxi: 3 minutes

As a thru passenger I reboarded before any other passengers started boarding. The plane was full with load of 175/175 this segment. It was announced there would be rain showers for the first 150 miles of flight and it was 80F at STL. Pushback was one minute late and takeoff was to the south and we made an almost immediate turn to the east. I saw Interstate 80 at 0:02 and Folsom Lake at 0:04. I saw Lake Tahoe at 0:10 and almost as soon as we passed Lake Tahoe clouds increased and blocked the view below.

Seatbelt sign went off at 0:33 as cruise was announced and the clouds started to break. It was announced we were estimating arrival 15 minutes early at STL. Drink orders were taken at 0:34. I got Fritos and Pretzels at 0:40. Nabisco Shortbread Cookies were also an option. At 0:55 I got cup of soda. At 1:31 I got second cup of soda. I dozed off and at 1:56 I woke up over the eastern plains of Colorado and I saw the South Platte River. Seatbelt sign went on at 2:20, off at 2:31 and on again at 2:34 and it was announced there were gusty winds at STL. We crossed the Missouri River at 2:37 and I saw Interstate 29. We crossed Interstate 35 at 2:39 and we headed more southeast. Seatbelt sign went off at 2:41 and I saw the Missouri River.

I felt descent begin at 2:43 and I saw the Missouri River. Seatbelt sign went on at 2:49 and it was announced it was 87F and partly cloudy with gusty winds of 17mph out of the south at STL. I saw what looked to be Boonville, MO and Interstate 70 at 2:50. I saw Columbia, MO at 2:51. I saw junction of Interstate of Interstate 70 and Interstate 64 (US40) at 3:05. I saw the Mississippi River to the distance. I saw Missouri 370 and Interstate 270 on final as we landed to the east southeast and we arrived at gate 11 minutes early. We deplaned via jetway.

During my layover I got a Lox and Cream Cheese sandwich at Great American Bagel Company.

Southwest #1114 STL-MCI B-737-700 Boarding Pass B15
Seat 23A Cruising altitude not announced Estimated flying time 0:41, actual 0:40
Depart: Gate E24 Scheduled 17h05, actual 17h04 Taxi: 8 minutes
Arrive: Gate 35 Scheduled 18h10, actual 17h55 Taxi: 3 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 18-19 minutes after arrival

We boarded via jetway and the plane was mostly but not totally full with load of 117/143. However, there was no empty middle in my row. Pushback was one minute early followed by takeoff to the east southeast. I saw the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. We made right turn and did a reverse "U" turn at 0:01. During the turn I saw downtown St-Louis and the Gateway Arch to the hazy distance. By 0:02 we were headed west and I saw Interstates 44 and 270. Drink orders were taken at 0:11. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:14. I saw the Missouri River near Boonville at 0:20. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:21 and I felt bumps as descent was announced and it was 85F at MCI. I also got cup of soda at 0:21. I got pretzels at 0:24. We crossed Interstate 35 at 0:32 and we crossed Interstate 29 on final. We landed north to south and arrived at gate 15 minutes early. During taxi I saw that Terminal A at MCI was demolished to make way for construction of a new terminal. We deplaned via jetway.

After I reclaimed my checked bags I got transport to the shipper where I checked in and was told where the truck was and I loaded my gear and did safety inspection and found there were no mudflaps on this truck so I phoned up after hours dispatch and was told it was fine to run that particular type of truck with no mudflaps.

Trip: Kansas City, MO to Humble, TX 735 paid miles
Make: 2018 Ford F550
Model: Cab and Chassis
Transmission: Automatic
Route: US24 to Interstate 435 to Interstate 35 to Interstate 35W to US67 to US287 to Interstate 45 to FM1960
Maximum elevation: unknown but Wichita, KS was listed at 1,300 feet
Highest diesel price USA: 2.899$ per gallon at Flying J Emporia, KS
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.429$ per gallon at Murphy Ardmore, OK

This was a much smaller truck than usual and I went to Flying J to take on fuel and made the mistake of using the big truck pumps and the flow was so fast that fuel was spitting out and the nozzle continued to stop so I found another fueling location with a smaller and slower pump and put more fuel in. I booked a hotel room just out of the Kansas City area for the night. Then I headed south on the 435 and 35 and I made it to Gardner, KS where I called it a night.

Saturday I stopped at Auto Zone to get road flares as there were no flares or triangles with the truck at pickup and the pickup was an after hours pickup. Then I continued south on the 35 to Emporia where I took on more fuel and I took some pictures of that city. I also had midday rations at Billy Sims BBQ in Emporia. Then I continued south on Interstate 35 and after a couple of pit stops I made it into Oklahoma. I took on fuel in Tonkawa, OK then I stopped in Perry, OK and had evening rations at Braum's. Afterward I continued south and made it through the Oklahoma City area and I spent the night in Pauls Valley, OK.

Sunday I got a late enough start that I did not make it to morning church. I took some pictures of downtown Pauls Valley, OK before continuing south and I stopped in Ardmore where I took on fuel. I crossed the Red River into Texas and did some trip planning at the Rest Area. I stopped at QT in Northlake, TX where I had midday rations which was a grilled cheese sandwich. I headed through Fort Worth on the 35W and stopped in Alvarado, TX and attended Sunday Evening service at Fundamental Baptist Church. The message was on the subject of the Altar. Afterward I took US67 to US287 and I stopped and took some pictures of downtown Waxahachie, TX. Then I stopped and had evening rations at Steak and Shake near Ennis, TX. Then I started my run on the 45 south and I spent the night in Buffalo, TX.

Monday I continued my progress south on Interstate 45. I stopped and had midday rations at McKenzie's BBQ in Madisonville, TX then I took some pictures of that city. Then I continued south and due to the size of the truck I was able to park and take pictures of the Sam Houston statue in Huntsville, TX. Heading south on the 45 I then took on fuel for the final time in Willis, TX. I saw lightning starting in Conroe, TX and there was a brief thunderstorm with some moderately heavy rain in The Woodlands, TX as I continued south on the 45. Rain stopped by the time I exited the 45 after a traffic jam and I headed east on FM1960. I arrived at the receiver for execution of delivery and conclusion of the trip and there were a few raindrops. There were no trips out of the Houston area at that time so I got transport to hotel and checked in and cranked up the air conditioning. Then I took a short walk and had evening rations at Italiano's in Humble, TX and I had Garlic Knots, Caesar Salad and Linguini Pescatore which was Linguini noodles plus Shrimp, Crawfish, Clams and Mussels. I spent the night in Humble, TX.

Tour of Duty 26th July 2019 to 5th August 2019
Part II: 30th July to 5th August

I awoke on Tuesday 30th July and got ready and several intra-Texas trip possibilities fell through. I finally got word of several trucks coming available out of Texarkana, Texas. I was considering a trip from Texarkana to Garden City, Georgia but settled on one from Texarkana to Kansas City, Missouri instead. Then I heard from dispatch about a trip from Texarkana to Salt Lake City and I ended up getting locked into that one. A rental car was booked and I was picked up and taken to the rental car office in Humble to complete the pickup process. Weather was moving in and I stopped at a filling station as the fuel tank was only one quarter when I got the rental vehicle which was actually a pickup truck. Then I had late afternoon/early evening rations at Schlotzsky's Deli which was at the filling station. During my meal a rain shower came through but the rain had stopped by the time I finished. I hopped on US59/Interstate 69 north and it was not long before I got back into the rain and there was lightning and thunder. The rain intensified to a torrential rain and I slowed down to 25mph to avoid aquaplaning. The rain let up and I was able to go faster and though the rain seemed to last long while it was happening it really was not all that long and it quit before I reached Livingston, Texas. I stopped in Livingston and took some pictures of that city then continued to Lufkin and took some pictures of that city as well before continuing to Carthage, Texas where I had a chat with a man who lost his car to a tornado in that area earlier that day.

Wednesday it was hot and humid and I took some pictures of Carthage, Texas then I set out for Texarkana. It was slow through Marshall, Texas as I had to work my way through numerous traffic signals. I arrived at the shipper and checked in and after a wait the truck was brought out and parked on the street in front of the shipper. I loaded my gear and did the initial inspection did the paperwork and the paperwork was signed then I headed to the rental car office and took a few pictures of downtown Texarkana on the way. I turned in the rental car and got a ride back to the truck and finished pre-trip preparations and I got started.

Trip: Texarkana, TX to Salt Lake City, UT 1,483 paid miles
Make: 2020 Freightliner
Model: Tank Truck, 2000 gallon Water Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Governed Speed: 75mph/120kph
Route: Interstate 369 to Interstate 30 to US82 to US287 to Interstate 40 to Interstate 25 to US550 to US64 to US491 to US191 to Interstate 70 to US6 to Interstate 15 to Utah 201
Maximum elevation: 7,477 feet at Soldier Summit on US6 about 30 miles west of Price, UT
Highest diesel price USA: 2.999$ per gallon at Flying J Tucumcari, NM
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.779$ per gallon at Speedway Cortez, CO
Permits required: NM Trip Permit

I headed out and soon I stopped in nearby Nash, TX where I took on fuel and had early evening rations at Texas Best BBQ. Afterward I took a nap before getting back on the Interstate. I started my run west on US82 and at first it was two-lane head on traffic but it was twinned by the time I reached Paris, TX. I stopped and took pictures of a replica of the Eiffel Tower then I headed to hotel and spent the night in Paris, TX.

Thursday was hot with temperatures over 100F/38C and the humidity was very noticeable. I stopped in Bonham, TX to take pictures. I made a pit stop in Gainesville, TX and that was complicated by the presence of a US Army Convoy which was blocking off numerous trucks and truck parking spots. I finally found a spot and had midday rations at QT which consisted of a grilled cheese sandwich. I continued west on US82 and stopped to take pictures of downtown Henrietta, TX before continuing to Wichita Falls where I took on fuel. Then I headed to Vernon, TX where I took pictures of that city and afterward I had evening rations at Rusty Spur Steakhouse and Saloon. I had Salad, Texas Toast, Fries and a 10 ounce Kansas City Strip Steak. Afterward I proceeded north on US287 and I spent the night in Childress, TX.

Friday I had midday rations at Top Notch Texas BBQ before leaving Childress, TX. There was a lot of construction in Amarillo, TX. I stopped in Vega, TX and took pictures of that city including a Route 66 attraction. Then I continued west and rain showers started as soon as I entered New Mexico. There were some heavy showers but the rain quit by the time I arrived at the Port of Entry in San Jon, NM. I showed my Trip Permit which was on my phone and was cleared to proceed then I stopped in Tucumcari, NM and took some pictures of Route 66 attractions and neon signs as it was dusk. I stopped for evening rations at Lotaburger in Tucumcari, NM before proceeding west on the 40. There were some light rain showers off and on and I spent the night in Moriarty, NM.

Saturday I headed into Albuquerque and took on fuel at the TA in Albuquerque before heading north on the 25. I exited in Bernallilo, NM to start my run northwest on US550. US550 was twinned and most of that road was posted 70mph. There were some light showers at times and I made a pit stop in Cuba, NM then there were some heavy showers but the rain quit by the time I reached US64 in Bloomfield, NM. I stopped for evening rations at Serious Texas BBQ in Bloomfield before starting my run west on US64. I made a pit stop in Shiprock, NM then started my run on US491. I entered Colorado and there was some construction. I spent the night in Cortez, CO.

Sunday I attended morning service at Lighthouse Baptist Church just outside Cortez, CO. The message was on First John 2:12-14 on the subject of Levels of Spiritual Maturity. Afterward I returned to Cortez and took on fuel for the last time at Speedway. I was surprised but glad to see Speedway establish a presence in parts of New Mexico and Colorado. I was able to get points as I had a Speedway points card that I got earlier in the Midwest. I took some pictures of downtown Cortez then headed out. I made a pit stop shy of the Utah line then I made a pit stop in Monticello, UT. After I left Monticello there was rain at times but the rain quit by the time I reached Moab, UT. I made another pit stop at Thompson Springs, UT then was on Interstate 70 for a short time. Then I started my run northwest on US6 and I spent the night in Price, UT.

Monday it was hot but dry. There was no rain. I topped Soldier Summit and reached Interstate 15 and made a pit stop in Springville, UT where I contacted the customer to confirm details for delivery. There were no trips available out of the Salt Lake City area so I booked a flight home. There was some congestion and road construction around Lehi, UT and more congestion in the Salt Lake City area. I arrived at the receiver for execution of delivery and conclusion of this trip. After I got the paperwork signed I scanned in the paperwork to the company then I prepared my luggage for the upcoming flights. It turned out the high temperature in Salt Lake City was 100F/38C but it was a lot more comfortable than 90F in Texarkana due to the lack of humidity.

I got transport to SLC and checked in and checked my bags which weighed 47.5 and 44.5lbs. I cleared security after a queue and opted out and was patted down without any wait for the patdown as I was the last person in that lane before it was closed. My briefcase received extra screening. Total time from beginning of check in to clear of security was 40 minutes because I sat down and relaxed for a brief time after check in but before security. I had early evening rations at Boar's Head just past security and had a Roast Beef Sandwich before I proceeded to the gate.

Southwest #1220 SLC-SJC B-737-700 Boarding Pass C2
Seat 16F Cruising altitude 36,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:30, actual 1:25
Depart: Gate F19 Scheduled 18h15, actual 18h13 Taxi: 7 minutes
Arrive: Gate 23 Scheduled 19h10, actual 18h50 Taxi: 4 minutes

We boarded via jetway. I considered myself fortunate to get any kind of window seat though the location was less than ideal and I was also fortunate to avoid the dreaded centre seat as "C" boarding pass on the Boeing 737-700 usually stands for "Centre" seat. The plane was almost full with load of 130/143. It was announced it was 83F at SJC and we were expecting bumps on our climb out of SLC. I got pretzels while on the ground. Pushback was 2 minutes early and takeoff was to the north followed by an almost immediate turn to the west and I saw the Great Salt Lake at 0:03. At 0:09 we turned more southwest and I saw the Salt Flats and clouds increased. I saw Interstate 80 and the Salt Flats and Wendover, UT/West Wendover, NV to the distance at 0:16. Clouds increased more. I got another bag of pretzels at 0:31. Seatbelt sign finally went off at 0:35 and it was announced we were 25 minutes ahead of schedule to SJC. At 0:40 I got cup of soda. I thought I felt descent at 0:51. We were over the Sierra Nevada mountains at 0:57. Descent was announced at 1:07 and it was 79F at SJC. Seatbelt sign went on at 1:08 as we were over the Central Valley. At 1:09 I saw the Merced area. We crossed Intestate 5 at 1:14 and I saw the California Aqueduct. I saw Mt. Diablo to the north at 1:19. We made turn to the north and I saw US101 near Morgan Hill or San Martin at 1:20. I saw Mt. Hamilton at 1:21 then I saw the San Jose Metro area followed by downtown San Jose on final approach. We landed south to north and arrived at gate 20 minutes early and we deplaned via jetway.

Southwest #2306 SJC-LGB B-737-700 Boarding Pass A56
Seat 21F Cruising altitude 37,000 feet Estimated flying time 0:55, actual 0:59
Depart: Gate 26 Scheduled 20h10, actual 20h07 Taxi: 8 minutes
Arrive: Gate 1 Scheduled 21h25, actual 21h16 Taxi: 2 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 13 minutes after arrival

We boarded via jetway and the plane was not at all full with a load of 50/143. I had a whole row to myself. Pushback was 3 minutes early and takeoff was to the north. Less than a minute after takeoff we did a reverse "U" turn to the right and I saw the south tip of San Francisco Bay glowing in the sunset. Then I saw downtown San Jose and SJC. I saw the sunset at 0:07 then I saw that almost all of the Monterey Bay was socked in with clouds. We went into clouds at 0:08 and over clouds at 0:09. I got cup of soda at 0:11. Clouds blocked the view below. I got pretzels at 0:13. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:17. Clouds broke at about 0:20 and I saw the lights of some towns on the central California coast. Clouds increased at 0:30. I saw the lights of Santa Barbara at 0:33 and Carpenteria at 0:35. I saw the lights of Ventura at 0:36. I saw the lights of Oxnard at 0:37 as I felt descent begin. I saw Camarillo at 0:40 and seatbelt sign went on at 0:41 as descent was announced and it was 79F at LGB. We went overwater at 0:42. I saw the lights of Avalon on Catalina Island at 0;49. We made landfall at 0:54. We went over the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station at 0:57 and I saw the junction of Interstates 405 and 605 at 0:58. We crossed the 405 and landed to the northwest and arrived at gate 9 minutes early. We deplaned via front ramp and walked into the terminal building. My bags were waiting for me at baggage reclaim so I went to the island where I ordered transport home and I arrived home to end this tour of duty.