FlyerTalk Forums - I Was Away For A Month and A Day

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)

- Trip Reports (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports-177/)

- - I Was Away For A Month and A Day (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1992429-i-away-month-day.html)

I Was Away For A Month and A Day

Tour of Duty 7th September 2019 to 8th October 2019
By Train and Plane and the First Night Out
Part I: 7th September 2019

When I got home from my previous Tour of Duty on 28th August I found among the pieces of mail waiting for me a Summons for Jury Duty in Federal Court in Santa Ana, California with a scheduled report date of 16th October. I went online and attempted to get the date postponed to a late December date as that is a slower time for me workwise and at least in theory I would expect to miss out on fewer trips. However I kept getting error messages and finally I got a message I was unable to postpone so I was stuck with the original date. Oh well, at least I tried. After a spell at home I was ready to go on the road and three trips fell through: Texarkana, TX to Phoenix, AZ; Texarkana, TX to Long Beach, CA and Mason City, IA to Salt Lake City, UT. I knew I had a decent amount of time to do numerous trips before I had to get back home so I could be a good citizen and turn up for Jury Duty or rather, make myself available for possible selection on a Jury in Federal Court. I ended up settling on a trip from Andrews, Texas to La Porte, Texas and I got a little creative with how to get to the truck. There was also a church in El Paso, Texas that I was wanting to attend due in part to the fact that a "friend" of mine on Facebook attends that church. I ended up booking an air ticket on WN from SAN to ELP and also booked a train ticket from ANA to SAN. Furthermore the company booked me a rental car from ELP to Odessa, Texas which is the closest drop location to Andrews, Texas.

The time came for me to leave and I got transport to ARTIC the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center where I checked in and checked two bags for the hold, free of charge. The bags were within the weight limit of 50lbs/23kg. There was no security to get on the train.

Amtrak #768 ANA-SAN Pacific Surfliner
Depart ANA: Scheduled 10h34, actual 10h40
Arrive SAN: Scheduled 12h50, actual 12h49
Reclaim checked bags 8 minutes after arrival

I boarded and the train departed Anaheim 6 minutes late. Intermediate stops were made at Santa Ana, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Oceanside, Solana Beach and Old Town San Diego. During the trip I visited the Cafe Car and got some midday rations which consisted of a Cheeseburger, Chips and a Soft Drink. The train arrived one minute early to the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego. After I reclaimed my checked bags I got transport to SAN Lindbergh Field.

Upon arrival at SAN I checked in and checked my bags which weighed 48.0 and 45.5lbs free of charge. I cleared security after a short queue. I opted out and was patted down. My Boot Bag got Secondary Screening and for reason or reasons unknown the swab from the Boot Bag alarmed so all the contents were emptied and sent through the x-ray machine again. The TSA Agent consulted a higher-up officer before I was finally cleared. Total time from beginning of check in to clear of security was 29 minutes.

Southwest #4059 SAN-ELP B-737-700 Boarding Pass A1 Business Select
Seat 3F Cruising altitude 39,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:22, actual 1:22
Depart: Gate 1A Scheduled 15h15, actual 15h13 Taxi/hold: 12 minutes
Arrive: Gate B7 Scheduled 17h55, actual 17h50 Taxi: 3 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 21-23 minutes after arrival

We boarded via jetway. The plane was not totally full with a load of 120/143. It was announced that there were winds out of the southeast at 5mph and 94F with scattered clouds and popup showers in the area at ELP. Pushback was 2 minutes early. Takeoff was to the west and we were overwater at 1min7sec. I saw Mission Bay, Pacific Beach and La Jolla farther out then we turned south and east. We made landfall at 4min22sec. I saw Imperial Beach, CA, Tijuana, BJ then I saw the San Ysidro Border Crossing as well as the south split between Interstate 5 and 805. Then I saw Otay Mesa and the 2D Toll Road in northern Baja California.

At 0:08 I saw Tecate, CA/BJ and at 0:13 I saw Ocotillo, CA and Interstate 8. At 0:16 I saw Mexicali, BJ. At 0:17 I saw the top of the Gulf of California to the distance. At 0:23 I got cup of soda. At 0:24 I got pretzels. At 0:26 cruise was announced and seatbelt sign went off. At 0:41 we crossed Interstate 10 in Arizona and I saw Picacho Peak. I also saw Tucson to the distant southeast. At 0:44 seatbelt sign went on and it was announced we were going around some weather and we may get bumps. Clouds blocked view below at 0:50 and I felt bumps at 0:56.

I felt descent begin at 0:57 around the AZ/NM line and clouds blocked the view below. Clouds started to break by 1:04 somewhere over the badlands of New Mexico. I saw the Las Floridas Mountains south of Deming, NM at 1:06 and we crossed the Rio Grande at 1:14. We crossed Interstate 10 still over New Mexico airspace at 1:15 and looking south I saw the exit for Anthony, Texas and I saw the Pilot and Flying J Truckstops. We crossed the Franklin Mountains at 1:16 and we crossed US54 at 1:17. I saw what looked to be Fort Bliss and we landed from the north northeast to south southwest and we arrived at gate 5 minutes early. We deplaned via jetway.

After I reclaimed my checked bags I phoned up the shuttle for hotel I had reservation at. The shuttle came and got me and I checked in. I saw a sunset behind some storm clouds. I had evening rations at Lotaburger. When I walked back to the hotel after I ate I saw lightning to the west and northwest and I later learned the storm was over Las Cruces, NM. Arrangements were made for me to be picked up and taken to church for the services the next morning. I spent the night in El Paso, TX.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...918624d673.jpg
ELP El Paso International Airport
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...06acfe3db1.jpg
ELP El Paso International Airport
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c8bf4aee74.jpg
ELP El Paso International Airport
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2bcb304625.jpg
ELP El Paso International Airport
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...554383282c.jpg
ELP El Paso International Airport
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7ec6ad1fd3.jpg
El Paso, Texas sunset 7th September 2019

WN4059 SAN-ELP 7thSeptember 2019

El Paso Experience; A Short Side Trip Down Memory Lane

Tour of Duty 7th September 2019 to 8th October 2019
Part II: 8th September

I awoke Sunday 8th September after getting ready and having morning rations I was picked up and taken to The Old Paths Christian Church to attend Sunday School and Church. James 2:1-4 was discussed in Sunday School and the sermon in Church was on Romans 8:18-30. After Church I was taken to ELP. However en route we made a stop on Sierra Street so I could take a look at the neighbourhood and the house where my grandparents on my father's side lived from 1949 to 1979. I also took pictures of same. I picked up rental car at ELP and headed into downtown El Paso where I walked around and took numerous pictures. Then I got on the 10 and headed east. I started seeing raindrops around Esperanza, TX and I saw lightning in Sierra Blanca, TX. I stopped in Van Horn, TX to get a sandwich. There was rain, some heavy as well as lightning off and on much of the rest of the way to at least Monahans, TX. I made it to Andrews, TX where I spent the night.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7c5c034057.jpg
The Old Paths Christian Church El Paso, Texas
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...961bd80f33.jpg
The Old Paths Christian Church El Paso, Texas
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...43e0cfccd6.jpg
The Old Paths Christian Church El Paso, Texas
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...afe2bec610.jpg
608 Sierra Street El Paso, Texas 79903 This was the house my grandparents on my father's side lived in from 1949 to 1979
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3567cae983.jpg
608 Sierra Street El Paso, Texas 79903 This was the house my grandparents on my father's side lived in from 1949 to 1979
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5f802e8c20.jpg
Sierra Street El Paso, Texas This is a picture of the neighbourhood my grandparents on my father's side lived in from 1949 to 1979

Miles and Miles of Texas; DOT Encounter in Texas

Tour of Duty 7th September 2019 to 8th October 2019
Part III: 9th September to 11th September

I awoke Monday 9th September and drove to the address where the Shipper was supposed to be near Andrews, Texas. I saw the truck but there was no one present. I phoned the number given in the dispatch information. I was told a person would arrive and sure enough the person came and ended up signing for the truck even before I was able to complete Safety Inspection. I loaded my gear in the truck, completed the Safety Inspection. During the Safety Inspection I found that the passenger side rear mud flap was loose and hanging so I used a zip tie to secure it though it was still crooked. I drove to Odessa and filled the tank before turning in the rental car. I got transport back to the truck and headed to the Love's truckstop where I had evening rations at McDonald's.

Trip: Andrews, TX to La Porte, TX 565 paid miles
Make: 2019 Kenworth
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Standard 18-speed
Governed Speed: 65mph
Route: US385 to Loop 1090 (bypass main section of Andrews) back to US385 to Texas 158 to Texas 250 to Inerstate 20 back to Texas 158 to US87 to US83 to Interstate 10 to Anderson Loop 1604 back to Interstate 10 to Interstate 610 to Texas 225
Highest elevation: 3,181 feet at the origin of the trip Andrews, TX
Highest diesel price USA: 2.839$ per gallon at Flying J Pasadena, TX
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.799$ per gallon at Pilot Junction, TX

I took some pictures of the sunset before leaving Andrews. Then I saw lightning in my rear view mirror as I headed south on US385. I originally planned to get to San Angelo but due to the time I ended up I opted to shut down and I spent the night in Midland, TX.

Tuesday the 10th of September I resumed the trip and made pit stop in Garden City, TX and a stretch break in Sterling City, TX. While on US87 approaching San Angelo, TX I was pulled over by a DOT Officer who was tasked with Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement. This was my first encounter with DOT in Texas ever in 23 years of driving commercially. The officer said that he stopped me because he saw that the passenger side mudflap was fixin to come off. He said that the taped over back plate also got his attention. I explained that I knew about the mudflap and I used a zip tie to secure it. I also told the officer that I taped over the back plate per company instructions and the Transporter Tag I was using was on the front. The officer asked for my driving licence and other paperwork. The officer ended up giving me a written warning but did not record the licence plate properly. I notified Dispatch and Safety after I reached a viable place to park in San Angelo. After a pit stop I continued on US87 then south on US83. There was some construction on US83 and most of US83 is single carriageway though some parts are twinned. I stopped in Junction, TX where I took on fuel then I went to Coopers BBQ for evening rations. I made lousy time in the Hill Country due unfavourable terrain. I headed east on Interstate 10 and made a pit stop in Comfort, TX. There was some drizzle in the Hill Country in Kerrville and Comfort. There was some road construction around Boerne and the west side of San Antonio. I took the 1604 Anderson Loop ring road around San Antonio. I rejoined the 10 and ended up stopping in Seguin. There was an issue where the key did not work for the room assigned to me at hotel and a manager had to let me in to the room because of a malfunction with the electronic lock. I spent the night in Seguin, TX.

Wednesday the 11th of September I continued east and stopped in Columbus, TX where I had a BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich for midday rations. I also saw a sign saying the cash price for unleaded was 1.999$ per gallon. I continued and stopped in Pasadena to take on fuel then I made it to the receiver in La Porte and completed delivery just before the receiver closed. I learned of a trip from Lafayette, LA to Humble, TX and a rental car was set up. I was picked up after a wait and taken to Deer Park, TX where I got into the rental car. I took some pictures of La Porte before I stopped at King's BBQ where I had Ribeye Steak for evening rations. Traffic on Texas 146 was messed up due to a convoy of oversize loads. I ended up getting off and going through the streets of Baytown, TX. I took some pictures of downtown Baytown before navigating to Interstate 10. I headed east on the 10 and encountered torrential rain in Vidor, TX which is between Beaumont and Orange. The rain did not last long but it seemed longer than it was. I reserved hotel room online and crossed the Sabine River into Louisiana. I arrived at hotel and was told by the person at the desk that someone cancelled my reservation. So the reservation had to be redone and I was able to show the original reservation on my phone so the original price was honoured. Later I found out I was double charged. I spent the night in Sulphur, LA.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f01d1ec13f.jpg
Andrews, Texas
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...39a2f64fc4.jpg
Andrews, Texas sunset 9th September 2019

From Cajun Country Back to the Lone Star State

Tour of Duty 7th September 2019 to 8th October 2019
Part IV: 12th September to 13th September

I awoke late in Sulphur, Louisiana on Thursday 12th September. I got in the rental car and stopped in Lake Charles to take some pictures. Then I continued east on Interstate 10 and reached the shipper. I phoned the contact person and ended up following him to the yard where the truck was. I loaded the truck and did inspection and got signed off then I turned in the rental car and got transport back to the truck.

Trip: Lafayette, LA to Humble, TX 225 paid miles
Make: 2013 Freightliner
Model: Bucket Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Governed Speed: about 70mph
Route: Interstate 10 to US59 (future Interstate 69)
Highest elevation: unknown but very low
Diesel Price: 2.859$ per gallon at TA Lafayette, LA and Petro Beaumont, TX

I headed to truckstop and took on fuel. Then I got on Interstate 10 and headed west. About sunset I stopped in Rayne, LA and had evening rations which consisted of Fried Crawfish and Alligator at the restaurant at the Frog City Truckstop. Then I continued west on the 10 and had an issue with the windows fogging around the Sabine River due to high humidity. I crossed the Sabine River Bridge and entered Texas and stopped and booked hotel room. I ended up spending the night in Orange, TX.

Friday the 13th of September I continued west toward the Houston area. I stayed on the 10 rather than taking the 610 ring road around Houston because of an issue on that highway. I reached the receiver and made delivery and a fellow "Benedict Arnold" signed for the truck. I saw no trips out of the Houston area nor anything within rental car range on the Trip Board. I thought I was going to be stuck in the Houston area for the weekend and I actually booked a room in Humble, TX for the night. I was going to relocate to La Porte, TX the the following day for the weekend. Just after I booked the room I got a call from Dispatch saying a truck in La Porte, TX with a destination of Hankinson, ND would become available and there was going to be a window of time early the next (Saturday) morning and would I be able to get it? I said yes and got locked into the trip. Unfortunately it was too late to cancel the hotel room in Humble so that meant an earlier rise to get transport to La Porte. I ended up spending the night in Humble, TX
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0fdbf716cb.jpg
Humble, Texas

Lake Charles, Louisiana

From the Lone Star State to the Peace Garden State; First Fall Colours

Tour of Duty 7th September 2019 to 8th October 2019
Part V: 14th September to 20th September

I awoke early Saturday 14th September in Humble, Texas. I got ready and got transport to La Porte. When I arrived the truck was not ready so I waited until it was ready. I loaded my gear and did the Safety Inspection and was good to go.

Trip: La Porte, TX to Hankinson, ND 1,286 paid miles
Make: 2017 Kenworth
Model: Vacuum Truck
Transmission: Standard straight 10-speed
Governed Speed: 64mph
Route: Texas 225 to Texas 146 to Interstate 10 to Interstate 610 to Interstate 45 to US75 to US69 to Interstate 44 to Interstate 49 to Interstate 35 to Interstate 29 to North Dakota 11 to County Road 1
Maximum elevation: 2,050 feet Interstate 29 Summit, SD
Highest diesel price USA: 3.199$ per gallon at Flying J Sioux Falls, SD
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.799$ per gallon at Coffee Cup Summit, SD
Permits Required: SD Trip Permit

I got underway but stopped at truckstop in Channelview, TX where I took a nap then I had midday rations at Schlotzsky's Deli. Then I continued saw a few raindrops between Willis, TX and Huntsville, TX. I stopped in Huntsville, TX where I took on fuel and had another nap. I continued up the 45 and stopped in Fairfield, TX for evening rations. I spent the night in Corsicana, TX.

Sunday it was hot. I continued the trip north on the 45 which changed to US75 in the heart of Dallas, TX. I stopped at QT in McKinney, TX for midday rations. I took on fuel in Atoka, OK and was going to go to a church in Atoka for evening service but I aborted plans as it appeared that some turns might not be makeable for the truck that I had. I instead continued north and after a pit stop in Checotah I ran into patchy fog from Muskogee on and I ended up spending the night in Big Cabin/Vinita, OK.

Monday I hopped on the Will Rogers Turnpike and then entered Missouri. I took on fuel in Joplin then started my run north on Interstate 49. I stopped in Nevada, MO for early evening rations then continued north into the Kansas City area. There was no availability for hotel rooms on the 29 corridor from St-Joseph, MO to Percival, IA. Actually there was one place that had rooms in St-Joseph but I was unable to get confirmation of suitable truck parking so I ended up spending the night well shy of where I wanted to be. I spent the night in Platte City, MO.

Tuesday I continued north and soon after entering Iowa I saw evidence of major flooding that happened earlier in the spring. One of the exits was still closed due to high floodwaters. I stopped in Council Bluffs, IA to take on fuel. The company did not e-mail me the South Dakota Trip Permit. I stopped in Sioux City, IA for evening rations at Wendy's. I saw on an app I had that the Port of Entry in South Dakota I'd be using was likely closed so I looked it up and phoned and got another Port of Entry and ended up unable to purchase Trip Permit so I opted to shut down shy of the Port of Entry. I ended up spending the night in North Sioux City, SD.

Wednesday I stopped at the Port of Entry and got Trip Permit. Later the Trip Permit the company did order finally got e-mailed to me...too late! I stopped in Sioux Falls to take on fuel. Then I stopped in Watertown, SD for evening rations and afterwards I took a few pictures of the Watertown area including first fall colours that I saw. I continued north and stopped in Summit, SD for more fuel. I ended up spending the night in Wahpeton, ND.

Thursday I got locked into another trip and I learned the closest rental car availability was in Fargo. There was a trip from Linton, ND to Kansas City, MO that ended up being taken by another driver so I had to rethink my plans. I got locked into another trip. I phoned up a taxi company in Wahpeton for arrangements to be met and picked up at the receiver in Hankinson. There was no Uber or Lyft in Hankinson, ND. I then went and took on fuel for the last time in Hankinson and after that I proceeded to the receiver and ended up making delivery and I loaded my gear directly to the taxi and we took off for Fargo. While en route the company booked the rental car from Fargo to MSP then an air ticket was booked from MSP to DAL via STL.

I arrived in Fargo and got into the rental car. I got unleaded in Fargo at 2.359$ per gallon. I took a few pictures of West Fargo then made stops where I took pictures of Moorhead, MN, Fergus Falls, MN and Alexandria, MN. I forget where I stopped for evening rations. I stopped and took some nighttime pictures of downtown Minneapolis then I spent the night in St-Paul, MN.

Friday the 20th of September I headed to the State Capitol and parked nearby. I took some pictures of the Capitol and downtown St-Paul. I saw some sort of demonstration regarding climate change at the Capitol Grounds. Then I headed to MSP and turned in the rental car. I got luggage cart and headed to the Humphrey Terminal and checked in and checked my bags which weighed 45.5 and 45.0lbs. I cleared security after a queue and opted out and was patted down. There was no additional screening of my carry on items. Total time from beginning of check in to clear of security was 33 minutes.

Southwest #1211 MSP-STL B-737-700 Boarding Pass B38
Seat 21D Cruising altitude 35,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:05, actual 1:02
Depart: Gate H11 Scheduled 14h35, actual 14h40 Taxi: 10 minutes
Arrive: Gate E16 Scheduled 16h00, actual 15h55 Taxi: 3 minutes

We boarded via jetway. The plane was full or nearly full. This was the first time this year I was unable to get a window seat so I settled for an aisle seat rather being stuck in a middle seat. The plane was full or nearly full. It was announced it was 89F with clouds in the area at STL. Pushback was 5 minutes late and I was unsure of the direction of takeoff. After takeoff the person who had the window seat closed the window blind for much of the flight. I got pretzels at 0:16. I got cup of soda at 0:27. I felt descent at 0:30. At 0:34 it was announced there were scattered clouds and it was 90F at STL. I felt some bumps on descent. Seatbelt sign stayed on the entire flight.

Fairfield, Texas sunset 14th September 2019

Corsicana, Texas 14th September 2019

West Fargo, North Dakota
The window blind went up prior to landing and it appeared we landed to the east. We arrived at gate 5 minutes early and we deplaned via jetway.

I learned my connecting flight to DAL was delayed as it was late leaving DAL. I had evening rations at Burger King. During my wait a thunderstorm and heavy rain hit STL. The rain quit by the time my connecting flight was ready to board but the ground was still wet.

Southwest #616 STL-DAL B-737-700 Boarding Pass A47
Seat 22F Cruising altitude 38,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:15, actual 1:17
Depart: Gate E12 Scheduled 17h35, actual 19h04 Taxi/Hold: 9 minutes
Arrive: Gate 2 Scheduled 19h10, actual 20h33 Taxi: 3 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 24-26 minutes after arrival

We boarded via jetway. The plane was full. It was announced there were Air Traffic Control delays at DAL. Pushback was 1h29min late. We held for a short time due to ATC delay from DAL. We took off to the east and I saw Interstate 70 and we circled around to the right and I saw Interstate 170, Interstate 64 and Interstate 270. We went into clouds at 0:06 and over clouds at 0:09. I saw the twilight. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:28. I got cup of soda at 0:31. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:35. Descent was announced at 0:36 and turbulence was expected as the winds were gusting to 33mph at DAL. I got pretzels at 0:37. I saw the lights of northeast Texas at 1:02. I felt some bumps during descent. We landed to the south and arrived at gate 1h23min late. We deplaned via jetway.

I got my checked bags and got picked up by hotel shuttle. I did laundry that evening. I spent the night in Dallas, TX.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4109c2a76e.jpg
Fairfield, Texas 14th September 2019
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...04e7b06a13.jpg
Corsicana, Texas 14th September 2019
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ffa1ab93ae.jpg
Watertown, South Dakota
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...513871d409.jpg
Watertown, South Dakota fall colours 18th September 2019
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...663f029612.jpg
Watertown, South Dakota fall colours 18th September 2019
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1aa026d59d.jpg
Watertown, South Dakota
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7ef82f3d93.jpg
West Fargo, North Dakota

Moorhead, Minnesota

Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Alexandria, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

St-Paul, Minnesota

Eventful Trip From the Metroplex to the Tri Cities; September Snowflakes

Tour of Duty 7th September 2019 to 8th October 2019
Part VI: 21st September to 30th September

I awoke Saturday 21st September in Dallas, Texas. I got transport to the shipper in Irving and found the location was huge which is fitting since this was Texas. I had trouble locating someone who knew about the truck and was sent to Dispatch. From Dispatch I was sent to a garage a considerable distance away. I talked to a guy who made a phone call and I was finally given the key and I finally loaded my gear and did inspection.

Trip: Irving, TX to Richland, WA 1,898 paid miles/2,050 actual miles
Make: 2014 Volvo
Model: Road Tractor
Transmission: Standard straight 10-speed
Governed Speed: 68mph
Route: Loop 12 to Texas 183 to Interstate 820 to Interstate 35W to US287 to Interstate 40 to US287 to Interstate 70 to Interstate 270 to Interstate 25 to Interstate 80 to Utah 201 to Interstate 215 to Interstate 15 to Interstate 84 to Interstate 82 to US395 to Interstate 182 to Washington 240
Highest elevation: 8,640 feet Sherman Summit Interstate 80 about 10 miles east of Laramie, WY
Highest diesel price USA: 3.359$ per gallon Flying J Snowville, UT
Lowest diesel price USA: 2.859$ per gallon Pilot Fort Worth, TX
Permits Required: WY, ID, OR and WA Trip Permits

I got started and stopped in Fort Worth to take on fuel and then I had to do what is known as a "Parked Regeneration" before proceeding. I stopped at a nearby Schlotzsky's Deli for evening rations. I looked up hotel rooms and I was planning on booking a room in Decatur, TX but the last non-smoking room at the place I planned to stay disappeared on me before I was actually able to make the booking. So I had to rethink my options and ended up booking a room and spending the night in Fort Worth, TX.

Sunday morning I got started earlier than usual and made it to Decatur, TX (on US287) and attended morning service at Eagle Drive Baptist Church. The message was on First Thessalonians 5:16-18. The message was especially about giving thanks in (not necessarily for) everything. After the church service I went into downtown Decatur and took some pictures. Afterward I proceeded to Henrietta, TX where there was a rain shower. I had midday rations in Henrietta before proceeding. I made it to Childress, TX and attended evening service at Parkland Baptist Church. The message was on First Peter about the believer's relationship with God. I made it to Amarillo where I had evening rations at McDonald's then I got hotel and spent the night in Amarillo, TX.

Monday I proceeded and stopped in Dumas, TX to get some supplies and have midday rations. Then I made pit stops in Boise City, OK, Springfield, CO and Lamar, CO. As I approached my exit in Limon, CO I saw a "Low Coolant" alert illuminate on the dash. That alert went out before I actually exited and I made a mental note to check the coolant in the morning. I spent the night in Limon, CO.

Tuesday when I did safety inspection I checked the coolant and saw it was way low though there was still some. I went to the TA across the street and got two gallons of red coolant. I used all of one gallon and part of the next gallon to bring the coolant level up to maximum. Then I proceeded. I made pit stop in Bennett, CO where I had midday rations. There was congestion on Interstates 70, 270 and 25 in the Denver metro area. I stopped at truckstop in Johnstown, CO and topped up the coolant and I decided to get another gallon as there are considerable distances between cities in Wyoming as well as other Western States. I took on DEF in Cheyenne and added more coolant. I stopped in Laramie, WY for evening rations then I spent the night in Laramie, WY.

Wednesday I topped up the coolant and notified Dispatch about the issue. I stopped at the TA in Rawlins, WY and Dispatch told me to put the truck in the shop there. The shop found an air leak in the firewall which was not a quick fix and was unable to find the source of the coolant leak. The shop was unable to fix anything but was happy to get paid for looking at the truck. I was told to proceed toward Salt Lake City. There was roadworks east of Rock Springs. I made a pit stop in Rock Springs then stopped briefly in Green River. I saw elk in Green River, WY. I continued west and spent the night in Evanston, WY.

Thursday I saw some fall colours in Utah. I altered my route to divert to Salt Lake City. Had I not been diverted I would have taken Interstate 84 toward Ogden. Instead I stayed on the 80 and made a pit stop in Park City, UT then I topped Parley's Summit before descending into the Salt Lake Valley. I went to another branch of the same company of the shipper in Salt Lake City and spent one minute shy of five hours there while repairs were made. There was a question as to whether or not the trip would end or if repairs would be made quick enough so I could proceed. The latter happened and I proceeded and ended up spending the night in Tremonton, UT.

Friday I took some pictures of Tremonton, UT and then headed to Snowville, UT and took on some fuel and had midday rations while waiting for the Idaho Trip Permit to be sent to me. I finally got the Permit and entered Idaho. I also got Trip Permits for Oregon and Washington sent to me. I stopped in Burley, UT and took pictures of that city. Then I saw the sunset in Eden, ID. I had evening rations in Jerome, ID. I ended up spending the night in Boise, ID.

Saturday it was raining lightly when I woke up but it quit raining by the time I was ready to leave. I entered Oregon and I took on fuel in Ontario, OR. I proceeded to Baker City, OR where I took some pictures of that city. It was windy at times. It clouded up as I approached La Grande, OR. I made pit stop in La Grande then I continued west and gained elevation as I transited the Blue Mountains. The summit at Meacham was 4,193 feet and I saw what looked like snowflakes though the snow did not stick. I heard there was snow in Spokane, WA and other locations. I encountered thick fog and ended up slowing to about 20mph due to poor visibility. I started down the grade toward Pendleton called Cabbage Hill and got out of the fog. I stopped in Pendleton and checked into hotel. Then I took a walk and had evening rations at Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon. Then I took some nighttime pictures of Pendleton, OR. I spent the night in Pendleton, OR.

Sunday I attended morning service at Compass Baptist Church in Pendleton, OR. Attendance was light with the Preacher, his wife, one other woman and myself. In other words, us four and no more. The message was on Malachi 3:16-18. The preacher was a fellow bootwearer. I took some pictures of downtown Pendleton before proceeding. I switched to Interstate 82 and crossed the Columbia River into Washington. I proceeded to Pasco, WA where I took some pictures of that city. Then I headed to Kennewick and checked into hotel. I had evening rations at a seafood restaurant and I spent the night in Kennewick, WA.

Monday I got ready and got locked into my next trip and a rental car was set up going from Richland, WA to SEA. I headed to the receiver for execution of delivery and conclusion of the trip. Once delivery was complete I phoned up the rental car company and after a wait I was picked up and taken to the rental car office in Richland where I officially got into the car. I took some pictures of downtown Richland before proceeding to Prosser, WA where I took pictures of that city. Then I continued to Yakima, WA where I took pictures of downtown Yakima then I went to a Laundromat where I did some much needed laundry. Then I proceeded to Ellensburg where I had evening rations at Buzz Inn which consisted of Fish and Chips. Then I proceeded over the Cascades and stopped briefly in Issaquah where I took a few nighttime pictures of that city. Then I proceeded to hotel where I checked in and I spent the night in SeaTac, WA.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b127ce07e6.jpg
Decatur, Texas
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...29b9b8b792.jpg
Decatur, Texas
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f93e574303.jpg
Clarendon, Texas
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c098d494aa.jpg
Green River, Wyoming
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a345e1e722.jpg
Park City, Utah Fall Colours 26th September 2019
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9965686d5e.jpg
Park City, Utah Fall Colours 26th September 2019
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9c7dd5e163.jpg
Tremonton, Utah
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3086997d22.jpg
Eden, Idaho sunset 27th September 2019
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a56a924f6f.jpg
Issaquah, Washington
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7e00570ece.jpg
Issaquah, Washington

That seems a decent drive
At times I try to put your route into Google maps, but often do not get it work
https://goo.gl/maps/MRkvi8BDUguTvPR28

And we like pic's of the truck