FlyerTalk Forums - On the Road for Two Fortnights

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

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

- - On the Road for Two Fortnights (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/2026958-road-two-fortnights.html)

On the Road for Two Fortnights

Tour of Duty 11th September 2020 to 8th October 2020
Overview

I flew one airline which was Southwest.
I flew two flight itineraries for a total of two flight segments.
I flew a total of 1,672 miles according to flightmemory.com
I was out for all or part of 28 days
I did 6 trips.
I drove a total of 5,205 miles.
I was drove to or through a total of 15 states.
I met in person for the first time four people with whom I previously interacted with on Facebook.
I attended four churches, three new churches and one church that I attended back in 1998.
My smartphone died on me in the middle of a trip and I had to get a new one.

Some Kicks on Old 66: From the Golden State to the Sooner State

Tour of Duty 11th September 2020 to 8th October 2020
Part I: 11th September to 16th September

I planned to stay home longer but I saw a trip that was too good to pass up. I accepted the dispatch for a trip from Fontana, California to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I took care of some things at the house and got ready and ordered transportation to Fontana where the truck was staged outside for me. I loaded my gear and did the inspection for an after hours pickup and headed to nearby truckstop to take on fuel.

Trip: Fontana, CA to Oklahoma City, OK 1,291 paid miles
Make: 2019 Freightliner
Model: Boom/Bucket Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Governed Speed: 64mph
Route: Interstate 10 to Interstate 215 to Interstate 15 to Interstate 40 to Interstate 44
Highest elevation: 7,335 feet Arizona Divide Interstate 40 5 miles west of Flagstaff, AZ
Highest diesel price: 3.259$ per gallon at Flying J Barstow, CA
Lowest diesel price: 2.359$ per gallon at Love's Conway/Claude, TX

I took on just enough fuel in Fontana to ensure that I could get to the High Desert without worrying about running out or running so low that the fuel would go on. I ended up taking the 10 east to the 215 north to avoid some congestion on the 15 north before the north split/merge with the 215 in Devore. I still got some congestion going up Cajon Pass. I stopped at the Pilot in Hesperia but did not take on fuel; I got evening rations from Wendy's. I proceeded to the Flying J where I topped up the fuel tank which was only a 50 gallon tank. I got a room and spent the night in Barstow, CA.

Saturday I headed east across Interstate 40 and upon entering Arizona I saw the Port of Entry was closed. I stopped in Kingman for fuel and for evening rations. I saw that rooms in Flagstaff and Williams were very expensive. I ended up getting a room in Ash Fork for 34.20$ all in which was a great price but it was a rare "no points" stay. I spent the night in Ash Fork, AZ.

Sunday morning I went to the service at the Church of Christ in Ash Fork as there were no Baptist Churches in that city and my schedule would not have permitted me to make most if not all church services in Williams and Flagstaff. Including myself there were a total of 6 people present. There was a discussion on Psalm 67 and then there was Communion. For midday rations I had take out at McDonald's in Bellemont, AZ. I stopped in Winslow, AZ to take pictures and take on fuel. I stopped at the Port of Entry (which was open) near Gallup, NM to get Trip Permit and then I parked to look up hotels and before I left I was instructed to circle around to a bay for a DOT Inspection. The Truck passed the DOT Inspection with no violations. Afterward I encountered construction from Gallup to Jamestown, NM. I crossed the Continental Divide and spent the night in Jamestown, NM.

Monday I made an unscheduled stop at a Costco location in Albuquerque to get new luggage to replace luggage that wore out. While inside the store I saw some Christmas items...in September! I could hardly believe that Christmas items would be on display while it was still technically summer. After I got what I was looking for I continued east. I stopped in Moriarty and was going to get midday rations from Blake's Lotaburger but I saw that they blocked off the restroom so I decided to take my business elsewhere and I went to the TA and ordered from Burger King. I continued east to Santa Rosa, NM where I took on fuel and photographed the sunset. Afterward I stopped in Tucumcari where I got Chicken Tenders for evening rations then I continued into Texas and I spent the night in Amarillo, TX.

Tuesday I stopped in Conway, TX (but the receipt said Claude, TX so I adjusted my log entry accordingly) then I stopped in McLean, TX and had late afternoon rations at Red River Steakhouse where I got a reasonably priced (in my opinion) sirloin steak meal. I took some pictures of McLean then continued east and took pictures of Texola, OK before getting back on the Interstate and clearing the Oklahoma Port of Entry.I took some pictures of the sunset in Elk City, OK then stopped in Hinton, OK for late evening rations. I experienced a brief rain shower around El Reno, OK, the only precipitation this trip. The rain quit by the time I reached Yukon, OK. I ended up spending the night in Oklahoma City, OK.

Wednesday I accepted a dispatch for the next trip which originated at another location in Oklahoma City. I continued to the receiver where I completed delivery and I scanned in the paperwork. Then I ordered Uber to head to the next shipper.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...92ea553716.jpg
My ride from Fontana, California to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Winslow, Arizona

Trip Pictures Fontana, California to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Elevation Changes: A Trip to the Mile High City; Changes in Plans

Tour of Duty 11th September 2020 to 8th October 2020
Part II: 16th September to 18th September

I arrived at the shipper and checked in and was pointed to the truck out front which was a beauty. I loaded my gear and did the inspection and found there were no emergency triangles or fire extinguisher. The shipper ended up finding and furnishing those items and I was good to go.

Trip: Oklahoma City, OK to Denver, CO 640 paid miles
Make: 2021 Kenworth
Model: Road Tractor with Sleeper
Transmission: Standard 18-speed
Governed Speed: 75mph
Route: Interstate 40 to Interstate 35 to Interstate 135 to Interstate 70
Highest elevation: unknown but Watkins, CO is listed at 5,525 feet
Highest diesel price: 2.199$ per gallon at Pilot Colby, KS
Lowest diesel price: 2.189$ per gallon at Love's Oklahoma City, OK

I headed over to truckstop to take on fuel. Then I headed to the Edmond, OK area and parked at Flying J and walked to Cracker Barrel where I had evening rations and I was able to dine in. Afterwards I continued north on the 35 and I spent the night in Blackwell, OK.

Thursday I entered Kansas and had midday rations at the service plaza in Belle Plaine at McDonald's. I was able to enjoy dine-in. I continued to Wichita where I exited the Turnpike and started my run north on Interstate 135. I made a pit stop in Salina before switching to the westbound 70. I stopped at rest area in Russell, KS and saw a just a little fall colour. I stopped in Hays, KS and had evening rations at Billy Sims Barbeque and again I was able to enjoy dine in and I saw the sunset. The skies looked hazy and smoky but I didn't really smell smoke. I stopped to take on fuel in Colby, KS and I entered the Mountain Time Zone and shortly thereafter I entered Colorado and I spent the night in Burlington, CO.

Friday I thought I would get a trip from Independence, KS to Phoenix, AZ and I booked an air ticket from Denver to Tulsa. I stopped in Limon, CO to take on Diesel Exhaust Fluid and I learned that I did not get the trip I hoped for. I was dispatched on two trips: Whitestown, IN to Cincinnati, OH connecting to another trip out of the same location from Cincinnati, OH to Gonzales, LA. I canceled my air ticket to Tulsa and changed it to Indianapolis. I arrived at the receiver and made delivery and learned from after hours dispatch that the trip from Whitestown, IN to Cincinnati, OH was not going to happen. I looked at changing the air ticket to Cincinnati but instead had a rental car tacked on from IND to CVG as the truck in Cincinnati would not be able to be picked up until Monday. I booked a hotel with airport shuttle and got Uber and after checking in I went to Denny's for evening rations. I spent the night in Aurora, CO.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...aa00294229.jpg
My ride from Oklahoma City, OK to Denver, CO

Trip Pictures Oklahoma City, OK to Denver, CO

Miscellaneous Trip Pictures for trip from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Denver, CO

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...08cc1a59cb.jpg
Russell, Kansas fall colours 17th September 2020
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7c491605d5.jpg
Russell, Kansas fall colours 17th September 2020
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a399450bfc.jpg
Hays, Kansas smoky sunset 17th September 2020
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1d9ac3ada8.jpg
Hays, Kansas

A Flight, A Rental Car, Meeting A Facebook Friend, A Trip South

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.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fb8ca4a93f.jpg
My ride from Cincinnati, Ohio to Gonzales, Louisiana

WN988 DEN-IND 19th September 2020

Indianapolis, Indiana

Nashville, Tennessee

Trip Pictures Cincinnati, Ohio to Gonzales, Louisiana

Miscellaneous pictures taken during trip from Cincinnati, Ohio to Gonzales, Louisiana

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6635ecc84c.jpg
Florence, Kentucky
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...072193087d.jpg
Florence, Kentucky
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...62567256a3.jpg
Goodlettsville, Tennessee fall colours 22nd September 2020
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d0726a122d.jpg
Elkmont, Alabama sunset 22nd September 2020

Hurricane Aftermath: A Trip Within Dixie

Tour of Duty 11th September 2020 to 8th October 2020
Part IV: 25th September to 28th September

I awoke on Friday 25th September in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I got ready and checked out and summoned an Uber ride to Lake Charles, Louisiana. This was a very expensive Uber at 173$ and some change for a ride of about 132 miles. I had a chat with the driver and found that he was from Lake Charles and he rode out the hurricane there and the roof of his house caved in and everything got wet and his house was uninhabitable. I phoned up the shipper and was told to go to a filling station not far from the truck was and the shipper would take me the rest of the way to the truck. I did see some evidence of hurricane damage in and near Lake Charles. I found the truck and loaded my gear and got started.

Trip: Lake Charles, LA to Decatur, GA 657 paid miles
Make: 2017 Freightliner
Model: Bucket Truck
Transmission: Automatic
Governed Speed: 69mph
Route: Interstate 210 to Interstate 10 to US167 to Louisiana 328 to Louisiana 347 to Interstate 10 to Interstate 12 to Interstate 10 to Interstate 65 to Interstate 85 to Interstate 285
Highest elevation: unknown
Highest Diesel Price USA: 2.429$ per gallon at Love's Evergreen, AL
Lowest Diesel Price USA: 2.239$ per gallon at Pilot Denham Springs, LA

I got started and made pit stop at Love's in Iowa, LA just east of Lake Charles. I opted not to get soda there as they did not appear to be cooled and the only facilities available to be used were port a potties outside as running water had not yet been restored to the building. I continued east and stopped in Rayne, LA and was disappointed to find the restaurant at the truckstop was permanantly closed, no doubt a casualty of fear of the C19 cooties. I stopped in Lafayette, LA where I was able to use the regular facilities at the TA and I got evening rations from Boston Market just before they closed. I stopped in Denham Springs to take on fuel and ended up spending the night in Hammond, LA.

Saturday I had a late start. I had midday rations at McDonald's in Gulfport, MS then I stopped to take on fuel in Moss Point, MS before entering Alabama. I made a pit stop in Greenville, AL and had to detour to get back on the northbound 65 due to construction. I spent the night in Greenville, AL.

Sunday I did not go to morning church as I had too late of a start. I proceeded and was delayed due to a truck getting in a wreck south of Montgomery, AL. In Montgomery I started my run on the northbound 85 and took on fuel and made pit stop in Shorter, AL. I made it into Georgia and stopped at the Welcome Centre and phoned up Friendship Baptist Church in LaGrange, GA and found they were not having evening service. I drove by Living Waters Baptist Church and found that due to narrow driveway I would have difficulty making the turn but the place was empty anyway and I found another location to turn around and I headed to Old Pathway Baptist Church in LaGrange, GA and found another empty car park. I ended up taking some pictures of downtown LaGrange, GA and I had evening rations at Country's Barbecue before getting a room and spending the night in LaGrange, GA.

Monday I learned about a trip from LaFayette, GA to Rochester, NY. I headed into Decatur and made delivery. I learned the truck in LaFayette, GA was a different type than I anticipated and I learned of a trip from Texas to California that seemed to be more suitable for me. I asked for that trip and was dispatched on it. I got Uber to hotel and after I settled in I did some much needed laundry then got evening rations at Ruby Tuesday. I spent the night in College Park, GA.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...558d2354ff.jpg
My ride from Lake Charles, Louisiana to Decatur, Georgia
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9a9e26fbc0.jpg
Hammond, Louisiana

Lake Charles, Louisiana

LaGrange, Georgia

Old Beater; Old School Trucking; Dead Phone; New Friends

Tour of Duty 11th September 2020 to 8th October 2020
Part V: 29th September to 6th October

Tuesday 29th September it was wet outside when I awoke as it rained during the previous night. I checked out and it was not raining when I got the shuttle to ATL but the ground was wet. I arrived at ATL and walked to the terminal and I checked in and checked my bags which weighed 43.0 and 44.0lbs. I cleared security after using TSA Precheck and there was no additional screening. However my mask broke during my ID check so the TSA furnished a new mask for me. Total time from beginning of check in to clear of security was about 15 minutes. Then I went downstairs and got the train to Concourse C and headed to the gate and I saw it was raining outside.

Southwest #2418 ATL-HOU B-737-700 Boarding Pass A60
Seat 22A Cruising altitude 40,000 feet Estimated flying time not given, actual flying time 1:51
Depart: Gate C16 Scheduled 12h05, actual 12h04 Taxi: 9 minutes
Arrive: Gate 3 Scheduled 13h10, actual 13h09 Taxi: 5 minutes
Reclaim checked bags 21-22 minutes after arrival

It was raining as we boarded via jetway. The capacity controlled load was 79/93. Pushback was one minute early and takeoff was to the west from a wet runway. I saw ATL then we went into clouds within 32 seconds. At 0:04 it was announced there would be 20-30 minutes of rough air and I felt bumps during climb. At 0:21 I got cup of water. I got snack mix at 0:25. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:27 and clouds blocked view below. I got a second bag of snack mix at 0:29. Clouds started to break at 0:31. At 0:32 seatbelt sign went on as I felt bumps. At 0:38 I saw junction of Interstate 20/59 and US80 near Cuba, Alabama. Then I saw the weigh scales on Interstate 20/59 at Toomsuba, Mississippi. At 0:40 saw Meridian, Mississippi and vicinity. At 0:45 we crossed Interstate 20 somewhere east of Jackson, Mississippi. We crossed Interstate 55 somewhere over southern Mississippi at 0:57. I saw Natchez, Mississippi at 1:05 and we crossed the Mississippi River into Louisiana airspace at 1:07. At 1:15 we crossed Interstate 49 somewhere south of Alexandria, Louisiana. At 1:18 I saw the Louisiana Gulf Coast to the distance and at 1:22 I saw Lake Charles and vicinity to the distance. At 1:24 I thought I felt descent begin over Louisiana airspace with Lake Charles in view. I saw the Golden Triangle the Orange/Beaumont/Port Arthur area of southeast Texas at 1:27. I saw Vidor, Texas at 1:29 then Beaumont, Texas. Descent was announced at 1:34 and it was gusty and 79F at HOU. I saw Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel. I saw Interstate 10 then crossed Texas 225 at 1:42. We looped around and I saw Texas 288 on final approach. We made a hard landing to the northeast and arrived at gate one minute early. We deplaned via jetway.

I got my checked bags at baggage reclaim and got Uber to the shipper. I checked in and was told where the truck was and I discovered that the truck was an old beater. I loaded my gear and did the inspection and realised immediately this was going to be a long, uncomfortable and unpleasant ride as the truck had no air conditioning and no radio. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into when I accepted the dispatch for this trip. I found I had to turn on the lights for the flashers and turn signals to work. The truck was dirty inside and the only seatbelt was a lap belt with no shoulder restraint. I do not know what the original year of the truck was but the truck was rebuilt in 2011 and an automatic transmission was put in otherwise it was "old school" in all other respects. I learned the ride was very rough and it was a slow truck. I completed the inspection and got signed off and was good to go.

Trip: Humble, TX to Banning, CA 1,434 paid miles
Make: AM General, original year unknown, rebuilt in 2011
Model: 6 x 6 Tractor
Transmission: Automatic
Governed Speed: unknown
Route: US59 (future Interstate 69) to Interstate 610 to Interstate 10 to Anderson Loop 1604 outer ring road around San Antonio to Interstate 10 to US60 to Stapley Road to McKellips Road to Loop 202 to Interstate 10
Highest elevation: 4,974 feet Texas Canyon Interstate 10 14 miles east of Benson, AZ
Highest Diesel Price USA: 2.599$ per gallon at Pilot Quartzsite, AZ
Lowest Diesel Price USA: 1.949$ per gallon at Love's Seguin, TX
Permits Required: AZ and NM Trip Permits

I got started and stopped by a Verizon place in Humble to get a new charger cord for my phone. Then I really got started and headed south on the 59 and took the 610 ring road around Houston and caught the 10 west. I made a pit stop at dusk in Katy, TX. I reached Sealy, TX and parked and booked room. I checked in then sought out eating location for evening rations and found Pizza Hut did not have dine-in and some other locations closed early. I ended up eating at Whataburger but had chicken. I spent the night in Sealy, TX.

Wednesday I got started and stopped in Columbus, TX and had midday rations at Mikeska's Bar-B-Q. Then I went into downtown Columbus and found a safe and legal parking place and I took some pictures of downtown Columbus, TX before continuing west. I stopped in Seguin, TX and took on fuel then headed into the San Antonio area. I got caught in congestion and lost time on the 1604 Anderson Loop outer ring road around San Antonio. I rejoined the 10 west and got caught in construction west of San Antonio and in the Boerne area. I stopped in Kerrville, TX and attended midweek service at Victory Baptist Church. I met a guy I had previously interacted with only on Facebook. The message was on Assurance of Salvation. I had my phone plugged in to get juice during the service. Afterward I was unable to find a place with dine-in so I proceeded to Junction and stopped at Pilot to get food for late night rations. Then I headed to hotel and parked and booked room. I spent the night in Junction, TX.

Thursday I went into downtown Junction to mail something at the post office and I took some pictures of downtown Junction. Then I proceeded to Sonora, TX and took on fuel then I had midday rations at Pit Stop BBQ. Then I continued west to Ozona and took some pictures of Ozona before continuing to Fort Stockton and I took some pictures of Fort Stockton at dusk before proceeding to Dickey's BBQ where I had evening rations. Then I headed to Flying J for fuel. After I took on fuel I booked room in Van Horn on my smartphone. My smartphone was at about 34% when I left Fort Stockton but it lost all its charge when I arrived in Van Horn two hours and some change later. I checked in and plugged in the phone to charge it overnight. I spent the night in Van Horn, TX.

Friday I awoke and saw the phone still had no charge in spite of my efforts to charge it. Fortunately there was a computer in the lobby and I looked up Verizon locations in El Paso as there were none in Van Horn. I jotted down addresses as well as directions to several locations. I used telephone landline to contact the company I contract with and inform them of what happened as my smartphone went dead and I lost all the apps which is a major disaster. I headed into El Paso and made a pit stop at a truckstop on the east side of El Paso then went to a Verizon location on the northeast side of El Paso near Montwood and the Loop 375 ring road. I went to the door and banged on it as no one was there. Finally a young woman came and told me she just clocked out for a late lunch and would be unable to help me but gave me directions to another Verizon location on Zaragoza and Vista Del Sol. I went there and parked the truck next to the building for shade and saw a sign on the door saying, "out to lunch" so I waited and after at least a half hour someone came and opened the door. I got the bad news my phone totally died and they would not even be able to extract data from it, it was that dead. I had no choice but to get a new phone as a smartphone is now a necessity for my job, not just a luxury. This was expensive as the taxes for the new phone were excessive in my opinon. I felt I had poor customer service as I had never seen any Verizon stores close up for lunch in my area of southern California. I took some time to reinstall some apps needed to function on the road and I reconstructed my log on the corresponding app and I notified the company I had a new phone but the same phone number. I got started. It took 2hours 22 minutes to go less than 40 miles from the east side of El Paso to the west side of El Paso as the 10 was shut down. I thought I was going to have to exit at Geronimo to do a detour but the authorities started opening lanes and I was able to proceed. I stopped in Anthony, NM for evening rations then I took on fuel. I ended up finally saying "so long" to Texas and entered New Mexico. I spent the night in Las Cruces, NM.

Saturday I awoke and had a late start. I stopped in Deming, NM and went to Walmart to get some things. Then I proceeded to Lordsburg, NM where I took on fuel and had late afternoon/early evening rations. I entered Arizona and made some pit stops then parked in Tucson at hotel and booked room. Unfortunately my phone did not register the time change as Arizona is not on daylight savings time and the phone thought it was the next day and booked my room for the wrong night. Customer service was unavailable for Wyndham so to make a long story short I ended up booking a room at another location in Tucson and that burned up some time. I learned firsthand that at least some of the streets and roads in Tucson need to be resurfaced as the ride was quite rough. The original location was in a rather questionable part of town but in close proximity to Tucson Reformed Baptist Church a church I originally planned to attend for Sunday morning service but those plans were scotched due to the time burned up getting and going to and getting settled into hotel room. I ended up in an area that I felt was safer and I spent the night in Tucson, AZ.

Sunday I awoke to go anywhere to church so I got rolling and took a detour to avoid some construction. I finally got on the 10 and stopped in Eloy, AZ where I had midday rations. It got up to 106F/41C with no air conditioning which made for a rather uncomfortable experience but at least there was low humidity. I diverted to Mesa, AZ and ended up parking the truck in a residential neighbourhood (and got away with it as there were no signs prohibiting trucks or truck parking) and I attended Apologia Church. I heard James White teach on the Trinity. The main pastor, Jeff Durbin, was away at some sort of conference. I met another person, an open air preacher with whom I previously interacted with on Facebook. It was dusk, actually almost dark when church let out so the rest of the drive that evening was more pleasant. I stopped in Buckeye to take on some fuel and I got evening rations before proceeding west. I stopped in Quartzsite to take on a little fuel as I preferred not to take on fuel in California if I could help it. I crossed the Colorado River into California and I spent the night in Blythe, CA.

Monday I had another late start and had to stop frequently to hydrate as it once again got up to about 106F/41C. I had midday rations at Carl's Jr. in Coachella. I realised I would likely not make it to Banning before the receiver closed for the day. The weigh scale/inspection station on the east side of Banning was open and it took me some time to go through even though I used the "empty" lane and I was not pulled in for inspection. I parked and booked room and checked in. I went to Sizzler for evening rations. I spent the night in Banning, CA.

Tuesday I accepted dispatch and got locked into next trip. A rental car was arranged and I headed to receiver for execution of delivery and conclusion of this long, uncomfortable and challenging trip. There was some confusion as to where the rental car would be picked up but that got straightened out. I was dropped off at a street corner and ordered Lyft to the rental car place and got into the rental car. I stopped in Cabazon and got fuel and had midday rations at Hadley's. Only take out was available so I ate in the car. Then I continued east on the 10 and took California 62 and stopped in Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms to take pictures before taking Amboy Road. There was a considerable delay on Amboy Road as the California Highway Patrol stopped traffic in the middle of nowhere due to a movie being filmed. I saw the sunset while waiting. Then I continued and got on old Route 66 for a short time and stopped and took pictures of Amboy, CA. I had to take Kelbaker Road to the 40 as Route 66 was closed. I continued east on the 40 and stopped at Wendy's and had late evening rations in Lake Havasu City, AZ. I then continued and got room and spent the night in Kingman, AZ.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...de6dbe48db.jpg
My ride from Humble, Texas to Banning, California
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cabf755dcb.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ab76d91440.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c41dee6abd.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...296fb56e59.jpg
Wing window provided old school air conditioning
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9b5bb3115c.jpg
They were generous to put a fan in