Tour of Duty 13th May to 12th June 2008

Time to hit the road again and I found the cheapest fare was out of Burbank. I've never used Burbank Airport before as it is farther than LGB, SNA and LAX. After doing more research on transport options I decided the best way was to get a ride to the Metrolink station in Buena Park and take the Metrolink light rail to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and connect to another Metrolink that stops at Burbank Airport. So I got transport to the Buena Park station and bought a ticket to Burbank Airport for $6.75. I took the Orange County Line to Union Station where I connected with the Ventura County Line which stopped just across the street from BUR. I used the phone available to ring up the shuttle bus and a short time later the shuttle bus picked me up and took me to the terminal. If I did not have so much stuff to lug I could have easily walked to the terminal.

As mentioned before this was my first time to BUR. I went inside and found US Airways and checked in and paid cash for the ticket plus $20 for not using the Internet and $25 for checking a second bag. There was a wait of a little under 15 minutes to clear security and no secondary inspection and no hand search of carry-ons. I saw that at BUR people board the aircraft the old fashioned way by walking outside and going up stairs just like LGB and YHM.

US Airways #551 BUR-PHX A-320 Seat 7F Cruising altitude 33,000 feet Estimated flying time 1:09, actual 1:12 Scheduled departure 12h49, actual
13h10 Scheduled arrival 14h18, actual 14h40

Plane was late arriving and was an A-320 instead of the scheduled A-319. We boarded through the front door via stairs. Plane was not very full. Pushback from A5 was 21 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 12 minutes and takeoff to the south.

I saw California 170 Hollywood Freeway, the San Fernando Valley then we circled around to the northwest and I saw junction of Interstate 5/California 170 followed by Interstate 210/California 118 and Interstate 5/California 210. There were some bumps during climb. Then I saw the junction of Interstate 5/California 14 and we made a gradual turn to the right and went over the San Gabriel Mountains and over the High Desert and looking south I saw smoke from a fire near Mt. Baldy to the east.

I saw the California Aqueduct, the Antelope Valley and part of the city of Palmdale and we made a turn more to the east. I saw the junction of California 138/18 and the Cajon Pass with the Inland Empire to the distance. I also saw Interstate 15 and Victorville/Apple Valley and Silverwood Lake.

At 0:15 there was a drink run and I got cup of soda. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:15 and I saw Big Bear Lake. It was announced it was 72F and variable clouds at PHX. I saw California 247, Mt. San Gorgonio and Mt. San Jacinto farther away. Then I saw Interstate 40, Newberry Springs and Old Route 66. Then I saw Ludlow to the distance and saw the Kelso Dunes.

We were heading northeast but turned more due east. This sure seemed to be a strange route to go to PHX. I saw Laughlin, NV and Bullhead City, AZ with Parker Dam and Lake Havasu to the distance. We crossed the Colorado River at 0:35 and I saw Arizona 68. I saw clouds start and we crossed Interstate 40 and I saw the west side of Kingman, AZ and then more clouds.

Over the clouds we made a turn to the southeast and I thought I felt descent begin at 0:47. Seatbelt sign went on at 0:51 and it was announced it was 76F and there were 3 layers of clouds and I got a brief glimpse of Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix metro area. I saw some precipitation and Loop 101 as we broke beneath the clouds. I saw a rain shower to the northwest and saw the Phoenix metro area and downtown and we turned east. There were some bumps as we overflew PHX, flew due east and looped around and lined up with the runway. I saw the Salt River, Loop 202, US60 and we landed east to west. Taxi was 5 minutes and we arrived 22 minutes late at gate B6.

I got a Quiznos sandwich and then rushed to gate A24 where the next flight was already boarding.

US Airways #353 PHX-MSP A-320 Seat 26D Cruising altitude 33,000 feet Estimated flying time 2:23, actual 2:38 Scheduled departure 15h18, actual
15h26 Scheduled arrival 20h24, actual 20h21 Ticket cost: $248.00 plus $20 service fee for not using Internet and $25 for second bag check for total of $293.00

When I arrived at the gate my zone was called so I hopped in line and boarded. No window seat was available so the best I was able to do was an aisle seat in the very back row. Plane was nearly full. Announcement was made the temperature was in the low 50's F and there was some rain that should be out of there by the time we arrive at MSP. Pushback was 8 minutes late from A24 followed by taxi/hold of 11 minutes and takeoff to the west.

I saw downtown Phoenix, the junction of Interstates 10/17 then a turn to the north and east. There were some bumps after takeoff. Seatbelt sign went off at 0:13. Announcement was made it would be reasonably but not perfectly smooth. Seatbelt sign went back on at 0:27 due to bumps. There was a drink run and I got can of soda and I ate the sandwich I bought earlier. There were some big bumps at 0:58 and seatbelt sign went off at
1:06, back on at 1:21 and off again at 1:36.

I thought I felt descent begin at 2:03 and descent was announced at 2:07 and was told it was 50F, overcast and it stopped raining at MSP. Seatbelt sign went on at 2:14 and I saw St. Paul on final. We landed east to west. Taxi was 5 minutes and we arrived 3 minutes early at gate E2. The ground was partly wet from the rain. I got bags 20-21 minutes after arrival and got transport down to Dodge Center, MN.

Trip: Dodge Center, MN to Montreal, QC 1,220 paid miles Routes: US14 to US52 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 290 to Interstate 294 to Interstate 94 to Interstate 69 back to Interstate 94 to Bluewater Bridge to Ontario 402 to Ontario 401 to Quebec 20 to Quebec 540 to Quebec 40 Maximum elevation: unknown but over 1,000 feet

I picked up a garbage truck and got started. Fuel was $4.469/gallon at Kwik Trip in Tomah, WI. Cheapest fuel was $4.299/gallon at Steel City in Gary, IN. I crossed the border with no problems. This was a crossing where I presented a paper with a bar code, the code was scanned and I was sent on my way after a few quick questions.

Sunday morning I attended Bible Baptist Church in Kingston, ON and the sermon was on Leviticus 8:18-36. Then I saw some of historic downtown Kingston before continuing and raindrops started not long after I left Kingston. There were a few heavy showers especially around Brockville but it was dry from Cardinal on.

I spent two nights at the motel at Fifth Wheel Truckstop in Cornwall, ON as I was unable to make delivery on Monday due to the Victoria Day holiday. Sunday evening I attended Calvary Baptist in Cornwall, ON and the message was on Titus 1:5, going through Biblical qualifications for pastors. It was raining when church ended and I was invited to the church picnic to be held the following day. I attended the church picnic as I was unable to deliver on Victoria Day. The picnic was held inside the church building as it rained most all day.

Tuesday I made delivery in Montreal and picked up another garbage truck at the same location going to Easton, PA.

Trip: Montreal, QC to Easton, PA 414 miles Routes: Quebec 20 to Quebec 138 to Quebec 132 to Quebec 15 to Interstate 87 to Interstate 287 to Interstate 78 to Pennsylvania 33 to US22 Maximum elevation: unknown

I had to get some fuel as the level was very low so I fueled up at the Esso in Montreal and the price was $1.499 CAD per litre which converted to about $5.673 CAD per gallon. The USD and CAD are very close to par with some minor movement each way to a couple cents so I consider those currencies to be equal for all practical purposes. I crossed the border with almost no hassle and filled the tank in Champlain, NY at
$4.899 per gallon. There were some rain showers at times in upstate New York and diesel was $4.999/gallon at Wilton, NY. Diesel was "only" $4.639 per gallon at the TA in Bloomsbury, NJ. I made delivery in Easton then was told the next truck was in Mt. Holly, NJ. I ended up taking a cab ride from Easton, PA to Mt. Holly, NJ and the cost was just under $200.

Trip: Mt. Holly, NJ to St. Nicolas, QC 573 paid miles Routes: Interstate 95 (NJ Turnpike) to Interstate 287 to Interstate 87 to Quebec 15 to Quebec 30 to Quebec 20 Maximum elevation: Unknown

I picked up a garbage truck to be taken to the factory for some work. I topped off the fuel tanks at Sunoco at the service plaza in East Brunswick for $4.559 per gallon. Diesel was more expensive at $4.799 per gallon in Mahwah, NJ but cheap compared to what was to come. Traffic was backed up at a toll booth on the NYS thruway then again in the Albany area as this is the Friday before Memorial Day. Diesel was $5.099 per gallon in Wilton, NY. There was some rain near Glens Falls, NY and more off and on in the Adirondacks. Diesel was $5.099 per gallon in Champlain, NY.

The border crossing went without a hitch. The bar code was scanned and I was sent on my way. There is a new weigh scale/inspection facility after the border and before the Tourist Infocentre. I saw the signal to pull in and I got in the "Empty" lane I got a red light and an officer came out and told me to go into bay for inspection. First a check was done on my drivers licence and that took awhile as I was told my name was the same or similar to someone wanted for extradition but I was not the one they were looking for. I did not to think to ask "what for"? An officer apologised then a major inspection was done on the truck. The inspection took over an hour. The officers discovered several things wrong but none were serious enough to put the truck out of service so I was finally sent on my way. I made it to St. Nicolas as darkness was falling and delivered the truck and got another garbage truck going to Easton, PA.

Trip: St. Nicolas, QC to Easton, PA 544 paid miles Routes: Quebec 20 to Quebec 73 to Quebec 40 to Quebec 20 to Quebec 15 to Interstate 87 to Interstate 287 to Interstate 78 to US22 Maximum elevation: Unknown

I got another garbage truck and since Monday was a holiday (Memorial Day) in the States I went to the Beauport region of Quebec and got a room for just under $70 CAD all in. Next morning I was taken to Assemblee de la Grace Souveraine at St-Pierre-de-I'ile-d'Orleans, QC. This is a church plant started by Calvary Baptist Church in Cornwall, ON and the location is Orleans Island, located in the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City. Normal attendance is four, the pastor, his wife and two people who attend university. Because I was there the attendance was five and we met at the pastor's apartment and the message was in English though the songs were in French. The message was on the fear of God. Then there was Communion and after that lunch. Then the pastor showed me some of Quebec City before taking me back to the truck. The weather was nice and warm.

I fueled up west of Quebec City for $1.569/litre (about $5.93/gallon) most expensive so far. I saw a lot of bikers on the road. I stopped by the Montreal office to fax in some paperwork then spent the night in Napierville, QC. Next day I crossed the border and there was rain at times. I saw that fuel prices were unchanged in NY. I delivered in Easton, PA and then the company rented me a car from Allentown Airport to Roanoke.

In transit in the rental car I pulled off and waited in Frystown, PA as a strong thunderstorm came through. Then I continued and took a brief look at Harrisburg before calling it a night in Martinsburg, WV. Next day I continued and swung by the truck and dropped off my items before turning in the car at ROA. Then I got taxi to the truck.

Trip: Daleville, VA to Burlington, ON 572 paid miles Routes: US220 to Interstate 81 to US522 to Interstate 70 to Interstate 76 (PA Turnpike) to Interstate 99 to US322 to Interstate 80 to Pennsylvania 153 to US219 (including detour New York 242/16/39) to Interstate 90 to Interstate 190 to Ontario 405 to QEW Maximum elevation: 2,250 feet on Interstate 80 west of Clearfield, PA

I got started and fueled up at the TA in Troutville, VA for $4.739per gallon. There was a long line at that truckstop and there is a need for more truckstops in the Roanoke area. The truck did not do too well on upgrades. Fuel was $4.679 per gallon at Love's in Toms Brook, VA. I used Interstate 99 in PA for the first time and terrain on that road was not too favourable and most of that road was under construction. I got off and got on US322. US322 near Philipsburg, PA was quite scenic and there was a steep grade with a truck speed limit of 20mph. I spent night in Clearfield, PA.

Next day I did not make good time due to grades and curves though it was quite scenic and there were more grades with lower truck speed limits. I crossed the Allegheny Mountains and the summit was 2,158 feet above sea level near Ridgway, PA. In New York state there was a bridge weight restriction and I had a major detour and more delay. I was concerned because I had to get to US Customs to get the title cleared before proceeding over to Canada and the office handling that closed promptly at 16h00. I got to the border and parked on the US side near the Duty Free shop and went into Customs and got the title cleared with under one minute to spare. That was cutting it close!

I crossed over from Lewiston, NY to Queenston, ON and had to see the broker and Customs and finally was cleared to proceed and had to pay a toll on the Canadian side. I finally dropped the truck off at the yard in Burlington and got a cab and chassis going to Watertown, SD.

Trip: Burlington, ON to Watertown, SD Routes: Ontario 403 to Ontario 401 to Ontario 402 to Bluewater Bridge to Interstate 94 to Interstate 69 back to Interstate 94 to Interstate 294 to Interstate 290 to Interstate 90 to Interstate 29 Maximum elevation: unknown but at least 1,700 feet

I got started and put some fuel in for $1.39/litre in Brantford, ON. I saw lightning approaching Dorchester and attempted to get a room at the Fifth Wheel Truckstop but no non-smoking rooms were available so I ended up going to Motel 6 and had to pay almost double what I would have paid at the truckstop. Before I got to the Motel 6 in London a thunderstorm hit with lightning and heavy rain.

Next day I made for the border and saw clouds building as I approached the Bluewater Bridge. There was some back up going up the bridge and a thunderstorm with some small hail hit just after I crossed the bridge while I was still waiting behind other trucks for an open lane. I crossed with no problems and got as far as Benton Harbor, MI.

Sunday I attended morning service at Fairhaven Baptist in Chesterton, IN and then went through the Chicago metro area and attended Sunday evening service at North Love Baptist in Rockford, IL. The sermon was entitled "Growing Old: Godly Not Grumpy".

Diesel went for $4.679 per gallon at Kwik Trip in Tomah, WI up 23 cents from when I went through about 18 days ago. There was some rain west of Tomah, WI to around Austin, MN and the surface condition of Interstate 90 around Austin, MN was absolutely horrible. I spent the night in Fairmont, MN and thunderstorms came through overnight.

Next day was cloudy. I paid $4.579 per gallon for diesel at Flying J in Sioux Falls, SD. There was mist and drizzle near Watertown. I was unable to deliver as the person who takes delivery went home early. I laid over and delivered the next morning and got cab to the bus depot located at a truckstop.

I got a ticket for Jefferson Lines going to Fargo, ND where I was supposed to pick up a garbage truck and take it to Sherwood Park, AB (near Edmonton). I purchased a ticket and had to pay extra to check a second and third bag as only one carry-on is allowed (not one carry-on plus one personal item). The bus turned out to be 3h45min late. There was some rain en route. I got to Fargo, hired a taxi and got to location where I picked up the truck. Oops this truck was a right-hand steer where the steering wheel is located on the right instead of on the left. The place I picked up closed as soon as I left. I am not at all used to driving a truck where the steering wheel is on the right! I got started and did fair on surface streets but felt totally disoriented and unsafe when I tried the Interstate so I got off at the next exit and found a motel and shut down for the night as the place I made the pickup was closed.

Next day I rang the company and explained the situation and then drove back to where I got the truck and returned it. I aborted the trip then was told about a truck in Dodge Center, MN so the company rented me a car from FAR to MSP (flights no doubt would have been outrageous) and I started driving from Fargo to MSP. I took a quick look at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, MN. Rain started around Rothsay, MN. I had dinner in Alexandria, MN then proceeded and the rain intensfied and I found myself in a thunderstorm with heavy rain. I called it a night in Sauk Centre, MN.

Next day the rain was gone but there were strong winds. I turned the car in at MSP then after a wait got transport to Dodge Center, MN where I got the next truck.

Trip: Dodge Center, MN to Edmonton, AB 1,378 miles Routes: US14 to Interstate 35 to Interstate 35W to Interstate 94 to Interstate 29 to US2 to US52 to Saskatchewan 39 to Ring Road to Saskatchewan 11 to Saskatchewan 16 (Yellowhead Highway) Maximum elevation: Unknown at least 2,373 feet

I got started and fuel was $4.659 per gallon in Clearwater, MN and $4.519 per gallon at the Flying J in Fargo, ND. Sunday morning I attended Bible Baptist in Grand Forks, ND and the sermon was on the End of this World. There was some rain in Devils Lake, ND and I attended Sunday evening service at Community Baptist in Rugby, ND and called it a night there.

Monday it was rainy and wet to about Minot. Fuel was $4.529 per gallon at Cenex in Rugby, ND, $4.709 per gallon at Cenex in Kenmare, ND and $4.759 per gallon at Gastrak in Portal, ND. I thought things were set up so all I had to do was have a paper with a bar code scanned and I would be cleared at the border so I pulled up, produced the paper and my FAST card, the officer asked a few questions and scanned the bar code then asked if I have another copy and I said no and was told it would not scan so I would have to go back and find out who the broker was so I went back, rang the company and ultimately was told to get a room.

Next morning I received phone call from the broker and after a considerable wait of a few hours was told the shipment was now in the system so I went back to the border and tried again and was cleared. It got a bit windy around Weyburn. I got to Saskatoon and two people offered to put me up for the night, one who lived in town and another who lived a fair distance out of town. I ended up staying at a private residence in Saskatoon.

Next morning I saw Saskatoon then fueled the truck at $1.399 per litre and continued. I made a stop in Lloydminster on the AB/SK border then proceeded toward Edmonton. I stopped and took some pictures at the Pysanka and also downtown Vegreville then delivered the truck around 23h15. There was still some light out at that hour and a friend of mine who picked me up told me that this time of year it does not get completely dark at night in Edmonton. I spent the night at another private residence then was given a ride to the airport. I arrived at YEG, checked in, cleared US Customs and cleared security with minimal delays. My briefcase was hand-searched.

Horizon Air #2543 YEG-SEA CRJ-700 Seat 12E Cruising altitude 36,000 feet (not announced) Estimated flying time 1:45, actual 1:16 Scheduled departure 13h25, actual 13h28 Scheduled arrival 14h20, actual 13h56

Plane was mostly but not totally full. Seating configuration was AB-DE so I had window seat. Pushback from gate 70 was 3 minutes late followed by taxi/hold of 7 minutes and takeoff to northeast. I saw Highway 2 and Leduc then a turn left and circle around to head southwest. I saw Anthony Henday Fwy and downtown Edmonton to the distance. I saw Praires interspersed with clouds then Canadian Rockies mostly covered by clouds but some snow-capped peaks. I saw a couple of large lakes but also a lot of clouds.

At 0:25 there was a drink run. There were some bumps just before the cart came to me. Some Jones Soda products were offered plus other items and I chose Jones Pure Cane Cola. I was also served Milton's Multi-Grain Baked Crackers. At 0:54 announcement was made we were crossing the border over the Cascades and it was cloudy and 50's F at SEA. Seatbelt sign was on the entire flight. I felt descent begin at 0:56. I thought I saw Mt. Baker sticking up from the clouds. We made a couple turns to line up with the runway and I saw Puget Sound, downtown and the Space Needle followed by Qwest Field and Safeco Field and the Port of Seattle on final. Gear went down at 1:14 and we landed north to south. Taxi was 3 minutes and we arrived 24 minutes early at gate B3.

During my layover I had lunch at Anthony's Seafood Bar and had Salmon and Chips. I found out that my flight was going to be delayed as the plane was late coming from SMF.

Alaska #548 SEA-LGB MD-80 Seat 27F Cruising altitude 33,000 feet Estimated flying time 2:14, actual 2:06 Scheduled departure 18h45, actual 20h19 Scheduled arrival 21h28, actual 22h43 Ticket cost: $38.10 plus 10,000 miles

Plane was delayed due to late arrival and that caused some concern we would not make the 23h00 curfew at LGB. The pilot assured the passengers that we would not have a problem and arrangements were made. Pushback from N14 was 1h34min late followed by taxi/hold of 12 minutes and takeoff to south. I saw Puget Sound, downtown Tacoma and the Tacomadome, Port of Tacoma and Interstate 5. Later I saw Mt. St. Helens and we crossed the Columbia River at 0:16. I saw Mt. Hood shortly thereafter. I saw Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters. At 0:25, coming up on the Three Sisters it was announced we were at cruising altitude.

Seatbelt sign went off by 0:29 as we passed what looked to be Bend, OR. At 0:33 the sun was setting at 21h05 PDT and I saw Crater Lake in the distance. The sun finally was completely down at 21h10 PDT and I saw Mt. Shasta to the distance in the gathering darkness. At 0:46 I got cup of Jones Root Beer plus Gourmet Party Mix over far northern California. I ate the sandwich I bought at SEA. At 1:10 there was second drink run and I got cup of Jones Creme Soda. Later, water was offered. At 1:26 I saw the lights of what looked like Fresno. I felt descent begin at 1:44 and to the distance saw what looked like the lights of Santa Barbara. Seatbelt sign went on at 1:50. Gear went down at 2:04 after we made some turns. We landed SW to NE and taxi was 5 minutes and we arrived 1h15min late. I got bags 15 minutes after arrival and hired a cab to get home.

END OF REPORT

Thank-you very much for this trip report. The level of detail is beyond belief.

Thanks for the report! I'd love to drive around eastern Canada someday, though preferably in something a tad smaller then a garbage truck.