See bottom of write-up for the way we were off a few days ...

This trip had been out there on Weds, but we waited until Thurs morning to take it and then headed down to Forest City a little after 8 am. First stop was in Faribault, for food, we didn't make it to Ottawa like we usually do. Hardee's for breakfast.

Once in at pickup we are in, inspected and out in less than an hour. Maybe record time. BB wasn't having any luck getting her plate put on, it's one where you are screwing right into the plastic.I got it, but inhaled one of those little chips of plastic in the process.

I was feeling real lucky to have almost a half tank of 'free fuel.' BB was on empty so we both stopped in Forest City to fuel as she was on 'E.'

Even thou we were tight on time, we took the time to take our half hour break at Floyd. This is the first time we have stopped at the new Loves, otherwise we have always eaten at the Wagon Wheel across the street. But we wanted to make sure we were in and out in 30 minutes. We were. Don't like the intersection to get on and off the highway there, so we don't stop often.

A quick stop at the rest area south of Cedar Falls and on to Moline. We had done all the math and we can make delivery without driving in the dark so we don't.

Moline is the Quality Inn with Montana Joe's a few blocks away. Tonight I had the French Dip and BB had the reuben, Both were really good. Can't sub any sides. I get the salad bar if the soup is something I like. Some day I will try their lasagna.

THE PERFECT STORM

Last week when we were coming home we had planned on leaving back out again last Sunday. But Friday morning when we would have had to pick a run we thought we might like an other day off so we didn't take anything. Later on Friday we again wanted to leave on Sunday but by then the only trip that would work for us was to Idaho and the rental car was "$400," (We would have still made money, we just usually try to get cars for $200-$300.) Then that trip was gone.

Now the issues are getting a trip that we can deliver by before or after the weekend and still get home by Thanksgiving. Monday we drive south as far as Burnsville watching the board. Tuesday we again drive south to Burnsville and watch the board. Wednesday we just sit in the house and watch the board. We now have sat for four days ... waiting for something better. At this point the other factor is travel, prices have gone up because of Thanksgiving. And there were weather issues.

FLIGHTS

We even looked at flying, which we have only done once in three years. We run everything thru a spreadsheet and nothing was working ... or we were afraid we would commit to something and something better would come along :)

After looking at the math on flights we decided the only way they will work is if we have already delivered, the flights are cheaper than driving ... and there is more work to come back for.

An example of a fight gone bad would be we buy our (2) tickets for $400, we miss the flight so we have to pay rebooking of $200 ($100 ea,) and flights go up to $800. We would quickly not make any money. By driving, we have -0- commitment on the car until we pick it up and we have the option of picking up more work enroute.