2 trucks from IA to FL ... we are in Palm Bay, FL tonight, about 5 miles from our drop. No work lined up so we didn't try to drop today.

We only had 300 miles to go today so we didn't get going until 9 AM local. It's raining again so very brief inspection. A lot more people at breakfast when we are down at 8 AM instead of 6 AM.

1st stop, one exit down the road. Pilot for fuel. This time I do the math and decide I am making about 12.5 mpg. But then I add a little extra, just in case.

We get the bypass on some scales and have to cross the others. FL has a scale and then three miles down the road there is a fruit inspection station. No questions for us but it looked like a couple of people moving household stuff were getting inspected. Might have had plants or something?

We might just have a chance at some work moving tree trucks ... we met dozens, if not hundreds of utility trucks heading north today. I assume do the the storm that went through in the last couple of days. If the power companies need that many trucks. I'm hoping the private companies need a few more trucks than they have.

2nd stop was a rest area at Lake City, FL just south of I-10.

3rd stop was for food at the Oasis on the FL turnpike. We choose Wendy's. When we got there, they only had two people working so it was slow. After we had our food someone else showed up and it seemed to go a little faster. It took us 45 minutes for 'fast' food. They also have a limited menu. None of the value items. Food was good. Other choices were KFC or Donuts.

We don't have a turnpike pass so it was $3.25 at the first booth and another $1.75 at the exit. At the exit there was a sign that said it was another 52 miles to the next 'cash' exit. All other exits require the turnpike pass. Something we hadn't thought of, but didn't end up being an issue.

Maps gave us two choices and we took the one with less miles. I was starting to regret that after the first few miles. The other route I think was all overpasses. This route was four lanes but lots of stop lights for the first few miles. Once we were out in the country it was more interesting. Can see a little more than from the interstate.

Lots of memories as I head down the highway. Breakdowns, deliveries, motels, co-drivers. Some area's seem to have changed quite a bit but I still remember the area as I get close to it.

4th and final stop is at the Quality Inn in Palm Bay. All my usual corners are full so I find a single stop that is out of the way on the end. Nose sticks out a little. Now later I look out and I could move to take up my usual three spots but I'm already parked so I'll leave it.

Plan for tomorrow is to use BB's truck to go to the airport and pick up a car, then drop her truck and come back and get mine.

I have a range of about 40 more miles than I need so I should have just stuck with the math and not added any extra. So I'm leaving about $10-15 extra in the truck as is BB. But we both made out good on the fuel.

As of right now, our plan is to head to NC in the AM after we drop in hopes that there is work. Still nothing major out of IA so no reason to deadhead back that far. And it is much nicer here. 78 degrees, to warm to go for a walk. Maybe later when it cools down :)

Today I notice a lot of white birds by cattle, here is what WiKi says "The cattle egret (the white bird) removes ticks and flies from cattle and consumes them."

... :) and there must be a huge market for flea's down here too. I see a lot of Flea Markets. Huge buildings plus a lot of out door space. In this part of the SE they seem to be more popular than the Outlet centers.

Closest food was Golden Corral, so that is where we ate again. Slightly different selection. Still left stuffed.