1 Pickup to Shakopee MN (delivered)

... spending the night at Albert Lea MN

(This truck has no heat)

Later last night a dog in the room next to us started barking. We let it go for a while and then finally called the front desk. When the dog hadn't quieted down in a half hour we asked to be moved. When we pick up our new keys, the front desk tells us they heard the dog before we called and contacted the owner ... who still hadn't shown up to take care of the issue. We get a new room on the opposite end of the hotel on a different floor. That part was good, having to move after you have been settled in for a few hours and are just about ready for bed is a pain.

After we did get into bed it took a while for me to warm up enough to fall asleep. I was still cold from my ride earlier.

Then at midnight the alarm goes off. Not an alarm clock but a notification on BB's phone. Someone is missing. I have all those things shut off on my phone but that doesn't do me much good when she doesn't. I often don't get back to sleep right away but I must have.

Breakfast - They had four kinds of bakery pastries, but not the ones I was looking for so I passed. I had the usual eggs and sausage.

It was still dark when we left the hotel. I had gone out later last night and opened two windows in hopes that that would keep the windows from frosting over, it didn't. I can dress for the cold temps but the windows frosting over would be an issue.

We got them mostly cleared before we left the hotel. Not an easy drive the few blocks to the gas station. I put in 20 gallons in hopes that that MAY be the last fuel I add. When I was done fueling I could see that the defroster was actually working. The frost had loosened up a little in two spots directly over the vents. Each were about the size of serving dishes but that helped a lot.

Once we got out on the freeway the windows pretty much cleared off and stayed clear the rest of the day. Still no heat but I could see.

1st stop was the rest area near Valley City/Tower. That was our plan, 150 miles. But that was too far for our first stop for BB so she had stopped somewhere else earlier. I was in the lead and she just turned off, so when I got to this rest area I just waited inside for her where it was only slightly warmer.

The temps most of the day were about 32 degrees and the sun was only out part of the time. I had thought the sun would warm the cab of the truck and maybe it did, but not much. I had put on longjohns and extra clothes this morning so I wasn't freezing freezing. I'd shiver once in a while but I'm sure I've been colder. My nose got cold once in a while, I had thought I was carrying a scarf but didn't find it.

2nd stop was in Alexandria for fuel at Holiday. More on that later.

We had agreed ahead of time to meet at Jimmy Johns after we were done fueling. I headed over and the line for the drive thru was backed up out onto the street. And the doors were locked last time we were here a couple of weeks ago.

So once BB is done fueling we head over to Arby's, order inside and then eat in the car. I have eaten in these used trucks before but today it would have been with my mittens on and the food would have gotten cold rather quickly.

Fuel. My plan was to add enough fuel so I would have a range of 200 miles. 150 miles to Shakopee and 50 miles so the low fuel light wasn't on. I even added two extra gallons to get it over 200 miles so I was sure I would not have to stop again. I thought I was getting 12 mph so that is the math I used. My range went up to 194, close but no extra range.

By the time my truck had idled while we ate, my range was down to 175 miles. I haven't left a truck yet with the low fuel light on but I am ready to be done with this truck so I just might.

When I pull into the drop in Shakopee I have a range of ... 125 miles. We lost the head wind and the temp got warmer. So math says my mileage tripled for the last leg of the trip.

3rd stop - the drop in Shakopee. The lot is full, they didn't tell me where to park it so I just parked in the same general area as before. Dropped before 4 PM, it was still daylight. Glad to be out of this one. NOW I say I will leave the next one that doesn't have heat, but I've had a few before.

As soon as I am dropped I call my mechanic to get an oil change that is overdue. "Sometime next year." Nope, can't wait that long so it will have to be done at an oil change shop.

Then I call my local dispatcher to let them know we are available local until Christmas.

Our first thought was to get to Owatonna yet tonight, but the hotel in Albert Lea was $25 cheaper so Albert Lea it is.

4th and final stop is the Comfort Inn in Albert Lea. We had looked at other places but we ended up walking next door to the Petro for food. This place used to have a buffet, but once Covid hit they have a lot of the same food but you point and they dish it up for you. BB had ribs and I had meatloaf. (and a lemon bar)

Load board

US - 272

IA - 74/72

MN -0-

WI - 2

We need to have the car back to MSP by 1 PM, shouldn't be a problem. After that we are off until dispatch calls, or we see something good local. We expect to work at least a couple of days while in town.