1 Tree truck to Menomonee Falls WI

... spending the night at Horse Cave KY

Breakfast - two yogurts, one I ate, the other I brought with me for later. Later never came. This place did have the full spread but I thought I was going to get going earlier. Pretty much got out at the usual time. BB was planning on leaving an hour later assuming she would catch up to me around noon at lunch.

1st stop was 15 miles down the road for fuel at the TA. Today a 2nd dash light is on and off during the day. The ABS light also came on but I found that if I re-started the truck it would go off.

I've been this route enough times that I didn't write down my route, just the exit numbers of where I was planning on stopping.

"I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do it's because I missed my exit" ;) Twice today.

Trucks are not allowed to go through downtown Atlanta so I knew I was looking for a beltway. The first one I saw was the I-675, as soon as I was on it I knew it was not where I was supposed to be. So I got off at the first exit, and I could see that there was no way to get back onto I-75 north, only back on I-675/I-75 south. That was the first issue.

Then I noticed that people coming off the freeway exit were taking a left turn on red, across traffic. The light was not changing, then I was first in line and people were passing me on the right and taking a left on red in front of me. Maybe this isn't the first time this has happened here? I finally took a right on red and went up and turned around. By the time I got back the signal had changed and I had to wait.

Now I know where I am supposed to be, as I get closer to the beltway I want to be on I see the airport signs. Not seeing them should have been my first clue I was at the wrong exit before.

Even after I am on the beltway I am still kicking myself for not paying more attention. And I spend enough time kicking myself that I miss another turn ... I ended up on I-85 heading south out of ATL. But hey, I've done this one before, I knew which exit to take this time :)

Those two Opps cost me about 10 miles and 20 minutes that I didn't want to loose. I am hoping to get closer to 500 miles today ... at 55 mph.

2nd stop is the same Pilot as on the way south in Dalton for a rest break.

As slow and sluggish as this truck was on the hills in FL I was expecting to loose a fair amount of time on the hills. Not really. So far I have only down shifted on the big hill just east of Monteagle. That one is steep enough that all trucks must stop at the top heading east and read the sign listing where the run away ramps are. But we are heading west heading up instead of down.

3rd stop was in Monteagle for fuel at the Pilot and food at Wendy's. BB was there and we sat and ate in the car.

Going through Nashville I had been noticing the hotel they were tearing down, all that is left is the concreate shell. But I had missed the new La Quinta just a block away. Five floors of rooms above a four story enclosed garage, also right by the stadium.

4th stop was in White House at the Loves for a break, while I was there I put in a couple of gallons of DEF to get me to the drop. I had tried to put in DEF back at Monteagle but my credit card was denied so I left. Then I found out that at Monteagle BB had just fueled the rental car. Sometimes the credit card doesn't like that. But here at Loves I can't even use my personal credit card. Company card or pre-pay inside. Usually if the place makes me pre-pay, I put in enough to get to the next station.

Before I leave the station BB and I talk on the phone, she says we have two hours until dark. I have planned on stopping at Horse Cave because that is the cheapest fuel of the trip and I will be close to needing fuel again. She decides that is a good place to spend the night and makes a reservation.

5th and final stop is Horse Cave. First for fuel at the Loves. The place is packed, it doesn't help that people are leaving their trucks either before or after the pump and blocking others.

Second stop for me was the Holiday Inn for the night, BB was already there. She tells me the only food in town is the Subway at the Loves. No, right across the street from the Loves is an Amish Bakery and Deli, and it was still open when I was at the Loves.

Third stop in Horse Cave was for food at the Amish Bakery and Deli. We both got pulled pork on bread and then I got a piece of pineapple pie (?) and some cookies. Lots of baked goods, all looked good. Food was good, another good find.

Load board

US - 317

IA - 77/70

We have 500 miles to go tomorrow before we can deliver. We did 427 miles today. I would like to be rid of this thing without having to start it in the cold weather. Maybe?

One of the people I mentioned who had home test positive for Covid did a clinic test and that showed negative. But now a different grandchild has Covid.

LOG (local)

7:30 - leave Comfort Inn in Forsyth GA

8:00 - fuel at the TA in Jackson GA

10:00 - break at the Pilot in Dalton GA

12:00 - fuel at the Pilot in Monteagle TN

12:15 - eat at the Wendy's at the Pilot in Monteagle TN

3:00 - break at the Loves in White House TN

4:30 - fuel at the Loves in Horse Cave KY

4:45 - checkin at the Holiday Inn in Horse Cave KY

5:15 - get food at the Amish Bakery and Deli in Horse Cave KY