1 trash truck to Fargo ND (delivered)

1 bus to staging (Thursday)

... spending the night at Grand Forks ND

We were up and ready to go, sort of. I was not really prepared, I just kind of threw everything together and got out a little later than planned. So far it looks like I only forgot my clipboard.

My truck is the only one at the lot. Everything checks out but it takes us a half hour.

1st stop for me is the Pilot in Alexandria. I am using more fuel than I expected. I guess that I am getting 5 mpg and add enough fuel to get me to the drop with a quarter of a tank. I thought. When I get back, I realize that it was not enough fuel, I will need to stop again.

The truck runs at 65 mph, it is a cabover and rides like one. The only issue was that twice the radar saw the overhead bridge, the front radar never did see a car and some were within a half a car length of me when they pulled back over.

2nd stop was the Petro in Fargo for five gallons more fuel. I had looked at a map but when I went out the marked exit I was heading the wrong way from what I wanted.

I had written down the turns but they weren't there. So I take what is close. The signs say 'no trucks,' but I am a trash truck and today is a trash day :)

After a few trips around where the streets were not, I finally realized that I was near '9th St E' not '9th St NE.' Opps. That cost me a half hour on what should have been a five minute trip. Good thing I added more fuel.

BB is waiting and texting me before I get there.

When I get there, the first person I talk to is a female dispatcher that wants to give me a huge. This is the first new truck she has gotten at this location since she has been there ... when I go in the office later I see the sign by her door. Something like 'Boss Mama.'

I'm signed off clear, I'm free to go.

Dispatch had called me earlier and left a message, they have a bus ... I call and set it up. The bus will not be ready until tomorrow at 10 AM. We need to get a hotel.

1st we head to McCallister's. BB is driving, but the GPS doesn't keep up and we have to take another trip around the block. The weather is not too hot so we eat outside.

Before we leave the parking lot, we make a reservation at Grand Forks. The high end hotel there is the same price as the mid-grade hotel in Crookston and we will get more rewards points.

Final stop for the day is the Sleep Inn in Grand Forks. There are not any blue highway signs so I miss our turn and it takes a couple of extra miles to get there.

Later we head to the Erbert and Gerberts, but they are closed for the day. So we walk next door to the Noodles and Company. Not the same place I remember. We got it to go. We will be back.

We did go for a walk later, at almost sunset so it had started getting cooler.

Dispatch had sent me a bill of lading, this place has a computer and everything worked to get it printed easily.

Load board - Tuesday

US - 131

IA - 26

MN - 8

Load board - Friday

US - 186

IA - 55

MN - 9

IF the bus is ready at 10 AM, we should be back to the home office by 4 PM. Not sure what are plans are for Friday.

The rental dispatcher did have a Thief River Falls to the cities trip. There also had been a Duluth trip out of IA and others trash trucks. It all depends on what is still there Thursday PM.

I have a meeting on Tuesday and an appt on Wednesday ... then I need to get my DOT physical within a month.