1 box truck to Ankeny IA (delivered)
1 RV to Altoona IA (delivered)
... spending the night at Ankeny IA
Today we wake up at the Comfort Inn in Iowa City.
Last night we had talked to the front desk about all of the things we were missing in our room, including shampoo. When we came back from getting our food from the Kum and Go, they handed us a bottle as we came in.
It wasn't until this AM ... in the shower ... that BB realized they had handed us another bottle of conditioner. So she had to use bar soap to wash her already wet hair.
At breakfast they were out of butter and the juice machine wasn't working. They said they were out of 'a lot of things' because they had a very busy weekend.
By 7:30 AM we are ready to roll.
It had looked like I would not need to add any more fuel to leave it above where I picked it up. Then when the gauge gets under 1/16 the range drops fast. And the low fuel light comes on. It doesn't make an difference if the low fuel light comes on at 1/16 or 1/4, it makes me nervous.
And the cheapest fuel was coming up. $2.77 at the Loves in Newton. But I only needed nine gallons so not a huge savings. As long as I was putting in fuel I brought the gauge up to 1/8 at delivery.
Somewhere about now the other couple does call us. They are dropping in Marshalltown and should be at the drop about the same time we are.
My drop in Ankeny is the Chev dealer. First we go around back and BB picks up our rental car. Then she meets me in the parking lot before I go around front to drop. I walk in and someone greets me right away and says someone will be right out.
By the time someone pulls around front of my truck to inspect it, the other drivers are pulling up behind it. The thing that took the longest was a salesman looking at the truck also, noticed a pencil eraser sized chip. That had to be written up. And this was one of the two trucks in IN that wouldn't start and now it has a starter issue.
Only issue with mine was they needed to find the 2nd key and the title. I knew nothing about either but they found them in the glove box.
We had hopped to be leaving by 11 AM, it was 11:15. Non-stop from there to Forest City. I guess I should have asked is someone needed to stop anywhere. They did offer a few $$ for the ride and we did finally take it. It was a fraction of what they would have paid to get there any other way.
BB was picking up an RV, and the gal of the other couple was. He was not. And there were two other people leaving with RV's while we were there.
It was misty raining while we were inspecting. Raining enough that my jacket was soaked and I ran the heater on high for a while when I got back in the car.
But it was raining more once we got on the highway. Often going a lot less than the posted.
At the Boondock exit, some semi had missed the turn ... and the stop sign? ... He was at the bottom of the ramp, but went in the ditch across that highway. Two wreckers were there working on pulling him out.
Just before we get to Des Moines, there is a pickup crossways in the on coming traffic and missing a tire. In road construction so no one was getting past. Police were just arriving as we past. I thought it might be backed up for hours but by the time we were done fueling the traffic was moving again.
Fueling. BB had thought she would have enough fuel to get to the drop without adding any. But about ten miles before the drop she pulls off and adds $5 worth of fuel at the Kum and Go in Ankeny. As long as we are there, I fuel the rental car. Wasn't planning on it, and shouldn't have.
Then BB has to stop again and put in 'final dealer fuel' which someone pays us for. She did this at the Kwik Star closest to the drop.
We've never been to this drop so we didn't know where to park. Signs said where to go ... just not where to stop. I finally went in and asked. I had thought about doing that while BB was fueling but it was only a fleeting thought I guess.
This drop was the RV1 in Altoona.
We got to the drop about 3:45. They stop taking deliveries at 4 PM so we just made it. Quick inspection so we were out again by 4 PM.
4 PM and we haven't eaten lunch today or anything since breakfast. We want to get the rental cars switched yet tonight so we opt for Culvers to go.
Then off to the airport. It's roughly a half hour away and then back again. Glad we didn't have to do it with my truck. That's a lot of extra miles to put on for a short trip.
When BB gets to the airport there is a line. One line. She is told she can't wait in the 'Preferred Line.' So she has to wait in line with the rest of the folks. When it is her turn, she comments about the 'preferred line' and they tell her it is open ... now. Now that she has had to wait in line forever. I think I was back near the other rental car place by the time she had the second car.
We meet at the Fleet Farm a couple of blocks from the rental car place. As soon as we are done moving stuff I say we need to get going. 'Why? They place is open until 6 PM?'
... yes ... and it is ten to six NOW. She kind of lost track of time.
We get the car dropped just before closing.
Then we decide we are going to the closest hotel. Not sure why the ay was so taxing. No issues, just go, go, go.
Tonight we are at the Sleep Inn in Ankeny. We've likely stayed here a half dozen times just this year.
We each crash on a bed for a few minutes before deciding we are not going to eat again today. No apps, no treats, no food.
Load board
US - 177
IA - 11/6
MN - 7
WI - 1
There had been two trucks in IA going across the state but I think they were gone by the time we picked up the RV and we don't like getting too far ahead of ourselves. The three trucks in MN going to MN were gone shortly after we got up.
There was a truck in IN going to Stillwater MN today which is kind of close to us, too bad it wasn't there yesterday. Someone saw a truck to Rochester today also. That would have been a nice pair for us ... but a day too late.
Not sure what we are doing tomorrow yet. Nothing but chassis or tractors that I don't want to move. There are two trucks in MN that might work for Monday. We'll talk about that in the AM.