1 Tree truck to Cedar Rapids IA

... spending the night at Corbin KY

... we are working again ...

Spent last night in Durham NC. No leftovers so we ate breakfast. Half an omelette and a small yogurt. Still full from last night.

Rolling about 7:30, after we scrape the frost off the windows. It was a few degrees cooler than forecast.

Got to the shipper about 8 AM, still no paperwork so I call them. They ask a few questions to make sure I have looked before they start looking on their computer. Then they can see who dropped the ball ... they would have the paperwork out within five minutes. And they did.

But no apologies, just 'here's your paperwork.' And they did not bring out the paperwork for the other drivers trucks.

We knew where the truck was, we found it yesterday. No issues with pre-trip. Side storage is all locked so we put our luggage in the box in the back. Looks like we left the hotel, waited for someone to bring the paperwork out, found the truck, inspected the truck and fueled the truck ... all within a half hour.

As we were moving our things from the car to the truck, that is when BB realized that she had forgotten her shoes. She has an extra pair she likes for when we walk. So yesterday she had brought them into the hotel ... then forgot to wear them when we walked. And forgot to take them when we left. We will go right passed the hotel when we leave but this is her motivation to get a new pair.

Fuel. I usually fuel at a Speedway. It is on the correct side of the road and it is as cheap as everywhere else. We had gone passed it yesterday twice and this AM once. Didn't notice the pumps were taped off until I was ready to pull in. Every pump. Price sign makes it look like they are still open.

So I had to go across the street to the BP. Small place. First I was going to back into a spot but someone got to the pump before I got to reverse. So I pulled into a different pump. IF the on-coming driver had pulled in straight, I could have pulled straight through. But he didn't, so I had to back out.

BB had more fun today at the rental place. Today they wanted to charge her more than agreed because she drove it less than 75 miles. First person rings it up that way, BB complains so they ask the boss ... he agrees to the higher amount. BB has to point out that they can charge more on usage under 75 miles ... IF the renter doesn't fuel it. BB had fueled it and had already showed them the receipt. BB won, but we usually don't have to put up with this stuff with this company.

I pull in and pick up BB and we are off. About another 20 miles down the road where fuel is cheaper.

Loves in Mebane for fuel.

After lots of back and forth we finally agree to stay south and add about 90 miles to our trip. It's going to cost us about $50 in fuel and an hour and a half in time but hopefully we miss the ice storm that is coming through. I thought being delayed one day would be enough for us to miss it, nope.

BB also looks at staying south all the way to Nashville, but that would add 200 miles instead of 90.

Next stop is for fuel at Pilot. 15 gallon so we have enough fuel to get to the next cheaper fuel. Then we park and eat at Subway. It's been a month plus since we have eaten at one.

4th fuel stop is at the Loves in Newport. $2.49.

This truck showed I was getting .9 mpg when I picked it up. Yes, less than one mile per gallon. By the end of the day, that number is up to 5 mpg. Still not good. And still less than I am getting paid for. I gained 4 mpg today, I'm hoping for another 2 mpg tomorrow. Usually trucks start getting better mileage after the first 1,000 miles. This trip is 1,001 miles. So maybe one good mile?

We could have made it a little further tonight but the Quality Inn in Corbin is cheap, and has good food across the street. So we shut down about a half hour before sunset.

We are hoping to miss the ice tomorrow, but not the rain. So we are trying to decide what to do about our luggage. We thought of bungie cords to keep it up off the floor, but finally decided we will try to have BB sit in the middle of the truck with the luggage on the right. We've done it before, but a different style cab.

We ate at Sammy's BBQ. Mine was good. BB had chicken and it was dry. She still ate until she was full ... that is her new diet. Order things she doesn't like so she doesn't stuff herself :)

No traffic issues today. Came through Knoxville at 4 PM and I seemed to be the slowest one on the road. Light traffic, at and above the posted.

Load board

US - 79

IA -0-

MN - 4

WI - 8

If all we hit is rain and no ice, we should be able to <> 500 miles tomorrow and get to Peoria. That would get us to the drop about noon on Wednesday. From there it is three hours to the RV's so we 'could' make it in time to pick up on Wednesday if it is the ideal trip. (nothing good so far)

As of tonight, there is a rental truck a few miles from my drop. Something we could do if nothing else shows up.