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NEW TRASH TRUCK TO NM
Same route as
last week, to a point.
I was hoping to do back to back trips to
Burbank, CA, but the next bus was still in the shop waiting for parts. This was
the next trip that dispatch offered me, I didn't take time to do the math to
see how long the trip would take. Dispatch asked if I wanted a flight for Weds
or Thurs and seeing I've been getting in to PHX between 5-7 with the buses I
went with a Thursday flight.
Monday - 4/18/11
6 AM …
not my favorite time to be heading out but no one asked me and I didn't push
the issue. I thought there was going a bunch of drivers leaving, it turns out
there is only two of us. The other guy is flying home Wednesday so I don't
expect to see him again once we leave the pickup location.
Both trucks
are ready when we get there, it's been a four hour ride to the customer. I had
thought I'd take a nap but wasn't tired … yet. We stopped on the way to
pick up a couple of cases each of DEF, diesel exhaust fluid, the local stores
near the customer don't carry it. It's something that so far is only available
at the truckstops.
I was going to give the other driver a head start
but he's still doing paperwork when I'm done killing time so I roll. Walmart is
where I've been fueling, it means that I don't have to wait for our other
drivers but it is a pain to get in and out of. Lots of backing and turning but
I make it.
Rolling west I see a new truckstop that wasn't here a
couple of years ago (likely was here a couple of months ago, but I forgot), so
if I can remember that was my last Walmart stop, and maybe no more buying DEF
before getting the truck.
Other than hearing the weather report, a
radio in a truck, what an idea … yes, I've been doing buses and trucks
without radios for weeks now. Weather report says there will likely be )))
s-n-o-w ((( in Iowa on Tuesday … in the end of April, in the area north of
US-20. Which also means MN … but I'm heading south :
This will be
the same old highway most of the way … same as the last four trips (just
checked) but it seems like a lot more. Small fuel tank, about 50 useable and it
seems about four miles to the gallon so about a 200 mile range or half what I
was getting with the buses. And I thought I'd be having less down time each
day, thought I'd be running 12 hour days instead of 14 hour days.
The
small fuel tank makes my first fuel stop in Kearny, MO … when I'm done
fueling I see the other driver, he's just pulled in. And I thought he'd be
miles ahead of me by now as I've not been pushing it ???
Plan was to
run this trip the same as the one I did a few months ago when I had to pick up
on Friday and couldn't deliver until Monday. First night in Emporia at a $29
motel, then another short day with the 2nd night in Emporia in a less than $29
motel, then push to PHX and spend the night in a $29 … now $31 motel.
But when I get to Emporia I can't see shutting down at 5 PM when I
have three drive hours left. Actually I decided that about 30 miles back when I
was going to stop and get a sandwich. Any stopping early goes against my
'maximize all hours' policy.
So instead of stopping for the night, I
stop and fuel in Emporia and then head on down US-50 instead of getting on the
toll way. I'm running a right hand drive and don't feel like getting out to get
my toll tickets. BUT there aren't any cheap motels three hours down the road
this route so I turn south when I get to I-135 and head to Wichita. I know
there are a couple of cheap ones there. I don't see them in the coupon books
but …
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Regency,
Wichita KS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"To
keep this review in perspective, this motel is $11 less than the Motel 6" 3 of
5 stars Date of review: Apr 28, 2011
I thought there were more
non-chain motels near the airport, but I don't see them tonight (tomorrow I'll
see them west of this one). But this was the one I was looking for, the taxi
driver told me about this one when he was dropping me off at the Super 8 last
trip, said it was just as good at the '8' for a lot less.
To keep this
review in perspective, this motel is $11 less than the Motel 6 across the
street so if you are looking for the Holiday Inn, this isn't it.
That
said, it covers the basics. Shelter, water, heat (after I shut off the AC).
Nothing to complain about. No problems at check-in or check-out. I did have an
issue with their WiFi but after having to re-set on my computer, I think it was
on my end.
And with only a city street between the motel and the airport
runway, you can expect some airport noise.
With four bars of soap I'm not
sure how many people they were expecting to share a single bed, but tonight it
was just me.
I'll let the pictures tell the rest.
* Reviewer
ratings for this hotel:
o 4 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars
Service
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay: April
2011
* Visit was for: Business
* Solo Traveler
* Member since:
November 28, 2010
* Recommended by this reviewer? Yes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Hangar One Steak
House, Wichita KS <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"So far this place is two for two … great food"
3 of 5 stars
1
more review of Hangar One Steak House by Jim-OnTheWayHome:
"Not just
different, good" 4 of 5 stars December 29, 2010
Date of review: Apr
21, 2011
(I'm doing 2nd reviews on the places I go back to, to show if
the 1st was the exception)
When I eat alone, it takes me about one minute
to make up my mind on what I want, and I like to have the bill on my table by
the time I take my last mouthful. It seemed to take a while tonight to get a
menu and order once I'd been seated, but I was in and out in 45 minutes so it
might not have as long as it seemed.
Tonight I ordered a BBQ burger and a
side of 'Philly Cheese Soup.' Never heard of it before but it was g-o-o-d. Not
really thinking, I asked for ketchup for my burger … it wasn't needed.
So far this place is two for two … great food.
No one mentioned
it at the time, but when I got the bill it showed that burgers were 1/2 price
... so $4.99 for my meal ... wow.
(after writing this review I had to look
up my prior visit and I saw that last time it took 45 minutes also ...
consistent)
* Reviewer ratings for this restaurant:
o 3 of 5
stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Service
* Date of visit: April 2011
* Member since: November 28, 2010
* Would you recommend this
restaurant to a friend? No
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It was nice to have a working clock … the one on the microwave,
so I didn't have to try to see the time on my cell phone during the night. But
then I unplugged it to charge my phone … opps for the next person who'll
now need to re-set it.
Tuesday - 4/19/11
I had shut down
an hour early last night to take advantage of the cheap motel, but then did
some computer work that I log so I got in my 14 hours on duty … so it's
another 6 AM morning. Front desk is open and I think they might have had a
breakfast area but I'm not up for that so I didn't look around.
No
issues with the truck so … let's roll. I'm not sure I took the shortest
way out, this part of Wichita has the 'Texas style' frontage road but I find my
way back on the highway.
Still mostly two lane highway from here to
Tucumcari, but they are opening more four lane all the time. Plus there are
other areas where the base has been done for years and now grows grass.
The down side of the right-hand drive trucks is trying to pass trucks
on a two lane highway. You can't see what is coming until you are all the way
out in the lane so I just have to follow. I get behind one truck who keeps
pulling to the right so that 'a normal trucker' could see that nothing is
coming, but I'm not that normal trucking so I just keep following. Cars aren't
an issue as I can see over the top, and it's not an issue on the four lane as
nothing (should be) coming in the left lane.
I end up stopping in
Greensburg, KS for fuel, they need all the help they can get. Still blocks of
vacant lots with only cement slabs to show that something used to stand there
(Tornado in 2007). I thought I used to make it from Emporia to Hooker on one
tank, this time I fuel ½ way and still am running on 'E' when I get to
Hooker.
Next to the Love's in Hooker they are working on more cement
slaps, not sure if it's just parking, more pumps, or if they are moving the
building and gas pumps … or if it has nothing to do with Love's.
Not being is a rush this trip, I stop again at the cattle auction restaurant in
Texhoma. It's still before noon so I order breakfast instead of steak. Two of
the waitresses wanted to take my bacon back and get me some new because it was
so well done. OK, it was a little well done but I like the bacon fat that way
where it melts in my mouth. Service was good, price was right, business was
good, auction was the next day so cattle were coming in outside.
On
the way to pickup our trucks, the other driver asked if I could count the
cattle for him when I went through Dalhart … I knew I had looked it up
after last trip so I pulled out my computer and gave him the numbers, he had
guessed about 10,000 … they can handle up to 75,000 on the XIT feeder lot.
I've been carrying around some mail I needed to mail for a couple of
weeks and finally remembered as I past the Post Office in Dalhart but I was in
the wrong lane, so it was still on my mind when I got to Nara Vista, NM …
population ???. Last time I looked up this town I found all kinds of info, this
time I can't find anything.
Anyhow I stopped at the post office and
mailed my letters, actually a pretty busy place for a town of 10 people :. I
was there and three others came and / or went while I was there. Next was the
Port Of Entry, just over the hill and open today. I get the sign in the window,
almost missed it as I'm watching the guy with his back to the window. But he's
busy asking some guy how long he's been doing a log book …
Find
out our other driver was about three hours ahead of me, guess he'll be making
his flight, I'm in and out in a few minutes but it all takes time.
About 20 miles from Tucumcari I have to come to a halt, road construction. I'm
the first in line for the next trip through which will be about 10 minutes from
now. One lane traffic while they resurface the road. Talk to the guy holding
the sign a bit, he says even with the wind … 50 mph today … it is
still hot standing on the blacktop all day. I'm sure it is.
Fuel, this
thing is sucking it bad. I need to stop again in Tucumcari for fuel. Flying J
… I like my perks card, I'm in and out and don't even have to talk to
anyone, just like the old days. Start the pump with my perks card, go in and
get my two receipts from the Kiosk and I'm rolling.
Rolling back
through Tucumcari, I'm still in no rush so I go down out Route 66 and take a
few pictures of the motels and one of a Witz Bros sign. Still one motel for
$17, but I've decided to push on tonight, I'll be another 200 miles down the
road by the time I stop.
Yes, sucking fuel, 200 miles puts me in ABQ
at the Flying J there. I didn't want to stop yet but can't remember where the
next truck stop is … I know there are a couple of casinos but I'm looking
for real truck stops. (turns out the one I was thinking of was at mile marker
39 not 139), good thing I stopped when I did.
I make it to Grants, not
enough time to get another hour to Gallup, don't need to. I have a coupon for
the 'Sands' Motel. I see a sign along the freeway in good repair, that's a good
sign. And other sign before I get to downtown and another that says ½
block. I don't realize that it means ½ off the main street RIGHT THERE,
I'm thinking another ½ a block down this street … and I can't find
it, so a U-turn. Ahhhh, now I see the sign over the motel.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Sands Motel, Grants NM
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"The place is
old, but in good repair."
3 of 5 stars
Date of review: Apr 21, 2011
From the outside and the inside this place looks like it is 60-70
years old. There is enough room to park a couple of trucks, but not a huge lot.
No issues with check-in, check-out was just dropping the key in the night
box. Actual key, not a card.
The place is old, but in good repair. Repair.
Some items had been repaired where more expensive places would have replaced
the item. The WiFi worked good and the room had plenty of outlets.
But the
basics were good, clean room, hot water, good bed, fridge worked. Because of
the general age of this place and (and ones like it) I was surprised to find
towels that were thicker than / thick as the ones at a Holiday Inn.
*
Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
o 4 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars
Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5
stars Service
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay: April
2011
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - El Cafecito,
Grants NM <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Fast
food or homemade?"
3 of 5 stars
Date of review: Apr 21, 2011
The motel I was staying at recommended two places to eat, this was the first
one I came to and it looked in good enough repair and crowded enough I gave it
a try.
The building looks like it was built recently, maybe just a few
years based on wear and style. Plenty of customers, plenty of help. Menu's were
on the table, I found that out when they seated the next people.
I
ordered a 'trio,' chimichanga, enchilada and taco. Plus it came with some
sopapillas (…is a kind of fried pastry and a type of quick bread…).
They asked which sauce I wanted the red or the green so I asked which is milder
… the red, so that is what I got.
But, on one of my first bites I
got a hot one and got the hiccups for a while (that happens with me and spicy
food) … and my lips tingled the whole time I was eating. Didn't get any
more bites that were that spicy so either that was the only one or my taste
buds went numb. NOTE: For me, anything more than ketchup is 'spicy.'
Between the looks of the restaurant and the looks and taste of the food, it
seems more likely that the food came to them in boxes and cans than on a
produce truck. Doesn't mean the food was bad, it was good. Just a speculation.
* Reviewer ratings for this restaurant:
o 3 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Service
" Date of visit: April 2011
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Walking the couple of blocks back to the motel I was thinking I
wouldn't stay in an area that looked like this in a big / bigger city, but in a
town with about 10,000 people in the middle of nowhere I didn't feel I was in
any danger. The area is old and it doesn't take many repairs to keep places
'livable' in this climate.
Wednesday - 4/20/11
Again I
took a little over my 10 hours off, not in any rush … yet. Not sure when
it was that I decided to make a run for it (deliver PHX on Weds). I had been
asking dispatch if they had any work for me for Thur and Fri that would make it
worth changing my ticket but not response so I took that as a 'no.'
Finally this AM I ask them on the phone if they have anything that needs to be
moved, that was broken down, etc that would only take a couple of days say in
MT for example. Turns out that was a lucky guess, but it got towed all the way
to Seattle … wow. That tow bill will be a few thousand dollars.
But they do have work for next week, same trip. I had told them before that I
would not do anything that might keep me out past Weds … and even on this
offer I told them they may want to find someone who could stay with a truck if
it broke down, as I would have to bail on it right away if anything happened. I
need to be home Thursday AM.
Dispatch says they are short on drivers
and don't even hesitate to take me up on my offer, I do know that there aren't
many drivers who like to / are willing to drive right hand drives. But seeing I
had not planned on being gone I make a quick call to my wife, I'm cleared to go
:
The only flight at $130 is later than I want but I can pay the $50
change fee on flight day and be within $5 or a whole lot less than the price
I'd have to pick another flight today.
I still have 'my' AZ plate so I
get the bypass at the AZ POE, the other driver will have to stop. 'My' plate as
I've had the same one for the last four weeks … now will be five weeks, I
should be getting to know this route.
Only fuel stop for the day is
the Flying J in Winslow. I seem to remember a few years ago that I kept working
my way back to Gallup and east trying to pick where to fuel last to leave just
1/8 of a tank of fuel when I get to PHX. It's hard to guess because the last
150 miles are all down hill. As example on this trip I'd been getting about 200
miles between fills, Winslow is 200 miles from Phoenix and I came in with
almost a ½ a tank of fuel … so way over what the boss wants left in
the truck. (closer to 3/8's, but still much better mileage)
I was way
over on fuel usage, about 25% over. When I talked to the other driver he was
saying how much more fuel he used than me … he didn't, we were both way
over. He was getting better mileage on the tandem axle trucks than we got with
these today.
When I went through the NM scale yesterday they had said
the other driver was about three hours ahead of me so I hadn't planned on
calling him at all, but this AM when I'm talking to dispatch they say that the
other driver had checked in from 'Eastern AZ' this AM … but not what time
this AM. So I have to stop the truck to find his cell number, turns out he is
now 1-1/2 hours behind me … ???
I called to see if he wanted to
wait for me so we could split a cab, he had said last time the driver took him
the long way and charged him $50. But I'll be waiting for him … He has
already called Super Shuttle for 2:30 PM so we have plenty of time … not
sure where all the time came from. I was thinking I'd get there about 1 PM
… I pull in at 11 AM and I haven't been pushing it at all. Wow, was I off
on this one. And it'll cost me a nights motel and a day in the motel.
Finally have to use the brakes on this truck, before today there was enough
drag on the truck that it would slow itself down going down the hills but not
on the drop from 7,000 feet. Not as many AZ cops out today but still quite a
few and most all are already busy.
Been to this customer once before
but still use the map for street names, find it. Find the same guy who signed
last time without going inside. It's 11 AM ???
So I have plenty of
time to do my paperwork, and fax it. No place to really sit in the office, just
two desks and stacks of stuff. The bathroom is an outhouse and their lockers
are 'open air.' So I sat on the curb, moving to stay out of the sun. Didn't
really want to work on the computer outside, too hard to see the screen. So I
sat … and sat … and sat …
Finally almost 3 hours later
the other driver showed up, he was taking his time, still a while before the
taxi was to show up. Not me, I'm (almost) always pushing so I have extra time
for those 'just in case' situations. I talk to the guy who signs for the other
drivers truck a little bit, he has no idea how many trucks they've gotten or
how many more they'll get. Guess I'll have to ask the shipper next week.
The other driver and I stand and talk for a little bit, find out that
we stayed in the same towns but different motels each night. Then decide that
maybe we should make ourselves more visible for our shuttle … our shuttle
is already here, 15 minutes early so we roll. Traffic is backed up so the
shuttle exits the freeway but explains where he's going, in this case it
doesn't make a difference, the other driver has pre-paid.
I ask how
much … $35, but $7 was the cost of the extra driver so that's all he
wants. No, I won't settle for that and he won't take half so I end up giving
him $10 and the shuttle driver the tip so it came somewhat close to half.
The other drivers flight has been delayed so I take that info to the
ticket counter to see if I can get a deal and get out of here tonight, I CAN
… for $400. No, for $400 I can stay in a really nice motel … sorry.
Sitting at the drop earlier today I did some checking on motels and
found that my 2nd choice, the EZ-8 no longer has an airport shuttle and that my
motel coupons all expired on last Friday … opps. And I did some checking
of my 1st choice and found they had gotten four good reviews on Trip Advisor
but the last one was really bad, hookers and drug dealers, dirty room,
unhelpful front desk.
… So I had decided not to stay at those,
instead I would find new coupons at the airport and stay at the Travelodge or
Days Inn. But no coupons at the airport, and Travelodge won't honor the expired
coupon … the Days Inn will but they only have a Jack's nearby so I tell
them I'll eat at the airport and call for the shuttle later.
For the
first time at an airport restaurant, I pull out my laptop and check my emails,
then check Trip Advisor for the Days Inn … 'Awful' … 'The place
should be torn down' … 'won't be coming back' … 'Filthy' … 'Stay
Away' … 'If you value your safety - DO NOT STAY HERE'
I didn't
… I gave in and called the Sleep Inn even though I knew it was going to be
<> $60. The worst part of that was I was already eating at the airport
and the Hilton right across the street from the Sleep Inn has some really good
food … I would have eaten there.
>>>>>>>>
NO REVIEW - Dick Clark's AB Grill, Phoenix AZ
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Got seated right
away, not quite so fast placing my order.
Baked potato soup, it seems
to be everywhere now … and this one was as good as they come. Also ordered
their chicken caesar wrap, without fries. Got the fries anyway but no extra
charge so their loss. Wrap was good, just the right mix of stuffings.
Bill never got to my table before I was ready to go, but it's all on the
computer so no time lost. Good place if you are outside security, I was eating
here before going to a motel that didn't have good food within walking
distance.
In the shuttle the driver was talking about singers in
Mexico that are getting killed in all the violence, seemed to be personal to
him but I didn't ask details. I did try to ask about the motels I choose not to
go to, he didn't seem to know anything about them so I told him what I had read
online about the hookers and the drug dealers.
He mentions that the
hookers have mostly gotten off the streets and into massage parlors, which I
didn't think anything of ... then he starts telling me how to get downtown.
Whoah … I'm in for the night. I was asking about the hookers and drug
dealers because I was staying AWAY from those people, I do not want to go find
them.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Sleep Inn,
Phoenix AZ <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"If
you plan on spending less, read the reviews of other national chains, you'll
stay here" 4 of 5 stars 1 more review of Sleep Inn Airport by Jim-OnTheWayHome:
"Low cost in a high cost neighborhood" 3 of 5 stars December 19, 2010
Date of review: Apr 21, 2011
Even though I have done over 50
motel reviews in the last six months, I seldom read other reviews prior to
staying at a motel. My first two choices tonight in Phoenix were $29 motels,
one no longer had an airport shuttle and the other had one bad review out of
five but it gave me an uneasy feeling. So I called one of the national chains
to make a reservation, but because they did not have food nearby I told them I
would eat at the airport first and call back for a shuttle ride.
But while
I ate, for the first time at an airport restaurant I took out my laptop and
looked at Trip Advisor for that motel …. 'Awful' … 'The place should
be torn down' … 'won't be coming back' … 'Filthy' … 'Stay Away'
… 'If you value your safety - DO NOT STAY HERE.' Not a single good review
in the last year for that motel.
So, that is how I ended up at the Sleep
Inn … I've stayed here before and I will say it is 'great' …
'new(er)' … 'I will be back (2nd time here in 3 months)' … 'Clean'
… 'Do stay' … 'quiet industrial area, Hilton across the street-safe
area.'
… Yes I paid more than $29 … I paid twice that, but you
get what you pay for and even for someone who is as cheap as me, it was worth
it.
(I'm now writing 2nd reviews, to see if my first review was the
exception)
* Reviewer ratings for this hotel:
o 3 of 5 stars
Value
o 4 of 5 stars Rooms
o 3 of 5 stars Location
o 4 of 5 stars
Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars Service
o 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
* Date of stay: April 2011
* Visit was for: Business
* Solo
Traveler
* Member since: November 28, 2010
* Recommended by this
reviewer? Yes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Not included in the review I had already posted … breakfast
includes waffles, yogurt and hard boiled eggs besides the basics. |
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