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NEW FORD TANKER TO BC
USED
INTERNATIONAL REFER FROM SEATTLE
I told dispatch there was another one
of these coming, finally mid-week last week they got the word and asked if I
was interested. I was … but
BUT. I couldn't leave until Sunday PM
and had to be back on Friday so I would really have to push it. They didn't
seem to have anyone else so it was mine.
On Thursday last week on the
way back from my prior trip I picked up the driver who was going to pick up my
truck on Friday, so I made sure he knew what to look for.
6/26/2011 -
Sunday
This was our 'camping weekend' so I didn't really want to
cut it short, we only have plans for one KOA trip this year. But it was a six
day trip and the forecast was for rain on Sunday. And Sundays are usually just
a 'pack up and go' day anyway. We just packed up and left a little earlier than
we otherwise would have.
We even got going earlier than we needed to,
but that was OK, made me not as rushed.
Got going at 11 AM instead of
noon, truck checked good, had enough fuel to get to the first Pilot. BUT …
I forgot that the interstate was closed this weekend for bridge painting.
Detour. Oh well, I found out that they are working on extending MN 610 again,
just not sure how far, don't see any roadwork on I-94 yet.
This trip
I'm going to push it to the speed limit, the driver I picked up last Thursday
said it didn't make any difference on the mileage … which I found to be
true. So I set the cruise at 70, then 75 when I got to ND.
Actually
this trip I didn't stop at the Pilot, I was all about fewer stops so I kept
going until the low fuel light came on. Rothsay. Good thinking at the fuel
pump. Someone had put washers on the fuel nozzles so that the diesel doesn't
splatter up when you try to top off the tank.
This truck must have a
bigger tank, I'm able to make it 400 miles to Beach before the light comes on.
Water still coming up on I-94 in western ND.
Dispatch had said they'd
get my permits for me but they weren't able to get the MT so I'll need to stop
there. Another weekend, Wibaux scale is not open again. I still have time to go
when I get to Miles City so I head to Forsyth. Never stayed there before, drove
through it once looking to see what there was for cheap motels and there
wasn't.
But this time I see one for $39, but no truck parking. My plan
was to drive through town and check prices. DQ is still open, until 10 PM so it
won't be open when I come back through. I stop at a motel that has (had) a
café onsite and plenty of truck parking. They do take accept our
corporate pricing so this is it.
Café is closed due to 'no
staff' … so I'll need to drive into town to a 24 café across from
the BNSF office. One of the few times I have used the 'personal mileage' area
on the log page.
Café is an interesting place, building was
likely built in the late 1800's. Still the original (?) metal stamped ceiling.
All electric is visible, nothing is inside the walls. Everyone seems to know
everyone, 'cept me. Small town, the kind where some never cross the county
line.
I order a French Dip and salad. I notice the sandwich doesn't
look right but it tastes good so I finish it off …
… and
wake in the middle of the night not feeling so well but after a trip to the
bathroom am able to go right back to sleep. But up again before the alarm goes
off with many more bathroom trips, finally leave 15 minutes later than I had
planned.
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Rails Inn,
Forsyth MT <<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Great
place, not sure when I'll be back."
3 of 5 stars Reviewed July 6, 2011 NEW
Not sure when I'll be back because of the miles it is from my home.
Generally I can make it to Beach, ND or Miles City MT before I'm ready to shut
down.
Today had me in Forsyth, in eight years of driving I had never
stayed in this town before. I had gotten off the freeway once just to see what
was here. So I had my mind on the Rails Inn tonight even though I couldn't
remember the name.
I did see one cheaper motel but without large vehicle
parking, Rail's has what looks like a whole block for truck parking. Lot fills
up, not sure how close to full the rooms were, might want to call ahead. Our
corp pricing made the Rail's in my price range.
Pleasant/helpful person at
the desk when I checked in. Room filled the basics ... quiet, clean and hot
water.
But big downside (for me) was the attached cafe is closed due to
'no help' (that's what the sign says). So I had to do a rare drive to food. DQ
had closed as I came into town, but there is a 24 cafe across from the BNSF
railroad office. Building was old but food was good.
I told the desk clerk
that they must cater to old people. The alarm clock had numbers that were 4-5
inches high (I could actually read them in the dark)
* Stayed June
2011, traveled solo
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
6/27/2011 - Monday
Two fuel stops yesterday, two today
and none tomorrow. That's cutting down on the stops.
At Billings I do
need to stop and get my permit so I get both. New guy being trained in so it
took a little extra time, he did both. This permit and my return trip. Didn't
get into any conversations with them this time.
Like the last truck,
this one has no problems with the hills the only issue is with the curves where
I need to slow down below the posted.
Rivers are all still up, side
creeks are down, snow still on the mountains. Minimal road construction,
enjoyable run.
Saw a biker again with a sign that says "Bike4GOD.com"
Saw him last week too. I did some biking at the KOA this weekend and didn't
find it as much fun as when I last did it 10 years ago. And I have no interest
in biking along a freeway or any other major road. Bike trails … Rail
trails are my style, but I'd have to get in shape.
Dispatch did get my
BC permit, those can only be gotten 24 hours in advance so they have faxed it
to the Flying J in Post Falls. I'm able to make it there with plenty of extra
fuel, no fuel light on this stop.
I'm able to make it to Ritzville WA
thanks to driving the speed limit in ND yesterday, that gives me the needed
hour to pick up my truck after the bus shuttle down from BC. Looking good.
Perkins is the closest non-fast food. Place is crowded, service is
slow. Not sure why unless we all walked in at the same time ??? Food was good,
salad and patty melt. I've eaten at this place a few times including 30 years
ago when I lived just south of here.
>>>>>>>>
TRIP ADVISOR - Best Western, Ritzville WA
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
All around ...
great"
4 of 5 stars Reviewed June 30, 2011 NEW
(I've also stayed
here a couple of times about four years ago) Check in was friendly, no issues.
Lots of guest, they got behind on the welcome cookies :)
Room was up to
Best Western standards (IMO), Really, who needs that many pillows? Mints on the
bed, power and light where I needed it (on the desk), WiFi worked. Not much to
say when it's all good.
Two fast food places next door and a Perkins a few
blocks away for food.
FOOD, breakfast. Is supposed to start at 6AM but was
almost ready at 5. Besides the basics, they also had mini-omelettes, sausage,
waffles, yogurt.
On the top end of places I stay at while working.
* Stayed June 2011, traveled on business
o 4 of 5 stars Value
o 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
o 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 4 of 5 stars
Service
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
6/28/2011 - Tuesday
5 AM local … six hours to the
border. Maybe I'll make an early bus ??? :
No issues again today,
traffic is lighter in Seattle (but never good?) so I gain a little time over
last trip there.
This time when I get to the border I know the
routine, where to park, where to go, what to do. After I park, I'm walking to
the building and notice that all the customs people are out of their booths
holding up their hands for the drivers to stay back, not pull ahead to the
booth. Then I see the center of attention. A car in the inspection area has
everyone looking at it but I keep going, as I go in the door someone is coming
out with a 'heart jumper' … Ahhh that's what it was.
Inside
everyone is standing at their desks looking out the window. I go to where I
needed to be and after a few minutes someone comes by and says it'll be a
minute as they are 'kind of busy right now.' ??? Busy? Looking out the window ?
Same guy as last time, but this time can't find my info. But this time
I have a copy of what he's looking for and then he's able to find his copy. At
the border the guy asks the usual three questions and says I'm good to go ???
"I don't need to go to the broker?" I ask.
No … but
that's a problem, without going to the broker, customs can't give me the form 1
the customer wants. There is nowhere to park. I turn down a road that 80 feet
in says 'No trucks.' So I have to turn around on the street. I call dispatch,
they have to call back. All this only takes a few minutes but I'm parked on the
road, in a no truck zone. No shoulder, no truck lot.
I'm good to go
… ?? … No issue at the scale. Rolling. Wow. I'll be to the customer
45 minutes before the early bus … :
And I'm going to leave the
truck with a ½ a tank of fuel and a ½ a tank of DEF, coming all
the way from Spokane. Should make up for leaving the last one here on 'E.'
I get to the customer, know who to talk to … sorry, busy, can't
give you a ride for a little bit. End up missing the bus by 10 minutes … 9
IF .. if … if
If I had rushed to get going on Sunday,
wouldn't have had to get up earlier … just moved faster when I was getting
ready … or … if dispatch had gotten my MT permits … or … if
I hadn't gotten sick and slept in a few minutes later. ANY of those MAY …
may have gotten me to the customer before he got busy and I'd have made the
bus. And made another two hours down the road the first time. But …
So I have another hot dog, but today he is out of the 'monster dog.'
And he has lots of local customers that keep him busy. I counted over 20 hot
dogs sold the hour I watched. So I didn't spend much time talking to him.
Opps. This AM I had booked my bus for the early time, but forgot to
call and change it until a few minutes before the bus got there. Had me scared
that the driver had to have the list by the time he left Vancouver, but he
didn't … whew …
… SURE … the last bus could have
been late (and I would have made it) but no, the next bus is late. Still made
it in front of the Greyhound to customs or that would have been another hour
delay.
Some guy gets to the bus stop just before the bus does and
starts grumbling about customs, sure enough, he's the guy who spends the whole
hour talking to customs while the rest of clear in that same amount of time.
Lucky for him he got an agent with a sense of humor, I had the same guy and he
only asked me one question … "Just delivery a truck in Canada?" …
"Have a nice day."
… and now that we are late, we also have to
stop two extra places we didn't stop last time. Bellingham and the outlet mall,
tick, tick, tick … I'm up against my 14 hours.
By the time we get
to the airport, I only have a few minutes to play with. I think about trying to
grab a taxi going past but decide I'm just wasting time. So I find my way to
the row of taxi's and grab the next in line … I give him the address and
we're rolling. On the bus ride down I had been thinking about drivers stories
of taxi's not taking the long way, too late I realize we are heading to the
freeway not the city street …
"WHERE ARE WE GOING? IT'S ONLY
THREE MILES IF YOU WOULD HAVE TAKEN 176TH STREET! ! !"
Too late,
nothing will be gained by getting off the interstate and coming back ….
$24.50 to three miles (I haven't looked to see what the extra miles
were. $2.50 via bus)
I do ask the taxi about 'just grabbing one who's
dropping passengers.' Sounds like a $1,000 fine for someone. OK …
I call my contact and ask if he can meet me in the lot, I know where the trucks
are. I do my outside inspection before he brings the keys, then I check the
rest. Bad windshield but the rest is OK. We sign and I roll. I had looked last
night and found that all the motels in the area were in the $150 range. The
motel I stayed at before did not have a price listed, last time it was in the
$60 range.
I know you can see it from the freeway but I get off an
exit too soon … opps. But I find it quick enough … 14 hours. (this
will come back to haunt me) … but the price now is $80, just like the
Motel 6's up $20 or more this summer.
>>>>>>>>
TRIP ADVISOR - Stir, Renton WA
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"No small
portions"
3 of 5 stars Reviewed June 30, 2011 NEW
For $8 I got
twice as much Sweet and Sour Chicken as I could eat (traveling, so can't take
leftovers) and it would have been another $8 for a side of fried rice ... (Next
time I'll ask if I can get half and half for $8.
This time I asked for it
to go, so no comments on the staff. Food was ready in just a few minutes.
I did eat in at this location in the fall of '10 and again, too much food. But
good food, I'll be back again if I'm at the motel next door.
* Visited
June 2011
o 2 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Service
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Renton Inn, Renton WA
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Could be a Motel
6"
3 of 5 stars Reviewed June 30, 2011
Just the very basics, room
was clean and quiet, no issues at check in.
Motel is right next to some
railroad tracks, with the window open I may have been able to touch one ... if
one had gone past. None did. The 'Stir' restaurant is a couple of doors down,
good food.
No breakfast, no one at the desk until 7AM. Leave the keys in a
box.
Not cheap, but half the price of anything else within 2-3 miles.
* Stayed June 2011, traveled on business
o 2 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
o 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 3 of 5 stars
Service
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
6/29/2011 - Wednesday
5 AM local again today.
Beats 9 AM, both in miles and in traffic. Already a bit of traffic but not the
15 minutes lost like last time. ¾ tank of fuel so I'll get a few miles
behind me, truck will do 65+ but the speed limit is 60 so no help for WA but
nice to know.
Too much food last night (don't think it was bad), was
up again during the night and left a half hour later than I could have.
Scales are closed, but I still need an ID permit. For some reason they
didn't get me both permits at the same time, didn't realize that until today.
AND I have to have it before I get to ID so I can't have them fax it to the
Post Falls location. That is my usual stop. So it'll be East Spokane instead.
Crowded, but better than the one in West Spokane, that Flying J doesn't have
any parking.
Have to wait for a pump so I go in to see if the fax is
there, it is. And I ask if I can pre-pay fuel but I don't know which pump I'm
on … "The last one" I tell them. Turns out the 'last one' can only fuel
from one side, the side I need, and no one is there. Now that I've pre-paid I
need to start pumping before someone else pulls in.
Rolling again, ID
scale is open … and they are busy. An ID DOT officer once told me there
was only one 'commercial DOT inspector' on the panhandle. Well today there was
at least five in the truck area doing complete inspections, in addition to the
ones in the scale house. But they were all busy so I was allowed to keep
rolling.
Truck does 70+ (it's a 65 mph zone). But with all the hills
and curves it isn't often. No issues at the MT scale either … keep
rolling.
Did see one truck today where the tractor had been pulled
away from the trailer and the tractor was burnt, I've seen this before and
wonder how slow these fires burn that a driver has time to stop, unhook and
park and still get himself and his stuff out safely.
Found Manhattan,
MT this time … not a very memorable exit. Town sits off the road,
beautiful area though.
I'll make it a few more miles to Bozeman. Sign
says Days Inn $49, sounds good. I pull in and ask about the price … $129
?!?!?!?! OK, not today. But I have coupon for the Super 8 across the freeway,
$59 (starting in June, missed that). Rodeway Inn across the street is $55
… my corp pricing said the Marriott is $40+, which is correct so I'm able
to stay at the Marriott for less than the Rodeway Inn … :
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Panda Buffet, Bozeman MT
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Fresh, good
food"
3 of 5 stars Reviewed July 6, 2011 NEW
Asian food was not
my first choice tonight, I had asked at the motel if there was any other food
close besides Panda and McD's. There isn't. With five motels on this block I
would think there would be more food.
When I got to Panda the place was
busy but not packed, got seated right away. Four ?? islands of food. A busy
buffet is a sign of the food staying fresh and it seemed to be. I was going to
go back up before I left and count how many kinds of chicken they had and
forgot. I'm guessing a dozen.
The best was their 'Pineapple Chicken.' And
I did try most of the others, only the chicken for the sweet and sour chicken
seemed like it might have been there more than a few minutes. They did also
have some type of salad but I didn't try any of it.
Noodles and rice were
OK too ... as was the 'broccoli, bacon and cheese casserole. And I almost took
some 'Bacon Cocktail Weenies' but realized just in time that they were really
... Bacon SHRIMP Cocktails. (and I'm allergic) They were labeled.'
*
Visited June 2011
o 3 of 5 stars Value
o 3 of 5 stars Service
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> TRIP ADVISOR - Marriott, Bozeman MT
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Out of my
league"
4 of 5 stars Reviewed June 30, 2011 NEW
If you've read
any of my other reviews you know that I tend to stay at motels in the $20 (yes
$20) to $50 range, so this was at/over my max price.
BUT, when I found out
that the Days Inn price (tonight) was not $49, but $129 ... the Super 8 price
was not $49 but $59 ... and the Rodeway inn was ... Our corp pricing with the
Fairfield looked really good.
Great help at the front desk, room was
everything I expect for a $100+ room, attention to details. So it met (and
exceeded) my basic needs, clean, quiet and hot water :)
But no 'extra's'
in the room (No fridge/micro). Sounded like they were going to have a good
breakfast but I was gone early ...
McD's is next door :( Panda Buffet is
three doors down, good FRESH food. Lots of people, fast turnover of food. For
anything else you'll need to drive or order in.
* Stayed June 2011,
traveled on business
o 4 of 5 stars Value
o 4 of 5 stars Sleep
Quality
o 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
o 4 of 5 stars Service
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
6/30/2011 - Thursday
Fine … 4 AM … Blahhh
No issue at the MT scales today, clear sailing. Stop at the Flying J
in Billings, low fuel light is on, seems it always is when I stop.
Looked last night and even with making it to Bozeman I'll still come up short
to make Fargo, so I wrote down the number the Days Inn that was full last time,
just in case. But I keep making good time, no delays.
By mid-day I'm
in ND and realize that the AC isn't working … and it's getting warm. This
AM the temp in the truck sat 26 degrees, it was cool but not that cool. All day
that gauge would jump all over the place, 88 - 34 - 78 - 62 - 36 - …
It was warm so I kept drinking. When I fueled at Beach it looked like
I'd be able to make Fargo if I could average 70 mph … speed limit is 75
and the truck will do 75+ … looking good.
Water is still coming
up on I-94, guy on the radio said he had visited 20 towns in MT last week where
he had to detour to get to the town because of high water … it's not just
ND, the Yellowstone is still running high. The lady at Forsyth said one of the
motels had water in their basement, not sure which one. (which motel)
Flying J Fargo, motel is now a Motel 6. Hope it's not a $60 one like the ones
in NE. It's not, it's $44 after tax … I like that. Flying J restaurant is
closed, I don't like that … It is so hot that I don't even want to walk
across the street to Love's and get a Subway, instead I'm willing to eat food
off the shelf. (and was not going to get back in my truck to go anywhere). I
end up with pizza.
Arrrrgh, I was going to call dispatch and ask if
they had anyone in Fargo who could drive the truck the rest of the way back,
then I wouldn't need to get a motel … didn't remember I was going to do
that until 6 PM and dispatch would all be gone by then … right? …
(see tomorrow)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Motel 6
<<<<<<<
This used to be Flying J motel, now
listed as owned by Bosselman
http://www.bosselman.com/lodging/motel6.html
Not much has changed, I had stayed here a few times when it was a 'J.
They put in a new front desk and painted the building, that's about it. It was
your basic motel and still is.
Ended up staying two nights within a
week, no issues either time. Covers the basics, clean and quiet. I was
surprised how quiet it was considering it is next to a truckstop, didn't hear
the trucks (or the neighbors) either time.
The bar/casino at Flying J
is still open, the restaurant is closed. Love's has a Subway and McDonalds
across the street. Across the freeway is Country Kitchen, thought I was going
to walk to it but wasn't sure where it was, now I know.
It is now your
basic Motel 6, (but they must not have switched the beds yet, because I can
sleep good on these.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
7/1/2011 - Friday
4 AM … yes, I could have been up
at three but why? I only have four hours to go …
NNNNNNNNNNNNNnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!
My truck
won't fire on the first three tries and on the fourth try it starts to smoke.
That's it. I'm done, back to my motel. This is the reason I don't turn my motel
key in until the truck is running.
Dispatch won't answer until 7, I
try at 6 just in case. Nope. I can't find the truck info they need to contact
the shipper so they suggest I go next door to the Flying J Boss Shop, they can
look at it at 8 AM when the next mechanic comes it.
No call from the
shop at 8 AM so I walk next door, good thing I did, the guy follows me back out
the door. AC compressor. By 9 AM dispatch still hasn't gotten word from the
shipper and I tell them that I only have a half hour to play with IF the shop
is correct on the guess to time to fix it. Anything over that and I'll need
another motel before I get home … (Not thinking clearly at this point)
Dispatch says they have a driver who can pick me up. That's good, as I
looked and airfare's are $350, one way rentals are $300 plus tax, the bus won't
get me back in time. Driver should be able to pick me up at 10 AM … I'll
be back at 2 PM with just enough time to make the wedding.
WRONG
… an hour later I call the driver, they had broken down after I called
them. Now it's too later to get a taxi and rental car … and get to the
wedding … 9
Closer to an hour and a half later …
And about that time I realized a big OPPS. I had said I had about a half hour
to play with if the shop was correct on their time estimate … WRONG. I'm
up against my 70 hours and would have been 3-1/2 hours over if they were
correct and would have to shut down for 36 hours.
I should have
…. Lots of those.
Had I remembered the 70 hours, I would have
made the call to leave the truck before the driver who picked me up got going
… so I would have gotten a rental car and all would be well …
Had I not picked up my truck on Tuesday but went to the motel like
last time, I would have had an extra seven hours … and could have waited
for the truck and driven back on Saturday from Fargo.
Driver who picks
me up tells me that our shuttle driver stayed just past Fargo until 5:30 last
night … ARRRRrrrrrrrrrrggggg. He could have come back via Fargo, he drove
the truck and I driving the shuttle van (Non-CDL) and I'd have been home last
night and at the wedding today. |
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