Our summer trip to Maine starts tomorrow morning-
First day, we will leave in the morning for Roanoke Va, so we can stop in and see our pals the Derrys. David will be out of town, driving his car on over to Seattle in advance of his families move to that area and his wife starting her ER Doctoring!
It's about 337 miles, and shows 5.5 hours before stops- we'll probably fuel up in SC just up the road, so it will be cheaper- about 2.49 a gallon for diesel- in Roanoke, it looks like 2.59-2.70 per gallon.
Looking forward to the trip!
Think it was 87 degrees when we landed last night in Charlotte-
Today, depending on whose thermometer you read, it was from 99 to 104 here in Sunny Greenwood-
Went to lunch with oldest Grand Brandon at Mig's. Brought Cooper home a bag-
Got a call that the bags have at least made it to Greenville Spartanburg, not on the same plane, and since it's past 3, may not get them until tomorrow- Of course!
On June 17th, I located a District of Columbia plate in downtown Salt Lake City- which meant that that was the earliest ever that I have found all 50 state plates in a month!
Also added about a hundred state specific plates- several Canadian ones, and a new one from Chihuahua Mexico! Great month for plating!
To go along with the problems on the way out, the trip home was nothing short of a spectacular Charlie Foxtrot move on the part of American Airlines.
They had posted our flight as an on time departure, and we loaded in at about 0815 for an 0845 departure. After we got settled, the captain came on and said they had been posted for an hour and a half delay- and he said he would prefer that we deplane, so as not to be hostages for the time. Only good thing of the day.
We were in the terminal, when after 20 minutes, they said, we were back on, to reload, and prepare for a quick take off.
NOT
We got settled, then he came on and said they just pushed us back 40 minutes, so we would have to stay.
We finally were wheels up at 1002- On the way, the captain advised there was still weather in the area, but we were looking ok.
After an hour or so, we went into a climbing pattern for about 40 minutes. Back off that, then another 40 minute holding pattern, which put us wheels down at DFW at 220 pm. Actually, that was ok, since our connecting flight was at 325. It was posted as on time, so good to go.
NOT
We were at the gate, and smelled a rat- they were saying that a flight to Leon Mexico was scheduled at our gate to depart at 310- no way our 325 flight was going to be available, even though there was an aircraft at the gate.
NOT
At 315, they posted that the flight to Greenville was CANCELLED. No reason given, just cancelled. The gate attendant then said we all could go to one of three gates way far away, from B3 to B 26 or B-28, or B-40.
We schlepped down to B 26 as directed, waited on line for 20 minutes,, only to be told gruffly that we were not in the rebook line for B26- and were told to go next door to the rebooking line- then she thought enough of the 30 of us who were on line to make an announcement that they might want to change lines- so now we have 40 people or so on line, and we start the process again. We worked down to about 10 people, when they announce that the ticket agent is being reassigned, (I think that meant going on a break)- and that they were closing down, and we could now go to Gate 40. About a half mile away.
NOT
There must have been a 100 people on line at gate 40- we also learned that they had summarily cancelled the remaining flight to Greenville, which was to leave at 730. Not looking good to get home this night-
I made an executive decision to head back out the the main ticketing, risking going through security again, and Cooper and I headed out. By now it was almost 5 pm. We ascertained that there was a flight to Charlotte leaving at 645, well now 745- and huzzah, there were seats on it!
Set to arrive in Charlotte at 1130 pm.
We called Bette and she agreed to come the 2.5 hours or so to Charlotte, 145 miles, vs the 45 miles to Greenville- Saved.
NOT
We made a futile attempt to rescue the checked baggage off the cancelled flight to Greenville and get them put on the Charlotte plane- Didn't happen, so for the second time on the trip, Cooper and I are without baggage.
They are supposed to fly the bags into Greenville sometime in the morning. Then they will deliver them to us here in Saddle Hill.
So about 24 hours later, I'm typing the trip from hell report.
There's lots to do today-
Bette got up and left about 0330 to head back to St Augustine with Buster- She just called and said she was just above Jacksonville- so she's making good time.
On the list to do today:
Pack for me for the trip- Cooper has to pack as well.
Think we all are going to meet here for dinner before we head up to our hotel for the night-
Day's Inn in Greenville SC.
Then we have a 0615 am flight out to Dallas, then a connection to make to Rapid City SD.
Had dinner tonight with Tina and Cooper at Mig's Pizza- Bette and I split a calzone.
Brandon had to work, and Tony had his golf challenge group.
Fairly long Interstate run today, so lots of new plates:
Here is the overall trip tale of the Garmin:
353 miles
Max 68.0 mph
Moving Average: 55 mph
Overall average, 47 mph
Total time on the Road: 7:33
Total Moving time: 6:28
Total Stopped: 1:05
Left Coquina: 0708 68 degrees and sunny
Picture from Load out on Wednesday:
Arrived Greenwood 1414 74 degrees and mostly cloudy.
Start mileage: 56570 End: 56923
Fuel used: 44 gals. Avg mpg 7.8
1 stop for lunch about 16 minutes at Wal Mart Waynesboro, Georgia
By legs:
First, Coquina Crossing to Ga State Line
Left Coquina at 0708- some minor traffic from construction through Jacksonville- Arrived at State Line at 0833.
Leg 2 Georgia State Line to I-16 Junction, Pooler Georgia
Ran into a bit of sprinkles and a rain shower about 91 miles in- then came out of it. No traffic issues
Next leg: I-16 junction through Statesboro Georgia
Little 46 mile section, exited at exit 127 on I-16, against what the Garmin was telling us to do
Last leg,
Statesboro on to Saddle Hill in Greenwood with a 15 minute stop for lunch at the Wal Mart in Waynesboro Ga. We ate yesterday's subway sandwiches, and drank our own soda for no cost- Actually, no cost so far for the whole trip! 136 miles on this leg
Lunch Break temp and stop:
Safely in at Saddle Hill!
Tonight is supposed to be a family dinner at O'Charlie's here in town, but I think Brandon is working.
