To Texas and back in 10 Days...(LONG)

[Ditty]

Well guys, I'm back in Maryland. The g/f and I left Eldersburg, MD at about 0715 on the 30 of NOV and returned at around 2330 on Saturday the 9th of DEC. Being a hard-headed PSD guy, I insisted that we drive MY truck on our 3000 mile voyage to Bryan, TX and back. It was a 1500 mile trip each way taking 2 days eachway, about 12 hrs of driving a day.

Other than the normal annoyances (Gas-drivers, Cops in VA, and stupid people at the pumps) it was pretty uneventful. The new CB came in handy for spotting the 5-ohh and getting through traffic while providing some entertainment for the both of us. The new XM radio was great. (Though channel 26 pretty much loops the same 100 songs over and over. Channel 150 is the BEST; XM Comedy.) I acheived anywhere from 14 to 20 MPG depending on the terrain and speeds. I did notice that there really wasn't a big difference in EGT from 65-85 mph. I stayed anywhere from 5-10 MPH over the speed limit for most of the trip. I only noticed high EGTs (850 degrees post-turbo) coming back through Maryland on I-70 where there are grades of 5-7% lasting for 3-4 miles.

I did have a chance to soot-up a few motorists that think it's OK to draft me or that it's OK to get right on my bumper while I'm passing. The g/f thought it was ammusing the first few times but like all women, grew tired of me goosing it and asked me to stop. I did, for about .05 seconds. (What's the point of having a soot-machine if your not going to use it??? RIGHT???)

Not to bash on anyone's home state, but I HATE :uzi: Louisiana!!! If you are traveling, do NOT stop in Louisiana. A) The roads are terrible B) About the only places to buy diesel are at the big truck stops C) The Gas-drivers block the diesel pumps on purpose D) The station attendants are (for the lack of a better word) Retarded E) The H.S. Kids working the Sonic do not know what "Mustard and NO Onions" means and F) The restroom at Bud's Mini Market look like a poo-bomb when off in there and there was poo-covered toilet paper in the trash can!

We had a good time in Texas. Got to see Roger Creager and Cory Morrow live as well as my brother's band. Also had a chance to get around and see the Grandparents and spend some time with the little brother and his g/f (slash) Fiancee and my older brother's g/f; (I even got a little religion in me while I was home.)

All in all, a good time was had by both of us but as much as I love Texas and my truck, I am NOT taking that trip again for a while. I'm near sick :vomit: of sitting in the drivers seat of good ol' Brisco. I had the pleasure of sitting in the truck for around 12 hrs a day for 4 days.

We did get to stay in a pretty nice hotel on the way down; a Hilton outside of Birmingham, AL. It was a cozy 70 degrees when we pulled in and about 30 when we left on Fri morning, the 1st of DEC. (Brrrr!) On the way back, we stopped at a Sleep Inn west of Birmingham which wasn't too bad. We got a handicapped-smoking room on the main floor. It wasn't the Hilton but it was good enough to lay my head down and get some rest.

I couldn't be more pleased with the performance of Brisco during the trip. Not a single hiccup and he got the chance to do a little work and pull a car out of the ditch. He Performed flawlessly in the downpour we hit in Tennessee for about 15 mins with near 0 visibility. Heck, even the g/f was giving him "that's a good boy Brisco" every time he handled something that a lesser vehicle would struggle with.

[MR.BIGHILLBILLY74]

Sounds like a great trip ditty! Hey you better hope Stumpy doesn't see this post cuz he lives in Louisiana! Great to hear that the truck ran great with no problems!

[Logan]

Pretty cool story Ditty, Sounds like you had some happy times and sad times. Post some pics of what all ya did, and yeah, the cops in Va do suck.

[Rodslinger]

Cory Morrow rocks!!!

Sounds like a fun albeit LONG trip, thanks for sharing!

[stump0331]

Originally Posted by Ditty

Not to bash on anyone's home state, but I HATE :uzi: Louisiana!!! If you are traveling, do NOT stop in Louisiana. A) The roads are terrible B) About the only places to buy diesel are at the big truck stops C) The Gas-drivers block the diesel pumps on purpose D) The station attendants are (for the lack of a better word) Retarded E) The H.S. Kids working the Sonic do not know what "Mustard and NO Onions" means and F) The restroom at Bud's Mini Market look like a poo-bomb when off in there and there was poo-covered toilet paper in the trash can!

haha you must be talking about the Loves truck stop in greenwood, that fits the description to a T

u roll through I20?

[payne5757]

Ill be making nearly the exact same trip this weekend. Im going home for 21 days and Ill be driving from Philly to Sherman TX. Hope my trip goes as well.

[Ditty]

Stump: Yeah, we rolled on I-20. It wasn't a Loves, I finally found diesel at a Pilot truck stop. I will now ONLY stop at truck stops. No more small stations. I think it was in Rayville or something like that.

Payne: Be carefull in VA. The truckers don't regulate their speeds on the down hills. You'll pass 'em at 70 mph on the uphill, but the same truck will FLY by you on the next downhill doing like 80-90mph. Scares the poo outta me sometimes.

I-20 sucks in Alabamba and Louisiana. In some points, you'll be bouncing soo much you'll feel like your going to hop outta the seat.

[stump0331]

yeah man i drive over the tx la border on I20 and as son as you cross the border its like night and day

u rolled about 5 miles from my hizzy ditty

[MR.BIGHILLBILLY74]

Originally Posted by stump0331

u rolled about 5 miles from my hizzy ditty

Hizzy? Stumpy? Your gonna have to explain that one to use northerner's!

[stump0331]

i think its some MTV term for house