Convoy Truck Driver

Chuck Zimmerman

Ralph GarciaTravelling along with our convoy is Ralph Garcia, Highway Safety Truck. Ralph was my ride back to the hotel last night.

It was my first time ever in an 18 wheeler and I have to say it was smooth. I interviewed Ralph about his part of the convoy and the program he’s representing out here. All of us who are driving in the convoy became certified in Highway Watch before we left San Francisco.

Ralph is a career trucker who says the Highway Watch program impressed him and he felt that supporting it was a way he could help make a difference in safety on the highway.

Listen to Ralph here: Listen to MP3 Ralph Garcia Interview (3 min MP3)

You can also see the inside of Ralph’s truck in a short video clip here: Watch wmv file Riding In The Highway Watch Truck (1 min WMV)

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio, Video

Sen. Bob Bennett On Stage

Chuck Zimmerman

Utah Sen. Bob BennettDuring our dinner last night here in Salt Lake City, we saw Utah Senator Bob Bennett, receive a special citation for the work his father did years ago in the senate in helping create the interstate system. Here’s current Sen. Bob Bennett with the plaque.

Sen. Bennett then proceeded to provide some interesting anecdotes on the highway system. I recorded one of them for you here as he explains a family trip prior to having an Interstate 80 to travel on.

Listn to Sen. Bennett here: Listen to MP3 Senator Bob Bennett Remarks (6 min MP3)

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio

Salt Lake City Welcome

Chuck Zimmerman

Time For SteaksWhen we got into Salt Lake City late yesterday we went straight to This is the Place Heritage Park.

The great folks of Utah welcomed us with open arms and a fine dinner. Here you can see Bob Lee, Country Coach, Inc., getting a steak just the way he likes it. I hope to find time to interview Bob since he claims to make the finest motor homes in the world.

I’m sure the opportunity will come up. And thanks to all the people who made us feel welcome last night and for the very good food and fellowship.

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

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Operation Interdependence Volunteers

Chuck Zimmerman

Operation Interdependence VolunteersI made a little stop off the highway with Albert Renteria, President of Operation Interdependence yesterday in Elko, NV.

Here’s some of the volunteers who help make this great program possible. One of them is Ann Nisbit. She explains why she’s involved in the program to efficiently provide packages to our deployed troops.

Listn to Ann here: Listen to MP3 Ann Nisbit Interview (2 min MP3)

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio

Mountains Along The Way

Chuck Zimmerman

Truck and MountainWe drove through some pretty territory getting here to Salt Lake City. At our midday fuel stop you could see some snow on the mountain tops around us.

I know I’m promoting ethanol on this trip but I hope these big diesel rigs can find some biodiesel somewhere along the way too!

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

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Fuel Stop In Nevada

Chuck Zimmerman

TA Truck StopOur first major fueling stop on the highway Saturday was this Travel Center of America truck stop.

With 17 vehicles and a busy truck stop this was not a short one. I asked inside and unfortunately this is one stop with no ethanol being blended with gasoline. We have several stops across the country on our agenda that do. I figure it never hurts to ask though. That’s one way we can all help communicate our desire to have a renewable and clean burning fuel like ethanol become more and more a part of our fuel supply.

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

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Dueling Satellite Radios

Chuck Zimmerman

Dueling Satellite RadioHello from Salt Lake City. Yesterday was a long travel day and tomorrow will be too. This morning I had to get organized and find an internet access spot that works. I’m on my 4th location which is a Sheraton hotel and it’s working!

Before we kicked off one of our convoy sponsors, XM Satellite Radio, provided all the convoy participants with radios. I’m sure it was just so we could check news and weather right?

I had brought along my Sirius radio so after talking it over, XM VP Roderick McKenzie and I thought a cross country comparison would be an interesting side line to the highway adventure. I interviewed Roderick so you can learn about some of the interesting data applications XM is working on, some of which are being demonstrated on this trip with some special GPS/Satellite radio receivers.

My Sirius receiver is a Clarion plug-n-play and the XM one is a Delphi Roady. One thing I noticed quickly was that when I go under an overpass I lose Sirius service until I’m out the otherside. I never did with the XM. I’m sure I’ll have more comparisons for you soon.

Here’s my interview with Roderick: Listen to MP3 Roderick McKenzie Interview (11 min MP3)

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio

Lots of Highway On Saturday

Chuck Zimmerman

Lake In NevadaIt’s the end of the day here in Reno. Tomorrow it’s on to Salt Lake City with an early departure.

I’m sure we’ll be passing some beautiful countryside like this.

Our schedule says we’ve got a 9 1/2 hour trip (520 miles) and a dinner after we arrive. My guess is this means you won’t see a fresh post from me until Sunday. I’ll be thinking about you though.

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

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Nevada Senator Bill Raggio

Chuck Zimmerman

Sen. Bill RaggioWhen we got to Reno, NV today our first stop was the National Automobile Museum. We were welcomed by state Senator Bill Raggio.

Senator Raggio said good things about the highway system and that there are challenges looking into the future, especially as it relates to issues like funding.

You can listen to Sen. Raggio here: Listen to MP3 Nevada Sen. Bill Raggio Remarks (4 min MP3)

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio

Rolling Behind Me

Chuck Zimmerman

Rearview MirrorAs is normally the case for me when I’m out and about, I’ve got way more pictures than I can ever post for you. At the conclusion of this 2 week cross country adventure I’m going to post a Flickr photo album for you that will have lots of interesting photos.

Here’s one as we were on the way past Sacramento toward Reno. This is what’s been in my rearview mirror all day. That’s a big motor coach.

Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

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