Postpartum depression

I drove from Sumner to Medford on Memorial Day. Nice weather, sunny, about 70, light winds. I had a normal sized load (for me), about 11K.

Almost no truck traffic, but a lot of RV's. The last time I saw so many RV's out was about 2 summers ago, before the price of fuel got out of hand. If it stays at that level there will be no rest area parking open during the day. There is almost none available at night now.

I was able to do a very steady slow run, hitting a peak of 11mpg on the way down. I emptied in Yreka (on Tuesday) with an mpg of 9.86 for the trip down, and a round trip number of 10.2.

Coming back, I was passed by the Budweiser Clydesdales transports. 3 black logoed 9400s pulling two horse trailers, and one equipment trailer. Followed by a black logo ed van. Very nice looking. Saw a new house hauler tractor from the back only. He had a Smart Car sitting sideways on the back, right next to the cab. Got me to thinking about converting the bottom of the Condo unit to a garage and putting a Mini Cooper in.

Got back to Sumner with a 10.4mpg round trip and 11.0 for the Yreka to Sumner leg. That number really blew me away.

I've got another trip to do this week and if the weather holds the same I will drive it fast but legal to try get a feel for how much of the mpg improvement is mechanical and how much is technique.

After spending so long working on getting to 10, I am feeling a little let down. Postpartum depression.

Ken