Domestic Fuel

At the end of the cross country convoy adventure, we had one last press conference as our closing ceremony for the historic trip.

It was supposed to be held on the Elipse at the zero mile marker but weather concerns put us indoors at the Reagan Center. Outgoing Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta was on hand just as he was at our start in San Francisco. Since our whole trip really honored the vision of one man, President Eisenhower, who signed the law creating the interstate highway system we also had a special guest on hand.

She is Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter to President Eisenhower. Like her son Merrill, who travelled with us, she is very well spoken.

Mary spoke on a very personal level and said of President Eisenhower that if she had one wish, it would be to say one last thing to him. She says she wishes he was here to see the progress that’s been made on his vision.

You can hear Mary’s remarks here: Mary Eisenhower Remarks (5 min MP3)

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.3MB)

It’s the end of the convoy! Almost 3,300 miles in the Ethanol Truck.

I have a number of additional posts to do and will get them done over the coming days. Right now, it’s time to relax and get ready to fly home in the morning.

We ended the trip with a nice closing ceremony and I’ve got pics and audio from it. So stay tuned to Domestic Fuel.

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

I don’t know if every state will make a commemorative 50th anniversary of the interstate license tag but 28 of them have so far.

These were presented to our convoy group at different stops along the way and put on display today in Washington, DC for our closing ceremony.

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

Group shots from the convoy have been difficult to arrange. Here we are in Emmitsburg, MD, getting ready to roll on into Washington, DC and the final ceremony this afternoon.

This has truly been a historic trip and what a great group of people. I think ABC should have videotaped it for a mini reality series called, “Convoy.” Over two weeks of travelling with people you’ve never met before and we’ve bonded into one big happy family!

You can see a larger picture here.

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

At numerous times along the highway over the last couple weeks we’ve had media interview opportunities.

I am real happy with this one I got to do with my local AM radio station, KWOS. Thank you John Marsh for your phone call.

You can listen to the program here: KWOS Coffee Break (4 min MP3)

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.8MB)

One of the speakers at our Emmitsburg press conference was Merrill Eisenhower Atwater. Merrill gave a great talk.

Actually, I was impressed with how he handled the heat in that suit. Merrill started out thanking all our military for their service. I’m sure his great grandfather would be proud of him.

You can hear Merrill’s remarks here: Merrill Eisenhower Atwater Remarks (2 min MP3)

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.0MB)

We stopped in Emmitsburg, MD for a press conference on a bridge today. Actually they had a section of covered bridge for a back drop.

You can get a feel for the convoy and what it takes to get us parked by watching it happen here: Emmitsburg Visit (2 min WMV)

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

Only on an official semi-governmental convoy can you stop highway traffic and just wander around on it.

This is part of our group on the way to Emmitsburg, MD this morning. We had to take a time out for some reason before heading on in.

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

I’ll add audio to this post later but it’s getting too late to spend much more time on the computer here at our last stop.

After we took off from Carlisle, PA this morning we went to Gettysburg and toured the Eisenhower farm. We had a press conference mid morning. I learned a lot about our Interstate President that I didn’t know. Like how he raised purebred black angus cattle.

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

Here’s the convoy group on our next to last day in Pennsylvania. I got in a shipment of EPIC, ethanol caps which have been in high demand.

To get one they had to agree to pose with them on.

After spending a couple weeks with these folks I can say that they know about ethanol and some of them are fervent supporters.

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

While we were in Akron, OH one of our convoy participants received a big honor. Merrill Eisenhower Atwater was given the key to the city by Mayor Donald Plusquellic.

Very cool Merrill.

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

We really haven’t hit any rain to speak of on our convoy trip. That is until we crossed the Pennsylvania line this morning. It hasn’t stopped since then I don’t think.

We’re certainly keeping an eye on the sky since tomorrow we travel on to Gettysburg and Emmitsburg, MD and then Thursday we wind things up in Washington, DC.

Keeping our fingers crossed.

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

After leaving South Bend, IN we trekked onward to Akron, OH. Our host was the Firestone company and Andrew Firestone. Andrew is the great grandson of Harvey Firestone.

I talked to Andrew about what his thoughts are on the highway system, agriculture and renewable fuels. I think he had some very well thought out answers and am presenting them to you here: Andrew Firestone Interview (5 min MP3)

I also wanted you to see the convoy pulling into the Firestone headquarters after a 380 mile day which you can do here: Pulling Into Firestone (2 min WMV)

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

We got a real treat when we pulled into South Bend, IN. A crowd of people were out on the street to cheer and wave us in. It was the best public support display we’ve seen on the main convoy route.

We pulled up to the Studebaker National Museum and were treated to lunch and a press conference. One of the speakers was the Indiana Dept. of Transportation Commissioner, Thomas Sharp. He spoke about Innovation and Innovators. This is why I record these things. You can listen to him explain here: Thomas Sharp Remarks (8 min MP3)

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

Prior to leaving Tinley Park, IL we participated in a press conference that was organized by the Illinois Dept. of Transportation.

Here’s the color guard presenting in front of the stage and 2 highway signs. They were too highly reflective for my camera and flash. But I thought it was a neat picture.

One of the speakers was Norm Stoner, Division Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration. He spoke on Pioneers, Pride and Potential. I’ll let you either apply those terms to the highway system and figure out what his message is or you can listen to his comments right here: Norm Stoner Remarks (8 min MP3)

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