Domestic Fuel

After arriving at Cheyenne, WY the interstate convoy attended an evening symposium called, “Interstate Perspectives.” We heard from highway historians and people who have worked on building the highways.

Well over 100 people attended to learn more about the highway system we’re travelling on.

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

At our morning press conference today, Bill Newman (left), Safety Manager for Wyoming Ethanol drove up in Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal’s E85 GM Avalanche. It was nice to see someone from the ethanol industry on hand. The Wyoming Department of Transportation pointed the vehicle out to attendees and the brightly wrapped truck caught a lot of eyes.

Bill followed the convoy on to Cheyenne after the event. Before leaving though I asked Bill a few questions, including telling us a little about Wyoming Ethanol.

Listen to Bill: Bill Newman Interview (1 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 (764.1KB)

Welcoming the AASHTO Convoy Crew to Wyoming today was John Cox, Director of the Wyoming Dept. of Transportation. We had a press conference at a rest stop at 8,600 ft., the highest spot on I-80.

John said he appreciates how the convoy is raising awareness of the interstate highway system and the role it plays in commerce coast to coast.

Listen to John’s comments here: WYDOT Director John Cox Remarks (2 min MP3)

BTW. John mentioned our fortune for the good weather we had (at that moment). It changed. By the time we got to our lunch we had a rain shower and the temperature dropped about 30 degrees. Then just before we got back on the highway the sun came back out and it warmed up again. I guess that’s life on the mountain top.

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 (1.1MB)

Making our arrival in Laramie, WY enjoyable was the Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn.

Joe is a chef who travels the interstate meeting interesting people and tailgating at every chance. He’s going to do this for us again in Omaha with a “Taste of America.” I asked him to tell people that besides the corn he will roast, it can also be made into ethanol to fuel the cars and trucks that get you to the tailgate party.

Here’s what Joe had to say yesterday: Commissioner Cahn Interview (3 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 (1.2MB)

There are a lot of cameras floating around on this trip and you have no idea when someone’s going to take your picture. This is an ethanol blogger in action.

Right now it’s getting late. We’ve got a dominos game going on here in the lobby of the hotel in Laramie, WY.

I think it’s time to call it quits although we don’t have an early start or far to go tomorrow!

Cruising along I-80 today I came across a form of renewable energy sitting on a hilltop. These windmills are just huge.

You can see them from so far away and then it takes forever to get close to them.

I counted over 100 in this windmill farm. Then after getting around the hill there was another group on the next hill.

I don’t know much about wind power but as I’ve been driving the interstates in the last few years I’ve been seeing more and more of these. You can find out more about it here.

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

This morning Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. greeted the interstate convoy. He brought his black Harley to escort us to the Wyoming line. Here you can see him getting ready to saddle up and lead us out of town.

Prior to getting on his motorcycle Governor Huntsman made a few remarks which I recorded for you. He talks about the importance of the interstate system and to my surprise mentioned ethanol and renewable fuels in a very positive way. He said that we’ve got to think more about renewable fuels like ethanol.

Listen to Governor Huntsman here: Governor Jon Huntsman Ethanol Comment (1 min MP3)

Listen to Governor Huntsman here: Governor Jon Huntsman Full Remarks (5 min MP3)

Here’s a short video clip of the Governor getting on his bike to lead us out: Governor Huntsman Leads The Way (1 min WMV)

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 (303.5KB)

We got started bright and early this morning in Salt Lake City. We made a short trip to a local park to wait for Governor Huntsman to meet us.

Here’s the convoy lined up with the Ethanol truck in the middle line.

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

We had a beautiful view at our dinner location here Sunday evening in Salt Lake City.

Tomorrow it’s back on the road and on to Wyoming. It’s going to be another long day of driving so I don’t know when my next posting time will be. I’ll try to ferret out some items for you that are more related to fuel. I’ve been collecting “frequently asked questions” for example.

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

On our last evening here in Salt Lake City a group of us from the convoy were hosted at a private home up on a mountainside overlooking the city for a very relaxing dinner. We started out though putting mailing labels on boxes that are being sent overseas to our troops via Operation Interdependence.

Thank you Albert Renteria for inviting us. We were very happy to see our military participants there since they’re what OI is all about!

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

Travelling 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: Ralph Garcia Interview (3 min MP3)

You can also see the inside of Ralph’s truck in a short video clip here: 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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.3MB)

During 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: 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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.9MB)

When 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.

I 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: 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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (914.1KB)

We 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.