Flying J Visa Fueling Fouled

We just received a post from the Escapees Club, that national organization of fulltime RVers. Seems some of the membership has suddenly raised a squawk concerning fueling problems at Flying J truck stops.

For those with the BIG rigs who go run with the big dogs out in the truck islands, VISA cards have suddenly become anathema to the Flying J folks. The sad part for one couple, was they didn't learn this until after they'd completed a really BIG fillup. Happily they didn't have to wash dishes in the restaurant to pay for their fuel: The company allowed them to purchase a Flying J "gift card" and then run the gift card to pay for their fuel.

According to the e-mail from Escapees, this VISA prohibition doesn't apply to fueling up at the auto or RV fueling islands, only in the big truck lanes. Still the hassle of having to swipe your card more than once if making a big purchase can be a headache.

Photo: Image Public Domain 2007 courtesy of Bear69designS

RVing family crosses country promoting biodiesel

Here's a whole new spin on the age-old, "What did you do over your summer vacation?" routine. For the children of Taylor and Christina Jenkins of Nampa, Idaho, the story may be too much for some to swallow. It might go something like this, "We spent the summer crossing the country to talk about alternative energy." But it's all too true.

The Jenkins family of six have been crossing the US in their bio-diesel fueled Monaco Class A motorhome, promoting earth-friendly fuels and lifestyles. The family left their Idaho home on the 25th of June, and have already made it to the east coast. The problem, they've noted with the east is that many of the biodiesel sales outfits sell to "members," and often during limited daylight hours. Perhaps things will go better as they make the 'flip flop' heading for their final event in Shoreline, Washington slated for July 21, the Sustainable Living and Renewable Energy Fair.

Check out their website with interesting commentaries on all forms of alternative energy, and traveling blog entries.

Ethanol Jacks Food Prices--Alternatives Sought

The high demand for corn to produce ethanol fuel is having a major effect on food prices. With corn as the staple food of many groups, as more corn goes "into the tank" prices for daily food are rising. Recently Mexicans took to the streets to protest the skyrocketing prices of tortillas. Even "Norte Americanos" are seeing the impacts--'and it ain't just Orville Rendenbacher' that's going up: Hen fruit is up, and price hikes in beef and chicken are likewise attributed to the sudden popularity of corn in the car.

More research money and effort are now being poured into enzyme research, the Holy Grail of converting cellulose--the thick fiber in plants--into ethanol. Corn to ethanol is easy, but changing cellulose into liquid fuel requires enzymes to break down the thick stuff. Where to get the enzymes? From bug guts to urinary tracts, researchers are looking everywhere. Once the right key is found, some scientists claim making the swap from dino-fuels to plant fuel will be as easy as falling off a log. Provided they haven't already turned the log in ethanol.

For a fuller discussion of ethanol research, check out this Associated Press story.