July 7, 2010 - Denver International Airport

This active Clean Energy Fuels CNG station, at the Denver International Airport, is as large as the one at DFW. We have really come to appreciate these modern CEF stations and hope to find more of them, as we continue west. 'Easy access and no lines. We traveled 490-miles and still had 1,150 PSI, or just under 1/3 tank remaining. We filled up with 26.3 GGE & 3,400 PSI, costing $56.52. Open 24/7. Takes major credit cards.

July 6, 2010 - Colorado Springs Sunset

God is the ultimate Artist. We were in awe of His sunset, right outside our hotel, just off the interstate.

July 6, 2010 - Colorado Springs, CO

We were not able to use this station in Colorado Springs. We soon learned that the only CNG station in Colorado that accepts non-Colorado key cards is located at the Denver Airport. 'Not a problem...onward to Denver.

July 5, 2010 - Albuquerque, NM - Visiting Sunport Shuttle

The owner of Sunport Shuttle, like many others whom we interviewed, is very interested in clean air and alternative fuels.

July 5, 2010 - Albuquerque, NM Airport (Checking Clearance)

9-Foot Clearance is A-Ok...heading into the Arrival Area.

July 5, 2010 - Albuquerque, NM Airport

A beautiful airport and a sunny day

July 4, 2010 - Albuquerque, NM Evening

Checking out our LED sign lights, against the Albuquerque evening sky

July 4, 2010 - Arriving in Albuquerque, NM

This modern Clean Energy Fuels station, at the Albuquerque Airport, was a welcomed sight. 'Easy access and no lines. We traveled 459-miles and still had 900 PSI, or approximately 1/4 tank remaining. This gave us a lot of confidence in our ability to drive long, cross-state routes. We filled up with 26.4  GGE & 3,700 PSI, costing $58.63. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

July 4, 2010 - Las Vegas, NM (Closed)

Uh Oh!...we were counting on this CNG station to knock a couple hundred miles off of the distance from Albuquerque, NM to our next station - Denver, CO. The Las Vegas garage personnel were very friendly, but couldn't remember when the station was last operational. We updated the CNG.Prices web site, so that others making this CNG trek might not count on this station. Only one thing left to do - eat some lunch and get back on the highway.

July 4, 2010 - Headed to Albuquerque, NM

There is not much out here. The wind farms were impressive.

July 3, 2010 - Elk City, OK

We traveled 117-miles and had 2,600 PSI, or a little over 3/4 tank remaining. Filled only 3.4 GGE & 3,000 PSI, costing $4.16. Mmm....it's a long road from here to Albuquerque NM, with only a 3,000 PSI fill. This is an older, but well-maintained and much appreciated station, fairly close to the interstate. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

July 3, 2010 Oklahoma City, OK - Airport Express Visit

We made a visit to the Will Rogers Airport shuttle operator - Airport Express.

July 3, 2010 - Edmond, OK

This is a Greenfield CNG Station, on the outskirts of Edmond, OK. 'Easy access and no lines. Sells propane and gasoline. We drove around Arcadia & Edmond for a couple of days, approximately 70-miles. Filled up with 8.8 GGE & 3,500 PSI, costing $11.44 ($1.30/gal :).

Open 24/7. Takes credit cards. We are on our way to Albuquerque, NM.

July 2, 2010 - Oklahoma City, OK - Will Rogers Airport

This is a modern Clean Energy Fuels station, at Will Rogers Airport. 'Easy access and no lines. We traveled 358-miles and had 1,850 PSI, or slightly less than 1/2 tank remaining. Filled up with 16.7 GGE & 3,700 PSI, costing $35.14. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

July 1, 2010 - Arcadia, OK - POPS

POPS Restaurant is easy to find, has great hamburgers, and lots of soda pops. The CNG vehicle turn-out was excellent, as well.

July 1, 2010 - Arcadia, OK - CNG Van

The '66 CNG GTO was very cool, but the ladies really went for our '09 CNG Chevy Van

July 1, 2010 - Arcadia, OK - CNG GTO - Tanks

Plenty of High Octane CNG Fuel

July 1, 2010 - Arcadia, OK - CNG GTO Underhood

Check this out!

July 1, 2010 - Arcadia, OK - CNG GTO

We were not alone! Chesapeake Energy invited us to their Ride to Inspire Event.

July 1, 2010 - North Central Texas Council of Governments - Van Pools

The North Central Texas Council of Governments raises funds and contributes to the establishment and operation of Van Pools, in Texas. Looks like a great opportunity for long-range CNG vans...this story to be continued.

July 1, 2010 - North Central Texas Council of Governments

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is an association of local governments, established to assist local governments in planning for common needs, including the promotion of clean fuel vehicles, fueling infrastructure, and other activities that benefit the public. We had an excellent meeting with NCTCOG, gained their support and several suggested contacts. They house the local DOE Clean Cities office and are very instrumental in fund raising for their government members.

July 1, 2010 - ATMOS Energy - New Clean Energy Fuels Station Now Operational

Mike DeArnold (ATMOS Energy) showed me a great new Clean Energy Fuels CNG station, just up the road from their regional Dallas office.

July 1, 2010 - ATMOS Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, is the country's largest natural-gas-only distributor, serving over 3 million natural gas distribution customers in more than 1,600 communities in 12 states. Mike DeArmond immediately saw the potential of a long-range CNG van and made several contacts for us. Thank you Mike!

June 30, 2010 - Dallas Love Airport

We checked out the Dallas Love Airport CNG station. This is a modern Clean Energy Fuels station, which is open 24/7 and takes major credit cards. I enjoyed speaking with the ATT CNG van operator, who was filling up at the same time. He too, is satisfied with CNG fuel.

June 30, 2010 - Dallas DFW Ground Transportation Management

Dallas, TX is a great city for CNG vehicles. We called on the operators of Yellow Cab, Cowboy Cab, Taxi Dallas, Executive Taxi, Golden Taxi, City Shuttle, and Diamond Taxi, McShan Florist (a CNG van fleet operator since 1991), the ground transportation managers at DFW Aiport (this picture), and DFW SuperShuttle. These folks all know a lot about CNG and are pursuing strategies to implement clean fuel vehicles.

June 29, 2010 Hello Dallas, TX

Our first stop, after leaving Austin, was the Dallas Fort Worth Airport CNG station. This is a large and well utilized Clean Energy Fuels station, with plenty of room for all sizes of CNG buses and vans. As you can see, it had been raining, but no problem for us, with the large covered station canopy. 'Easy access and no lines. We traveled 295-miles and had 1,500 PSI, or slightly more than 1/2 tank remaining. Filled up with 19.5 GGE & 3,600 PSI, costing $41.50. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

June 28, 2010 - Good Bye Austin - A Great Place to Visit ...

... and a great place to fill up with CNG!

June 28, 2010 - Texas Railroad Commission

Any alternative fuel vehicle demonstration in Austin, TX should include a visit to the Texas Railroad Commission. The Railroad Commission has primary regulatory jurisdiction over oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas & hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal & uranium surface mining operations. The Commission is responsible for research & education to promote the use of LP-gas as an alternative fuel. We learned a lot about LP motor fuel and gained great advice and direction from these folks.

June 26, 2010 - Austin, TX - City Solid Waste CNG Fueling Station

'Back to work...This is a well-maintained (Pinnacle) City CNG station, in a good location, just across from the City fleet services garage. Easy access and no lines. We traveled 225-miles and had 1,600 PSI, or approximately 1/2 tank remaining. Filled up with 16.6 GGE & 3,600 PSI, costing $39.75. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

June 22, 2010 - Austin, TX - Around Town

There was a beautiful wedding at the historic Austin Driskill hotel, which MaryLee & I enjoyed watching from the front porch.

June 21, 2010 - Enjoying Austin, TX

Ok, it wasn't all work. Here's Skip & MaryLee enjoying a dinner out in Austin (and Father's Day cards from the kids)

June 21 – 23, 2010 Austin, TX - GFX Government Fleet Show - NGVAmerica Booth Setup

NGVAmerica did a great job of acquiring and coordinating a CNG vehicle display area, with vehicles on display by IMPCO/Chesapeake Energy, Clean Fuel Conversions, Honda, and Baker Equipment. Also, working the NGVA booth with us were Advance Fuel Systems, Lincoln Composites, and Faber Industries. Clean Energy Fuels had a booth just around the corner. This picture shows show setup activities.

June 20, 2010 Austin, TX - GFX Government Fleet Show

We pulled into Austin, TX for the GFX Government Fleet Show. Our van was parked outside of the Austin Hilton, showing off its LED lighted signage. This is valuable to taxi and shuttle operators, who sell retail sign space, especially in the airport markets. The roof top sign revenue, associated with our CNG tank top structure, can help to offset the CNG conversion cost.

June 20, 2010 Austin, TX - Clean up Before the GFX Government Fleet Show

It's amazing how many bugs molded themselves to our CNG van, along the way. Definitely needed a major van wash, before entering the Austin, TX - GFX Government Fleet Show.

June 20, 2010 Austin, TX - Clean up Before the GFX Government Fleet Show

 I owed MaryLee a nice dinner that evening, in Austin!

June 20, 2010 Houston, TX - Clean Energy Fuels

This is a modern Clean Energy Fuels CNG station, in a good location, just outside of the gas company garage. Easy access and no lines. We traveled 280-miles and had 1,250 PSI, or approximately 1/3 tank remaining. Filled up with 21 GGE & 3,500 PSI, costing $44. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

June 19, 2010 Baton Rouge, LA

We traveled 406-miles and had 1,100 PSI, or approximately 1/3 tank remaining. Filled up with 22 GGE & 3,250 PSI, costing $38. This is a well-maintained station, a couple of block from the General Hospital (good for easy GPS location). It has E-85, propane, CNG, and gasoline. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards & Fuel Man Card.

June 18, 2010 Birmingham, AL - Jefferson County Transit Authority

We traveled 154-miles and had 2,300 PSI, or approximately 3/4 tank remaining. Filled up with 9.5 GGE & 3,600 PSI, costing $13. This is a well-utilized station, right outside of the County bus garage. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

June 18, 2010 Atlanta, GA - Jackson Hartfield Airport

This is a modern Clean Energy Fuels CNG station, just outside of the Atlanta airport. Easy access and no lines. We traveled 319-miles and had 1,500 PSI, or approximately 1/3 tank remaining. Filled up with 20.5 GGE & 3,800 PSI, costing $43. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards.

June 17, 2010 Lexington, NC - Davidson County Garage

This is a great CNG station, which is well-used by Davidson County. We traveled 325-miles and had 1,300 PSI, or approximately 1/3 tank remaining. Filled up with 20 GGE, costing $46. Open 8am-5pm M-F only. Pay only with cash. 'Very friendly people there ... don't hesitate to use this station. (this picture was actually taken a couple of miles down the road, at the Chic-fil-A.)

June 16, 2010 Newport News VA - First CNG Fill

First CNG fill-up at Newport News , VA. 3,000 PSI is the maximum pressure. Open 24/7. Takes credit cards. There is no CNG station in Richmond, VA. We hear that one is being installed at the City Garage, sometime this winter. That would be excellent!

Baker CNG Van X-Country Route

Here's the Westbound Route... Later, we will add a route from LA to Seattle, then Eastbound back to Baltimore, MD and Richmond, VA