Well, no grass has been growing under us again this week! We had breakfast in St. Louis on Monday, in New York City on Tuesday and in Waco, Texas this morning. What a trip to New York! We drove down 5th Ave., Madison Ave., Broadway, and got to see Central Park. Of course there wasn't much to see at 4:45 a.m. By the time we left though, the sun had come out.
I feel that it is my duty to inform everyone, now that travel time is approaching, about the curiosities of interstate rest areas. In the short time I've been on the road I think I have accumulated enough experience to be an expert on the subject!
I've discovered if you are planning to drive though Rhode Island, don't go at night. The rest area washrooms are locked from 10:00 pm. until 7:30 a.m. Doesn't Mother Nature visit during the night there? And be careful in Alabama! The first time I was ever in that state--they shut the water off in my face at the door. Can you believe that? The attendant locked the door in my face and told me she didn't shut it off--all while I was dancing in front of her.
And watch out for the states that are upgrading their rest areas. In southern Illinois they have them shut down for renovations. It would make sense to shut every other one but NNNOOOOO- they have 2 or 3 in a row closed with no forewarning. That is definitely a hardship, especially when the distances between areas are anywere from 15 to 112 miles. Now deal with that!
I've saved the best for last. The most intriguing rest area I've seen so far is the one in Idaho that time forgot! We were in the middle of absolutely nowhere with about 3 more hours on the road when "the urge" announced itself. We pulled up, I looked around because the place looked like it had been deserted with the ghost towns of the old west. Ron announced that "he didn't have to go". Of course not! As I walked up to the door that looked like it was ready to fall off its hinges I saw a sign on the outside stating "These premises are under video surveillance!" Now, do I or don't I? Sometimes men have it so easy! I walked in only because I didn't have any other choice, and found a stainless steel commode, about a dozen rolls of TP in various stages all on one rod with 3 padlocks, and the oldest scuzziest sink I have ever seen with no running water. At least the toilet flushed! After that experience I wanted to take a long bath in my hand sanitizer!
I promise to have a better subject next time. I hope you got some insight into my life on the road. Thanks for sharing my ramblings.
Cathy - Too funny! Of course, I'm sure it wasn't funny when you were having these "potty adventures". Thanks for giving us the poop on the rest area restrooms. (I just had to write that.) :) I just got back from Atlanta and I must say that on the few stops we made, the restrooms were not all that great either. We didn't stop at rest stops but instead at gas stations and fast food restaurants. I guess the staff are over worked and overwhelmed and don't have time to clean them. Keep the stories coming!
ReplyDeleteLOL......that's why we don't stop at rest areas unless we have to, we try to go to a gas station or something! So at least we know there should be a bathroom! What are those states thinking?!
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