A travelers guide to driving the country....

  During the past decade circumstances have led me to experience driving across our great country no less than 50 times. In 2013 I was lucky enough (if you like driving) to drive through at least 13 different states. I don't want to report on the states themselves because you can find information on them easily. This post is to assist travelers in the most critical part of long distance driving, the good, the bad and the ugly of convenience stores. Gas, food, drinks and a place to go to the bathroom are the cornerstones of the journey, so where you choose to stop becomes a big deal.
  There are a few basic rules one should pay attention to when picking a store. Number one is that if they put your purchases in a black, opaque trash bag you have not chosen wisely. This indicates that most of what they sell is not to be seen by the public. There are signs you are in one of these places when you walk in. Magazines that are covered with a sheet that has the word 'adult' scrawled across it by a sharpie is one. Another would be a rack of DVD's with titles that state simply, 'Black on White' or 'Gay'. If you see either of these things and still decide you have to use the restroom, stop immediately and check your shoelaces. Make sure they are tied tight and not dragging on the floor. You do not want them dragging the floor picking up who knows what and then having to be tied by your fingers.(This is good advice for even the cleanest of restrooms) Unless the need to be there is urgent, drive to another location. You chose poorly.
  The Number two rule on my list is try to pick a recognized chain to stop at. Quick Trip is the best of breed for me service and cleanliness wise. Always helpful, friendly and the gas prices are very competitive. The national truck stops like Love's, T&A Travel Centers and Flying Pilot J are pretty good too. These always have one big selling point, number of restroom stalls. If you are the type of road warrior I am, you have a tendency to ignore the warning signs of needing a bathroom until the last possible moment. At this point, the availability of an open stall becomes the only concern. Well, that and toilet paper in the dispenser, or at least a roll on the back of the tank. Truck stops have done their research because they usually have more stalls than some of the casinos in Vegas. Try not to risk picking a small unknown station for these stops. I have watched Alfred Hitchcock movies that were not as scary as some of the restrooms in these places.  
  The last rule I try and follow concerns food. If you can spare the time, pick a restaurant close by. Every store has the usual assortment of snacks, chips, donuts and even pre-packaged sandwiches. Stay away from the sandwiches if possible. If you are religious I recommend praying after you eat if you choose one. Some places have a grill and small counter where they cook on site. Make sure you check the posted health inspection score. If it is below your grade in high school algebra, run away. Anything below an 80 means the cockroaches are committing suicide in the kitchen. Buffets are an invitation for intestinal chaos later in your drive. In addition to these problems, salt and pepper are generally considered 'spicy' food. On one trip we nicknamed a buffet place in Indiana, 'The House of Bland'. The average age of the patrons was north of 70 and they cooked to the crowd. In short, be afraid of gas station food, be very afraid.
  While the last piece of advice is not a rule. it does need to be mentioned. Try and stop out on the interstates as opposed to downtown locations. I have stopped in downtown Nashville, Cincinnati, Dallas, Louisville, Milwaukee, Chicago and Atlanta. Those are just a few and I can safely say that they are more expensive, more dangerous and usually filthy. They also have an annoying habit of closing the restrooms because of crime concerns. Nothing can bring down the mood of a trip quicker than your wife, daughter or girlfriend telling you they had to hover above the seat to use the restroom. Although this adds conversation for the next 50 miles about how you could be so insensitive to stop at such a disgusting place, it's not worth it. Any store that has bars or Plexiglas separating you from the employee is a bad place to be. (Especially at night) I have stopped at some downtown locations that have an armed police officer on duty. This does not indicate a high rating from the Better Business Bureau. Do not linger here any longer then is needed unless you are armed.

Till next.....