Unplanned Stop!

Alabama had a lot to live up to after Mississippi. My hope was to maybe not stop in Alabama. The scenery was still beautiful but it wasn't exactly the same.

After a while, we stopped at a Love's for a quick break and I think some of us grabbed lunch. I was wearing a Piff shirt and the cashier was very excited to see that because she LOVED Piff. Of course, who doesn't, though?

In Birmingham, I needed to change from I-22 to I-20. Of course, I exited one exit too soon and we got to go through a slight tour of the city itself. It's really quite pretty and frankly, it wasn't that hard to find our way back onto the interstate.

At this point, we've now driven I-20, I-40, I-70 and I-80. My mom lives just off of I-10 in Arizona, so of the major east-west interstates, the only one I haven't been on this year is I-90. We'll have to remedy that.

As we left Birmingham, I think Jason and Linda were dozing in the backseat. Their eyes were closed, anyway. Then I saw a billboard I did not think we would see this trip. A cartoon beaver let us know that nine miles ahead at exit 140 was Buc-ee's. I let everyone know that there would be an unplanned stop. There was some confusion as I declared that we HAD to stop at this gas station. We didn't need gas. We didn't really need snacks. We probably could have gone a bit longer before relief. But stop we must.

I really recommend checking out a YouTube video on Texas based Buc-ee's but I'll try to describe it. First, it really is a gas station of enormous proportions. This particular location has 120 gas pumps! The store is the size of a small Walmart (53,525 square feet). Inside, it is the perfect stop on a road trip. Every kind of souvenir/gift you can think of. Clothing, stickers, beach gear, kitchen decor, everything. Every kind of snack is represented: a full bakery counter, a deli counter that is nothing but different kinds of beef jerky. There was fudge, made right on the store, all kinds of roasted nuts, and all kinds of hot deli items featuring Texas barbecue. There was probably 50 different kinds of fountain pop.

The restrooms in a Buc-ee's are second to none. Huge, private stalls that are always being cleaned. Sanitizer everywhere. Go once when you get there and once as you are getting ready to leave.

I called home to ask Garrett what kind of souvenir he would like. He wanted beef jerky. So I got him some garlic variety, souvenirs, some treats and tried to make the most of the experience. Of course, I had to get the photo with Buc-ee outside. All in all, a memorable pit stop. And we didn't even get gas.

Before leaving the state, we encountered the first reason to actually use the wipers. Possibly remnants of tropical depression Fred, we drove through a little rain shower but it was pretty light and only lasted a few miles.

Onward and eastward!