photo credit: verdi

Long distance relationships, while undoubtedly worth the effort, have their share of caveats. High phone bills, long drives, and tired Mondays all contribute to the stress of extended love affairs. Thank goodness however, on the trek from Austin to Houston, there is a welcome reprieve in Giddings, Texas: Buc-ee’s Gas Stations.

For those who have yet to experience this oasis, imagine if you will the following scenario: Having traveled down the highway late at night, filled with sadness at having to part yet again, you glance down at your gas gauge and notice it’s close to empty. You decide to stop, to refuel not only your vehicle, but perhaps yourself as well, but the thought of stopping at the gas stations you commonly pass makes your stomach turn: seedy, dirty stations with cobwebs on the gas pumps, unsanitary restrooms and unkempt personnel are not the respite you’re longing for. Then, you notice a billboard for a Beaver Crossing, and before you can formulate your quandary, you see another and another – catchy slogans, all touting a place named Buc-ee’s. Then, off to the distance, glowing lights reveal this ramblers refuge.

Intrigued, you venture forward…the outside of the station looks distinctly different, clean gas pumps (and plenty of them), manicured lawns, brick buildings, all welcoming you warmly into the Buc-ee’s store itself. Upon entering, you do a double, and then a triple-take…is this really a gas station? Was I really just greeted by an attendant who was pleasant, well groomed and polite?

The Buc-ee’s experience is a phenomenal one. Where else except the great state of Texas can you find a gas station that offers fresh sandwiches, homemade jerky, jams, jellies and gourmet snacks, meat smokers, souvenirs and hotel quality restrooms, besides proffering the traditional gas station fare. With 24 locations around the state, it’s possible (and highly encouraged) to plan your next adventure with strategic stops at the closest Buc-ee’s to your route.

[ed. This article was submitted months ago, but -- having never experienced a Buc-ee's -- I thought it sounded too much like an advertisement. I recently stopped by the new Buc-ee's in Madisonville, and now understand what all the hubbub is about. My apologies to sojourner.]

I’m currently road-trippin’ it, but thought I’d report in from the road. We stopped at a local truck stop outside of Rockwall. This place was amazing. In addition to a Starbucks (high class!) they sold cigarette lighter plug-in ovens and stoves. They also had sweatpants shorts that I almost bought (they were glorious). This place had everything. 

Then I stumbled upon these bad boys, a necessity for any 3 year old: leather work gloves. I had to turn 12 before my dad gave me gloves to help him dig trenches. He’s kicking himself now, cause he lost 9 years of manual labor from me. But don’t make the same mistake he did, if you’ve got some little-trench-diggers(-to-be) I’ll pick you up a pair.