Just a few days before our “epic trip out west“, I was daydreaming about all the “Great American Sights” we were planning to see – Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite. But that wasn’t enough. What about the “quirkier side” of this crazy country?
A very short search (we were running out of time) later, I settled on *gasp* purchasing a one-year subscription to the Roadside America application for my phone. Not only do I rarely purchase apps, I certainly don’t pay for yearly subscriptions! …
In the end, I’m thrilled that I “splurged” on this app, despite its shortcomings. Long stretches of boring road were turned into adventures. Quick photo stops got us all out of the car and stretching our legs and being silly.
Day 1 of our trip took us 942 miles from Pine Lake, GA (Atlanta) to Georgetown, TX (Austin); two-thirds of this long-haul is straight on I-20. Though the girls and I have made this trip to my parents’ house many a time, we’ve rarely taken anytime to see anything other than that ribbon of highway.
While it was fun for the girls to finally get to show Rob “our hotel” (when I try to work while making the drive, we split it into two days). And the girls’ favorite gas station. Seriously. And not only their favorite — go watch First Class Truck Stop: Texas Best Smokehouse (YouTube). And they love it even though we are vegetarians!
This trip was a little different. With Rob along and the help of the Roadside America app, we made a few out-of-the ordinary detours. In Anniston, AL, we made a sidetrip to go see the World’s Largest Chair (Former) and the Yellow Elephant (not yellow). The chair was impressive. The elephant, well, not so much. But in any case, these sidetracks added to our big adventure!
As we crossed from Mississippi into Louisiana, we stopped at the Mississippi Welcome Center to get a view of the flooded Mississippi. While not in the Roadside America listings, it was a sight to behold. Far past its banks, except where sandbags managed to hold it back, the Mississippi truly was mighty. Huge waves, large trees being washed down “stream” in the torrent. Scarily impressive.
Along with stopping at the aforementioned “favorite gas station” near Longview, we also, for the first time, stopped at the Oil Derrick Rest Stop Picnic Tables where Chloe managed to find a particularly tricky geocache.
This is an entry for Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday.
My son just got into geo-caching. Totally fun.
Sonja – My mom is really into it and has found caches in dozens of countries on her travels … it helps her visit places she may have never discovered otherwise. My husband enjoys it, but isn’t as dedicated as my mom is. Me, well, I tag along, but just don’t love it. I think it would be a GREAT Girl Scout activity!
I loved reading your roadside trip adventures!!! I love quirky & off-the beaten path attractions!
We are from TX but haven’t heard of this truckstop, although, we don’t make it to Longview very often.
Can’t wait to look around your blog for more of this adventure. How fun!
~Becca
I love, love roadside attractions. I would definitely buy the app.
The RoadsideAmerica.com website served us twice on our trip down to Cumberland and back, first with the Folkston Train Funnel, and second with the Submarine On Land. I loved stopping at these things I would never have found otherwise!
I’m about to embark on a month long road trip (my first of hopefully many) with my young children and ran across your post from a few years ago. Thanks for sharing as I’m looking for fun quirky stops to add into our trip, something I we never did when I was a kid. I’m looking forward to making great memories with my two daughters and son and following your blog.