this is for the old timer's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by aztrucker11, Feb 12, 2011.

  1. aztrucker11

    aztrucker11 Light Load Member

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    Jan 12, 2011
    surprise,az
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    Panel truck: in the old days weigh stations were on the side on the road! scales were few and far between! And MOM & POP truck stops were in there glory days! as the old timer trucks are fading New driving hours are now changing and a new generation is taking over.Government has a tight hold on us now. Some of us only know of these places and how they were.By our father's telling stories sometimes.

    So i was wondering How about posting your mom & pop truck stop here.Places that are now house's,warehouse's or what ever is there. Or a TA took it over now not worth a dime for you to stop!
     
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  3. rjones56

    rjones56 Heavy Load Member

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    First one that comes to mind: The Virginian at Toms Brook.Good fuel,good food and a free meal on your birthday,decent shopand nice showers.Haven`t been in the parking lot since the day of the auction.Loves sits there now.
     
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  4. significant

    significant Bobtail Member

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    Feb 9, 2011
    LaCrosse, WI
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    I was living in Jax, FL when I started driving commercial trucks in the early '70s. There was a truck stop south of St Augustine on US1 that had a bit of a rep although I never experienced any problems. Anyone remember the name? Is it still open? I rarely go to FL anymore.

    A remember a couple of 'dives' out on North Main Street (US17) and the Union 76 out at Maxville always had a rep. An old 'stop' on Kings Road (US1N) and Edgewood Ave. was a bit of a 'dive' according to older truckers. A car hauler operation had taken over the site the last time I drove by many years ago. Never had a bad experience in any of them.

    I was doing a search for FL truck stops when the index lists 'rest areas'; thinking FL DOT closed a bunch of them after the wave of robberies and murders committed during the early '90s.

    The 'rest areas' at Wellborn Fl both on the northside and southside of I-10 (mm 294 and 295) had a huge rep back in the late '70s and early '80s until local and state law enforcement stepped in. The westbound side was full of 'gays' and the east bound side was full of 'straights' and their '######' (lizards!).

    I had a shuttle run at the time going from Jax to Tallahassee and back. The westbound side was always filled to capacity and it was nothing to see a car park on the shoulder and naked males get out and walk toward the rest area. Many of us carried the 'Q Beams' (remember those?) and would flash them into the rest areas when we drove by.

    A fellow driver for the same company at the time married one of the '######' he did business with for years at the eastbound rest area. The rumor was she was the first and only woman ever to give him 'head'!:biggrin_2559: He was an older guy too and 'retired' not long afterwards.

    Thinks sure have changed; or have they?
     
  5. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    You need to get off the freeway to find some of the old independent truck stops. Most of the TA's were Union 76 years ago. The Virginian truck stop is still there, but it is now Willco. They got rid of the restaurant and now have fast food. Love's is across the street.

    I still like to stop at Lee Hi at exit 195 off I-81 in Virginia. The food is still good but you can't see it from the freeway. Most of us who visit them have been doing so for many years. That are about a mile from I-81.

    I think one thing that I miss about the old truck stops is that each one was different. Each had their own character. Drivers were appreciated and you NEVER saw the trash in the parking lots as you see today. Many of them put the fuel in for you and then parked your truck. I don't know any who would do that now.

    Another thing I miss is not having to lock my truck. I never locked my truck until after 9/11. And I never had anything taken from my truck before that. The only time I locked my truck is when I was planning on being home for a couple of days. It was never locked in a truck stop.

    There used to be an old truck stop on Summit Hill in Ringgold, GA. It sat on top of a hill about 5 miles south of the Tennessee line on US 41. The owner used to own a plane and you could see him flying around the area sometimes. The building is still there, but it is some sort of garage.
     
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  6. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    I think the one on US1 you are refering to was CHARLIE T's
     
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  7. significant

    significant Bobtail Member

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    Feb 9, 2011
    LaCrosse, WI
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    I know of only two truck stops that are 'attended'. I always tip, especially when they clean my windows.

    Dysart's in Herndon, ME (Bangor) Exit 180 off of I-95

    http://www.dysarts.com/

    Very clean and well run.


    and:


    Smith's Grove BP Travel Center, Smith's Grove, KY - Exit 38 off of I-65

    Kinda in rough condition and diesel pumps may not be attended in bad weather. Buffet can be questionable.
     
  8. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Also I miss the Nara Visa Travel plaza--Nara Visa NM US54--only part of NM in central time--sad to see it go--great home cooking.
    While Im at it--the old Tucumcari Truck Terminal--Bus54@I40
    More to come
     
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  9. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    Rubes Jersey City Truckstop....It used to get a little crazy there.
     
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  10. Beer Runner

    Beer Runner Medium Load Member

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    Nov 2, 2010
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    I hope you understand that thieves have been around long before 9/11. You just got lucky is all.
     
  11. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    True that!

    I have always locked everything on my truck, I usually even lock my doors when I'm tarping.
    My chains and binders are locked up, My tarp boxes are locked up and even my snow chains are locked up.

    I've seen too many guys get ripped off over the years to leave anything to chance.
     
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