I-70 Pilot, exit 79 in Ohio

I didn't plan on stopping there but nature was calling and I was going to have to stop for a 30 min break soon so I decided to get two birds with one stone. Big mistake. It's one of those truckstops where the entrance leads directly to the fuel islands, but I wasn't after fuel. You can go around the pumps to the right, but there were four other trucks lined up there because some clown had decided to park in the lane instead of one of the many available open spots. They were getting past, but it was slow going because there was barely enough room to squeeze by.

I finally get around, and we're all at a stop again. There's a Western Express newbie trying and failing to back into a spot. This one didn't bother me much though since his trainer was out of the truck spotting and appeared to actually be teaching him something. Kudos to him. Some impatient jerkwad cut around me and went behind Western Express as he was backing. Genius. A couple more pull ups, and Western Express gets it in the hole, so I go on my way.

There's a Cr England circling the lot looking for a pull through spot. At least he's moving.

I make it to an empty spot and get backed in. I take care of business then decide to get a couple bottles of water to finish my ride. One register open, with at least 20 people in line. I decide I'm not that thirsty and head back to the truck. Check my straps and tires and climb back in. Cr England makes another lap.

When break is up, I start her up and ease up to the truck exit, which is blocked by two Swift trucks sitting side by side. The trainee in the driver seat informs me that his trainer will be back with his Arbys in a minute. By now there's a line of trucks wanting out and blowing their horns, including Cr England. He can't get around to continue his search for that elusive pull through. I convince the Swifty that he'd rather move than deal with a bunch of annoyed drivers with short tempers, and finally make it back to the big road. My half hour break has cost me more than an hour.

I head west, mentally kicking myself for needing to take that leak. Those nice rest areas in Indiana are completely empty at that time of day. I ended up stopping at one anyway because I really was thirsty after all.

 

I keep an empty half gallon milk jug handy for just such an occasion, but I'm in a daycab so I don't have the option of going into the bunk. I try to save it for night time or job sites where no one's close enough to figure out what I'm doing. Of course, considering the other patrons at the Pilot I probably could have watered the tires in the parking lot and no one would have even raised an eyebrow.

I almost did go to the TA. Believe me, when I realized what I was in for I wished I had. We're only allowed to fuel at Flying Pilots or Loves, so it's sort of habit to pull into those even when I'm not filling up. Kind of makes me miss the old Union 76's my dad liked to stop at back in the day. I was just a kid, but I'd sit at the counter with him while he drank his coffee and talked with the other drivers and pretend I was one of 'em.