ON THE ROAD WITH RED & WHEELS

     Truckstops are an essential part of our business. We need them to buy fuel and food; we rely on their mechanics to provide service while we’re on the road - sometimes scheduled and sometimes emergency repairs; we take showers in them; occasionally do our laundry in them; look for new books (of the paper or tape-recorded variety); we count on them to have enough parking so we can stop and get a little rest; and we use their phones to stay connected with other parts of our world – including hooking into the internet through them. We visit a truckstop at least once or twice each and every day. Over the last 10 years, truckstops have really cleaned up their act. I remember when I first came on the road some 15 years ago, there were some places where I was actually afraid to get out of the truck. Today, most truckstops are modernized, brightly lighted places with as much parking as they can muster. We have different "favorites" for different things – when it comes to truck maintenance we’re more than a little partial to the T/A in Alda, NE (I-80, Exit 305). We know everyone in the place by name – and they know ours. In fact, we can call ahead, let them know what time we’re coming and what service work we need, and they’ll schedule our appointment, pull the truck in for us if the bay is occupied when we get there, and give the truck a thorough going-over. For good home cookin’ at reasonable prices, the best truckstop we’ve found is at Romine’s in Morris, IL (I-80, Exit 112). Family owned and operated, their regular meals and specials can’t be beat - and if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be in heaven. When it comes to good showers, a couple of places get our vote – the Flying J in Payson, UT (I-15, Exit 254) or the Little America Truck Stop in Little America, WY (I-80, Exit 68). With massaging shower heads (Flying J) or marble fixtures (Little America) clean never felt so good! If you’re looking for a little something extra along with your fuel (besides a shower and some coffee), check out Mr. Fuel in Villa Ridge, MO (I-44, Exit 257). For every 100 gallons of fuel you buy, you get a free 6-pack of pop. And for a truckstop that really caters to trucks (they only sell diesel fuel – no gasoline), you can’t beat the ambience of Home Oil in Atalissa, IA (I-80, Exit 265). We’re "regulars" at some of these places, "occasionals" at others, but I do know that the one truckstop I like best is the one that doesn’t sell any fuel, the menu is limited, laundry facilities are of the "do-it-yourself" variety, and parking is only temporary – it’s the truckstop we call Home Sweet Home. As always, we wish you Safe Journeys, wherever your road takes you. This month’s question:

WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE TRUCKSTOP?
Mike Suther Loveland, Colorado Tri-State Commodities, Greeley, CO	Allan Meyer Sioux Rapids, Iowa JD Double M, Council Bluffs, IA	Bonnie Bringleson Thornton, Colorado Champion Auto Carriers, Denver, CO	Layne Christians Alberta, Canada Keith Meadors Trkng, AB, Canada
Without a doubt, my favorite truckstop is Cruel Jack’s in Rock Springs, Wyoming (I-80, Exit 99). The food is excellent and the showers have plenty of water pressure (I hate a weak shower, don’t you?). I fuel up somewhere else because their prices are a little too high for me, but I go out of my way on a regular basis to stop there to eat and shower.	I like the Sapp Bros. chain of truckstops. The people who work in them generally have a good sense of humor so you can laugh and joke with them. The fuel prices are usually competitive, their showers are excellent, and the food is good. I like the one in Council Bluffs, Iowa. That’s where I get a lot of my work done and buy all my tires.	I haven’t been on the road for all that long, but I really like the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa (I-80, Exit 284). They have everything! Clean bathrooms and showers (very important), good food, both sit-down and fast food restaurants, a nice gift shop, lots of chrome and stuff, and a good movie theater. With plenty of parking, it’s a great place to stop.	I really like the new Petro in Las Vegas. It’s very nice. It has real clean showers and plenty of parking. It’s brand new - just north of the city by the racetrack - and they’re doing nice things like putting in lots of little restaurants in a horseshoe shape (like a food court). I haven’t eaten there yet because I usually bring food in a cooler and eat in my truck.