Buc-ee’s: On the road again

 I recently had to go on a business trip and decided, since my son was available, that I would drag him along for company. The trip involved my own vehicle, so we packed up the night prior and got on the road at 6 a.m. the following morning.

If I’m going on a long road trip, I make it a point to have several podcasts available for listening. It’s amazing how disconnected you can get from the drudgery of driving with a good podcast. I chose some topics I thought my son would find intriguing, but he was dead asleep five minutes after we got on the road.

Prior to his passing out, I mentioned that I had a surprise for him in the form of a special lunch destination about six hours into our trip. Given my son’s love of food, he had a spirited response, but it did little to dissuade his need for sleep.

Normally, on a road trip, I’ll look to Cracker Barrel as my go-to destination. It’s clean, has a pleasant ambiance, and the food is much better than your average fast-food franchise. I’d always prefer a local establishment, but I realized those choices could drag you too far out of the way years ago.

The lunch destination I had in mind was a place I had been meaning to visit for years after hearing about it from other travelers. Unfortunately, their locations (it’s a chain, after all) were never nearby where I was visiting.

When I mapped out my route for this trip, I altered it slightly just to include this stop. It was probably a half-hour out of our way, but that didn’t account for much, given our overall time on the road.

As we got closer, I roused my son from his slumber and excitedly announced that our lunch destination was just ahead. His eyes opened, and he began scanning the horizon for a clue. Slowly, the hallowed location arose from the shining sun as if it were being unveiled by the gods above. When he realized where we were, he started to laugh and then slumped back into his seat, seemingly intent on going back to sleep.

Initially, we couldn’t see the main building because it was blocked by 120 gas pumps. But once we got closer, the signage was clear. We had arrived at the haven of interstate travelers: Buc-ee’s! For the uninitiated, Buc-ee’s is a Texas-based chain of travel centers known for its massive stores, spotless restrooms, unique snacks, and iconic beaver mascot. Over the years, it has grown from a single gas station into a favorite  roadside destination and a legitimate cultural phenomenon.

You can’t appreciate Buc-ee’s until you actually visit one (currently, there are 51 locations throughout the United States—mostly in Texas). First of all, seeing that many gas pumps in one location is almost unnerving. The logistics of filling the reserves and maintaining the endless sea of pumps seem unimaginable. But I can attest that it sure made the navigation and pumping of my gas much easier. Oddly, Buc-ee’s does not allow 18-wheelers on its premises, preferring instead to cater to car travelers.

If you visit Buc-ee’s website, you’ll quickly notice that its main claim to fame is having the “cleanest restrooms in America.” I can also attest to this fact. The bathrooms at the Buc-ee’s location I visited were expansive and spotless. I felt like I was in the restroom at a five-star hotel.

Of course, the main draw at Buc-ee’s is the food, which is varied and plentiful. There are dozens of choices for the hungry traveler, many of them with a Texas edge, like brisket and freshly cut beef jerky in an abundance of flavors.

Buc-ee’s also holds two world records. The Luling store in Texas is the largest convenience store in the world at 75,593 square feet, while the car wash at its Kathy, Texas, location boasts the world’s longest conveyor, clocking in at 255 feet.

My advice to anyone traveling: Check your Maps app to see if a Buc-ee’s is nearby, and then do everything in your power to make it part of your travels.

This week’s feature, “Nosferatu,” also involves some traveling, but in this case, the journey leads to death and destruction at the hands of a hideous creature.

Based on the 1922 film of the same name, “Nosferatu” was difficult for me to watch for several reasons. Nearly every scene appears dark and cold, setting a chillingly appropriate tone. There’s also an air of repulsiveness in this film that, while fitting, given the distinctive characterization of the vampire, I did not enjoy. These attributes create a unique, oddly appealing vibe, but the disjointed storyline made the film almost unwatchable for me.

Check this one out if you love vampire films.

A hideous “D+” for “Nosferatu,” now playing in theaters everywhere.

Got a question or comment for Dom? You can email him at moviediary@att.net.