The Roadside Rest Area

[Ben]

I thought this was an interesting article, partly because in CA at least, there seem to be way more rest areas than there are travel centers, which is opposite of what the article indicates. I certainly see the opposite in other western states where I drive, though in those states the rest areas seem to be placed in very scenic locations, whereas in CA, they're more or less every "X" miles, regardless of the view, similar to travel centers.

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2013/06/disappearing-american-original-roadside-rest-area/5783/

[vaskidmark]

Those are not rest areas.  They are roadside tables, sometimes referred to as roadside picnic tables.

A rest area has "restrooms".  It may be a portable one that gets swapped out once a quarter, or it may have flush plumbing (that may or may not work).  Decent rest areas also have spaces for truckers to pull into where they can, you know, rest.  (I hear that's what they call it when they are adjusting their logbooks.)  (For some values of rest area, I hear that "adjusting their logbook" is what they call other commercial activity.)

Rest areas and some roadside table locations seem to be one of the last bastions of the pay telephone.  Well, those and certain concentrated urban housing developments despite the availability of cellular phones.

stay safe.

[roo_ster]

Good place to get a ticket.  The local yokels sit beside the highway and nail speeders all day long.

I have also been to the Big Bend and Ft Stockton rest areas pictured.

[Jamisjockey]

Last westerly road trip we took, we ate lunch in a "rest area" just west of San Antonio.  On a ridge, it was nice and cool with a good breeze.  Picnic lunch. 

[roo_ster]

Last westerly road trip we took, we ate lunch in a "rest area" just west of San Antonio.  On a ridge, it was nice and cool with a good breeze.  Picnic lunch. 

That is my favorite sort of lunch while car traveling.  Effing McD's or other fast food be damned.

[Jamisjockey]

That is my favorite sort of lunch while car traveling.  Effing McD's or other fast food be damned.

If they'd offer some healthy stuff to go with it, I wouldn't mind so much.  But, what? Apple slices that are questionable at best? yea eff them.