2026 Vacation: Truckstops, Rest Areas, & Restaurants!

Good Morning and Welcome Back to Bathroom Blues Travel Blog,

In earlier posts I mentioned that we made a quick trip to South Carolina for my Honey's Granddaughter's High School Graduation. Six days of driving with 4 days of familial fun and bonding in between. Since we pretty much traveled the same route we always do, I thought I'd share a bit of that trip with you today.

When heading east on I-10 our first stop is always Tiger Truck Stop in Gros Tete, LA. First opened in 1987, this iconic place once had a live tiger for tourists to view. Disregarding all the controversy you may find, "Tony" was well cared for and lived to the ripe old age of 17. He is now on display in the facility which was renovated and enlarged in 2021. The restrooms in this truck stop are always clean and fully stocked (as many times as I've been there anyway LOL!) and one of the best things about it is they carry pints of my favorite brand of chocolate milk, BORDEN'S. This makes grabbing a snack so much nicer.

Our next pitt stop was in Mississippi. Despite it's pretty border, this one had me singing the blues. IMHO it is definitely in need of updating. That disappointment was followed by a beautiful rest area in Ponce de Leon, FL. This gorgeous facility is tucked in an alcove carved into a wooded area just off the interstate. Orignally opened in the '60's, discovering this was quite a surprise as my mother and I stayed at the hotel right next to the entrance numerous times and didn't even know that was there! 

Our first night on the road, we stayed at the Wilderness RV park in Robertsdale, AL. I've shared this campground with you before, so I won't go into detail here. Our second night was at Lake City campground, FL which had nice big showers and great water pressure and that always has me singing a happy tune. 

Since we're talking about truck stops and rest areas, I'll fill you in on those we visited on the way home...

The Shell station in Pembroke, GA was nice and clean. Mobil @ Madison/Perry exit, FL, wasn't fabulous but the friendly service made up for it. The Gadsen rest area in FL (mm 161) was really nice, tucked away in a wooded area with their cat mascot. Last but not least, the Santa Rosa rest area (mm 30) was pretty cool as well. In all my travels I must say Florida has some of the nicest rest areas you'll visit. 

While in SC, we stayed at Santee State Park. Again, I've told you all about this place too while
recapping our 2024 vacation, so I won't go into detail except to say that the road into/out of the area in which we stayed left a LOT to be desired! 

One of our excursions while in Santee, was into Charleston to Shem Creek where we ate at the Tavern Table restaurant-with it's amazing decor and super nice bathroom-and strolled along the boardwalk. As you know, I LOVE wildlife so this was a real treat. Check out the video and you'll understand what I'm talking about...

We headed home from SC on May 26th and stayed at Lake City campground again. Our second night on the road we spent in Theodora, AL at I-10 Kampground and had dinner at Time to Eat restaurant. 

The video below shows what's so special about this restaurant but one thing that really felt like home was going into the Rouses grocery store right next to the eatery and finding a Lagniappe newspaper which we both have here in SWLA.

And as you well know, while it is SO good to go on vacation, whether a new place or a favorite one, it is ALWAYS good to get home.

I hope you enjoyed traveling along with me as I reminiced on our trip to SC this summer, that you found this post fun and beneficial, and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Bathroom Blues!

Until next time, take care and travel safe.

PamT