Thank you North Carolina........

[RostyC]

for not closing any rest areas.

So, the other night we had some sausage for dinner. I had to get up at 2 am the following morning to start my day which consisted of driving from MD to NC to deliver. Now 2am is not my normal schedule so it was hard to do my "business" that early, although I tried. I knew the sausage would hit later, however I didn't realize the seriousness of the events that were to follow..................

Right around Richmond, VA I start to percolate, no big deal I thought, there's a rest area on 85, I'll swing in there and get this taken of. Well, it was CLOSED.

OK, there's another one near the weigh station further down the road, I think I can make it. Well, that one was........ CLOSED!!

At this point it's becoming a seriously uncomfortable problem. I'm pinchin cheeks

North Carolina can't come fast enough. I cross the line and hope for a welcome center (I'm not real familiar with I85) There it is, the welcome center sign I had hoped for and on the horizon is.............. the welcome center of coarse.

I park the truck, step out the door and carefully step down to the ground making sure to hold my cargo, so to speak. Then, I see to get to the building I have to climb a set of steps, oh God not steps. Anyone close to 40 or over knows that you can't quite hold it like you use to could and steps can present a catastrophic and quite embarrassing problem. I carefully climb the stairs while clamping down with everything I had. I made it!!!

Now, onto the building in a hurry, through the door, and into the bathroom. I was in such a state of emergency I failed to notice that I went to side of the bathrooms that was closed, I walked right through the yellow signs that said "CLOSED", however I think it worked out for the best.

I scurried to first stall I see, close the door, check the seat, rip down the shorts and let it go. It was coming either way there was no stopping it. Ahh.... Euphoria

I'm thankful to NC, I was so thankful I flushed twice, and I'm also thankful that no one was hurt or maimed in all this.

and a huge to Virginia. They saved eight million by closing a bunch of rest areas, but had I not made it the clean up alone would have cost much more than that.

[Malaki86]

LMFAO

Glad everything came out ok in the 'end'

[Windwalker]

I've never had that problem from eating sausage...

But VA is one of the states that feels trucks do not belong in the rest areas. One of the reasons I do not like running the east coast. And, the further north you go along the east coast, the less I like it.

Left here and went to KC, KS on the first leg out, then from St Joe, MO to Ft Wayne, IN, to Chicago, and back here. Far better running than VA whether you need a rest area or not.

Glad you were able to make it. I've heard of drivers that pulled over on the shoulder, leaned against the tandems, and let go. Also heard of sitting between the tandems and... No, I have NEVER tried it.

[RostyC]

I've never had that problem from eating sausage...

But VA is one of the states that feels trucks do not belong in the rest areas. One of the reasons I do not like running the east coast. And, the further north you go along the east coast, the less I like it.

Left here and went to KC, KS on the first leg out, then from St Joe, MO to Ft Wayne, IN, to Chicago, and back here. Far better running than VA whether you need a rest area or not.

Glad you were able to make it. I've heard of drivers that pulled over on the shoulder, leaned against the tandems, and let go. Also heard of sitting between the tandems and... No, I have NEVER tried it.

Party Pooper! (pun intended)

[LightsChromeHorsepower]

Man I can sympathize.

I just went through about 3 weeks of the raging craps. I think the only reason they ended is the doctor told me I had to collect stool samples. When I got the instructions I think it shocked my body into wellness. I was doing everything listed above plus a trash can in the sleeper.

It really was the *****z

[Mr. Ford95]

Rosty, here's a PDF list of all the VA rest areas that tells which oen's are open and which one's are closed: http://www.virginiadot.org/news/reso...C_Closures.pdf

State Police are not happy about this. They have seen a major increase in trucks using ramps to park along with trucks getting inventive in creating a parking spot. They have also seen an increase of trucks and cars alike, stopping on shoulders and people running into the woods to do their business.

[RostyC]

Rosty, here's a PDF list of all the VA rest areas that tells which oen's are open and which one's are closed: http://www.virginiadot.org/news/reso...C_Closures.pdf

State Police are not happy about this. They have seen a major increase in trucks using ramps to park along with trucks getting inventive in creating a parking spot. They have also seen an increase of trucks and cars alike, stopping on shoulders and people running into the woods to do their business.

Thanks for list Mr.Ford. I bet the State Police aren't happy, anytime a vehicle is along the interstate it creates a hazard. Me and my wife have been discussing this and I believe what will happen is that VA will reopen after enough complaints BUT will charge for the use of the rest area. And we all know once the politicians get they're hands on some money, they're hard pressed to reverse it when the economy improves.

[Rev.Vassago]

I noticed the exact same thing heading down 95 yesterday. Most of the Virginia rest areas were closed. In fact, the only one that pops in my head that was open was the one with the weigh station attached to it. As soon as I crossed over into North Carolina, they were all open.

Thankfully, I didn't have the same reason for needing one as you did.

[Hawkjr]

State Police are not happy about this. They have seen a major increase in trucks using ramps to park along with trucks getting inventive in creating a parking spot. They have also seen an increase of trucks and cars alike, stopping on shoulders and people running into the woods to do their business.

Yeah, Along 81 at night they are lining up like i've never seen.. I knew it was coming but i think the Ol' Blue and Sliver might just let them be...

VA Department of Transportation just sucks!! From F$$#$% roads to this Rest Area Closure BS!! But the guys that plan on getting elected into offices plans to have them back open with in a 3 months of taking offices in January of Next Year... so who knows!! Until then, if you coming through VA just find parking Early and there's Two Big Truck Stops on 95 that you can stop at that have parking all times of the night

The T/A at Exit 89
Sadlers @ Exit 11 in Emporia

and for my I-81 Super Truckers.. If you can't make it to the Lee-Hi at the 195 any point Just shut her down lol"

[Windwalker]

Yeah, Along 81 at night they are lining up like i've never seen.. I knew it was coming but i think the Ol' Blue and Sliver might just let them be...

VA Department of Transportation just sucks!! From F$$#$% roads to this Rest Area Closure BS!! But the guys that plan on getting elected into offices plans to have them back open with in a 3 months of taking offices in January of Next Year... so who knows!! Until then, if you coming through VA just find parking Early and there's Two Big Truck Stops on 95 that you can stop at that have parking all times of the night

The T/A at Exit 89
Sadlers @ Exit 11 in Emporia

and for my I-81 Super Truckers.. If you can't make it to the Lee-Hi at the 195 any point Just shut her down lol"

I had to check my map for that milemarker, but you're right. Lee-Hi is a good one to stop at. Much more room now that they've enlarged their lot at the bottom of the hill. I remember when it was only the area on top of the hill. But, even with the much larger truck parking, you may find it filled up. Restaurant isn't bad either. Nothing fancy, but good food from what I've had.

[VPIDarkAngel]

Yeah, Along 81 at night they are lining up like i've never seen.. I knew it was coming but i think the Ol' Blue and Sliver might just let them be...

VA Department of Transportation just sucks!! From F$$#$% roads to this Rest Area Closure BS!! But the guys that plan on getting elected into offices plans to have them back open with in a 3 months of taking offices in January of Next Year... so who knows!! Until then, if you coming through VA just find parking Early and there's Two Big Truck Stops on 95 that you can stop at that have parking all times of the night

The T/A at Exit 89
Sadlers @ Exit 11 in Emporia

and for my I-81 Super Truckers.. If you can't make it to the Lee-Hi at the 195 any point Just shut her down lol"

Hey now, don't forget White's at 205.
I heartily second Sadler's, too. However, since I gotta go north, it's Petro at 104 tonight... along with gigantic shrimp from the Skillet.

[GMAN]

There is also a Petro at the 29mm. I believe it is an independently owned. They have pretty decent food and plenty of parking.

[Windwalker]

Hey now, don't forget White's at 205.

Can't sat I get up that road much anymore. I'm generally up 95 if I'm heading up the east coast anywhere. But I never seem to get my fill of looking at all the antiques they have on the walls, and the old bikes outside in the glass enclosure. Food's not bad either. But, the parking is one of the reasons I don't generally stop there.

[Mr. Ford95]

Never used White's, heard plenty of horror stories about the food there. Heard the same stories about the old Servicetown at 17 and 95. Lot of drivers said they would rather go over to the Mickey D's than attempt to keep down the food at Servicetown.

Heard nothing but good about Lee-Hi which has also been featured on Travel Channel's Top 10 T/S in the US for their quality of food.

[Hawkjr]

Can't sat I get up that road much anymore. I'm generally up 95 if I'm heading up the east coast anywhere. But I never seem to get my fill of looking at all the antiques they have on the walls, and the old bikes outside in the glass enclosure. Food's not bad either. But, the parking is one of the reasons I don't generally stop there.

I second the motion on White's truck stop.. Just the other day over 19 a guy was saying how he got sick from over there and another guy followed right up about how his food was halfway cooked (but their truck drivers who believes them anyways lol) and another thing is the parking is kind of tight in there.. with me being the driver that can't back, White's isn't the place for me lol

[b00m]

Pretty funny stuff!!!

I got one too,when i was about to enter the state of Alabama from Mississippi on i 10.That day i had some yogurt(i usually don't have any lactate products when on the road) and as soon as i entered the state of alabama my stomach just went haywire.Thank God for that rest area cause i was off the freeway and parked in less than 2 minutes!!!Then i shut the door and started running like in the 100 m Olympics trial.The person that was working there tought i was on fire or something.....After the relief time, i was the happiest camper around!!!

[69XKE]

Ah yes....a bucket and appropriate garbage bags....my friends on more than one occasion over the years, especially when I used to consume more red meat than I do now (oh, and the lactose products as mentioned above!).

[Phantom433a]

forget about the parking issues....let's get back to the potty problems.

[Mr. Ford95]

The small mom and pop stores are liking these rest area's closed. They are letting the Govner know it too, they have seen an increase in business from the travelers. Nasty rumor is that Kaine may try and close all the rest area's before the end of this year and his term upon hearing how well it has helped local business'.

[RostyC]

Ah yes....a bucket and appropriate garbage bags....my friends on more than one occasion over the years, especially when I used to consume more red meat than I do now (oh, and the lactose products as mentioned above!).

I do carry an emergency bucket and bags but it's an absolute last resort if I think I can make it to a "safe haven".