“Deep in the Heart of Texas”

If California is a State of Mind

Then

Texas is a State of Being.

          There are other States that started out as independent countries: Vermont, Hawaii, Oregon, and several other entities, most of  them relatively short-lived, but by far the most famous and successful as an independent country is Texas. Texas, as a republic, was in existence for about twelve years in the mid 1800’s. California’s flag has the words California Republic emblazoned on it but, in reality, the “Bear Flag Revolt” lasted only 25 days in 1846. I’ve seen (more than once) the Texas flag flown here all by itself. No American flag above it. Nothing disrespectful mind you. Texas is as patriotic as any state, just a tad more “independent” as it were.

          So, why you are probably asking yourself, is he giving us a stupid history lesson on Texas and random Statehoods?

          I can answer that my friends.

          It is because of a Gas Station.

          Not just any relatively ubiquitous, monotonous, stale breakfast sandwich, and dirty restroom convenience store gas station. I am talking about the Holy Grail of this genre,

Buc-ees

          It seems to me that after visiting one of this Company’s wonderful entities, that the reason that they exist is because of Texas.

          Big.

          No, that does not do it justice.

          How about Massive?

          Now we’re getting somewhere.

          The phrase “Big as Texas” is not just a local slogan. It is a mentality that seems pervasive down here. By rights, this State is big! It can take days to get across it. Alaska is larger but no one lives there. California is long, but no one remembers that they live there.

           The Buc-ees mascot/logo guy is a caricature of a beaver (with buck-teeth) that looks like he could be a relative of Rocky the Flying Squirrel from Rocky and Bullwinkle. His face is on everything that you could possibly market and it is all done with great success.

          A Buc-ees  would probably do well in other states also, but its genesis probably could have only been in Texas.

          Let us start with the obvious.

          Gas Pumps .

          Back East we have Quick Check, Wawa, 7-11, Sheetz, Raceway, Exxon, and a host of other national chains that have enough pumps at them that you can feel comfortable enough to leave your car there and go inside for a purchase or two.

          Buc-ees has over 70 pumps.

          You could park there all day and probably no one would notice!

          Bathrooms.

          Some of these establishments do a better job than others in this department. But, it’s a crapshoot, sometimes good, sometimes (well you know what the other side is here).

          Are they “one-holers”?

          Is there a line?

          Are they even clean?

          Squeaky-Clean?

          Buc-ees has 35 urinals in the Men’s Room separated by walls. I know this because I counted them.

          How about stalls?

          No flimsy partitions here.

          Solid masonry walls with doors separates you from your neighbor. This is also the configuration in the Ladies Room. I do not know this as an eyewitness fact, but I do have it from reliable sources. No waiting here ladies, there are just as many “sites” in your room as is the Men’s Room, all with the same solid construction.

          Clean?

          You bet!

          Crazy clean!

          Now let us step out into the Retail and Food Area.

          You can do your Christmas Shopping here and get a delicious, home cooked, truly Texas-Chef Inspired meal. I had a pulled-pork sandwich (because I always have that wherever I go) and it was as good as any roadside, authentic, Big Bubba’s BBQ places that I’ve been to.

          Prices.

          More than fair, especially when you get all these other extras at no charge. Get a load of the drink prices in the photo! Everything else is competitively priced, and the fuel prices are the starting point. I even bought the DEF Fluid (used in diesel powered motors) for about half of what I was paying elsewhere.

          And get this,

          NO TRACTOR TRAILERS ARE ALLOWED!

          Just cars and RV units

          Not there is anything wrong with 18-wheelers, it is just that they have their own truck stops. This is like a truck stop for cars, lets call it a Car Stop!

          Would you like a giant Fire-Pit?

          How about a large BBQ or Smoker?

          Yep! Got them too! Texas Sized!

          Hopefully, I have painted enough of a picture for you to see how this business is Texas born and bred. As crazy as this seems, a stop at Buc-ees is a must when you visit here and apparently the go-to place for the local population also.

          Can you imagine having visiting relatives over and saying to them, “I’m going to bring you to Quick Check! Wait ‘til you see this!”

          Nope.

          Cannot even imagine that.