A Day In Galveston

Above, the Galveston Bagel Company. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was spent taking a drive down to Galveston, Texas for the day.

While there, we drove around and stopped for a snack at the Galveston Bagel Company. I had an onion bagel with lox and cream cheese. The lox was plentiful on two halves of the bagel. Mitch asked me how much did it cost. I told him it was $17. He about jumped out of his seat exclaiming, "What?! $17 for a bagel?!"

Above, enjoying the bagel. Note the amount of lox. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

I looked at the receipt and the lox was $16 according to it. I told Mitch this and he thought that made more sense. It was quite good. 

We then went to a cigar store to pick up a couple of things. I managed to leave my debit card there. I discovered this at Buc-ee's and we went back and got it. We were looking for the cigar store when we discovered the Galveston Bagel Company. 

Above, the front of Buc-ee's near Galveston. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Buc-ee's was huge and packed with people. There must have been close to 30 gasoline pumps there. This was the first time I have ever been to Buc-ee's. 

Above, the statue of the Buc-ee's beaver. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We got into a downpour as we were nearing Houston. It looks to be a rainy night tonight.

Buc-ee's Gets "F" Rating From Better Business Bureau

Last summer, while driving home from South Dakota, we saw many signs along Interstate 25 in Colorado advertising Buc-ee's travel center. The location advertised was in Berthoud, Colorado. We didn't stop.

I have never stopped at one. But according to the following, maybe I dodged a bullet in not doing so.

RV Travel reported:

Buc-ee’s has long been a cult favorite for some road trippers and RVers. Buc-ee’s offers travelers enormous stores, miles of snacks, barbecue, and famously clean restrooms.

Lately, though, the glow has dimmed. Recently, the chain was given an “F” grade by the Better Business Bureau. That’s quite a fall from the company’s ranking just last year.

To read more, go here. 

 

I-10 Morongo Travel Center Opens In Cabazon

Above, the new Morongo travel center joins the Cabazon dinosaurs off Interstate 10. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I think of Cabazon, California off Interstate 10, I think first of the two dinosaurs that were built in the 1960s and Hadley Fruit Orchards (and their date shakes).

Now, the Morongo tribe has opened a new travel center in Cabazon.

MSN posted:

CABAZON, CA — The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has opened its Interstate 10 Morongo Travel Center in Cabazon that includes a 32-pump gas station, dog park, car wash, slot machines, a convenience store and other offerings.

Located behind Morongo’s existing gas station at Morongo Trail and Thunder Road, the new 6.7-acre Travel Center also has a bank of electric vehicle charging stations, eight Tesla superchargers, RV dumping, propane fills, six high-speed diesel truck pumps and diesel exhaust fluid.

To read more, go here. 

Pilot Flying J Launches New Travel App

Above, the Pilot Flying J travel center in Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To make road travel easier for truckers, auto and RV travelers, Pilot Flying J has launched a new app.

According to PR Newswire:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilot Flying J, the largest travel center network in North America, announced today the launch of its new mobile app. With features specifically geared toward the professional driver as well as the auto traveler and RV customer, the app is designed to make travel easier for everyone on the road. Developed with drivers in mind, the new Pilot Flying J app saves users time and money with a more personalized experience tailored to drivers' type of travel, location, preferences and needs.

To read more, go here. 

Latest News On Convenience Stores/Travel Centers

Above, a Kum & Go travel center in the midwest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The convenience store/travel center industry is constantly changing and Convenience Store News has the latest skinny on them. RVers and other travelers would do well to keep abreast of the changes.

The Jamestown, New Mexico Pilot Flying J Travel Center is located down the hill from where I am moving to.

The convenience stores/travel centers they have a report on includes Love's, Kum & Go, Pilot Flying J, Circle K and others.

They begin with:

NATIONAL REPORT — The convenience store industry landscape is constantly changing as chains open and close stores each week. On a regular basis, Convenience Store News highlights these comings and goings in this special roundup.

 To read more, go here.