We are trying to make it home to Toronto before the "BIG" Christmas blizzard they have been predicting all week hits. Our goal is to make it somewhere between Cincinnati and Detroit tonight, however, if the forecast is correct we should hit snow flurries around Cincinnati. The weather reports on the news this morning claimed it is already snowing in Chicago and it was much colder when we left Birmingham this morning than when we passed through a week ago. So our dilemma of the day is how do we make good time and still take time to check out truck stops?
Shady Lawn Truck Stop
Elkton, TN
I65
There are no shortage of truck stops on I65, however, we decided that today we were going to keep driving until we a) needed gas, or b) needed to eat. So we passed by Exit 6 - TN and did not check out either the Shady Lawn Truck Stop or Big Jim's Boobie Bungalow which advertised both truck parking and daily food specials. Big Jim's obviously finds that billboard marketing pays off, as this was not the only Big Jim's sign we spotted, however, it was the only one that shared air space with a billboard that read "Righeousness Exaultheth A Nation: But Sin Is A Reproach To Any People THE BLOOD OF JESUS .... CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN" Is it just pure coincidence that these two billboards were placed together?
Big Jim's Boobie Bungalow
Elkton, TN
I65
The truck stops on this stretch of I65 through Tennessee appear to specialize in Home Cookin' and Country Stores. However, after our Magnolia Restaurant experience last night, we were not yet ready for any Southern "home cooking" so early in the day.
TA Billboard
Franklin, TN
Exit 61 - I65
We passed by this TA at Exit 61 near Franklin, TN advertising the Fork in the Road Restaurant, as we had already tried one of the TravelCenters of America restaurants in Louisiana. Instead we decided that if we were going to stop at a corporate truck stop it had to be a Love's, Pilot or Flying J. Three of the corporate truck stop chains we had not yet visited.
Pilot / Wendy's
Franklin, KY
Exit 6 - I65
As it approached lunch-time we decided we were going to stop at the first Pilot we came across. The clear skies we had left in Birmingham that morning had now turned to heavy clouds and there was a definite chill and the odd snow flurry in the air. We decided to follow the trucks pulling off I65 at Exit 6 in Franklin, KY and discovered not one, but two Pilot stations across the road from one another. The majority of trucks were headed to the Pilot with the attached Wendy's Restaurant, so we followed their lead ignoring the Pilot / Subway across the street.
Truck Parking
Pilot / Wendy's
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
In comparing the facilities of the two Pilot Truck Stops, our guess is that it is the facilities provided that influence choice of stop as much or more than the food choices. This Pilot / Wendy's stop had 80 truck parking spaces, 9 showers, laundry facilities, a truck wash, game room, 10 diesel lanes, 2 ATM's, check cashing, P.O Boxes, and miscellaneous other services. The Pilot / Subway across the street had more parking spaces, but fewer showers, no laundry or truck wash, fewer diesel lanes, no postal boxes and fewer other services.
Pilot Convenience Store
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
Inside, the Pilot Convenience Store was clean, bright and well-organized. The coffee bar and take-out food section had in addition to the typical hotdogs and packaged sandwiches, a selection of fresh baked goods, fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits....
Pilot Convenience Store
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
Pilot Convenience Store
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
and a selection of teas, extensive gourmet coffee and oatmeal.
Pilot Convenience Store
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
Unlike many of the truck stops which promoted their high fat and calorie rich snacks, the November / December Specials posters featured competitively priced Vitamin Water, and 49 cent bottled water with any coffee purchase.
Pilot Convenience Store
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
The truck accessories area contained a good selection of truck cab coffee makers, sandwich grills, toaster ovens, crock pots and other cooking devices.
Pilot Convenience Store
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
The drivers lounge and game room was dark and felt somewhat depressing with dated arcade games, however, a large Affordable Health Benefits poster hung from the ceiling.
Pilot Convenience Store
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
Wanting lunch, we headed into the on-site Wendy's to see how fast food restaurants compare to the dining rooms found at the majority of the truck stops we had visited. One of my pet peeves when it comes to fast food is that the healthy options are almost always more expensive than when compared to ordering one of the value meals. So, we were pleasantly surprised to see this large banner prominently displayed. A complete salad meal for $4.99. Granted it was their mid-sized salad, not the large dinner salad, but it was a step in the right direction, and we both decided to give it a try.
Wendy's / Pilot
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KYWanting to order different salads and combinations, Phil opted for the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with a small Chili. He requested a low or fat-free salad dressing and while there was no low-fat Caesar, he was offered a Pomegranate Vinaigrette. At 60 calories for a generous serving and 3 grams of fat, it did not claim to be a low fat dressing, but was still a better option than a creamy Caesar or other high fat dressing.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad & Chili
Wendy's / Pilot
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
I ordered the Spicy Crispy Chicken Caesar with lemon wedges instead of dressing and was thrilled when I received a small drink cup with four large juicy lemon wedges. The salads were fresh, crisp, and tasty with fresh cherry tomatoes and mozzarella strips. While more than adequate for our lunch needs, it would probably fall short for someone interested in a large filling meal. It was difficult to admit, but this was probably the best salad we had tried so far.
Spicy Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad with Lemon Wedges
Wendy's / Pilot
Exit 6 - I65
Franklin, KY
Rather than having their own restaurant dining room, Pilot has moved towards partnering with affiliate chains. While their website claims that this is to offer a a variety of dining options to suit most everyone's appetite, it is also a decision that no doubt makes financial sense. Pilot affiliates include: Arby's, Chester's Chicken, Dairy Queen LTD, Denny's, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, TJ Cinnamons and Wendy's.
Having observed the interactions and habits of drivers during our trip we questioned whether this move towards fast food affiliates adequately serves the needs of truck drivers? Truck stops seem to be more than a place to fill your gas tank and stomach, wash your clothes and truck and stock up on supplies, as the Pilot website suggests and we witnessed to some extent, a truck stop is a drivers' "home away from home." The variety of fast food restaurants provides drivers with a number of different options, but what is lacking is the comfort, friendliness and personal interaction that they get in the "Mom and Pop" restaurants, or even the truck stop dining rooms.
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