10 Days in the Lone Star State..and Buc-ees!

I have to admit, but I would never pass on an opportunity to go to Texas on an all expense-paid trip to my association's conference (Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals). I mean, there are several conditions to meet in order for this to be worthwhile. I had to blog about my experience at the annual convention, which was at the Hilton Anatole. And you can read about my time at the conference at www.hftp.org website. And I had to complete a survey from the association regarding a leadership summit that I had to attend. That was too easy. So I dined at the Hilton Anatole every day and was invited to a few private parties which had complimentary food and drink. I didn't stay at he host hotel, the Hilton Anatole. I stayed at a death trap called Extended Stay America on 2979 N. Stemmons Freeway. I will have a post on Tripadvisor to skewer them, but more on that later. Before the convention, I wanted to stay cheap, so I got a cheap rental car and drove to Huntsville which is about three hours away. Along the way I followed a series of funny billboard ads for a truck stop called "Buc-ees" on Highway 45. The signs were intriguing, such as "Don't Worry, P Happy," etc. But I can hold it for 171 miles, and during my drive, I found pretty filthy places to take a leak. But when I got to Buc-ees, that place is the Taj Mahal of rest stops. I hadn't seen a cleaner bathroom than the one near the Pirates of Caribbean ride in Disneyland. Imagine a Chevron gas station with 50 pumps, a deli, a bakery, Walgreens, and the cleanest bathrooms on this planet in one place. That's Buc-ees! That is what made my trip so successful. Not just visiting my kin in Huntsville. Not just checking out the State Fair and Big Tex in the Cotton Bowl. But Buc'ees. If you have that urge when nature calls, I'd drive to Buc-ees. And check out the coffee and soda stations there. They were spotless. A nice clean place that a germ phobe like my friend Elaine would marvel and talk about on her radio traffic show here in the Bay Area. Buc-ees is so popular that they will be opening more around Texas. Check them out. I was impressed.