So let's say you're driving down I-82 in Umatilla. Your gas is running low and you're parched. You need to rehydrate worse than a camel that has been lost in the Saharan heat for 36 days. (I don't know what you know about camels, but let me tell you this, their humps can hold enough fluids for 35 days. Day 36 rolls around and things start going bad for them. They become loopy, start hallucinating, that sort of thing. On day 37, death sets in. So, let's just say that you're pretty darn thirsty.)
You see exit 1, you pull off the freeway. The first thing you see is the Crossroads Truck Stop. But you know that you don't like truck stops. Bad things happen at truck stops. So you keep going. You spot a Tesoro. You pass the Tesoro. You know that Tesoro is for the weak of spirit. If you stop at Tesoro, you've given up on life. A little further down the road, you spot this Pik-A-Pop. You pull in. BEST. DECISION. YOU'VE. EVER. MADE. You pull up to the pump. You get out of the car. You open your gas tank cap. You slide your card into the pump. It's slides effortlessly, as if it is coated in ball bearings dipped in WD-40. The pump is easy to operate, with large, easy to press buttons. The nozzle settles into your tank with a pleasing click. The erotic overtones are overwhelming.
You leave your car and walk into the store. You are overcome by the smells of the food and drink contained in this establishment. Somehow, it reminds you of your childhood. You remember all the road trips you took with your parents. Especially the time you went to see the worlds largest Cheese Wheel. That trip was great. You pick out your snacks and drinks. You bring them to the register. The cashier, Moon, looks at your purchase and nods approvingly. He gives you a knowing smile and a wink. You pay and walk out to your car. You remove the nozzle from the tank, get in the car, start the engine and drive away. You begin to feel that you are leaving behind the garden of Eden, so you adjust the rear view mirror to catch one last glance of Pik-A-Pop. A single tear rolls down your cheek. 5 stars. read more