Oh highway I - 85 rest stop and welcome center, how I love you!…read moreWhen we crossed into the state where the civil war begun, I felt lonely, lost, and full of despair.
Then across the river there arose such a clatter! I sprang from my car to see what was the matter! Away to the window I flew like a flash, Rolled it down quickly and threw up the sash! The moon on the breast of the clouds in the sky gave the river below a shine to my eye. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a welcome center and rest stop, to which I would steer.
When I arrived in the parking lot, I found a variety of Coca Cola and Pepsi cola vending machines, their bright fluorescent lights emanating from the cages they were locked in. For the record, I prefer my vending machines cage free, free rein, and fed on a strict diet of alfalfa and soy bean compost. After perusing the options of the hog tied vending machines, from which my dear friend purchased a bag of sour patch kids to share with our group, I made my way around the beautiful building (which was constructed in a very brutalist architecture style), under more fluorescent lights, into the men's restroom, which was guarded by an angry green door. Once I entered, I was joyfully greeted by a crystalline structure of square white subway tiles. The top row was adorned with little green palm trees celebrating the heritage of South Carolina as the Palmetto states. Fun fact, during the American Revolution, the Palmetto trunks were used as barricades by American soldiers due to the fact that their rubbery consistency stopped bullets with an incredible proficiency.
Once I had completed my business (the details of which I will spare you), I was educated on the resources available to those who find themselves victims of human trafficking (in both English and Spanish, ¡fantastico para las victims bilingües!)
I returned to the parking lot where my car was safely kept. (The vending machines hadn't moved, thanks be to the cages).
Next to my car was found a complimentary bag of chips! They were wavy, the best kind, ruffles, a good brand, and the bag was pre opened! Upon further inspection, they weren't even wet, which is extremely impressive considering they had been pre opened!
Overall, the I - 85 rest stop and South Carolina State welcome center, (the welcome center is open from 9 to 5 Mondays through Fridays for those who are interested in learning more about the wonderful state of South Carolina, one of the thirteen original colonies!) is a place full of whimsy and joy! I'm am sure of the fact that it if I had visited this welcome center and rest stop as a child, I would have had many many years of fond memories. Parents, do not strip your children of the classic experience of seeing the I-85 east bound rest stop and South Carolina welcome center!
Love,
Road Rage