Surprise! 

Morning.  So lastnight we finished unloading in one hour! For a grocery store,  that is unheard of, especially since when I checked in, they warned me they were short several people!  We drove to the nearest truckstop which we actually stayed at many years ago. I only stayed once, during an ice storm.  This truckstop is an Ambest affiliate,  which basically means total garbage,  no food, no upkeep,  nothing but a place to park.  I have always avoided all Ambest truckstops for that reason.  This morning I was reluctant to go inside for coffee,  but figured I would.  Wow. I sure got a surprise!  This store was gutted, rebuilt,  and ugraded! It looked fantastic!  The creeky multilevel floors all gone. Dingy lighting and shelves half stocked all gone. I walked down every aisle to see what they now offered the traveler.  They had it all, just what I feel a truckstop or travel center should offer. Electronics, food, fresh coffee,  clean restrooms, jeans, batteries,  truck parts, local souvenirs,  local flavor decorations and a store that isn’t cookie cutter. They did a fantastic job of remodeling.  Now, perhaps they will work on updating the exterior of the building.  It doesn’t do justice to the new look inside,  and still shows passers-by on the highway that the building is just another 1940s falling down building…..complete with an old motel sign on the side. If you would like to visit while in the Kansas area, it is the Newell Travel Center on IH 135, exit 31.  This morning we run up for fuel, then run on down to Carthage,  Missouri to get loaded.  It will be a fast trip to North Platte,  Nebraska!  Oops!!! Forgot to mention that the Snowman image has also gotten an upgrade!  He is now uploading a bigger, Wide-screen format image! He also now fits properly on all mobile devices!  Enjoy and thanks to Raggy for help in getting snowman updated!