Last Day in Walnut Creek: Cindy's Perspective

We had a great "last" day in Walnut Creek.  We enjoyed a nice cup of coffee at a downtown Walnut Creek coffee shoppe (everything here is a shoppe, not a shop) and then proceeded to look for wedding clothes for Cheech (remember, he left his at home).

While Walnut Creek has a HUGE number of upscale stores, we chose to shop at the Hospice Thrift Store.  Thrift store shopping is nothing new to us represents our commitment to the environment.  Truth be told, how can we more effectively feel self-righteous while indulging our basic cheap natures support the world in which we live?   Ah, it feels so good to do the right thing.

Cheech found a great pair of pants, a belt, and a tie for about the cost of Starbuck's Venti coffee.  Mission accomplished.

Now it's time to start thinking about tomorrow's drive.  This means I begin to obsess about roadside restrooms to carefully plan our route (and the number of ounces of water I can afford to drink).  This may seem trivial to you, but if you are either a post-menopusal woman or a man with prostrate issues you fully understand.  Finding adequate roadside restrooms is a BIG deal.

Rest stops vary so dramatically that I am considering creating a Roadside Restroom Travel Guide (step aside Rick Steves).  I am pretty sure I will have a big audience with the "sixties generation" folks who have now turned 60+!

Here are my initial thoughts about roadside rest stop ratings:

Location:

5 Star:  Restroom is located just off the freeway, easy access.
4 Star:  Restroom is located slightly off the highway at a nearby gas station.
3 Star:  Restroom is a challenge to find but only adds 8 extra miles onto your trip.
2 Star:  Restroom is located somewhere in town, finding it is akin to a scavenger hunt through hell.
1 Star:  The damn thing was nowhere to be found.  Save yourself some time, find a bush.

General Cleanliness:

5 Star:  Nice and clean.  This rest stop is clearly being maintained.
4 Star:  Somewhat clean.  This rest stop is being maintained by a part-time employee.
3 Star:  Passible.  Maintenance occurs on a monthly basis (only visit the first 3 days of each month).
2 Star:  Enter at your own risk...preferably with a hazmat suit.
1 Star:  Do NOT under any circumstances enter.  Save yourself some time, find a bush.

Toilets:

5 Star:  Clean, has all parts (lid, seat, flusher, T.P. dispenser filled, etc.) in working order.
4 Star:  Clean, has most parts in working order,  T.P. dispenser may or may not be filled.
3 Star:  Somewhat clean, lid, seat, or flusher missing.  T.P dispenser broken, couldn't fill it if they wanted to.
2 Star:  Cleanliness hard to rate as almost all parts are missing.  No T.P., no dispenser, no nothing!
1 Star:  Falls short of a hole in the ground.  Save yourself some time, find a bush.

Wash basins:

5 Star:  Clean sink, running hot and cold water, soap, hand towels or dryer.
4 Star:  Clean sink, running hot OR cold water, essence of soap available, hand towels- maybe.
3 Star:  Clean enough sink, water (sometimes), soap (fat chance), hand towels/dryer (if you're lucky).
2 Star:  Perhaps there was once a sink, water (no way), soap (what's that?), hand towels (you don't need them there was no water).
1 Star:  Hole in the wall where the sink, dryer and soap used to be.  Save yourself some time, use an antibacterial towelette from your car.

Mirrors:

5 Star:  Nice clean mirror.  Go ahead and take the time to comb your hair.
4 Star:  Mirror, not so clean.  Remember the smug is on the mirror, not your face.
3 Star:  Broken, dirty mirror but you can comb your hair (one side of your head at a time).
2 Star:  Fun house mirror made out of aluminum.  Don't panic, that's not really how you look.
1 Star:  Hole in the wall where the mirror used to be.  Don't worry, you're on vacation and you won't see anyone you know for weeks.

Food:

5 Star:  Fully stocked vending machines including drinks, snacks, and ice-cream.
4 Star:  Partially stocked vending machines, including drinks, snacks, and ice-cream.
3 Star:  One machine, 3 items still available (Beware: I'm pretty sure the expiration date was sometime in 2001).
2 Star:  Empty, broken, graffiti filled machines (wondering if any of the graffiti commands are anatomically possible).
1 Star:  Old crates stacked under the ramada.  Save yourself sometime, keep walking (fast).

Souvenirs:

5 Star:  Multiple vendors selling handmade jewelry, nicknacks, etc.
4 Star:  One or two vendors selling handmade crafts.
3 Star:  One vendor, looks sketchy...not sure what he is selling (could be drugs).
2 Star:  One or two graduates from San Quentin Prison lurking around.  Souvenirs nowhere to be seen.
1 Star:  "Run Forest run!!!"  You'll only be buying yourself a whole world of trouble here.

That's it.  I start my toilet travel guide tomorrow.  I'll let you know when to look for it on Amazon.