Rest Stops/Rest Areas

[jasonbigley]

The case on the Blind River Rest Stop was very tragic. How tragic it was for that guy to lose his wife like that. I hope that the DIRTBAG who did this gets caught and they fry his a** in prison. That robber should have got off his a** and got a job instead of terrorizing innocent people. Anyways, I have traveled a few times and been to some rest areas. Some were creepy. On our way home from summer vacation, we stopped at a rest area aorund 2:30AM. Our family acquaintance(sp?) went in to use the bathroom. I didnt want her to go inside the rest area alone so I went in with her (not into the same bathrooms). It was leery when we were in the rest area because we were the only 2 people in there. Does anybody else have rest stop/rest area stories to share?

[justins5256]

While not scary per say, some rest stops around where I used to live were known to be meeting places for men to have sex with other men. I used to hear stories and read in the paper about occasional police vice sting operations to deter this type of activity. For what it's worth, I have nothing against homosexuality. But, I would read these stories and often wonder why there is a motivation to do his sort of thing in public. Couldn't they just as easily get a cheap motel room somewhere.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

well either my parents were cheapskates or they were old fashioned because they use to stop off at rest stops and sleep with no problem. If I were at a rest stop I would drive through if there were no other people. In fact anytime I'm in a place without others I am always extra aware of my surrounding because there is no one else there to get your back. I would never sleep at one especially after seeing unsolved mysteries segments where people were murdered at such locations. that's what hotels(with extra security) are for. you have to plan ahead and hope that stuff like that doesn't happen. I just watched an episode this evening of a trucker who got murdered at a pay phone at a rest stop. I remember a couple getting killed by a stranger that walked up to their R.V.

[JRA2000TL]

I just plain don't stop at those places after dusk. These days, there are multiple exits along interstates that offer a large variety of gas stations, restaurants, etc. They are usually all well lit and seem to be alot safer. Unless you're driving across Montana like Dexter Stefonic, there are too many other options of safer places to stop...and if you are driving across desolate country, plan ahead, have plenty of gas, and schedule places to stop. I've seen way too many horror flicks with a plot of someone being broken down in the desert and dealing with all kinds of scary people.

[Allierain]

Originally Posted by jasonbigley

The case on the Blind River Rest Stop was very tragic. How tragic it was for that guy to lose his wife like that. I hope that the DIRTBAG who did this gets caught and they fry his a** in prison. That robber should have got off his a** and got a job instead of terrorizing innocent people. Anyways, I have traveled a few times and been to some rest areas. Some were creepy. On our way home from summer vacation, we stopped at a rest area aorund 2:30AM. Our family acquaintance(sp?) went in to use the bathroom. I didnt want her to go inside the rest area alone so I went in with her (not into the same bathrooms). It was leery when we were in the rest area because we were the only 2 people in there. Does anybody else have rest stop/rest area stories to share?

I do, but nothing negative. I remember as a child in the 80s when my parents and I would drive across country. We would stop at rest areas here and there. When we did, they were usually teaming with people, coffee stands, snack machines, and people were out eating at park benches and walking their dogs. It seemed very pleasant to me.

Now as an adult, I don't stop at rest areas when I travel. Two weeks ago I drove from Little Rock to Memphis with a friend of mine, and we stopped at one of the large gas stations/McDonalds along the way. When I drive out west with family, we do the same thing. I am not sure why, but I think it's an unspoken agreement that the big gas stations are safer....?

Well, I don't know about safer really, but I think we all feel more comfortable stopping at them instead of rest areas. Plus we can get a bite to eat and fill up the tank if we need to.

Now that I think about it, I am not sure why, but we just don't stop at rest areas anymore.

Anyone else doing the same thing?

[Allierain]

Yeah, what JRA2000TL said.

[cocytus]

Originally Posted by JRA2000TL

I just plain don't stop at those places after dusk. These days, there are multiple exits along interstates that offer a large variety of gas stations, restaurants, etc. They are usually all well lit and seem to be alot safer. Unless you're driving across Montana like Dexter Stefonic, there are too many other options of safer places to stop...and if you are driving across desolate country, plan ahead, have plenty of gas, and schedule places to stop. I've seen way too many horror flicks with a plot of someone being broken down in the desert and dealing with all kinds of scary people.

I agree. There are too many other options (even in remote areas) to stop besides rest stops. In my case, though it's usually because most of the rest stops I encounter have poorly maintained facilities and I hate dirty bathrooms.

There was a case here in Indiana about a half hour south of my city, where a van was discovered in the parking lot of a rest area. The van belonged to a man that had been missing for six weeks and had been reported as such to the police.The van contained the body of the man and it was determined that he had expired around the time he had gone missing and that it was due to natural causes.

My point? The van had been sitting in the lot of a rest area for SIX WEEKS before anybody thought to run the plates or even check to see if there was anything wrong. That was ridiculous.

It also a sign that even LE rarely checks (or stops) at rest stops anymore. At least in my area, that is.

[TheCars1986]

Unsolved Mysteries is the sole reason why I would never stop at a rest stop at night. It's a prime spot for a crime to be committed (the isolation, no law enforcement around, etc.) and I'd rather just wait until there was a sign for a gas station instead of take my chances at a rest stop. During the day is another story, and I could see myself stopping at one with vending machines for a quick hunger fix.

[SageSlowdive]

I STILL don't stop at rest stops. Even during the day --- as one poster said above, there are plenty of gas stations, stores, well lit places around to stop.

[Clockworkhigh]

I'll stop at one if I have to. Nature calls you know? But you have to remember, this stuff is all in our imagination. The few times that a person has been killed hitchiking or at a rest stop will be reported while the million times people do it and DON'T die nobody will hear about it. Maybe it's a product of our society and the paranoia we face. But yeah, if you CAN'T fall asleep at a rest stop, then don't do it. Go to a gas station.

When I was a kid we drove to Florida (from Canada) and instead of packing up at a hotel we often stayed at a truck stop. Needless to say there was a restaurant and a gas station and a large parking lot surrounded by trucks. I slept fine, but my sister NEVER slept and was always angry at my parents for stopping since she just as well assumed we'd be slaughtered.

I think when the Blind River murders happened in 1991 it might have opened the eyes of Canadians. You see, we always pride ourselves that stuff like this only happens in the States, so when it happens in Canada it'll send a shiver down your spine.

[cocytus]

Originally Posted by Clockworkhigh

I'll stop at one if I have to. Nature calls you know? But you have to remember, this stuff is all in our imagination. The few times that a person has been killed hitchiking or at a rest stop will be reported while the million times people do it and DON'T die nobody will hear about it. Maybe it's a product of our society and the paranoia we face. But yeah, if you CAN'T fall asleep at a rest stop, then don't do it. Go to a gas station.

When I was a kid we drove to Florida (from Canada) and instead of packing up at a hotel we often stayed at a truck stop. Needless to say there was a restaurant and a gas station and a large parking lot surrounded by trucks. I slept fine, but my sister NEVER slept and was always angry at my parents for stopping since she just as well assumed we'd be slaughtered.

I think when the Blind River murders happened in 1991 it might have opened the eyes of Canadians. You see, we always pride ourselves that stuff like this only happens in the States, so when it happens in Canada it'll send a shiver down your spine.

Even if nothing ever happens to most people that stop at rest stops I still consider a bad idea for the following groups to use them at night or when the are empty during the day:

1) Women traveling alone or only w/ small children.
2) The elderly
3) Inexperienced travelers
4) People w/ medical issues or disabilities
5) People that are displaying obvious signs of wealth (nice cars,jewelry,etc)

Rest stops are rarely patrolled in most areas and are often isolated. If you are attacked by someone (which would usually be a robbery) you would be unlikely to receive assistance for an extended period of time. And even if you did receive assistance, your attacker could be many miles away long before descriptions of the assailant and the vehicle they fled in, could be sent out to other agencies.

Honestly, it is much more sensible to stop for a restroom break or relax during a long drive at a truck stop or at a motel. They are both usually busy, well-lit and have higher quality facilities than the majority of rest stops. If you're financially strained and can't afford a motel, perhaps you should reconsider traveling unless you truly need to.

[Clockworkhigh]

Originally Posted by cocytus

Even if nothing ever happens to most people that stop at rest stops I still consider a bad idea for the following groups to use them at night or when the are empty during the day:

1) Women traveling alone or only w/ small children.
2) The elderly
3) Inexperienced travelers
4) People w/ medical issues or disabilities
5) People that are displaying obvious signs of wealth (nice cars,jewelry,etc)

Rest stops are rarely patrolled in most areas and are often isolated. If you are attacked by someone (which would usually be a robbery) you would be unlikely to receive assistance for an extended period of time. And even if you did receive assistance, your attacker could be many miles away long before descriptions of the assailant and the vehicle they fled in, could be sent out to other agencies.

Honestly, it is much more sensible to stop for a restroom break or relax during a long drive at a truck stop or at a motel. They are both usually busy, well-lit and have higher quality facilities than the majority of rest stops. If you're financially strained and can't afford a motel, perhaps you reconsider traveling unless you truly need to.

I can agree with that. I'd have been nervous if my mother and my sister and I had stopped at one. With my dad, not so much. I agree it is a very vulnerable place but I am just saying the odds are remote that even a robbery would occur.

[dks64]

I recently moved from FL to CA and on the way, my Dad (who had flown in to help me move) stopped by a rest stop in the late evening (can't remember what state, probably Texas). I was so nervous because of Unsolved Mysteries and other stories I heard. Heck, I stopped in Arizona during the day and was on guard. I was ready for a fight! Haha.

[leafygreens]

I too steer clear of rest areas in the evenings. Don't forget about John Allen Mohammad and Lee Malvo, who were apprehended at a rest stop. As well as the truck driver who was murdered at a payphone for pocket change.

Robberies and shootings can also happen at a well-lit gas station. But at a rest area you have the extra disadvantage of being in a rural area where someone may not see you and be able to help.

[SageSlowdive]

There is Walmarts and late night restaurants & gas stations everywhere now. Simply stop there is you need to use the bathroom. I would go 5 miles out of my way to avoid a rest stop.