STURBRIDGE ISLES
This month, I'm going to devote my article to something which
means a great deal to each one of us as drivers. Because we spend so very much
of our down time in them, the truckstop has become our proverbial home away from
home. Since it's rare when a truck stop owner cares more about the truck driver
than other travellers, I thought it time to write about a very special place.
I discovered this truckstop several years ago when I ran the east coast a great
deal. Not very many people know about this truckstop yet, and the ones who do,
continue going back time and time again. If you haven't been there in a long
time, I would suggest going back there soon.
Most every truckstop we go to, has been bought out by a bigger truck stop chain
and within a few months, they begin to mimic the parent companies menu and
design. Pretty soon, the entire place has the same look and menu as every other
truck stop around the country. It's difficult to tell one truckstop from the
next anymore, especially since the Mom and Pop operations can no longer compete
in today's economy. There are few exceptions where this is not the case and this
months article, is about one of them.
The truck stop I am referring to, is the Sturbridge Isle Truckstop in
Sturbridge, Massachusetts. It's located at exit one off of I-84 in just inside
the Mass-Conn state line.
The first time I tried to find it, I got lost. For that reason, I'll tell you
how to get there.
If you are going East on I-84, take exit one and turn right at the bottom of the
ramp. There is a small 'travel plaza' at the end of the ramp, but trust me, that
isn't the place you are looking for. After turning right, go about a half mile
(almost to the overpass) and turn left into the truck parking driveway. You will
have to pick up a parking ticket, as for the time being, it is paid parking
unless you fuel there. To me, the place is well worth the parking fee.
If you are going west on I-84, get off at exit one and turn left at the bottom
of the jug handle, cross under the freeway and make a wide right into their
driveway.
Sturbridge Isle, is without a doubt, a truly awesome place. My first visit there
amazed me. If it wasn't for all of the trucks out in the lot, I honestly
wouldn't have known I was at a truckstop. First of all, and I know this isn't
important to most of you, but it made a serious impression on me. They have a
duck pond. That's right. I said 'duck pond'.
It's a rather big pond, more like a small lake I guess, where geese, swans,
mallards and other duck-like creatures, while away the days just waiting for a
handout. You can buy a loaf of bread and spend a few minutes doing something
truly humane, like communing with nature. I found it to be a very relaxing
experience.
After days of fighting traffic and playing phone tag with shippers, receivers,
dispatchers and brokers, we all need a few minutes of quiet time. Feeding the
ducks at Sturbridge Isle, took me back to a time and a place when everything was
simple. It made me feel like a person again. My love for animals is deeply
esoteric and means a great deal to me. Being a visitor in their environment,
even if for only a few moments, makes me feel at peace within the chaotic
confusion that has become my world.
I know most of us don't have the time to dance through the field with flowers in
your hair. Most of you wouldn't do it, even if you did have the time. But I am,
and always have been somewhat Bohemian, much like a modern day gypsy. I am a
throwback to the hippy chick days and enjoy getting in touch with nature. I once
fed an entire apple and half of my almond butter sandwich to very young,
inquisitive skunk. But that story is better left for some other time. Suffice to
say I did not get sprayed.
I recently spent my thirty-four hour restart, at the Sturbridge Isle's Truck
Stop and enjoyed myself thoroughly. The showers are great, the parking very
good, and the staff, warm and friendly. But the best is yet to come.
The main building is absolutely outstanding. The interior wooden beams were
salvaged from the forests surrounding Mount Saint Helens and they add a unique
old world charm to this place. The owners are remodelling and putting an
enormous effort into making this truly beautiful truckstop. I think they are
well on their way to doing just that.
Jim Waldron, the general manager, has a vision for this truckstop and wants it
to be in the top ten of the best truckstops in the country. As far as I am
concerned the guy doesn't have much in the way of competition.
Long before I entered the trucking industry, I was a chef and worked in some
pretty amazing restaurants. Many of them rated, and a few of them were even
awarded a prestigious five stars. To me, eating isn't just about inhaling
something closely resembling food just because your stomach is gnawing on your
backbone. Eating should be one of life's greatest pleasures. I am, of course,
not referring to fast food, although with the schedules we have to maintain,
fast food sure does come in handy at times.
What I am talking about, is the whole dining experience, where you actually
enjoy the food and take your time eating it. I love to savour the textures and
flavors of the varied ingredients in a finely prepared meal. It is a remarkable
experience which I will from time to time deliberately seek out.
Getting back to the subject at hand: This truck stop has within it's workforce
the finest chefs I have ever come across outside of a five star establishment. I
don't know of too many truckstops who even have one chef working for them, let
alone an entire compliment of them.
Since I had some time, I sat down and had a truly outstanding meal. I also had
the privilege of meeting Randy, the Executive Chef and Will, the Soux Chef.
Talented, dedicated and gifted are just a few words to describe these young men.
They bring to the restaurant an innovative approach and are committed to make
your visit there a very special experience.
I used to brag that I made the best Garlic bread I have ever tasted. And for the
longest time, I believed it to be true. The bread served with my meal at
Sturbridge Isles, put my own vain attempts to shame. I can honestly say this
restaurant serves the best garlic bread I have ever eaten.
The talent employed at the Sturbridge Isle Truck Stop, have vastly improved the
menu from average truck stop food to outstandingly prepared cuisine. To be fair,
some of the food is a bit more expensive than what you are used to paying at a
truck stop. But they say, you get what you pay for, and I'd rather spend fifteen
dollars on a meal I enjoyed, than ten dollars on food, I did not.
You can order any one of several steaks with all the trimmings ranging from
$14.00 all the way up to $18.00 depending of course on your allowance and your
desire for something uncommon. They also have all the favorites and for
extremely reasonable prices. So if your in the mood for just a hamburger,
meatloaf or salisbuy steak, you'll find it on the menu along with the standard
truckstop fair, all for under ten bucks. They have excellent soups and salads as
well and a 'to die for' omelette. The restaurant is open 24/7 so you can go in
any time you want.
The reason I go to Sturbridge Isle, is because I want something different,
something special, not found in other truckstops. If this is your motto, might I
suggest trying one of the three Veal dishes. You can order Veal Parmesan
($12.95) or Veal Marsala, ($14.95) which is cooked in a delicious wine sauce or
even Veal Francais also $14.95.
I will tell you this, because it meant a lot to me. The veal is pounded out for
you and lightly breaded, then cooked and served with over a bed of angel hair
pasta and the most incredible home-made spaghetti sauce. That combined with
their signature garlic bread will make you glad you stopped there. They also
serve lamb, in case you are in the mood for something truly spectacular.
Sturbridge Isle's actually has two restaurants. One for the truck drivers with
separate rooms for smoking and non smoking, and a more formal dining room for
the folks not commonly associated with the trucking industry. There is also a
full service bar with a variety of beers, both domestic and imported, bottle or
draft. They have a wide variety of wines and even served mixed drinks.
The lower floor boasts a full service salon in it, as well as a separate
pizza/ice cream pallor which is still under construction as is the gift shop.
They have a comfortable movie room with an amazing selection of movies to choose
from. You can also access the wireless internet on your laptop from virtually
anywhere in the building.
In an age when most truckstops are taking the word 'truck' off of their signs,
this place is proud of what they are. They even have a hand carved sign in the
entrance way that welcomes you to "the nicest truck stop in the east".
To discover a great truck stop is a wonderful thing, albeit a rare occurrence.
When you do find one, you like to be able to return to it because it offers the
services other T-stops don't. There are very few places which distinguish
themselves as being so far above what is commonly available. I will pass along a
tip I received from the owner who said they have made a commitment to keep the
fuel price (per gallon) ten cents cheaper than all of the area competitors. This
could be good news to those of you who are owner operators.
Sturbridge Isle is without exception, my favorite Truck Stop. I think I might
have freaked out my dispatcher recently when I requested a load to Boston, Mass.
She, no doubt, thinks I've completely lost my mind. But in all honesty, I really
do want to get back to Sturbridge Isle. Not only to enjoy some really
spectacular food, but to feed the ducks. Maybe get back in touch with the little
kid I used to be. Who knows, I might even take time out of my schedule to dance
through the field with flowers in my hair.
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