When partygoers in New York City rang in 2022, I remember exactly where I was. And no, it wasn’t asleep, although that would make my list of preferred places to ring in a new year.

My wife, Carla, her sister and brother-in-law Carma and Bruce Foster, and I were at a Buc-ee’s somewhere in southern Georgia. If you don’t know what a Buc-ee’s is, you’re in for a treat. Forget about Flying J truck stops — and don’t even bring up Iowa 80, supposedly the biggest truck stop in the world. Buc-ee’s is countless acres under roof with a gazillion gas pumps outside. It’s truly a gas-station-and-convenience-store mecca. Once a Texas-only phenomenon, they’re heading north.

We were headed to Florida, traveling on New Year’s Eve, at night no less, driving 16 straight hours to our destination about 30 miles southwest of Tampa. And yes, if we had traveled 31 miles farther, we literally would have been in the Gulf of Mexico. We stopped before we hit the water, staying at Madera Beach with Carla’s other sister, Colleen Lunn.

Traveler’s mecca

Back to Buc-ee’s, some five hours before we reached our destination. Carla and I stopped at multiple Buc-ee’s in Texas earlier in 2021. We heard they were moving north, but figured it was just a rumor.

“Tom, there is a Buc-ee’s sign, for real!” Carla squealed from the back seat.

Bruce, at the wheel, kept it on the road, but wondered, “What the heck?”

“What’s a Buc-ee’s?” Carma asked.

“The biggest gas station and convenience store you’ve ever seen,” Carla answered. “They’ve got everything. And bagged ice is only 75 cents.” OK, for accuracy’s sake, it was 75 cents then, but now it’s a buck. Inflation even hit Bec-ee’s.

“Dried apricots and orange slices, here I come!” I exclaimed. Now Bruce knew we were losing it.

Every time we hit a Buc-ee’s, I buy those two things. You can’t get them everywhere. And if you don’t like those, they have hundreds of other selections to choose from.

“They’ve got the biggest selection of knickknacks you’ve ever seen, stuff like you normally see at truck stops,” Carla continued. “Cowboy hats, velvet paintings and a whole lot more.”

I piped up, “But what are they most known for?”

“Huge, clean restrooms,” Carla replied. “They even brag about them on their signs. And they don’t disappoint — they’re huge, and clean.”

Happy New Year!

“I’m partial to their barbecue pork and brisket sandwiches, which they fix fresh in the middle of the store,” I added. “They really heap on the meat.”

With that buildup, it was obvious we were stopping. And we did, at 15 minutes until midnight. When the clock struck 12, I was heading to the counter with my orange slices and dried apricots, hot brisket sandwich in hand. And I was happy. Not only was I not stuck in somewhere like New York City with thousands of crazy people who didn’t know if they were in Times Square or Georgia, I didn’t even have to watch it.

That was a lot of excitement, though. This year we will probably do something milder. Turning in early and sleeping through the craziness will be high on the list of possibilities.