Safety Rest Areas – I didn’t know anything about this. Where have I been? I am sure most of you know about the updated Safety Rest Areas in Texas, but just in case you are behind the times like me, here is the living and learning classroom for today.
Super Sister’s husband Paul told me that the Safety Rest Areas along Texas’ highways are like mini-museums. “Be sure to stop about two miles south of Salado.” says he. “It is so interesting, and it would make a good blog.” Now he really got my attention.
So stop I did, and he was right. I could not believe how nice the Safety Rest Area was, and it was very interesting. Go figure – instead of a port-a-potty, and a nasty drinking fountain, the Texas Department of Transportation has updated these centers to make them safer and better for travelers. Here is the list of benefits listed on the TDOT website:
New rest area facilities are being constructed throughout the state incorporating these new features, including:
- Air-conditioned and heated restrooms, as well as an assisted-use restroom
- Larger parking areas, with separated areas for cars and commercial trucks
- Most Texas Travel Information Centers feature wireless internet; however, wireless internet is not available at Safety Rest Areas in the state
- Information areas for weather and road conditions, maps, traffic-safety and upcoming regional events
- Office space for law-enforcement personnel
- Enhanced security, including surveillance cameras
- Tornado shelters
- Walking and interpretive trails
- Play areas for kids
Each Safety Rest Area is designed to incorporate natural and historical features unique to its location, as well as native landscaping elements.
This is the Safety Rest Area about two miles south of Salado. Be still my heart! The building is made of Austin stone, and it has a metal roof – classic Texas Hill Country architecture. Then they added the wheel window. (How good is that!) What a beautiful building. The grist mills along the Salado River were the inspiration for the theme of this Safety Rest Area in Bell County.
My first clue that this area was very different was the sign pointing to the storm shelters. This is something good to know if you are ever need shelter from a storm.
Inside the building were grist mill displays.
See the little man that keeps this area sparkling? He was so kind. When I was taking pictures of the signs, he wanted to dust them (I really could not see any dust.) so they would look better in the pictures. On the left are the vending machines. The goal of the area is to have a nice place for you to rest and recharge so you will be refreshed as you drive across Texas. It must be a good thing to be learning (using your brain) new things from the displays. I bet it wakes up your mind.
There was even an electronic presentation about the grist mills and Bell county.
Other interesting information about the area are on posters. This poster tells about the endangered Warblers that have doubled their population at Ft. Hood in Bell County. 
You can learn about the Chisholm Trail –
And the Jarrell Tornado. See why you might need a storm shelter in Bell County.
The outside areas are lovely. There is a walking path, and landscaping using native plants.
Stop and have a picnic under these covered areas. Some of the spaces also have grills.
Pets have their own park – I like that.
Good idea! All of us have heard, “Are we there yet?” The playground provides a way for children to work off some of their pent-up energy – after all, it is tiring to sit across Texas.
Here is a link to a listing of the other Safety Rest Areas in Texas. Not all of the areas have been updated, but I am going to start looking and stopping now that I know about these mini-museums. Thank you Paul.
Blessings to you and yours,
It was fun, fun, fun in Austin with Super Sister. I have much to share.
Thank you for reading Lanabird. Love,