I travel back and forth across the Mid-Atlantic doing events and giving workshops, as well as visiting my other witchy friends. While the broom does get more miles per gallon, the FAA does not like me using it on a regular basis. They keep yelling something about filing a flight plan, restricted air space and shooting me down if I don’t get the two way crystal ball fixed. Too much hassle.

So, I end up taking my mundane car. It’s actually quite nice, a 1993 Honda Accord, it gets good mileage, very comfy, and with my new XM Radio, I can sit for a six to eight hour ride in comfort with clear tunes on the radio.

But then there are those gas stops. I look forward to those, as a chance for this old crone to stretch her legs and walk about, get some coffee and use the rest room. Remember, at my age you should never pass up an opportunity to use the rest room.

I use the Sheetz in Brookville, PA a lot, as it is along I80 on my way to a friend’s house I visit frequently. They opened this Sheetz about two years ago, and it has become my favorite place to stop.

First, the ease of gassing up my car… there are lots of pumps in a station situated off the interstate, and I never have had to wait, even on busy holiday weekends. Put in the credit or debit card -- the machines always work, never have to reenter the card. Gas up and get a receipt. There are the scrungies on a stick to wipe off the bugs on the windshield during the summer months, with clean water. Imagine that! And there are trash cans right there, to dump the old coffee cups and food wrappers. As far as I am concerned, the pump area is fully stocked and well taken care of.

The gas prices are always competitive, and in any given area they meet or beat the lowest marked prices of gas at other stations.

Then, the next stop the rest room and the mini-mart. Plenty of parking away from the pumps and in front of the mini-mart, making the walk into the store in bad weather much nicer.

The restroom: Always clean, the facilities are well maintained, and the paper towel and soap is always stocked. Works for me.

But why Sheetz? There are many places to stop in Brookville, why Sheetz? Because, my dear, of the coffee.

There are not many easy-off the highway areas on I80 between my house and Williamsport that have a Starbucks, well, ok, none as I have found. So, I need a substitute for my dosage of caffeine. And Sheetz has the best coffee of any of the mini-mart gas stations.

The coffee comes in regular brew, flavored brews, and French roast. There are various special roasts depending on the season. They have those little containers of creamer that are flavored as well. I love the chocolate one. A cuppa Sheetz coffee, maybe one of the fresh Krispy Kreme donuts that they have stocked in a keep fresh display case, and I’m on my way again, refreshed, relieved and ready for another two hours of driving.

There are many specials on the coffee. Sometimes they have “buy the travel mug and get the coffee free” or “coffee and travel mug special” and they also have “travel mug refill” specials. They also have three sizes of coffee to choose from big, to bigger to biggest. Plenty of cups, tops and all the little things you need to go with it – from napkins to stirring sticks. Always well stocked and the coffee is always fresh.

Depending on where you are, you can get a good deal on the coffee for less than a dollar, and the donut brands and varieties also vary from area to area. Prices are always reasonable. For those really long hauls, they also have fresh made sandwiches, which I have not partaken of, but a good friend did get one and said it was yummy. These sandwiches are custom made, and come out fresh and fast and loaded with sandwich meat and were again reasonably priced.

For those hot summer days I’m on the road, they do have water available, in several different major brands and flavors. I prefer my water straight, but if you are looking for some variety, they have it.

Then there are the check-out clerks. A good shopping experience can be made miserable with nasty clerks. Not here. They are always friendly, asking if you found everything you wanted, smiling (even at midnight) and will help you out with information and directions if needed. Very polite, and they know how to make change. Don’t ask about that – I’ve met clerks that can’t make change if the cash register doesn’t tell them. These folks always seem to be on top of any given situation. Got a problem with the creamer not being there? Ask one of the clerks and they very politely ask you to wait one second, they go get what you need quickly, and apologize for not having it out on the counter. That’s what I call customer service.

Note that they also have the usual fair you find at most mini-marts in gas stations. Everything from cookies, chips, soda… they are well stocked. They even have an area of the most common medical remedies you may need… aspirin, stomach antacids, band aids, anything that may make your drive a little easier to cope with.

I also frequent the Sheetz in Mill Hall, PA on occasion, as well as a few others in the Pennsylvania area and one or two in New Jersey. I’ve run into Sheetz all over and to be honest, the coffee, the service and the cleanliness is always consistent.

When I’m traveling, it’s usually a long drive and I’m going to look for a place to stop that offers me consistent service and quality. I want a pump right away and a clean rest room. I don’t usually eat too much when I’m driving, so a quick cuppa coffee and something to munch on is all I am really interested in. I want fast in and out, everything I need in one place, polite and helpful staff and I’m back on the road.

Sheetz offers all of this, as well as a consistent level of service. And a great cuppa coffee!!!! That’s all I ask.

Recommended: Yes