8/22/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
ITD Rest Area program offers respite for weary travelers, improves safety
BOISE - Many of the stereotypes we have of bikers feature tattoos, chains, studs and other jewelry behind dark sunglasses, outfitted in leather riding gear sitting atop big motorcycles — maybe not the most generous and kind folks you’d ever meet. But according to Dale and Vicki Smith, that’s exactly what they’ve witnessed volunteering for the last 17 years at Idaho’s Bliss Rest Areas (east- and westbound) in south-central Idaho.
This Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30-Sept. 1), will feature that generosity and kindness once again. The weekend also will feature the “other” types of bikers — doctors, lawyers, engineers, and professional people. That group can often afford big bikes and have the time for road trips.
“Dale is our most active participant in the program in this area of the state,” said ITD’s Shawn Webb, operations maintenance coordinator in the south-central Idaho area. “His groups have provided this service for many years, always with positive responses from travelers.”
For decades, the Idaho Transportation Department has coordinated the Rest Area Activities Program, through which groups can offer coffee or treats (non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverages and donuts or cookies) to travelers at any of the state’s 31 rest areas. It allows nonprofit groups to dispense free refreshments to the motoring public for the purpose of providing a period of relaxation and rejuvenating weary motorists to improve highway safety. Groups can accept donations, but cannot charge for their offerings.
Groups — usually military or civic-minded organizations — operate the program in other parts of the state as well. The Vietnam Veterans of America, Idaho Falls Chapter, operated out of the Blackfoot Rest Area earlier this summer, at both the north- and southbound facilities. Eastern Star covers that rest area as well. The Malad Shriners group covers the northbound Cherry Creek Rest Area on Interstate 15. In north Idaho, the Rathdrum Senior Center will covered the westbound I-90 Heutter Rest Area this coming Labor Day weekend, and the Coeurly Q's Square Dance club will cover the eastbound facility. In southwest Idaho, the Disabled American Veterans and Treasure Valley Marine Corps League often compete to offer services at the east- and westbound Blacks Creek Rest Area east of Boise.
The Glenns Ferry groups, though, stand out.
Since 1997, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3646 from Glenns Ferry has worked the Bliss Rest Area on Interstate 84 during Memorial Day weekend. Volunteers from the Glenns Ferry Senior Center work the rest area on the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.
Smith said if history is any indication, they’ll go through about 180 dozen cookies, baked the Wednesday before the weekend at the Glenns Ferry Senior Center. Smith said snicker doodles and oatmeal raisin are the favorites. The volunteers operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on each side of the freeway (at the east- and westbound facilities), using up to 48 volunteers during summer holiday weekends.
“Over the years, we have helped many travelers with problems such as cars overheating or running out of gas,” Smith said. “We’ve had travelers from every state except Hawaii. Throughout the summer, we probably have about 40 states that people come from, although most travel from Boise to Salt Lake and return. We have many people that have been regular customers for years."
??Most surrounding states have similar rest-area programs, but they don’t quite stack up to Idaho’s.
??“We have heard over and over again how nice the Idaho rest stops are in comparison to other states,” Smith added. That’s not to say those other rest stops aren’t appreciated.
“We use it every time we travel. There’s a group that sets up just outside of Leavenworth, Wash., and we stop there anytime they are there. It is such a nice refresher, and such a worthwhile program,” said ITD southwest Idaho Maintenance Office Manager Janet Gregory.
“Earlier this year, while tending the coffee wagon at the Boise rest stop, a fellow approached to get some coffee. During our chat, we discovered that he and I served together, in 1955-56, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea CVA-47,” said Sgt. Arthur Kilton, USMC.
Click here for a picture of Sgt. Kilton at one of the rest areas.
“It truly is a small world. He was in the Navy and I was a member of the Marine Detachment. (From 1775 until 1998 Marines served aboard capital ships, as part of the ship’s company),” said Kilton.
In 1955, the ship had a complement of 3,000 men, a small city if you will. It wasn't likely that we knew each other then. It was fun to reminisce, however. We never know who might drop by just to visit, and it is one of the reasons we man the coffee wagon.”