I picked up a fuel tanker yesterday at Ft. Lewis in Washington that is heading to Oshkosh to be rebuilt. The pick up took longer than I expected as they were quite busy so by the time I made it to Spokane I was pretty much done for the day.

I pulled into the Flying J and was lucky enough to find a parking spot. I went inside and did what pretty much any trucker does when he/she arrives at a truck stop and then asked one of the employees about any local bars in the area. I used to frequent one very close to that truck stop but it closed down a couple of years ago and had no idea what else might be close by.

The fellow told me about Mama's Thai Bar And Grill about six blocks down. Well, I do like Thai food well enough and was in the mood for a beer so I made the walk despite the fact that the damp, chilly weather had my bum hip complaining like a housewife at a sold out white sale.

Mama is a very short (maybe 4' 10" max) Thai woman with an attitude that I liked right from the start. We got along great. Every time she wanted to go outside to smoke she told me "Come on, we go smoke!" and I did go with her. At this point I should say that I took along a pack of cigarettes as I know that Washington is a stand-outside-in-the-rain-you-nasty-smoker state and I had no idea what sort of situation this place had. It turned out they did have a nice patio area for the smokers that was far more heavily populated than the actual bar. Next time I stop there I'll take a pipe.

I had a good time (and great food) there and Mama took great care of me. She likes the truckers who walk down to her place and pays special attention to them. My glass never ran dry before another hit the bar. She sells mixed drinks "regular style" or "Mama style". She says the "Mama style" drinks are limited to two per customer. From what I saw they are extremely strong (all booze with just a splash of mixer). I stuck to Guinness.

When I was getting ready to leave she had one of her employees take over the bar so she could give me a ride in her van back to the truck stop. "No truck driver walks back from MY place" is what she told me.

I have only been there the one time but I think I already love Mama. I will stop there again but next time I'll take a pipe along and just sit out on the back patio.

As for the food, I have to say that today, Saturday, my stomach has not been happy. As good as the Thai food tasted my belly isn't happy with it at all. I've been making WAY too many bathroom stops and have finally checked into a hotel as I'm just not making good time.

I'll spend the evening drinking Pepto Bismal and trying to get in shape for driving tomorrow.