We were trying to outrun what appeared to be a very large squall. 
 
We needed gas and a bathroom break. 
 
We'd been in the car for hours. The end of a long road trip. We couldn't wait to sleep in our own beds.
 
But gas and bathrooms (and even dinner) couldn't wait.
 
We made it into the parking lot just as the storm over took us. 
 
An absolute deluge of water, winds so quick they yanked umbrellas inside out and even completely out of some unexpecting hands, and thunder and lightning so fierce that the power flickered on and off, turning the automatic doors temporarily to manuel... several team members working as one to push the heavy doors open - a crowd of wet and weary travelers pushing in to get out of the storm.
 
We used the glistening restrooms and did our best to dry our soaked shirts under the hand dryers. We walked around looking at home goods we didn't need, sugary snacks we knew we shouldn't, before picking sandwiches out of one of the many 'manned' food serving kiosks in the main store.
 
We watched in awe as staff methodically changed out steamer trays, loaded up pre packaged sandwiches with the precision of a well orchestrated touchdown play, wheeling large carts in and out of the massive kitchen behind us with both speed and ease. 
 
And when we were done picking out dinner we hurried to the car, the rain still coming down, the outdoor picnic tables rendered useless... and we sat in our car and ate one last dinner on our last night of another wonderful roadtrip.