I dig quirky places. If Studly Doright ever gets to retire I’m going to insist on a leisurely tour of offbeat destinations.
On our way home from Texas early this month we stopped at a gem of a place just this side of Pensacola. It wasn’t my first stop there, but Studly had never experienced the Oasis Travel Center before. It’s part convenience store, part gift shop, part fast food kiosks, and part diner.
The VW bus pictured above serves as the establishment’s front entryway. Then once inside one’s senses are assailed by all manner of funky fun: yard art, a pirate ship, unique tshirts, and college fan gear.
The diner, though, is the grooviest. 
Dubbed the “Derailed Diner,” it’s designed to look as if a train has come barreling through the side of the building, complete with the resulting rubble.
This entrance opens directly into the diner, and every now and again the signal crossing activates with light and sound.
The inside of the diner is an eclectic mix of kooky memorabilia.
One can dine at the Derailed Diner lunch counter:
Some of the stools are a bit on the wild side. There’s a John Deere tractor seat and a saddle,
a pair of airplane seats,
and a motorcycle passenger’s seat, complete with fender and saddlebags.
Away from the counter are regular tables, but there were also tailgates with small TV sets in the spirit of drive-in movies. 
The train motif continued inside, as well,
Many tables are decorated to represent various states. We sat at the Kansas table where Dorothy’s ruby red slippers served as salt and pepper shakers, while a Wizard of Oz game under glass added to the theme.
Everywhere one looked there was something to spark the imagination.
I was curious about the origin of this certifiably quirky place, and one of the waitresses directed me to this sign:
If you ever find yourself on Interstate 10 between Pensacola and Tallahassee, look for the Oasis Travel Center. The restrooms are clean, the food is good, and the people are friendly.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
That does look and sound like a quirky place. I especially like the collection of seats at the counter. 🙂
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It’s worth a visit!
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Bun and I are joining Sue (Travel Tales of Life) somewhere in Italy. (Bun doesn’t know about this yet.) We could swing by this place on our way.
Oh, that fudge ….
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Italy?
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It won’t be too far out of your way. While you’re in the neighborhood come see me in Tallahassee.
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Very cool place!!
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I didn’t cover even a quarter of the cool stuff.
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It’s worth more field trips 🙂
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Definitely!
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Now that as entertaining.
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Glad you liked it!
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What fun
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Thanks! It is a fun place.
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In true RAILROAD STYLE, our HOBO BASKETS are SLOW ROASTED in tin foil tied off with a HOBO PENCIL (that you get to keep!)
*BEEF HOBO…8.99
Chopped beef steak, baby carrots, red potatoes, corn on the cob, onions & celery.
Tell me you or Studly tried this.
Another fine example of photo-journalism and I’m writing this praise with a hobo pencil.
regards,
Willie Mays Hayes
Cleveland
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Hobo. My third language.
Regards,
Carmen Miranda
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Too cool! Gotta check it out if I come that way again. I hope you guys are well, are you still playing trivia (drink and think) at the club? Has your table won yet?
Sent from my iPhone
>
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They’ve moved trivia to Thursday nights! David won’t stay up that late on a work night.
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