Hill County Northbound Safety Rest Area — Local services in Abbott

I LOVE this rest area, and stop here, every time I head north... BUT, I just walked in, with my Service Dog, as usual... There was a man, sitting on one of the "tables"- when I walked in, he jumped down... And, instead of simply asking me if it was a Service Animal (OR just looking at his SD harness, or metallic red tag on his leash, etc...), AS THE ADA LAW STATES?? He jumped my butt, immediately!! Rudely and loudly, he said, with a very demeaning look, and tone, "NO! NO! NO! You can't bring that in here!" UGH! I tried to remain calm... And said, "He's a Service Dog. I got all the paperwork, if you want to see it." And kept walking towards the restroom... I know I am not obligated to show docs- But, I've been kicked out of COUNTLESS establishments, denying them "proof"... And everytime the cops get involved?? They look at my dog's papers, to verify, that he's actually a service dog... THEN?? They make me leave ANYWAY - ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE A SERVICE DOG- Saying that they, as cops, DO NOT have the AUTHORITY, to enforce the ADA LAWS!!! At BARE MINIMUM, though?? Folks working at ANY rest area, ANYWHERE, should know the LAWS OF THE STATE/COUNTY, that PAYS THEM, to work there, INCLUDING ADA LAWS!! Are they NOT considered, to some degree, "government employees"?? Disgraceful, TEXAS!!! I pay my taxes, in this state... Just to be punished and humiliated, in public, for being disabled???? You certainly don't offer HELP, to me in ANYWAY... Yet- you allow employees' IGNORANCE, to bring great harm to the disabled community!?!? I'll look into this matter further, when I return from my "vacation". No longer, do I even LIKE this rest area, moreless, LOVE...

I love the Texas rest stops. I am so glad they are redoing them all, to make them all nice and safe. I love that each of them have a different theme that match the location of Texas they are in. Hill Country Northbound Safety rest area is really clean, well lite, they have a playground, a sidewalk to walk around and stretch your legs. The bathrooms are kept clean. The main building has food and beverage vending machines and bit of history you can read about the location of where your are at. They have a small area for some stretching and exercise. There are picnic tables to enjoy a meal or a snack. I love the garden out front during the summer. When the flowers are bloomed it is a great spot to watch butterflies or get some good pictures of them. The silo restrooms and the star shade cover are a really cool add to this great stop. I am definitely good with paying taxes in Texas for these...

The rest area is beautiful, and there is a play area where kiddos can run, play & stretch their legs. However, that's the only good thing I can say about this rest area becayse the restrooms are poorly designed and very sorely lacking. There is one family bathroom, but no changing tables in either the mens or women's bathrooms. There is a long bench in each the mens and womens bathrooms that I suppose you could use, as long as you don't mind letting your little one's business hang out in the giant open doorway. Only one stall in the women's bathroom had toilet paper, which was not fun to learn once you're on the toilet. I have no idea who thought installing hand dryers 6 inches above the counter, right next to the sinkswas a good idea, but kids and shorties like me can't freakin reach it and the water just blows back up at you from...