We were cruising out of Moab, heading towards West Yellowstone, with landscapes so stunning they could’ve been plucked from a movie set. But instead of enjoying the ride, I was fixated on one thing: the fuel gauge. It was inching closer and closer to “E.” The thought of running out of gas in the middle of nowhere? Not my idea of adventure.

Relief came in the form of a gas station in the distance. But this wasn’t your average pit stop—this was “Jackass Joe’s UFO and Area Stupid.” A bizarre mix of alien-themed signs, promises of free coffee, and free stickers greeted us as we pulled in. It had personality, no doubt. The gas price, though? A painful $5 or $6 per gallon.

I stayed in the car, filling the tank to the brim, silently mourning the hit to my wallet—about $130, if you’re wondering. Nobody got out. We all just sat there, looking at the eccentric signs, half curious, half wary. Free stickers and coffee weren’t enough to lure any of us in.

With a full tank, we hit the road again. And, not five miles later, what do I see? A regular gas station, with regular prices. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Turns out, the real “Area Stupid” was me all along.

But hey, it’s these little misadventures that make road trips worth remembering, right?