When it comes to travel, Ruth and I are planners. We typically have at least two trips scheduled and add another at the conclusion of the first. We know where we’re headed and where we plan to stay. We book in advance and leave nothing to chance. We have our preferred hotel chain and book within the family of hotels whenever possible. Our recent stay in California is such an example.
Jackson James was due March 29th, and knowing the coronavirus pandemic would prevent us from being on hand the day of the expected birth, we scheduled our trip to begin a week later. If Jackson’s birth was delayed by a week, the doctor planned to induce. Our arrival fell after the possible induce date. Jackson was born on March 27th, so he was ten days old when we arrived. We planned to stay clear of the birthing event but wanted to be on hand as soon as possible. Our trusted hotel was just a short drive from Jackson. Our travel plans worked out well in spite of the coronavirus
Prior to the current pandemic, we typically scheduled at least one trip to Vegas each year. Some years we went as often as four times. Since we eloped there, it’s a special place for both of us. We’ve gambled enough that most of our rooms are comped. We’ve visited several other gambling towns with comped, or largely discounted, accommodations. We frequent nice places, so the rooms are nice as well. Ruth wasn’t much of a gambler until she hit a $2,500 jackpot on a $1.00 bet. She’s been hooked ever since, but the chair she bought with her winnings is long gone.
We spent twenty-five spring breaks in Myrtle Beach. Most of the time we stayed at the South Wind. It wasn’t fancy, but it had a pool and was right on the ocean. The kids took advantage of the water, and I went golfing with the guys. Our wives stayed near the pool and went shopping when we returned from golf. We went out for nice dinners each evening. Staying at the same place made the trip more enjoyable. We knew what to expect, and over the years we expanded our circle of friends.
When we were younger, we often searched out deals. As a result, we spent a few nights in motels we later deemed regrettable. Most of those were pre-children. One that comes to mind was in Harbor Springs. Our stay was part of an exploration of possible northern Michigan cottage locations. We thought it would “be cool” to have a northern Michigan getaway. The motel was nice enough, but about three o’clock in the morning there was a loud knock at the door accompanied by a plea to “Let me in!” I opened a curtain wide enough to see a drunken, naked, man about my age, with a bucket of ice pleading to enter. My retort, “This is not your room!” caused him to seek other shelter.
Many of our hotel stays are based upon how far we wish to travel on any given day. We pick a destination and book accordingly. We have friends who drive until they decide to stop for the night. Once they decide they’ve had enough, they stop and make an offer to the selected property. The transaction goes something like this.
Traveler: “Do you have any rooms available?”
Proprietor: “Yes.”
Traveler: “We’re just looking for a place to sleep. We’ll be on the road by 6:00 a.m. I’ll pay you $100.00 cash to spend the night.”
Often times the proprietor takes the cash, and they spend the night.
A few years ago such an offer was made at what appeared to be a golf resort. It was late at night. They just wanted a place to sleep for a few hours and took a chance that the resort might have an opening. My friend approached the desk clerk and made his $100.00 offer. After a moment to ponder the deal, the clerk accepted. Rather than simply handing my friend a room key, he escorted the couple to their room. As they boarded the elevator an elderly woman, dressed in night clothes and robe, stepped out. The clerk wish “Ruth” a good evening, pushed the elevator button for the appropriate floor, walked to the assigned room, opened the door, and let them in. He wished my friends a pleasant stay and returned to his duties. They had never experienced such full service.
The room was wonderful! It was well furnished and featured a grand piano with family photos displayed proudly on its highly polished top. They thought it a bit odd that the closet was full of clothes. They may have considered the room was the model for future guests to examine, in any case, the bed had crisp clean sheets and they settled in for the night.
The next morning they left at 6:00 a.m. to continue on their journey. In the light of day, they discovered that what they thought was a golf resort, was rather a beautiful assisted living home. The status of the resident of the room with the grand piano is still unknown.
Well told