A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
I drove up and down the old highway with my spare tire on… searching for something better… A familiar story… There isn’t anything new in that part of the old town. All the buildings were old and whispered of a time from fading memories and stronger people. It had a romantic look and feel of the perfect setting for a novel, but this was no story… This was real life and I needed a place to sleep for the night and used that motivation to find a newer motel with newer beds and more privacy.
That stretch of old Route 66 wasn’t offering me what my spoiled self had come to expect. It wasn’t selling comfort, it was offering basic provision. It’s easy to be nostalgic being removed from it. I settled on the newest looking motel after having driven past it three times.
It was one of the few in the old town that was two stories… A sign of not exactly new, but it looked newer than the other Route 66 motels built around the time of World War II. “Can I help you with anything?” The young lady at the front desk asked me.
There I was; tired, admittedly grumpy to be spending the night somewhere essentially against my will, in a motel after dark, and she asks me basically what I’m looking for… “I’m looking for Prince Albert – Have you seen him?” is the sarcastic statement and question I wanted to ask her. Instead, I gave her an empty look and mumbled, “I need a room.”
“Oh?” She answered as if completely shocked, “Just one? Or more guests tonight?”
“One…”
“Okay… let’s see… I have two queen beds!”
“I’d like to be on the second floor…”
“I’m sorry, we only have king beds on the second floor.”
“I’ll take a king bed, please…”
I finished the awkward transaction that was lacking any background noise and walked back out to my truck to drive up and around the motel to my temporary one night home. As I pulled up and around the sinking feeling in my stomach told me I’d been duped. The two-story office must have been a remodel.
The motel was the same basic feel, design, and architecture of the Bates Motel… I spotted my room, #247, and parked in the space directly in front of it. They definitely made it easy to get your luggage in those days… I glanced around the premises, making sure there weren’t any Norman Bates type of psychos hanging around and made my way to the historic room.
The smell of perfume or fabric softener on top of cigarette smoke in the non-smoking room came pretty close to triggering a gag reflex. The obvious cigarette burns in the orange bedspread made the nostalgia that much more authentic. The carpet had threads hanging out all over the place, especially where it met the cheap and small ceramic tile in the postage stam- I mean bathroom.
My guess from the look of things was that the last date of a remodel was sometime just after the Vietnam War. As I slid the ancient window open to air out the room, never mind it was winter, the tracks looked like it had bug debris from back when Route 66 was the only way west.
After dinner at the closest and only restaurant not closed down within miles, I checked my email and broke out my yellow legal pad and pen. Yeah, they were stranded with me…A blessing in disguise…Although they don’t whine and moan like their master… In truth, they tend to get used by my Master to remind me of the blessings I’m receiving… even when I don’t feel like I am…
I was wondering if the front desk girl was punishing me by stashing the late and loud arrivals right next door to me… They finally settled in about half past eleven…. and so did I…
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 @ 6:09 pm
Literally laughed out loud at the “Prince Albert” joke. Haven’t heard that in a few years. ha.
I’ve stayed in a place like that before myself, only as a final, final, last resort. After being stranded in ice and snow on I-65 for two hours in two vehicles with a couple other moms and 8 middle-schoolers, we were actually quite grateful to find one room at a sleazy hotel–for all of us! ha. Not any sleeping that night, to say the least. Well, some of the kids slept–they can sleep anywhere, but I sure didn’t sleep a wink. I’d never been so grateful to get home to my own bed the next day when the snow melted.
Yeah, God has his own way of reminding us to be thankful for his blessings….
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 @ 10:02 pm
It’s all about perspective isn’t it, Lisa? Your night sounds way worse than mine! But then again, I’m somewhat of a whiner – what I like to call; Wishy-washy-pansy-faces… It’s a tough crowd I run in…! Thanks, Lisa…
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 2:26 am
Sometimes ya just gotta do what you gotta do. Even in a situation like this you had a bed and a roof and a place to lay your head. Hmmmm. Nah I won’t go there. 🙂 I have often thought about wanting to ride Route 66. Think I might see Radiator Springs?
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 8:48 am
I’m with you, Bill. Sometimes the best lessons are found in our inconveniences. I know it sounds romantic, and it has some great views, but the colors and sounds of Radiator Springs aren’t quite as vivid as portrayed in that movie! And we thought talking cars died with Knight Rider!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 9:32 am
Through the years I have slept in some pretty rough places. I love taking my own pillow with me if I can, somehow it helps. I have prayed many times for God to protect us from those biting critters. Totally agree about the best lesson are found in inconvenience. I remember visiting a family who just insisted we stay all night, this was in the states. There was nothing clean about their house, nothing. As usual Ace fell right to sleep…not me…next morning you could still see the joy on their face because we stayed all night. There are lots of ways to show love…sleeping in an unclean bed is one. I was thankful I had my pillow with me.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 11:14 am
What a wonderful heart of selflessness you guys have, Betty. I confess I’m a bit spoiled. I like my privacy, but I wonder all that I’ve missed by insisting on it over the years. I also don’t like to put people out, but there is fellowship in sharing… I’ll take a lesson from your life and try to be a little more inconvenienced in the future. Thanks, Betty. And thanks for the years spent in the mission field on behalf of our Father… May he bless you mightily…
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 3:02 pm
As I read this I kept imagining some pretty seedy looking motels off Route 66 that I’ve seen. Pretty sure I would have kept driving.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 3:53 pm
I probably would have tried to go on when I was younger… but the thought of another blow out without a spare was enough for me to say, “Uncle!” You folks from the south are a sight braver than those of us out west! Too funny, TC. Thanks for the laugh!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 5:35 pm
Years ago we took the kids and went to Disney Land with some friends. In those days,you did not make reservation ahead of time. Jean would not sign the register until she had inspected the room and pulled back the sheets which were often dirty. Guess that saved on the laundry bill, but we were a no show for that motel. Eventually we found a half decent one and enjoyed the next day of fun for us and the kids and their kids.
We like you would not have risked the spare tire traveling in the night. Sorry about the noisy guests in the next room. You took an inconvience and created a beautiful story with illustrations and a lesson to learn. Thanks
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 6:09 pm
Thanks, Hazel. I might be trying to make up for all the lessons that I missed or didn’t heed along the way! Motel and hotel rooms give me the creeps to start with, this one didn’t help my phobia!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 6:28 pm
I am laughing a little…not at you but hopefully with you! On the bright side it gave you something to write about and a reason to count your blessings! I have done a whole lot of traveling across this country. Once in a bad storm we found a room and my mom found a bug in the bed. We had to pack everything up and keep moving! I wonder if it was the same place:) Rachael
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 6:54 pm
Thanks, Rachael. I was hoping to bring a laugh. After being annoyed I actually wrote this down on my legal notepad that night… I knew I wouldn’t be sleeping until the noisy neighbors went to bed anyway! There are lessons everywhere, if we’re looking for them. Glad you dropped in… even if your smile was at my expense! Just kidding…
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 7:01 pm
Ya gotta pay a pretty penny for a good hotel these days! Ah, these terrible First-World problems, right? 🙂 Seriously, though, I’m glad you survived with your sense of humor intact!
Blessings,
Voni
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 7:38 pm
Sometimes you just gotta laugh so you don’t go crazy! There’s a lesson hiding around every corner I guess… Thanks, Voni. It’s good to laugh now and then.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 7:13 pm
Great story, Floyd. And I guess if you can write a blog about it and have a few laughs, then, indeed, it was a blessing in disguise. Were you alluding to the old Prince Albert in a can joke? And wow, this reminds me of a really bad hotel that we stayed at in Paris, when our slippers stuck to the floor. Oh my! But as one of your commenters suggested, you do what you gotta do. And suddenly, too, I realize that many people would give anything for a warm place to sleep with a bed. We are blessed. Love your storytelling ability, Floyd!
Bless you,
Lynn
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 7:40 pm
I was referring to that old joke. I have to admit that I used that one during the crank phone call days. I guess it could have been worse, my feet could have stuck to the floor… What am I whining about?! It was a blessing to have that basic provision for sure. Thanks, Lynn. Glad to see you’re back in your form… You were missed.
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 11:30 am
Oh man, I could smell the cigarette smoke with the “covering” on top. Yikes. It’s that stuff that makes it so hard, but there are always blessings to be discovered. I definitely prefer they be found in places WITHOUT stale cigarette smoke that reaches out and chokes you! 🙂 Thanks for taking us on the journey, Floyd.
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 11:58 am
Thanks for hoping aboard, Jason. Miser loves company! Ever so often we need to be reminded that basic provision is a gift too…
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 1:56 pm
Hotels, hostels, motels, bad B&B’s……I’ve had my share of all kinds while traveling for work. Neither Randy nor I enjoy them – guess that’s why we bought a travel trailer!
I remember sleeping on dirt floors in various parts of Mexico years ago.Was helping in a building project. “Things” scampered across the floor and over our sleeping bags. A couple of scorpions caught my attention in their version of an outhouse! Glad when I was finally home….
I love how you are always adjusting your outlook and attitude. Ultimately, that’s what God desires from us – thankful hearts. You have one.
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 3:23 pm
Thanks, Nancy. Those are kind words. I guess I spent enough years with a bad attitude and skewed perspective that it’s like a breath of fresh air. This gift of free will is one of the best if we begin to grasp the enormity of it! I’m just a bit slower than others!
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 4:44 pm
Reminds me of my honeymoon. My husband booked a one night stay at a place that turned out to be a room next to a bar, too narrow to walk between the bed and dresser. It was used for those too drunk to drive home. Needless to say, we cancelled and drove on. Got the penthouse suite for the price of a regular room at the next place!
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 5:30 pm
There was no next place that night! That’s okay. I needed a reminder that I have ample protection and provision from my heavenly Father. We’re just a little spoiled. Glad it wasn’t a special occasion! See there? I’m learning to count my blessings… Thanks, Shelly.
Friday, April 5, 2013 @ 6:02 am
I’ve been in a few of those motels over the years. And maybe you didn’t find the novel in one fell swoop, but every little experience such as that one can be reborn as a scene in a novel.
Friday, April 5, 2013 @ 7:08 am
Good thoughts, Dan. Maybe like that room you stayed in while in Nashville? Excellent idea. I like the way you think, Erickson!
Friday, April 5, 2013 @ 8:02 pm
Floyd,
I like your legal pad and pen. They know how to tell a story. I laughed, was prodded into thought, and enjoyed every minute of this “hotel disaster”.
You have a gift. That’s for sure.
-DS
Friday, April 5, 2013 @ 9:07 pm
Thanks, Duane. Those are kind words indeed. Especially coming from you. Thanks for stopping by. God bless.
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 12:19 pm
I’ve been in some bad motels but not as bad as you described. It can allow us to see the good things we do have:)
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 4:37 pm
Exactly, Dan. Having a roof over our head is a gift all by itself. I just needed a little gentle reminder…
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 5:39 pm
A few years ago my wife and I checked into a motel outside of Victorville, CA and after spending all of 5 minutes in the room we checked out. We were worried that we might still get stuck with the bill but fortunately they honored our dissatisfaction and gave us full credit back for the room charges. When you see critters scamper when you pull back the sheets you know you’re in trouble …
Thankfully we found another place not too far away with no scampering critters.
I’ve wanted to drive the old Route 66 some day, now I’m not so sure …
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 6:43 pm
Scampering critters is a non starter for me too! There weren’t any of those or I would have slept in my truck! If you have the opportunity to drive the old highway I’d recommend it. It really is intriguing and it’s good to see and remember a time all but gone now. Thanks for stopping by, David. Sorry for your inconvenience at that motel, but it sure adds to the discussion!
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 5:55 pm
I’ve been in a couple of rooms that fit your description quite well. 🙂 But when you put it in perspective, I had a room and wasn’t sleeping in an alley somewhere. Things could always be worse, and sometimes we just need to learn to be grateful for what we have.
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 6:44 pm
That’s the lesson I finally caught on to, Mike. A roof over my head and a meal is really all we need… Well, physically anyway! Thanks, Mike.
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 8:54 pm
I will definitely remember this post the next time I am stuck in a situation like this. While I try to live a simple life, I willingly admit to being a “hotel snob” when choosing a place to stay. I still recall a very long drive across South Dakota one night when the only places that met my “standard” were all full. My standards continued to go down as morning neared and my eyes got heavier.
Maybe next time I’ll just be thankful for a roof and bed. 🙂
Sunday, April 7, 2013 @ 10:59 am
That’s hilarious! “My standards continued to go down as morning neared and my eyes got heavier.” Funny how we get lessons in this life isn’t it? I too am a “hotel snob” and I just needed to have my nose rubbed in it a bit to learn my lesson. I hope it sticks! You’re not alone, Hotel Sno-, I mean, Chuck!” Thanks, man…
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 @ 8:53 am
This brings back memories from when I used to work at a hotel. I’m sure she didn’t do anything just to mess with you – it’s just those second floor rooms always go last. People don’t want to take the stairs.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 @ 12:29 pm
No, it was just my time to learn another lesson, Loren – a chance to check my perspective. Not all bad, especially when we find the right perspective! Thanks, Loren.