Tuesday morning, Sarah and I made a last-minute decision to take a spring break road trip to Chesapeake, VA which is our nearest large-ish city. When you live in a small town, it’s always inordinately exciting to go some place that’s bigger.
I had gone on Priceline and found a 3 1/2 star hotel for an incredibly low price so our thrifty souls were happy—and spoiled.
Out of all the lovely features the room offered, Sarah and I were the most impressed with this one: Built in book lights on each bed! Be still, our hearts.
Sarah and I are not real rowdy partiers, as you probably know by now. Our evening was spent ordering in pizza, reading, talking, watching a movie, and doing miscellaneous stuff on our computers. Sweet, companionable quietness.
The next morning for breakfast, we found a way to splurge without spending a lot of money.
We ordered a room service breakfast for $12, asked for an extra plate and silverware and split it between us. Perfect!
After breakfast as we were lounging around the room doing a whole lot of (blissful) nothing, I noticed that Sarah had plopped herself down on the floor in front of the window.
She sat there for at least twenty minutes . . .
watching a procession of geese play in the water and a large turtle making pretty speedy time down the river.
It was such a sweet moment to watch my daughter sit quietly and be totally entranced by such a simple, lovely view.
After checking out of the hotel, we stopped by a huge thrift store near the hotel which was a wonderful addition to our outing. In fact, the whole trip could not have been more perfect except for one small thing: on the way home when we stopped for gas, I realized I had lost my credit card. Yikes.
And then when I tried to call the company to report it, I discovered that there was something amiss with my cell phone and it was not charging properly; consequently, I had just a teeny weeny little bit of battery left to use in my conversation with said credit card company.
Fortunately, no unauthorized charges had been made on the card; we just have the hassle of changing various accounts to a new card but it’s not a huge deal.
I do have to say that I am thankful for Steve’s response when I called to tell him about it. (Because we wives just really love telling our husbands we have lost our credit card, don’t we?)
He said, “I’m sorry that happened. I know it’s frustrating for you.” That was it. No lecture. No long husbandly sigh.
An inexpensive luxury hotel room. A breakfast delivered to the door. A thrift store. A goose watching daughter. A non-lecturing husband.
It was a great trip.
And you know what was even better? It occurred to me midway through our little jaunt that this was the first time Sarah and I have ever stayed in a hotel room together just for the fun of it. Back in her cancer days, we took numerous trips to Duke for scans, tests, painful procedures and stressful appointments and we always stayed over at a hotel together. But to just get to go to a hotel with her and hang out with nothing unpleasant hanging over our heads?
It was a lovely, long overdue, mother/daughter, non-medical adventure.
How wonderful on every level!
Lisa,
Yes, and it made me smile on many levels! 🙂
I thought it might be a regular Marriott because of the room service. I think they use similar decor in both brands. I love Marriott’s although I recently stayed at a Hilton on the Big Island that was great. The Courtyard I stay at in Atlanta greets me by name when I check in. Of course I’ve stayed there many times. When you’re a single woman traveling by herself (or in your case, two woman), those little touches mean a lot!
Phyllis,
I can only imagine how lovely it is to be greeted by name at a hotel! That is very impressive of the hotel that they are are that personable–good for them! What is your job that requires you to travel so much? Sounds like you get to go to a lot of interesting places.
From the wall decor and furniture, I’m 99% sure that’s a Marriott, possibly a Courtyard. I stay in one at least once a month for business so am quite acquainted with their decorations. Glad you were able to get out of town for a while
Phyllis, you were right on the money–it was a Marriott, indeed! (But not a Courtyard.)
We were so impressed with their quality and service; a very pleasant stay. I know you must enjoy the times you get to stay there!
glad you ladies had a good time, and that you discovered the card was missing when you did. several years ago, I dropped my card in the post office parking lot, and the lady who found it looked my phone # up, called and then mailed me the card, cut in pieces just to be safe. whew!
Oh what a wonderful getaway! I love it! And how much more special it is that you got to have the trip without a reason.
Steve’s response to the credit card is great. He should give lessons….