NEW LONDON PART II

 NEW LONDON PART II

By Duncan 

One never knows when “one” makes a reservation from afar, what the hotel/motel is going to look like. It’s a shot in the dark. 

Yes, if I’m being charged $67.00 for a Motel 6, I know it’s a “cot and a hot.” Or, in some circles, it’s called a bed and shower. Motel 6 is a hit-and-miss proposition. Sometimes, it’s okay; other times, it can be challenging. But, as Tom Bodett used to say, “I’ll leave the light on for you!” 

In Albemarle, NC. (Population 116,600) Ten miles south of New London, there are no Motel 6s.  In fact, I don’t think I had much of a choice. I am trying to remember what I paid for this Best Western. I believe it was $114.00. So let's go inside and see what I have waiting for me. 

Well, so far so good. The towels were big and fluffy, and everything seemed to be very clean. I’m satisfied with the room. When I turned on the TV hanging on the wall, I noticed a message addressed to me. 

This is the first time I've seen a hotel or motel do something like this. Nice touch. Yes, it made me feel special. It's so special. I decided to post the TV screen on this post. If you travel more than I do, you may have experienced this welcome before. But this is the first time I have experienced this.  

When I checked in, I asked the gal behind the reservation desk about a restaurant I passed driving to the hotel. It was called the Log Cabin. She indicated it’s a BBQ joint selling hot dogs, hamburgers, and BBQ. She indicated it’s a good place to eat. I hadn’t had dinner; it was about 8:00 PM, and the Log Cabin was open till 9:00. I tossed my bags in the room and headed down the street.   

I sat at the counter and watched the high school kids in the kitchen. There was a window where the food from the kitchen was placed for the waitresses to bring to the tables. I could see in the window and the activity in the kitchen. I noticed one of the girls (I’m sure a high school girl) watching my every move. The look on her face was one of “Who is this guy?” I started feeling a little self-conscious. I’m sure a new face can be questioned in a small town. 

This gal in the picture above was not the only one watching me from the kitchen. Almost all the young kitchen staff, male and female, were looking out the window at me. Or was I being a little paranoid? 

SIDNEY

Sydney, my waitress, was also the cashier. She was totaling the receipts for the day. My receipt indicated I was the 324th customer. My hamburger, fries, and Diet Coke bill came to $10.38. When did you last get a burger, fries, and a large Diet Coke for about $10.00? 

I did a little math in my head while I ate my burger. I multiplied 324 customers times $10.00 and came up with $3,240. I’m sure the average bill is higher than $10.00. But let’s just say it’s $10.00 and assume they are open 365 days a year. It’s an interesting Mom and Pop operation run by many high school kids. This is at least a million-dollar-a-year operation. I finished my burger and headed back to the hotel.   

The next morning, I showered and packed my bags, tossed them in the “Mean Yellow” and headed for the complimentary breakfast offered by the hotel. 

The offering was processed eggs, sausage, cereal, waffles, fruit, OJ, and coffee. Good for free. Or is that part of the room rate? I’ll try not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Duncan, be thankful for what you have in life. You're 600 miles from home. You are in the house of Best Western, and the staff are offering what they believe is a wonderful meal. The expectation of what is good and acceptable varies from place to place. Welcome to Rome … 

MONICA 

Monica was engaging, and we talked about the breakfast and the hotel. I was curious about the Best Western occupancy rate. Monica indicated they are almost always 100% full. I questioned how that is possible in such a small town. She said with construction everywhere, and the military base down the road, people are coming and going all the time. 

A large guy in a hoodie came marching into the dining room about that time. He helped himself to a waffle and other breakfast goodies. He said good morning to me in passing. I was sitting in a high-top chair with a high counter. I Good Morning him back. I engaged the man, and he decided to come over and entertain a conversation. I noticed his table manners were a little on the primitive side. He put half the waffle in his mouth at one time. He tried to talk with his mouth full. I asked if he worked for a construction company?  

“I don’t work for a construction company.”  

“Monica said many people who stay at the hotel are construction people.” 

“I live here; I'm going to a basketball game.” 

He ate quickly, got up, and headed out the back door. I then realized he had come to the Best Western for a free meal, and Monica had looked the other way. Of course, we all make our way in the world. Was this an example of a close and personal friend taking advantage of an opportunity? Or is there another way to say this? 

I called Rodney, and we decided he would pick me up at the Best Western, and we (Rodney, Kasey, and Me) would all go to lunch in the same vehicle. No need to drive two cars.

At 11:00 AM, a car pulled up outside the hotel. At this moment, the “You have lunch with everyone else in the world; why don’t you have lunch with me.” moment begins. Mission accomplished. 

DUNCAN - MYERS - TSAREFF 

The motorcycle trip I remember the most with Rodney was with Jim Tsareff, Rodney Myers, and myself. We went to Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is located in West Texas along the Rio Grande. I was a little disappointed with that trip. The Big Bend National Park is mountains of dirt, desert, and more dirt. Lots of dirt. I thought Big Bend National Park would have lush green pastures and water features. I don’t want you to think I didn’t have a great time; I did. Many great memories. As they say in Las Vegas, “What goes on … “ and, of course, you know the rest. 

KACEY - RODNEY

Today, I got to meet the love of Rodney’s life. I have heard about Kacey for years, and suddenly, here she is. Rodney said out loud in front of Kasey …  

“Duncan, I have already warned her about you, don’t try any funny business.” 

Goodness, I’ve got to watch what I say and how I say it? Kasey looked at me with a knowing smile as if to say, “Don’t worry about what he says; I’ve heard a lot about you. I want you to be yourself.”

 

RIVER WILD - Mount Gilead, NC 

The restaurant River Wild appears right next to a cove of water that spills into the Pee Dee River. The Pee Dee River is named after the Pee Dee, an Indigenous tribe historically inhabiting the region. And it looks like a very comfortable space for lunch and dinner. It’s owned by Reid Smith and his wife Jaclyn Smith. 

Reid Smith - River Wild

Jaclyn Smith - River Wild

After doing a little research on the restaurant owners, I discovered they are involved in land development. Wild River Development. Selling new homes on that developed land to boot. Jaclyn is a Real Estate Broker, and Reid Smith is what I will call an investor/entrepreneur. They are a force in the community.

Between the two of them, they are trying to make their mark in life by developing land and selling homes on that newly developed land they have financed. They, of course, need the city to provide roads, streets, sewers, water, and services for them to sell homes. It’s interesting to watch the two of them work the system.  

RODNEY - KASEY - DUNCAN - RIVER WILD RESTAURANT 

Back to lunch with Rodney and Kristy. We talked about almost everything. But the big question I had was how the two of them met. All I have ever known about Kasey was that she was his girlfriend. And she would ride on the back of his motorcycles. I discovered they still both enjoy riding the back roads of North Carolina on a motorcycle. 

Without disclosing the whole story of how they met because it's personal. I listened to each version. Their story of becoming one is very interesting, touching, and humorous. 

They give each other space and respect. They realize they have had a life before they met, and now they accept each other for what they have become. A couple, the Yin and Yang of life. 

RODNEY - KASEY - DUNCAN 

Rodney changed his hairstyle. That was my first clue: things in Rodney’s life have changed. He has dumped the mullet on the back of his head for a more professional appearance. It’s a good look for Rodney. 

It’s obvious Kasey is a strong woman, has experience in the real world, and brings sophistication and grace to their marriage. They have lived outside the United States together and experienced different cultures and lifestyles. It is always interesting to ask how living in different countries has affected lives. I’ve noticed it seems to knock off most people's rough edges.  

And now they have chosen the back roads of North Carolina. A decidedly different speed of life. It suits them, making them feel at home with their surroundings and culture. 

   

DUNCAN - EMMA 

I would be remiss if I did not mention our waitress. I asked her name, and she said it was Emma. I asked how long she had been serving at the River Wild. She has been serving for about six months. I asked what her plans were for the rest of her life. Emma is studying to be a beautician. She wants to be a hairstylist and manicurist. Emma is almost ready to graduate from a cosmetology school. I wish her good fortune. 

Well, mission accomplished, I had lunch with my personal and very close friends. Before I left the area, Rodney wanted me to experience the Badin Inn. If you forgot, Maye West slept at the Badin Inn. I could not get “the room” because it was already booked when I was in town. There go my fantasies.  

MAYE WEST

I wanted to see what the room looked like. What would it be like to sleep here?

THE ROOM

BADIN INN -  BADIN, NORTH CAROLINA

 

LONDON

 LONDON 

By Duncan 

I’ve been on a road trip. This time, instead of a “Three Day Road Trip,” I decided on a two-week road trip. 

So, I return with lots of stories. Some interesting and some not so interesting. You will, of course, decide which is which. Let me begin by telling you how this two-week extravaganza all started. 

I received a text from an old motorcycle buddy (Rodney “Digital” Myers) who texted me and said … 

“Why is it that you have lunch with everyone else except me?” 

“Rodney, I’ll have lunch with you; where are you?” 

“London.”

“London? London where?” 

“New London, North Carolina.” 

(By the way, folks, I have not been on a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle since 2008.) 

Of course, the first thing that entered my mind was, You want me to drive from Indianapolis to North Carolina to have lunch with you? I asked Google how many miles it was to New London, North Carolina. Google says six hundred miles or about ten hours. 

 

Now, anyone in their right mind would say, “Hey, that’s too far to go for lunch.” But before I open my mouth, I need a little more information. I looked at the population of New London. Needless to say, I have never heard of New London, North Carolina. I’ve heard of Charlotte, Asheville with the Biltmore Home, Huntsville, and Chapel Hill. The population of New London is 641 people. No wonder I have never heard of New London. 

I went on streets and maps and looked around New London. There are lots of churches and a couple of gas stations. I didn’t see any restaurants except a bait shop. My right eyebrow raised slightly. Hum? Where do we have lunch? The bait shop? So I texted Rodney back and asked, 

“Excuse me, Dig, if I come to New London, where do we “do” lunch?” 

“We would need to go to Mount Gilead, a few miles away. Oh, Duncan, we live in the Bible Belt down here, and most restaurants are closed on Sundays. Do you know what day you are planning on coming?”

What day am I planning on coming? I haven’t decided if I’m diving ten hours to have lunch in New London yet, or at all. Rodney is already cocked and loaded for me to visit him, but not on a Sunday! Not on a Sunday? Holy cow, my door is wide open to visit my Personal and Very Close Friend. What to do? What to do? 

Gosh, I haven’t thought about the Bible Belt in years. It’s only a vague memory of my youth when a few restaurants in Indianapolis were closed on Sunday. Being schooled by God-fearing Baptist parents, it was (SOP) standard operating procedure that they believed restaurants and businesses should close on the Sabbath. You know, God created the world in six days and on the seventh, he rested.  

Rodney also threw out another caveat, “There is a hotel down here called the Badin Inn. Established in 1913. I know the owner, and we are close friends. I can get you the room that Maye West slept in when she came to town. Of course, my first reaction was … “Is it the same bed?” I don't know when Maye West slept at the Badin Inn. One can only hope they change the mattress from time to time. Yes, I know, I’m being cynical.   

The idea that I could sleep in the same room as “Why don’t you come up and see sometime” and “When I’m good I’m very good, when I’m bad, I’m even better” is hard to resist. So, I decided to put the trip on my bucket list. I can only hope God will forgive me for what I’m thinking. Yes, I know Jimmy Carter said, “If you think it, you have done it”

Things happen in my life without me even thinking about it. In the next couple of months, all of a sudden, I had additional invitations to Jacksonville, Hollywood, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sebring, and Tampa, Florida. All of the invitations are for late January and early February. With Indiana being “Indiana.” I decided to escape Indiana's dull, cold, and overcast skies. I then decided to combine all the invitations and make it an experience. So, I will be traveling to North Carolina and Florida for the next couple of posts/stories. 

One of the pleasures for me is being on the road by myself. I can stop wherever and whenever I want. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy a morning Micky-Dee egg muffin and a cup of Joe. I have come to realize that McDonalds doesn’t offer breakfast all day like they used to. If you show up at McDonalds after 10:30, the odds are they are going to tell you, “We are servicing lunch now.” Which can be a bummer if you have your taste buds set for an egg muffin. I stopped in Cambridge, Indiana, at about 9:30 in the morning, a few miles west of Richmond, Indiana, on Highway 70. I wanted to ensure my experience started with an egg muffin before it got too late. It’s the little pleasures of life.   

In the early afternoon, I pulled over and took a moment. I ordered a vanilla milkshake at a different McDonalds. I had been on the road for about six hours and decided to take a break from the super slab and think. 

I had breakfast with my son Scott the day before I started this trip, and we enjoyed a three-hour conversation at a Bob Evans restaurant in Indy. He was telling me he wanted to move to South Carolina. Much to my surprise, he has already purchased five acres of land and plans to build. He loves the moss in the trees, the climate, and the whole feel of South Carolina. The kids/grandkids are out of the house and on their own, and it’s just the two of them. So, now it’s their turn to do what pleases them.   

 

As I enjoyed my vanilla shake, I remembered when I was sitting on the ninth floor of a resort in Pompano Beach, Florida. I thought to myself back then, “Why can’t I live like this all the time?” And so, it came to pass. I focused on the goal, and the goal became a reality. I enjoyed living in North Fort Myers with my father for five years. And then, my Dad (George) passed in 2018, and I decided to head back to what I consider home. And now my son is doing the same thing. Focus on a goal and expect the best out of life. 

Of course, the fun part of any motor trip is getting out of the car, sitting in the dining room, and watching other people. I try to figure out what the person sitting on the other side of the room is all about. What do they do for a living? Do they have a family? How old are they, and why are they wearing the clothes they are wearing? And, of course, everyone had a cell phone in their hands. Even me when I took the picture below. 

Yes, I asked the man sitting by himself a question. I wasn’t sure where I had pulled off the road. I walked up to the man and asked if he knew the area. He said that he did. I explained I was on a motor trip and wasn’t sure where I had stopped. He said, “You are close to South Charleston, West Virginia. Where do you want to go?”   

I told him I was headed to New London, North Carolina. He looked at me with a puzzled look and I knew that there was no point in trying to explain New London. I thanked him for his information and headed for the “Mean Yellow.” 

I made a big mistake. Instead of stopping right before it got dark, I made a reservation in Albemarle, North Carolina. Albemarle is about ten miles south of New London. Since I hit that moose in Montana late at night, I tend not to want to drive in areas I don’t know. 

To get to the motel, I must drive in the dark for a couple of hours. The roads in this part of North Carolina are two lanes with many trees on each side. That means a deer can come out of nowhere, and I could find myself with a passenger in my front seat. I really wanted to stop driving at dusk and find a motel, but I had made the damn reservation. “Note to self. Don’t make a reservation; get off the road at dusk. Wherever you are.”   

I finally got to the Best Western, Albemarle, North Carolina. There was no one at the front desk. Only a sign that told me to phone the number on the paper. I waited in the lobby for a few minutes, and no one was anywhere to be found. I called the number, and a woman answered and said she would be there in a few minutes. She came down a long hall to the front desk. She said she was in the laundry room washing bed linen. So, I assume management requires the desk staff to do the laundry, too. Interesting. I’m sure it’s hard to find good people in these small towns. 

Let’s end this story here. I will explain the morning routine at the Best Western in the next post.