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
