The one that got most of my company was in Waycross, GA (it was probably the only hotel in town if I were to do some research). Staying at this particular Holiday Inn as a child meant two things especially important for me:
The TrikeARound(?)
Three small tricycles, welded together in a " merry go round " of sorts, (akin to this, but smaller), located in a small playground area on the side of the hotel:
and
MAGIC FINGERS
Coin fed "earthquake in a bed" contraption, now sadly absent from motels everywhere.
The only time dad was excused from nightly "burp & lullabye" duties was thanks to one of these little machines. No, he didn't BURP a lullabye, he "burped" ME until I was well into my 30's and was oft times required to sing, usually Away in a Manger, regardless of season,until I had fallen asleep. (But not without extra tuck ins, kisses and a glass of water too) I took "stay by my cradle" pretty literally back then. But don't you worry, I am now reaping what I've sown with a world class staller of my own ( make that 3!) They don't get "burped" they get "pat-patted" which is the exact same thing. They also get stories instead of songs-- 3 and 4 ,sometimes more, stories from "The Readng Hallway"((who only talks when they are quiet)) to buy a moments peace under my roof.
ANYHOW AS I WAS SAYING EARLIER:
I LOVE HOTELS/MOTELS/REPLICA TEE PEES.
( no stays longer than 1 week please)
I know, I know, blacklights have become our "Tree of Knowledge" in recent years- revealing bed bugs and all sorts of unsettling things about random hotel rooms for various television stations. I have not been unaffected by this, yet I love staying in hotels/motels/replica tee pees. Maybe the nomadic gypsy blood is to blame?
What I love about hotels in general are probably the same things you love, but here's a list for the sake of taking up space:
- Those little heat lamps in the bathroom-- I cannot stand to get out of the shower,let alone to get out and be cold. The heat from this little red lamp helps ease withdrawl symptoms for me
- All sorts of miscellaneous towels that you'd never put out for guests in your own home- especially the bath mats (I hate stepping into puddles of water after a shower... the first thing I dry is my face, the second has to be my feet... I am pretty sure you understand why that wouldn't work in reverse, but still FEET make top the top 2 because of this deeply ingrained foible)
- Miniture Soaps, Lotions and a free toothbrush or razor just for begging (I wouldn't advise asking for both, Midas)
- The ability to make the room Pitch Black
- The ability to crank the air conditioner to full speed and make the room Ice Cold
- PITCH BLACK and ICE COLD all at once (ie;hibernating bear's cave)
- Extra Pillows just because you want them
- Occasionally, when staying somewhere REALLY cold, like Nashville, the ability to turn the heater up in the same way as the air conditioner
- Legitimate excuse for dining exclusively out of vending machines
- Swimming pools (especially indoor)
- Continental Breakfasts (I love when they have waffle makers!)
- Those little notepads and pencils with the hotel name on them. (my collection dead ended back when we started favoring one particular chain)
- That little blinking red light on the telephone
- Asking for a wake up call whenever you happen to want one (or, especially fun, asking for a wake up call for your parents next door somewhere around 2 AM)
- Always being able to find the remote because it is connected to the bed stand table
- Under the Bed boxes that prevent stray socks from staying behind
- The Framed Prints of boats or flowers
- Tacky BedSpreads (I like the fact that they exist, not the way they sleep)
- Big plastic diamond shaped keyrings (not available at all locations)
- Brochure Displays (You guessed it, I still take one of every local attraction whether I plan to go to it or not... I am not prone to turning down reading material of any sort, be it brochure or cereal box)
- Checking in under an alias (never have, but I like that I could if I wanted)
- DO NOT DISTURB signs
- Zero guilt about unmade beds
- Listening ear at the Lobby any time of day or night(better than a bartender, really)
- The Gideon in the Drawer
- Free HBO
I could make another list- Favorite Hotels, but I'll spare you. I will say however that, though there are chains with two bedrooms (the parent of 3's dream come true) waffle makers, tee pees, walking distance to major theme parks,luxurious down comforter spreads and more luxuries to choose from, I'd take the one with a Magic Fingers above them all.
Ok, ok, that isn't what I was really going to say, I got to the part where I was going to say what I was planning and then I thought it would be funny to say something about the Magic Fingers, so I did. I do that kind of thing sometimes... it's okay, eventually I get back on track. (usually)
I was actually going to say, though I have a few favored hotels that have been modernized and luxor-ized, there is nothing like camping out at the old Franklin Motel in Franklin, NC. Unlike the Holiday Inn in Waycross, they haven't changed their sign since the first time I went there, or much of anything else.
Maybe someday I'll talk a little bit more about Family Reunions in Franklin, but I've grown tired and I am headed off to my Magic Fingers-LESS bed for a spell, because there's nothing on the telly (we don't get HBO) and I don't feel like finishing the laundry (sheets and towels, ironically)
There is, however,a glimmer in my sky tonight, and the stars are not visible, so I must be talking about THIS (yep- the Real Deal)
I made the discovery during the course of "jotting" this blog and I couldn't be more excited. It doesn't even require quarters!
I leave you tonight, a girl with one less reason to spiral into a life of booze, drugs and rock and roll.
Thank You Magic Fingers!