Leaving the camp site this morning was interesting, as the State Park is truly off Route 1, but tucked back, well way back, nicely. Off course, I'll say. So after a little walk back to Route 1, I was on my way. Today was going to be extra special, as we make our way into Connecticut. Closer to a bus station for John. John is fiercely independent. He's been single his whole life, and relies on no one but himself. Even going maybe 2 miles an hour now, he insists on getting to a bus station on-foot. Sure, he could get a taxi. He would never do that, if you knew him, you would know it's not even an option. He'll get there, on-foot, in a few more days and will be heading out on a bus. I'll be flying back home, likely Thursday. Until then, I keep moving.
I found Connecticut to be very similar to RI! People here would probably beg to differ, but it continues to be gorgeous, green and lush. I enjoyed the day, relaxed, as I went through Westerly, Mystic and into Groton. The weather was mild and quite warm, but with a short day, and stopping to eat a nice sit-down lunch, I rolled in and headed to my motel, The Hilltop Express Inn. I had booked it online and it boosted of 24 hour front desk, breakfast included and sounded really nice. This is where the scary noises should be playing. Dun, dun duuuuuunnnnn. I first noticed the sign out front had a sign over it. Like it was a Howard Johnson or something, and now a temporary sign covers that, announcing The Hilltop Express Inn. I look up at the motel, and there's building materials ALL over the front porch. Okay, they are renovating it, no problem. I get to the front door and it's unlocked. A note on a post-it says "Check In at 3pm". Okay again, I'm early, so I'll just wait here and do a few things. I'll charge my devices, make my sun tea with my gallon of water I had just bought (I put a few tea bags in it, and let it sit outside for an hour or two.). While this is occurring, I'm inside the Front Office. It's not a Front Office really, it's torn up. Walls are being knocked down, lumber stacks everywhere, everything is covered in saw dust. There's what looks to be a make-shift breakfast area, with the toaster on the floor, plugged into a random outlet. There's more sawdust inside the toaster as well. What is happening? Where am I? This place can't possibly be open. I called the number I could find, and a man with English as his third language (for real), tries to tell me "no check in til 3". I tell him I'll wait here. He doesn't seem to understand anything I say. He hangs up frustrated with me, and I'm so confused. There's ONE truck in the parking lot, and one lone worker-man down the first floor hall, at the end, sawing/cutting something. I never see him, only hear him. There's a huge plastic sheet hanging to block the view of where the rooms really are, down that hall. It's like a bomb went off down the hall. I walk up the stairs thinking that's where the rooms are that he rents. He's already fixed those up, I'm sure. I go up there, and there's mattresses everywhere! No one is there whatsoever. I go back downstairs and wait for this man to arrive and will see if there's really a place for me to stay here tonight. He's got all my credit card data online already, and I hate to pay somewhere else again. Now it's 3:30 pm and no man. I call and there's no answer. It's getting creepier by the minute. I can't stay here, this is all terribly wrong. I find a piece of paper, write him a note, asking him to cancel my reservation and not charge me. Who knows what will come of that?! I call my bank and explain what just happened, so we can be watching in case he tries to charge my card. But now, I don't even care about that anymore, as I need to find a place to stay. I start looking around the area and find a Hampton Inn 2 miles away. I make a reservation as I'm walking to it. Success! I text John and tell him to do the same, and what had happened at the crazy motel.
If there's ever an opposite thing happen to me, it's this motel/hotel situation today. I stepped into the Hampton Inn, and smelled fresh cookies. There's coffee 24/7, and dinner of veggie lasagna is free to all guests. They have laundry facilities, and life is normal again. I was in the twilight zone at the Hilltop Express Inn earlier. I've not heard from anyone there, and feel creepy about the whole experience. Almost like it was a joke.
As I plan my day tomorrow, it looks like rain. The destination will be Clinton, CT and I'll be crossing the Gold Memorial Bridge in the morning, heading into New London. I've heard wonderful things about that town. Total mileage will be just over 30 miles, so I hope the rain is not too bad.
I did all my laundry, then made John give me his, and went and threw his in the wash after mine. I thought mine stunk....
Goodnight for now,
Cyndi
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