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https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-11/-no-
vacancy-signs-are-vanishing-from-america-s-highways |
I
may not remember every detail of every family vacation I took with my parents
and sibs, but I do remember looking at hotel signs from the freeway and taking
the ramp to find lodging. We had not
made reservations as there was a time it didn’t seem pertinent to do so. We would look for signs that said “Vacancy”
and preferred lodging with a pool and later cable seemed to be a priority. I don’t recall having had any problems with
finding lodging that way.
I suppose it is still possible to do
it that way in some areas but have learned that as the decades pass and more
apps and technology are introduced – a reservation will at least secure where
you may want to go. I still would rather
throw caution to the wind and find something along the way instead of booking
in an area I’m really not familiar with and end up at an out-of-the-way inn
than to drive to what is nearest to what brought us to said area.
I think it was in 1995 when my
Grandma Mary was visiting from San Franciso.
Mom had decided that we should go explore southern Utah. We had talked about driving to Moab but ended
up driving to the Grand Canyon. My
sister Kayla and I explored the north rim while my mom waited at a visitor’s
center with my grandma – who was then walking with a cane.
Of course there were no reservations
as our destination had become a spontaneous drive. Mom knew that she would not be able to drive
the entire way home but we would need some kind of lodging for grandma. The first available lodging we had passed was
called Jacob’s Lodge (I think) but offered no vacancy at the time we were there.
I don’t know how we ended up in Fridonia but found a bed and breakfast
that was really nice. I have never been
to Fridonia before or since.
There was another trip we took that
had taken us through Panguitch. It must
have been a holiday weekend or something.
For by the time we got there (and I’m not even certain why we were there
but I remember mom and Kayla – I don’t know if Grandma Mary was with us or if
it was the same year/trip or not) and drove through the town seeing signs “No Vacancy”
“No Vacancy” “No Vacancy” – finally we hit the last motel on the way out of
town. We were told we got the last available
room.
I don’t know what time of year it
was, but the night air was freezing. As
I recall the pool was closed but the whirlpool was open. Kayla and I made the trek to the Jacuzzi – I think
our room was located the furthest away from the pool area. It felt nice to be inside, but the air, of
course, seemed cooler on the return to our room. We were there for just that one night.
I had hoped that I would be able to
take my family on vacation each year as my dad had done with me and my sibs but
it didn’t come to pass. I recall taking
only two vacations with the boys. We had
reservations. We did not have
reservations when we drove back to Utah for Jeanie’s funeral as we have not even taken the same route each time we go. That year we had stopped off at
Tremonton on the way and Bend on the return.
Vacancy was not a problem.
Finding an open anything on Christmas Day in Winnamucca (here) was a problem. The
motel that was open did have vacancies.
I think probably many. I don’t
know how many rooms were occupied. At
least one. Perhaps another.
Tony’s latest phone call had
triggered these memories as he mentioned that his family will be going to
Yellowstone in May. I’d love for Roland
and Jenna to see Yellowstone. Roland
joked that we could drive to Yellowstone right now. We live over14 hours away. I don’t think
Yellowstone is something we should try spontaneously – especially during a
pandemic.
Richard and I are now fully
vaccinated and Jenna is currently halfway there. When we had gone to New York last June we did
not have to worry about lodging as we were staying with Randy – but the idea of
looking for open lodging or staying overnight still does appeal to me during
these times. I think if we’re going to
be spontaneous about driving somewhere it needs to be less than four hours
away. I doubt we will be going to
Yellowstone anytime soon.
Randy wants us to come stay with him
in St. George. He says the church has
several historical sites that we can visit.
True, there are historical sites, but currently giving virtual tours
only. Driving to St. George will be
longer than driving to Yellowstone. Not
this year, folks. Meanwhile Jenna is
going stir crazy with desires to get away.
We’ll have opportunity again. Unfortunately, it won't be soon.
