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Writer's Block: Goodness gracious
May. 23rd, 2010 08:14 pm[Error: unknown template qotd]
I'll go it one better - I've actually seen a corporation that did this. Six years ago (I believe it was that long) I was driving through Cadiz, Ky., on my way to my parents' for Christmas. A horrible ice storm swept across the Midwest, covering roads with inches of ice, including those in states where people are not so used to it in a normal winter. It was Dec. 22 and I made it to Cadiz on my 9-hour trip (less than halfway home) when the interstate became so slick I had to pull over. The weather and roads were so bad that I checked into the Super 8 and figured I'd get going the next morning; as it turned out, I would not be able to leave until two days later, and even then, ice chunks kept me at a top speed of 30 mph over 200 of the next 300-some miles.
The interstate was horrid - there were literally 40-mile-long traffic jams between Clarksville and well north into Kentucky. Tons of people stopped in Cadiz, where the only place to stay, that I know of, was the Super 8. The overworked women at the counter and in Housekeeping not only helped as many people as possible find room to sleep in the lobby and rec room once they ran out of rooms, they let people sleep in their vehicles in the lot and come in to warm up when need be. Because the few restaurants near the hotel closed down because supply trucks couldn't get to them with regular food shipments, the Super 8 staff - all locals, naturally - went a few miles into the closest town and bought deli trays and other food to give everyone at the hotel at no extra charge. I remember on the night of Dec. 23 a bunch of people gathered in the lobby and common areas and sang holiday carols with the staff (I donated three tins of candy my friend had made for my trip).
Like me, most people cleared out on Christmas Eve to finish their trips in case there was more bad weather on the way. I don't know if that Super 8 is still under the same management or even still THERE, but if you ever need to stay the night somewhere, think of giving them your patronage.
I'll go it one better - I've actually seen a corporation that did this. Six years ago (I believe it was that long) I was driving through Cadiz, Ky., on my way to my parents' for Christmas. A horrible ice storm swept across the Midwest, covering roads with inches of ice, including those in states where people are not so used to it in a normal winter. It was Dec. 22 and I made it to Cadiz on my 9-hour trip (less than halfway home) when the interstate became so slick I had to pull over. The weather and roads were so bad that I checked into the Super 8 and figured I'd get going the next morning; as it turned out, I would not be able to leave until two days later, and even then, ice chunks kept me at a top speed of 30 mph over 200 of the next 300-some miles.
The interstate was horrid - there were literally 40-mile-long traffic jams between Clarksville and well north into Kentucky. Tons of people stopped in Cadiz, where the only place to stay, that I know of, was the Super 8. The overworked women at the counter and in Housekeeping not only helped as many people as possible find room to sleep in the lobby and rec room once they ran out of rooms, they let people sleep in their vehicles in the lot and come in to warm up when need be. Because the few restaurants near the hotel closed down because supply trucks couldn't get to them with regular food shipments, the Super 8 staff - all locals, naturally - went a few miles into the closest town and bought deli trays and other food to give everyone at the hotel at no extra charge. I remember on the night of Dec. 23 a bunch of people gathered in the lobby and common areas and sang holiday carols with the staff (I donated three tins of candy my friend had made for my trip).
Like me, most people cleared out on Christmas Eve to finish their trips in case there was more bad weather on the way. I don't know if that Super 8 is still under the same management or even still THERE, but if you ever need to stay the night somewhere, think of giving them your patronage.
