Good
Morning, Everyone. Because I did not write last night, I’m going to do today’s
in three installments. First, I want to talk about this hotel where I’m staying
for a couple of days. It’ll feel good to not drag luggage around or have to
drive today. Second, I will write about yesterday’s doings and third, I’ll talk
about my plans for today.
I
am at the Holiday Inn Riverview in Charleston, S.C. The lady at the Welcome
Center just past the state border helped me with the choice and to make the
reservation. The reason I chose this place was that it has free shuttle service
to the historic district, plus it had a third floor pool. That would be cool.
(I didn’t realize it was third floor outside and not open this time of year.) The Holiday Inn is a tall, round structure in
the center area between the north and south bound lanes of Rte. 17. I was
assured I would not hear highway traffic from my room. (I hear it all.) The one
thing I forgot to ask the woman was whether it would be a left or right hand
turn off the highway as traveling south, the hotel would be on the left.
I
drove through Charleston in the middle lane, in heavy traffic, unsure of the
lane. (Remember, I’m a country gal and these big city highways and multiple
lanes with exits and on ramps, plus heavy traffic is very intimidating. Rtes.
93 and 95 are NOTHING like these places!) It was a bit nerve wracking to be
keeping an eye on the vehicles around me and watch for traffic lights while
searching for a Holiday Inn sign. I found the inn with no problem. It’s
unmistakable as it rises high above everything else in the area. But I never saw
a turn off sign and by the time I saw a little lane on the left, of which I
couldn’t tell if that was another construction area (there was construction off
and on along Rte. 17,) I was past the hotel. I went to take the next left, but
that was a No Left Turn lane which meant I had to go down to the next set of
lights.
These
roads are all two or three lanes in both directions so you have to watch for
traffic while crossing three lanes. Of course, that road I was turning onto did
not have a left turn signal and at 4 p.m. on a Saturday, the traffic was
fierce. Turning onto to that road, which was also three lanes in both
directions, I had to find another left and that road ended up being a dead end.
I easily turned around and the road I returned on merged with Rte. 17N traffic
coming from the left and the hotel was on the left, so I had to maneuver across
two lanes, actually coming to a stop in a middle lane, to get to the hotel
entrance (lucky it had two.) By then, I was a little shaken and in need of
serious rest.
I
checked in being given the choice between floors 3, 5 and 11. I chose the
middle not sure I’d want to be high. I wish now I had chosen 11. I also went for the more expensive water view
and was told the normal price is $120/night and I’m getting it for $89. It will
probably be $100 when they add in all the taxes. Then, to add to my frustration
of still reeling from trying to find the entrance to this place, I dumped one
of my suitcases in the parking lot (the one with all my bras, panties and
socks.) No one offered to help.
I
finally got my stuff to Room 512. This is an older building and the wear and
tear shows, but it’s clean, (except for the window and it’s hard to take
pictures through dirty glass.) I am over the pool on the third floor which is
empty this time a year, so not very nice to look at. However, beyond the pool,
the view is amazing. I did my usual of not eating all day. Well, I had tried to
be good and had a banana for breakfast, but that was all, so by 4:30 p.m., I
was starving and feeling it.
There’s
a restaurant on the top floor and I headed there even though it was still 15
minutes before dinner. The lounge was open so I knew I could at least have a
look see. This being a round structure, the views from the 15th
floor are amazing. What wonderful windows to sit beside and look out over the
city and waterways. I took a bunch of photos.
It
was still early to eat and I figured I deserved a drink. I haven’t had hard
liquor in… I have no idea. Perhaps something with rum; a rum punch maybe. The
bartender said he thought he could make one. Thought? Never mind. I ordered
something from the bar menu, a Blue Carolinian made with Myers Dark Rum, Malibu
Coconut Rum, Blue Curacao and orange and pineapple juices. Yikes! I wasn’t
impressed. Think it was the Blue Curacao.
I
ordered prime rib for dinner, half of which was a big chunk of fat. The flavors
were good. It came with a Caesar’s salad and I had garlic mashed potatoes for the
side. Those potatoes were great! I could have eaten a bowl just of that. I took
my time and enjoyed the view and was especially wowed when the full moon came
up over the city. Sure hope the photos come out.
Later,
I went in search of a vending machine for a soda. I’d been told there was one
on almost every floor, but the ones on the 14th floor were cheaper.
That’s were all the meeting rooms are. Now, besides the views of the building
itself and the ones from the restaurant, I hadn’t realized the impact of being
in a round building until I started walking the halls to find the soda machine.
I could get dizzy and I had the crazy thought of wondering what it would be
like to try to run around the halls. I also realized that it was the circular
shape that made the doorways to the rooms narrow and the rooms themselves pie
shaped. Pretty neat.
I
can’t wait to explore more.
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