We used to drive from New York to Florida, via the I-95 corridor (the main interstate along the east
coast.)
It’s a long and boring road.
1,400 miles of tedium.
With two small, energetic boys in the car you look for ways
to pass the time.
I guess the owners of ‘South of the Border’ knew it was a mind-numbing
ride because they put up funny billboards to advertise their hotel/restaurant/’theme
park’ (using the term very loosely!)
Two states before you even reached the place the
billboards started.
Hundreds of them!
We made a game out it. The first one to spot the next sign
got points and the one with the most points won a prize when we got there.
It was, without a doubt, the sleaziest, dirtiest, kitschiest, roadside attraction.
But at the time it was the only motel in the area (and it was
strategically located at the half way point of our trip, the point where if we
didn’t get out of the car and rest we’d kill each other.)
PLUS, Pedro was smart…..along with the motel and restaurant,
he had fireworks for sale (legal in South Carolina) AND a small play park with
rides and lots of flashing lights for the kids.
Every year it seemed to get dirtier.
On our last stay, I kicked off my shoes as I entered the room
(as I always do indoors) and walked across the 70’s green shag carpet and
flopped on the bed.
Son1 looked at me in horror and said, “Mom! What’s on your
feet?”
When I looked down, my socks were BLACK!
I don’t mean they were grey, dirty, been walking outside in
your socks dirty, I mean BLACK!
It gave me the heebie-jeebies!
I was wide awake all night, watching the clock, just waiting
till I could bolt out of bed and leave!
At about 4:30 AM I couldn’t take it any longer! I got
everyone and everything shoved into the car and we left!
I didn’t feel clean for days! LOL
A friend of mine worked the desk at a motel chain. She told me horror stories about what got cleaned and what didn't. :-O
ReplyDeleteI thought 35 miles from the motorway to Barnstaple was tedious!...boy, 1400 miles of it!! When you said about staying at Pedros my mind was ahead of itself, won't say why..lol.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious. We used to live in Orlando, so I remember that 95 trip and these signs. I also have vague and moldy memories of having to stay in a similar motel along the way. Shiver shiver!
ReplyDeleteYep...been there many, many times over my 40 some years of east coast living...but never had the pleasure of staying overnight!
ReplyDeleteI have been kind of 'blue' today... not sure why, just am... but then I came here and caught up on your stories, and now I am grinning. Thanks. Love the stories... I can just imagine the race to the garbage cans! and yes I remember hearing about geritol... too funny!
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