Late Start

After a very late night on Thursday, I woke up shortly after 11 am Friday morning. Following the stressful two weeks preceding my trip -- losing my Dell laptop hard drive and all data thereon counting as just one stressor -- I allowed myself to get a late, slow, relaxed start. As it turned out, I left Oakland shortly after 5 pm.

Surprisingly, traffic on 580 East moved swiftly and I was well on my way by 6 pm, cruising down I-5 South toward LA listening to retro tunes -- Cream and the Beatles, for example. Speaking of cruising, I want to devote a few words of praise to one of the best darn inventions of the 20th Century: cruise control! By itself, a thing of beauty, and when combined with the benefits of a hybrid -- sheer perfection!

I've already traveled almost 300 miles, and still have a third of a tank to go. I expect my MPG will prove close to 50 for this leg of the trip! YEAH!

I also want to tell the story of arriving at the hotel just outside LA. I began seeking a hotel around 10:30 pm, keeping the faith and driving forward optimistically. My good cheer began to wane as my bladder expanded with each passing mile. I finally chose an exit around 11 pm and plunged into the wilds of LA's outskirts.

First, my GPS went temporarily insane. That's really the only way I can describe it. I pulled over to the side of the road and turned it on, searching for points of interest (spelled h-0-t-e-l-s) in the area. It listed the Kamaka Hotel, only 1 mile from my location. Just one hitch: the road on which it instructed me to turn left did not actually possess a left side. Instead of turning, therefore, I proceeded straight ahead. What happened next? Read on!

The GPS then performed a "route recalculation," instructing me to drive 5.9 miles and turn right on Sepulveda Boulevard. I proceeded to this location, growing more confused and panicked by the moment. I truly flipped my lid when I noticed that the destination toward which I was driving lay 28 miles away. Where was the momentarily possessed device taking me? I have NO idea. I stopped listening to it when I happened into a brightly lit area near the I-5 on ramp that boasted restaurants, gas stations and -- YES! God and Goddess be praised! -- hotels.

I chose the first likely looking, reasonably priced establishment I found. I signed in without incident -- bladder screaming for relief -- and then went in search of my room -- #100. "It's in the back," said the woman behind the counter. Oh, would that it had been so easy.

I walked out of the office and saw that the room number closest to where I had parked was 172, and the numbers descended heading away from that point. Being a logical, intelligent sort of person, I got in my car and headed around the corner. I passed the 160s, the 150s and 140s. I rounded another corner and passed the 130s and 120s. I rounded yet another corner -- coming in sight of the office once again -- and saw the 110s. I parked in what seemed a likely spot and walked over to where I guessed room 100 would be. Such folly to believe the world is logical!

I walked down the row of rooms to 101 -- and there the trail ended. Immediately around the corner was a staircase leading to the second floor. Further on lay the corner around which I once again found the 130s. Near the office, the room numbers were in the 160s. I walked in widening circles, shaking my head. Finally, being an intelligent sort of person, I went to the office again.

"Where is this room located?" I asked. "I can't find it. I found room 101, but room 100 doesn't appear anywhere nearby."

"Outside, around the corner," the woman said.

"I tried that," I said.

She came out and led me to the room, walking in the opposite direction from 101, back toward the rooms in the 170s, where I had originally been. And there it was -- Room 100 -- right around the corner, and conveniently located right next to (wait for it) Room 140!

At that point, I had to laugh. Oh, the adventure of life. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!

Well, it's getting very late, and checkout time here, blessedly, is 12 noon. I'd like to get a few hours of sleep before getting on the road again tomorrow.

Thanks for reading, and may your worries prove few and rewards prove many!

Love, blessings, and good night.