Another long drive today. We had covered 2600 miles by the end of the day. Although we did not see or do much along the way, it was not entirely uneventful.
Here is a sign to Forrest City, named for General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who created the town in 1866.
Of all the states we've been in, we agree that Oklahoma has the best roads.
We arrived in Memphis around 7:30, and went straight to our hotel for a swim prior to dinner. It was 98 degrees. Here is the sad, sad story of the Hotel from Hell:
THE SAD, SAD STORY OF THE HOTEL FROM HELL
We arrived at 7:30, hot and weary from two long days of travel. We were looking forward to our stay in one of the more expensive hotels on our trip. They offered pool, hot tub, fitness facilities, full breakfast, hi-speed wireless, and a one-bedroom suite with two TVs. Sherry booked it months ago with Intercontinental Hotels Group, who owns the hotel.
When we checked in, they did not have our reservation. Sherry showed them the paper with our confirmation number on it. The young man at the desk explained they only had two smoking rooms left. Sherry insisted we could not stay in a smoking room. The young man then went upstairs to check on another room that was in the process of having the air fixed.
He came back down and explained the room was hot, but he had turned on the air and it should cool down. He also reduced the price from $122 to $89 for our trouble.
We took it and moved in, then went swimming, as the room was stifling hot. We called Corky's for take out ribs, and Forrest picked them up.
We ate our ribs at a pool table. The outside temperature had now fallen to about 90 degrees.
Forrest went up to check the room. The temperature had gone UP one degree. Concerned, Forrest went back to the desk. The young man found a box fan and gave it to us.
The boys went to the room to play monopoly, as opened the freezer and situated the fan in front of it. Sherry and Forrest took the computer back down to the reception room.
The hi-speed wireless allowed connection but prevented internet access (first time in 6 hotels). Forrest tried to use the thumb drive, but the business center computers do not take thumb drives, although they have a USB.
Finally, we went to bed around 11:30. We put the fan in the bedroom facing Sherry, and slept on top of the sheets. Sherry turned on the TV and got snow--it didn't work in the bedroom, even though the cable was hooked up.
We also opened the windows and the curtains in the boys room. Of course, the temperature outside was about the same as inside, and it was muggy, so this had no real effect.
We woke up this morning and the temperature was up one more degree. Forrest took the boys swimming to cool down, and Sherry headed to the fitness center. The machines did not do what she wanted, so she wound up swimming instead.
We did have a nice breakfast. They even had whipped cream for the boys' pancakes. No grits, though.
At this point, we are ready to leave for Nashville and put this hotel behind us, and Forrest is preparing to negotiate with the manager. We will share the results later. Grace, Forrest. Grace.
