"It's only three directions," Joe said as I was saying my last goodbyes to Georgia and asking him about his Tom-Tom GPS.
We were just about to leave for our overnight trip to the Hollywood Casino in Charlestown, West Virginia where we would meet-up with Joe's parents for dinner and a bit of gambling.
I was excited. Not just because we would get a night away from the responsibility of dog-ownership but we were heading out on a road trip that would be just far away enough to feel like we were really getting away. Plus it was an added bonus to get to see Joe's parents AND play a few slot machines.
Joe assured me his directions were fine and seeing as how we had once been there before we should have little trouble finding our way. I agreed and around 5:30 we took off.
The trip went smooth until we had to start paying attention to the directions. They were few but confusing. I read off the next one and Joe looked quizzical.
"It's supposed to be a left exit, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes but according to the signs it's on the right," I said trying to decipher his chicken-scratch directions.
In a matter of a few turns we found ourselves driving away from the industrial road and towards a residential area. We conversed while gingerly looking around for the hotel, thinking it would appear in a clearing at some point. The miles clicked away, as did the time, and while Joe was insistent that we were fine since the numbers on the road were going in the right direction I was beginning to get doubtful.
Still we ventured forward, passing storage facilities and beaten up mechanic shops, houses that looked like barns and barns that looked like shacks; now I was starting to get concerned. Joe, the ever optimist, was certain we would find the hotel once we went over this approaching mountain-like hill.
We ascended the hill, grasping onto hairpin turns and hugging the road while leaving room for the occasional passing vehicle. We had a bit of remaining daylight and gasoline going for us, but I was having a hard time keeping my spirits up. I get nervous in the woods, especially in dark, and even more so when I'm lost.
As we paused to make another sharp turn we noticed a sign that read "Wildlife Preserve". Somehow we had accessed restricted grounds and suddenly all I could think was that a bear or mountain lion was waiting to pounce on the car.
With the last shred of daylight quickly dissolving and the inky blackness of the woods beginning to envelope us we finally made it out only to find...nothing. More of the same desolate fields and once-inhabited homes. No sign of a hotel. At long last Joe phoned his folks to let them know our situation.
It was then that I got an idea that would prove to be our savior....
(Part 2 tomorrow)
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