THE $500.00 FLOWER POT
A “RUN IN” at the USCG Training Site
10-6-08
Southern New Jersey was beautiful on October 3, 2008. Except for about 15 minutes, that day was perfect.
My wife and I, along with my step-son’s fiancé flew to Philadelphia and then drove to Atlantic City where our hotel was.
Things happen for a reason. The trip was planned so that we could attend my step-son’s United States Coast Guard training graduation in Cape May, NJ.
We originally had a hotel in Wildwoods, NJ. Expedia.com contacted us and said that the hotel was closing for the season and they booked us in their sister hotel (also in Wildwoods). Just for the heck of it, I called that hotel (the day before we flew out). We were not on the rolls and they were closing for the season as well. Before the sweat bead rolling down my forehead could hit the sheet of paper in front of me, my fingers were dialing Expedia.
Long story short – we ended up in Atlantic City, NJ. This was an awesome thing. It was about halfway between the airport and the Coast Guard facility. Everything was open. Plus the hotel was great. Even if you don’t gamble (like us – I don’t even know how to play poker) this hotel is breathtaking. You do have to walk through the casino to get to your room, but once you are past it you are among 21 world class restaurants (one we ate at would not be considered world class – maybe gym class) and probably about 50 stores. It was cool.
To the graduation. The USCG should be highly praised for the way they planned and performed the graduation ceremony. Yes they practically have a graduation every Friday, but they really make you feel welcomed and comfortable. Also the Good Lord served up an enormously beautiful day. We were proud and elated that day. It was a touching ceremony. We felt blessed and privileged to not only be able to attend but to witness a fantastic step in a young Man’s journey of life.
Prior to the ceremony a flower pot hit our rental car. Actually it was my fault. We were parking (be directed by security) and they told me to back up and go another way. I looked in my mirrors and cut the wheel.
BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hit something.
I look back thinking I hit another vehicle. I didn’t see anything. I looked out the door and saw a short and fat cement/stone flower pot. I hit it hard because the thing moved almost 8 inches. Well, a big scratch and a fist sized dent and some broken plastic later, I had to cough up my $500.00 deductible when we returned the rental. Honestly, I was only aggravated and agitated for about 15 minutes. The maturity that took me 41 years to find kicked in and we had a terrific time after that.
And thank God, while preparing to type this blog my insurance company called and told me they were sending me the 500.00 because I have full coverage on rentals.
Yes, I smiled.
Another plus to this trip. We paid $3.12 per gallon for gas in Rio Grande, NJ and $3.05 per gallon in Deptford, NJ. I thought I would never say Horrah about gas process over 3 bucks, but when we pay $3.55 or so in South Louisiana, that $3.12 and $3.05 are fantastic prices.
That’s about it. I am off today but I have hay to bail and cows to milk so I got to’ go.
Upcoming posts:
I will periodically dig into my poetry archives and put some “stuff” on the blog.
I am working on short story about……..when it is finished I will post it (probably in steps). And of course I an still researching for the upcoming post on Wade’s TOP 100 songs of all time………………..
A “RUN IN” at the USCG Training Site
10-6-08
Southern New Jersey was beautiful on October 3, 2008. Except for about 15 minutes, that day was perfect.
My wife and I, along with my step-son’s fiancé flew to Philadelphia and then drove to Atlantic City where our hotel was.
Things happen for a reason. The trip was planned so that we could attend my step-son’s United States Coast Guard training graduation in Cape May, NJ.
We originally had a hotel in Wildwoods, NJ. Expedia.com contacted us and said that the hotel was closing for the season and they booked us in their sister hotel (also in Wildwoods). Just for the heck of it, I called that hotel (the day before we flew out). We were not on the rolls and they were closing for the season as well. Before the sweat bead rolling down my forehead could hit the sheet of paper in front of me, my fingers were dialing Expedia.
Long story short – we ended up in Atlantic City, NJ. This was an awesome thing. It was about halfway between the airport and the Coast Guard facility. Everything was open. Plus the hotel was great. Even if you don’t gamble (like us – I don’t even know how to play poker) this hotel is breathtaking. You do have to walk through the casino to get to your room, but once you are past it you are among 21 world class restaurants (one we ate at would not be considered world class – maybe gym class) and probably about 50 stores. It was cool.
To the graduation. The USCG should be highly praised for the way they planned and performed the graduation ceremony. Yes they practically have a graduation every Friday, but they really make you feel welcomed and comfortable. Also the Good Lord served up an enormously beautiful day. We were proud and elated that day. It was a touching ceremony. We felt blessed and privileged to not only be able to attend but to witness a fantastic step in a young Man’s journey of life.
Prior to the ceremony a flower pot hit our rental car. Actually it was my fault. We were parking (be directed by security) and they told me to back up and go another way. I looked in my mirrors and cut the wheel.
BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hit something.
I look back thinking I hit another vehicle. I didn’t see anything. I looked out the door and saw a short and fat cement/stone flower pot. I hit it hard because the thing moved almost 8 inches. Well, a big scratch and a fist sized dent and some broken plastic later, I had to cough up my $500.00 deductible when we returned the rental. Honestly, I was only aggravated and agitated for about 15 minutes. The maturity that took me 41 years to find kicked in and we had a terrific time after that.
And thank God, while preparing to type this blog my insurance company called and told me they were sending me the 500.00 because I have full coverage on rentals.
Yes, I smiled.
Another plus to this trip. We paid $3.12 per gallon for gas in Rio Grande, NJ and $3.05 per gallon in Deptford, NJ. I thought I would never say Horrah about gas process over 3 bucks, but when we pay $3.55 or so in South Louisiana, that $3.12 and $3.05 are fantastic prices.
That’s about it. I am off today but I have hay to bail and cows to milk so I got to’ go.
Upcoming posts:
I will periodically dig into my poetry archives and put some “stuff” on the blog.
I am working on short story about……..when it is finished I will post it (probably in steps). And of course I an still researching for the upcoming post on Wade’s TOP 100 songs of all time………………..
Posts
2 comments:
The gas is always cheaper in the Garden State! (Plus, it's all full serve!)
Full Service Gas Stations...........Louisiana should be so lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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