I was recently reminded of another one of my dad's favorite stories.
My wife and I attended a bluegrass music festival, and we stayed at the local Hampton Inn. Hampton Inn published a nationwide hotel magazine that was placed in every room in the chain. In the back of the magazine was a feature article about a guests' experiences while staying at the hotels. I wrote up a story about our trip and submitted it.
A few months later I got a call saying that my piece was selected for inclusion and that we had won a free weekend package. At that time, my folks went with us to some of the shows, and we again stayed at a Hampton Inn for the outdoor festival being held at Rockome Gardens, the Amish theme park, in central Illinois Amish country.
We hadn't said anything to my parents about my article appearing in the magazine, but as soon as we checked in, I opened our copy and there it was, my article and a very nice color picture of me and the Mrs.
A few minutes later, my mom called to say that my dad was in the hotel bathroom yelling about some kind of picture in a magazine. We had a hard time making him understand that the feature was in every Hampton Inn room in the country, and not just that specific location.
This is the text of that article:
This issue's winning entry in our On the Road essay contest Congratulations to Stephen J. Dunn of Naperville, Illinois, this issue's winner of our popular "First Person" essay contest. Mr. Dunn, a stay-at-home dad, will be hitting the road again this summer. "I've been spending my free time planning getaways at Hampton Inns," he says. In recognition of Mr. Dunn's winning entry, he will receive three free nights at a Hampton hotel of his choice. Thanks again to all who sent in essays, and we hope to see you on your next visit!
A FOOT-STOMPIN', HAND-CLAPPIN' HAMPTON HONEYMOON
LAST SUMMER MY WIFE, Celeste, and I returned from an unexpected honeymoon - one that took place five years after we were married!
We have two boys, ages 14 and 17. At the time of our wedding, we couldn't afford to go on a honeymoon and couldn't make arrangements to be away. Since then, we have gone on many vacations, but always as a family (which is as it should be - and we wouldn't have it any other way!).
One of the things we enjoy most is attending bluegrass festivals. For the past two years, the town of Ottawa, Illinois has hosted such an event. In 2001 we went to the festival and stayed at the Hampton Inn Ottawa (Starved Rock area). We had such a good time that we reserved tickets and booked reservations for the 2002 festival.
As things turned out, when time for the trip arrived, our older son had just started his first job, and he didn't want to ask for time off so soon, and our younger son had the opportunity to spend the weekend at a friend's house. So, suddenly my wife and I found ourselves alone for the weekend. When we realized that this weekend would be our first time away from home by ourselves, we couldn't help but think of it as our honeymoon.
As a honeymoon, it was everything we could have asked for and more. We left on a Friday morning and enjoyed a leisurely drive along the back roads of the northern Illinois farm country. We made our way to Starved Rock State Park along the Illinois River, hiked all afternoon through gorgeous dells and canyons, and had a quiet picnic. We then checked in at the Hampton Inn Ottawa, relaxed in the hotel's hot tub, took a refreshing dip in the indoor pool, and got ready for the evening's bluegrass show.
After three and a half hours of foot-stompin' and hand-clappin' music performed by great bluegrass musicians, our bed and an air-conditioned Hampton Inn room were more than welcome.
Saturday morning we enjoyed the hotel's Continental breakfast and visited with other guests. After breakfast we went hiking again and then back to the hotel for another dip in the hot tub and pool before the afternoon bluegrass show.
When the festival let out for a dinner break, my wife and I made our way to a marina restaurant that we were looking forward to trying. We sat at a table on the outside deck overlooking the Illinois River, sipping cocktails. The river was dotted with fisherman, boaters, and even a water skier. Colorful birds flitted among the trees lining the shore, and blue-green dragonflies, the sun reflecting off their gossamer wings, bobbed lazily around the patio. We felt exhilarated by the music, the atmosphere, and each other's company. After enjoying entrees of fresh fish, we still found room for a slice of cheesecake.*
On Saturday evening we whooped and hollered our way through the last bluegrass performance. We finally got back to the hotel around midnight and just had time for a quick dip in the pool. Other guests were sitting at a table having pizza, and it looked and smelled so good that when we got back to our room, we ordered our own, which was delivered right to our door!
Sunday morning we slept in, made coffee with the in-room coffee service, and went down for one more soak in the hot tub and a few laps in the pool. After showering and dressing, we made our way to the lobby for pastries and orange juice. Reluctantly we packed and checked out, and when asked by the front desk management, said that yes, we had thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We drove home with the windows open, and a new bluegrass CD that we purchased at the show, playing loudly.*
It wasn't Cancun or the Bahamas, but it sure suited us. Even in our mid-forties, we felt like teenage newlyweds - and, to the amusement of people around us, we acted like them too!
*Edited out of original essay due to space constraints
No comments:
Post a Comment