My travels as of late have been fodder for blog material. Isn’t it fun? Remember my trip to the Puerto Rico mountains where the owner of the Airbnb thought that I was “confusing the smell of ‘our’ organic cleaning materials with the smell of urine”?
And how could we forget earlier in the year the hotel room in Las Vegas that ended up being a conference room complete with a table and chairs?
A couple weeks ago when I was flying through Atlanta I even had a brush with fame. The guy in front of me in the security line had a beautiful black cat in a carrier. I struck up a conversation with him because well—it’s what I do. Plus I may be 1/8th of a crazy cat lady. I petted his kitty and talked a bit to him about how beautiful it was, etc. Short conversation because it was the TSA line but still I had a legitimate conversation with him. I helped hold the carrier so he could take it out to walk through the scanner and as he walked through I actually pushed his stuff through the scanner because he had left it and it was kind of holding the rest of us up. The TSA agent was watching and nodded to go ahead and give it a nudge.
The lady behind me commented to me “you know who that is, don’t you?” I looked at her and said “Uh no—some guy with a cat?”. She then informed me it was Norman Reedus who plays Daryl on the television show “The Walking Dead”.
“Norman Reedus by Gage Skidmore 2” by Gage Skidmore. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Norman_Reedus_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg#/media/File:Norman_Reedus_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg
Yep…it certainly was and I took a couple of pics after I got through before a few others came up and recognized him. Nice guy and very friendly and even if I had not clue at the moment who he was. He was my brush with fame that day.
Norman Reedus
Fast forward to Monday night this week when I was traveling with Buddy and Holly to Raleigh to relocate them there with Aaron until Chris and I make our move in August. I chose a hotel, a La Quinta, east of Indianapolis that was pet friendly for the night and we made it there in good time and trust me—all three of us were ready to get out of the car.
I went into the lobby, got the key to room 163, got the spiel about breakfast, etc. and headed to building G which was clearly marked to settle in for the night. I decided to take the cats in first and get them in the room before I unloaded all the paraphernalia that goes with cats so I grabbed them and my purse and key and went in the door to go find our room for the night.
Buddy and Holly chilling in the car. They may or may not be on drugs in this picture.
I found the room, set the cats down on the floor and proceeded to open the door with the key card.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear? But a mom, a young daughter and a dog named Danica! In my room. All settled in. Apparently quite surprised that I was opening their door. They thought it was their husband/dad who had gone out. But no—-it was me with two cats. Danica the Dog escaped down the hallway and we had to get her back in and secured as I was apologizing profusely here and there for the obvious intrusion. It was odd. It was beyond odd.
But I did find out they were moving to Las Vegas and this was the first night of the trip so we had a lot in common with the whole moving thing, right? I took the cats, stuck them back in the car and walked to the lobby again where I told the desk clerk we had a slight issue with the room being already occupied. She was…..non plussed, I think the correct word would be and did not even seem to be surprised at all. She took my key and envelope, recoded it for room 162 (across the hall from Danica) and I was on my way again. Odd? Yes. Disturbing? A bit. Did I make sure I locked and latched my door and put something in front of it that night? YES!
So Buddy and Holly and I made it to Raleigh and they are getting all settled in at Aaron’s for a short 2-3 month stay while Chris and I get moved. They did really well on the trip and were just glad to be here after almost 1200 miles in the car. Me, too.
Holly shows exactly how I felt when we got to Aaron’s.
Buddy chilling on Aaron’s floor after the long trip.
So tell me–what do you think is my next travel adventure?
38 Comments
Leave a commentI hope your next travel adventure is just for fun, no move moving! You did great dealing with a really long car ride with two cats. Looks like the cats did great too. I wouldn’t have known who the cat man was at the airport. Still don’t…but glad you had a brush with fame!
The cats did really fabulous. They really did. I did give them some natural sedatives but I don’t think it really affected them too much. They are usually pretty chill and they settled right in at Aaron’s which was wonderful. Doing all the things that they were supposed to do and where they were supposed to do them. 🙂
I cannot keep track of your travels. Sure do enjoy reading about your adventures, though. As for the TV star, I would not have recognized him either. I have not even heard of the show. But your hotel room experience tops them all. Wow. Glad you and Buddy and Holly safely reached Aaron’s place.
I am glad that part of the story is over with. 🙂 I do have adventures, don’t I? I think once I get moved to NC I may take a break from traveling for a bit…..Maybe.
I’m not sure which part of this story I’m more disturbed about…the fact that you walked in on someone else all settled into their room or the fact that the front desk attendant wasn’t “concerned” “Apologetic” or surprised! Oh my! Glad all 3 of you made it safely to NC!
I did my review but don’t expect much in response but we will see. IT was a little bizarre to say the least.
The grand entrance to room #163 could have been extremely embarrassing, had there been different occupants.
I cringe to think……there was the one time I delivered Meals on Wheels to a couple who was….otherwise engaged. My eyes will never recover.
I wonder if they were embarrassed by it too?
You certainly lead an interesting and exciting life! Glad your cats are all settled in for the summer!
I know, right? Is that not crazy? I am so glad the kitties are happy in Aaron’s place—they hardly even noticed me after they had been there for a day. 🙂
I still laugh about the room! You lead such a life of adventure! Glad you made it safe and can’t wait to see you when you get back! xo
I could do with a little less adventure at times and this one was kind of a crazy thing. I am glad that it all worked out and that the kitties did not have to share a room with Danica the dog!
What an amazing life you lead! I´m sure you are pleased to know the kitties will be well looked after for the next few months. Can´t wait to hear about the next adventure.
The kitties are all happy to be at Aaron’s. Honestly between Aaron and his girlfriend Erin they will be well loved. Buddy was loving on Erin when I left so I think they are going to be so loved in my absence and that makes me happy.
What fun and crazy adventures you have! Getting ready to make a similar drive to help daughter #3 move. Adventures await!!!
OH that sounds fun! Moving is always an adventure and there are always stories along the way. Have fun!
Never a dull moment eh?!
Nope. I live my life fully! 🙂
That’s great!
🙂 Funny stuff! That room thing would have rattled me, though!
It was quite a surprise. I just don’t know how that happened!
bI can not get over all the traveling you do and some of the things that happen to you, I am sure I would not do as well as you, I am glad Buddy and Holly were good kitties..
I am going to be glad to have time in Lakeside where I don’t have to go anywhere, that is for sure!
Danica the dog made me laugh out loud!
It was crazy. Danica was a sweet dog but very excited that someone other than her “Dad” entered the room!
Very cool, I’m jealous you talked to “Daryl!” I have a friend that is a very rabid “Walking Dead” fan, and I’m going to forward him this post!
I am sure he will be duly impressed with my brush with fame. 🙂
I’ll admit, I’m a reasonably rabid fan of Walking Dead, myself. Daryl is the best character on the show, in my opinion. He’s a tough guy (for those of you have not seen the show), and uses a crossbow, to mow down endless zombies… Kind of a campy TV show, but it has a huge following, (second only to “Breaking Bad,” I think)…
Beth Ann has also met John Glenn (a personal hero of mine)! My only brush with fame was knowing someone who’s sister knew Olivia Newton-John’s sister… I’ll bet I’m close to “Six degrees of Kevin Bacon,” with that connection. Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Degrees_of_Kevin_Bacon, if my reference baffles you, which it likely will…
I am not surprised you are a Walking Dead fan. 🙂 I am just starting watching it but now I found out that Orange is the New Black was just released on Netflix so I have to concentrate on that!!!!!
Sheesh you and Mr. Diamond have to STOP intruding on other people – hotel rooms, houses….Too funny. La Quinta is a top choices when traveling with pets and the service is usually so much better then you received. Send that review card in! I’ve never seen the Walking Dead and I had no idea who Norman Reedus was BUT I am excited for you. FUN.
l know, right? We are a mess lately. I did the online review and the immediate computer generated response to my survey was “we are glad your stay was comfortable”. Hmmmm. I am thinking that they may not ever read it so I will follow up.
did you just hear me squeal all the way down there??!! because I seriously let out a fangirl yelp that I am quite certain you could hear all the way from Canada. But I cannot believe you met and got to pet Eye in the Dark!!!! He has the most beautiful cat. And he smells good. Um… what? Norman I mean.., not the cat. LOL
I had my own encounter with Norman Reedus in Toronto and found him to be just really nice and genuine and more than happy to talk and talk pictures with fans. just a really cool guy.
I’m seriously still squealing. ha
Now… Captain America, Chris Evans, is also filming in Atlanta right now… so you get out there and find him for me!! bwwwaaah!! 🙂
That made me laugh! And you knew his cat’s name. Of course I asked its name and got the story about why his son named him that. . He is a beautiful cat and yes– he was very kind and not a jerk like some “stars” are . I will work on Captain America now!
since I am your mother I am very happy you made that long trip safely.
Me, too!!!!
Whoa crazy… Back in the 90’s there was a movie made with Norm Reedus called Boondock Saints. It’s been our St. Paddy’s day ritual for decades now…
[…] It was a nice flight and just proves that you never know who is going to be flying the friendly skies with you. This is up there with my other brush with fame with Norman Reedus in the Atlanta airport . You can read about that encounter here. […]