Yesterday, we spent around nine hours in the car. Chicky’s team is playing in the Final Four, and the hotel is in West Palm Beach.
Now, you know that we’re always traveling…have been for about six years running. We’ve been in about every type of fast food and sit-down restaurant, gas station, and hotel. I should be paid to critique them…that’s how much of a pro I am.
First off, we stopped at what is rated as the #1 Chick fil A franchise in Florida (according to my father-in-law). I didn’t know this beforehand, as the first place I stopped was the restroom. Before I got there, we were greeted by a manager, who welcomed us to the location. He was walking the floor, speaking to the patrons. Wow!
Folks, there were two tables in the ladies room. One had an assortment of feminine products. The other had flowers and other stuff that I can’t remember. But, it was nice. Clean. Stocked with hand towels as well as an air dryer.
Then, as I sat and waited for the Mr. to bring our food to the table, another employee, dressed very professionally with a Chick fil A nametag, asked if I was waiting to place my order. After telling her I was set, she walked away to assist another customer.
I watched as managers sporting long-sleeve, button-down shirts ran the cash register, assisted by crisp, polo-wearing employees. All had sincere smiles on their faces. It was apparent that they were working in an environment they truly enjoyed.
I commented to the manager who stopped by halfway through out meal how impressed I was, explaining how frequently we travel. It’s called fast food for a reason…in and out…no frills. He said that he tells his employees that the restaurant begins at the property line.
Good point.
We’ll make sure we visit that location the next time we’re in town.
Onward we went, to our final destination…a Hawthorn Suites that is so new it doesn’t come up on the GPS.
When we inserted the key, we were amazed to see this:

I’m sitting at the table below…blogging right now…flat screen above me…

Walking down the little hallway, we saw this:

And the bathroom…well, what can I say? It plays a very important role in your get-away experience:

And look at the vanity! NOBODY puts a vanity in their bathroom! With a make-up mirror too!

Now, I know what you are thinking. This must be costing me an arm and a leg.
Well, not quite. I think I heard the Mr. say that we’re paying $95 per night. I consider this a good rate considering the amenities. I mean, there’s tile throughout…the lobby, the elevator. It’s truly gorgeous!
Saturday morning loomed with nothing to do. The girls don’t play until 5pm, so we had the entire day in front of us.
What does AuburnChick do when she has this much free time on her hands…in a new city…
See if you can guess from this picture…

You see, I feel like I have a responsibility to my readers (all three of you). You know I travel, so you naturally expect me to find the best yarn stores around…just in case you might take a trip to the same location. It was me, after all, who brought you those wonderful pictures from Las Vegas and New Orleans.
Thank goodness for the GPS on my phone. I must have been a good girl because “she” didn’t cop an attitude this time…i.e. I made no u-turns.
The ladies at Just ImaginKnit were fabulous, as was the selection of yarn. There was a group of ladies sitting at the table, and as they spoke with their New York accents, I was taken back to the time when I lived in Coral Springs…whose residents had migrated from up north.

Now, I consider it rude to spend time in a yarn store without making a purchase. Especially since I’m not a “regular.” If I had my own yarn store and could attend knit nights, then I wouldn’t feel obligated to get anything.
That’s a pretty lame justification, isn’t it?
Ok, ok. I caved the beautiful color and feel of the yarn. Hello, my name is AuburnChick, and I’m addicted to buying soft, hand-dyed yarn…especially if it comes in 100g sock weight…

As I left, I gazed upon the window lovingly one last time…

And then I hoofed it back to the hotel so Soccer Chick could get her sneakers out of the back of the car and do some warm-exercises in the parking lot with the team.
If you’re reading this before 5pm, please say a prayer for us…that Chicky would not be injured, and that she would use the talent that God has blessed her with to the best of her ability.
Filed under: Knitting, soccer | Tagged: hawthorn suites, just imaginknit, Knitting, west palm beach, yarn | 1 Comment »