A Bad Start

We love our Hampton Inn but we ventured out to eat tonight. We chose a Ruby Tuesday on Military Hwy. in Norfolk. Bad choice, very bad choice. When they only had one cold glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay we should have left. (we both wanted a glass). I ordered an ap., salad bar and chili. Carole wanted a Caesar salad and a couple of mini burgers. I served myself from the well stocked salad bar but 20 minutes later nothing else had come. Finally my spring rolls came then about 20 minutes later, after Carole cancelled her salad her burgers and my chili showed up. The burgers were medium rare not medium well as ordered, the chili was good but it was too late. I stopped the waitress, canceled a second wine order and asked for the check. She asked what was wrong and I asked again to be brought the check. She came back with a manager who asked how the meal was and I asked again to be brought the check. She insisted so I explained in fairly blunt terms how lousy the service was and that I just wanted to leave. I wasn't asking for anything but to pay what we owed. She explained that it had been a bad night. They were out of a lot of stuff and she apologized. I asked again for the check.
When she left the table next to us asked Carole if they had caused any trouble. We laughed and explained why we where unhappy. They related that they had tried to order steak and baked potato only to be told that neither was available. They had waited 30 minutes for ketchup for their fries and longer for their meals. I think when we left they may have asked to see the same harried manager.
Here's the punch line. The manager brought the check explaining that she had comped the food but had to charge for the alcohol. I paid the tab and tipped the server based on what the bill would have been if it had included food. When we got to the car Carole pointed out that the bill for alcohol had included 2 glasses of wine that we had never recieved!!!
Oh well, not a propitious start but I have to believe it will get better.
I have a short list of places in Key West to try. Some we have been to others are new. Thats the next post.

Getting Packed Up and On the Road

Here are Bob and Carole as they get ready to leave for Norfolk. We left Sunday afternoon and drove to Norfolk. You need to understand that we don't travel light. In fact we travel with more stuff than a platoon of armored infantry. We are taking 3 bags to check. Carole has a carry on and I carry the computer/camera bag on the plane (the better to listen to my Ipod my dear)

The big black bag was my parents. They used it on their trip to Australia. Its pretty neat. It has a hang up compartment,a main section for folded cloths and a variety of compartents and poucches that clip in. It can carry and protect a lot of stuff. We have an old bag for hang up clothes from Carole's days at Nags Head Golf Links. Its leather and very tough. I use it a lot for traveling.

The bags were packed all snug in the back, while visions of Key West danced in Bob and Carole's heads.

We are staying at our favorite chain, Hampton Inn. This one is near the Norfolk airport. Same freindly staff and great beds. We asked for a 5am wake up. Our flight leaves at 7 so we want to be at the airport by 6am. Hopefully this windy weather will let up and we will get away safely. On our last trip to KW we got rerouted by USAir. They did a great job of getting us to our destination on time inspite of major traffic tie ups on our original flights. This time we are flying through Charlotte rather than DC or NYC. hopefully this will reduce our chance of delays. Time will tell.

Ciao

Note: Title is with apologies to the late Jack Kerouac. This is not a hip beat journey in searh of satori. Its a vacation and its going to be a damn good one.

About

Phil and Liz Muller's kids are going on vacation in Key West. Thought we would document some of the good times.
Ciao