The $50 Hampton Inn and the Stranger Who Helped Me
My destination that night was Natchitoches, Louisiana. Just a few nights earlier, I’d been caught in one of the worst storms of my life while camping in a tent in Bowie, Texas. That night, the lightning was so close and the rain so sideways that I ended up calling the police to rescue me. You can read that full story here.
So as I rode into Nacogdoches, I already had a little weather-related PTSD. I could see storms building on the radar and hear the thunder rumbling in the distance. I had originally planned to camp in the city park that night. But before heading over, I stopped at a Subway restaurant to grab dinner and think through my options.
It was a newer Subway, located right next to a couple of hotels, including a brand-new Hampton Inn. I sat down to eat, watching the radar, trying to decide: Do I spend the money to stay somewhere dry and safe, or do I take my chances in the tent again and hope there's no lightning? I don’t mind rain. But lightning? Not anymore.
As I sat there, a man was sweeping the floor. Just a regular employee at first glance. He looked over, nodded, and we exchanged pleasantries. A few minutes later, he came over and started chatting with me. Of course, like clockwork, he asked the usual questions—questions I get constantly on bike tours. You can read more about that in my post The Top Questions People Ask Me When I’m on a Bike Tour.
He asked me where I was staying that night. I told him I wasn’t sure yet. “I’m debating whether to go to the city park or try to get a hotel, but I didn’t really budget for a hotel tonight.”
He paused, looked at me, and said, “Well, it’s supposed to really rain tonight.”
I nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”
Then he said something I wasn’t expecting: “Why don’t you go over to the Hampton and tell the lady at the desk that I sent you? She’ll let you stay for $50.”
I looked at him, surprised. “Wait—twenty dollars? That place is usually at least $140.”
He smiled. “Tell her I sent you. She’ll take care of it.”
So I asked him, “How do you know the hotel?”
He grinned. “I own that hotel. And this Subway.”
Turns out the man sweeping the floor wasn’t just a worker—he was the owner. And before I even made it across the parking lot to the Hampton, he had already called ahead. The woman at the front desk was ready for me. I walked in, and sure enough, she handed me a key and said it was $20 for the night.
It was one of the nicest rooms I stayed in on that whole tour. I slept like a baby while the storm raged outside. And the next day? One of the best rides of the trip. Dry, refreshed, and safe.
I didn’t even plan to eat at Subway that night. I was just going to grab a snack at a convenience store and head to the park. But sometimes fate puts you in the right place at the right time. I’ll never forget that man’s kindness—another stranger who saw a tired rider and quietly offered help without hesitation.
There are still good people out there. And if you ride long enough, you’ll meet more of them than you might expect.
By Bruce | The Old Guy Bicycle Blog
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