Vacation part 2-2012

So on our vacation to Tennessee....spent time sight seeing up in the mountains.  I never tire of that.

Here are a few more views...

We traveled around for the day, then a nice dinner out.  

This was Tuesday  and once we were out of the mountains, I noticed I had a message on my phone.  I listened to it, and wow!  It was the manager from the resort-finally.  So I called him back, with the extension he gave in the message, and no answer.  SO I left him a message telling him we were up in the mountains, no signal and I would call him when we had one.

Once we were down from the mountains, we did have that dinner out, at a steakhouse-nice meal.  I called the manager before we went into eat-again, no answer, so I left a message that I was in a area where I now had a signal, and he could call me.

Now it was up to him...

Finally a phone call.  He basically started by saying phone tag and your it!  I did not laugh.  Nor did I comment.  Does he and his staff can ignore me from our arrival-Saturday evening, until now Tuesday? Really? Does he not pay attention that 2/3 of our vacation is OVER?????

This is NOT service.

I am not pleased.

I tell him that, he looks back to all the calls, and tries to basically act like things were taken care of.  I talked about the gross pillows, about the one spoon and 2 forks, and he talks like-well I did not say anything at first-hey guy-keep talkin....he just made me more upset. 

I explained to him, that I was not going to continue to call and call and that when someone showed up, I would talk about the problems (I had net even told him about the cleaning issues and such)

He said he would get some one out about the hot tub, but to the fact that I had to buy pillows, pillowcases, dish soap etc, no comment from him.

Ok, I am not happy.  But we will continue to make the most of our vacation....that is all we can do.  But this DOES effect it.  I spent a lot of money, I could have spent it somewhere else-and had better service. Actually:  I would have spent LESS at the other resort we had always went to, AND had good service!

Stupid me....

So someone finally showed up and changed the heating thingy in the hot tub.  He said they go out often.  Scott showed him how the area was burned-and he said that is from the problem with the hot tub, the heating thing, not working right-and guests try to fix it by unplugging it and re-plugging it and such.  Well, remember the staff told US to re do all of that....maybe the staff should NOT tell its customers to do those things, and they should come out and do it themselves? Just a thought.  Again, IF I was the property owner-I would want the staff --someone skilled---to handle any major problems.  But that is just me.

The hot tub was up to 100 by Thursday (remember it was tuesday evening when he 'replaced' the element) 

So on Wednesday, we spent the day relaxing around the cabin:

I did like this style of couch.

still down stairs, the 3D TV.  Out the window, you can see the hot tub, and the mountains in the back ground.

the door and window looking out down stairs, see the hot tub...

the main level.  couch, fire place (electric-which looked stupid.  I would rather have a wood one, but understand the possible fire hazard so a gas one would be better at least!)

main level, stair way going down to the lower level, where the hot tub, other living room is, and bedroom, and main bathroom. Then you see the stairs going up to the 'game' room, where there is a loft that has the pool table, a couch, and the game table with about 50 old style games like space invaders.

deck....the advertisement said there was 2 decks but there was only one. So sad, had to enjoy only one!

kitchen area. on the main level.

now after all of the other photos, you might say, why did you complain so? Well this is just a few of the rags that I used to 'clean' the already suppose to be clean---cabin.  The hand rail, just one-had all of this and MORE.  I had to clean the counters, all hand rails, door knobs, switch plates, all places you touch and usually people do not clean well.  The most germ filled places!

But the sunrises and sun sets observed on the deck made it worth staying.!

COFFEE!!!!

So by wednesday.....

My right knee was hurting a lot (and that is not the one I had surgery on) so thought I should prob take it easy.  It was prob from all the driving, with it in one position....that can hurt a persons knee!  

We watched some movies, even one on the tv downs stairs that was a TV that had 3D.  So we watched a 3D movie.  There we sat wearing those funny glasses... (I had to clean them first...they were filthy...a film all over them)

I sacrificed  things by occupying the hot tub....

We also played the games (old style like space invaders) on the game upstairs

played some pool

sat out on the deck

took a nap...a great restful day.

By the evening, my knee and lower leg was hurting, I finally looked at it (you'd think I would have sooner-as a nurse-) I found 2 areas swollen, on veins, (not deep veins) that were possible clots.  So I thought ---gotta watch those!

Evening: time in the hot tub...got to keep the sore leg up (opps, photo shows the wrong leg!)

By Thursday morning, they were more swollen, so I sat on the couch most of the day, with leg propped up, hot pack on it, and taking aspirin....

It was finally down by Friday morning when we had to leave, but not completely.  Scott drove the whole way home...I could have if I could have had the auto on cruise all the time, but with it being my right foot-the actions of driving-would not have been ok.

It was nice for me-but tiring for Scott.

We left just before 10 am on Friday for home, and arrived home about 11:30 pm.  We did take lots of breaks at rest stops, longer ones, (usually we allow about 5-10 minutes) but we took from 10-30 minutes.

We also took a longer route, why? Well we wanted to see a different area-but prob should have taken the fastest route home!  Silly us.

Home, that means we did not get to Virginia and West Virginia like we had planned.  So I guess if we are to move there, it will be on total faith for Scott-since he did not get to see the area!

Vacation 2012

Well we were finally able to plan a vacation and go...each one in the past several months has not worked out.

With all the issues in the past year and a half, in my life-it has been difficult to go anywhere (my brother dying from breast cancer, then my mom dying and then my arrest in the county I live in-for HELPING at a birth --nothing else-no wrong doing-no bad outcome---just a plain old witch hunt...)

SO when this one was approaching, I almost did not want to even talk about it..just afraid it would not come to be.

But this last Sabbath, we were up early about 4 am, and on the road after 5 am.

Driving as the sun came up, here was our view from the truck...at the first stop (a rest stop)

Then back on the road....We enjoyed our fellowship and drive, (for the most part-driving 9+ hours is not always a total fun time)

After going thru Cincinnati we enter Kentucky...

We finally arrived about 4pm, (they had called at 10:30 am to tell us our cabin was ready-if Id known it would be ready early, we might have left last  evening and slept in the truck!!!)

But first, we had to drive thru the tourist traps....I am not a shopper, I do not like to wander around touristy things.  The one above is just that...

Here is another part of that one below....

During this time...traffic jam...took us ab out 45 minutes to go about 5-7 miles, bumper to bumper....

Below are some shots of the cabin....

Problem:  We had a key-less lock on the cabin...meaning a security system.  

Remember, we live in the middle of corn, wheat, and cows....its rare our area has any crime 

(we have, but rare)

SO this was a stress for both of us, I called ahead to get some 'tips' on how to use this security system so we do not mess it up, and the young man laughed at me and said "good luck".....

....that was NOT what I wanted to hear....

But we got in and unloaded all the food, luggage etc,,,,,then...time to reset the alarm...

It said (on the alarm instructions on the alarm box) to push the button that says "stay" when your staying...so I did...apparently that is not what your to do..

Soon, the alarm is screaming

!!!!INTRUDER!!!INTRUDER!!!LEAVE IMMEDIATELY THE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN CONTACTED!!!!!

I call the resort office for help, finally get the alarm off, they talk me thru things (but not enough for help really-our cabin was in fact only about a block and a half away from the office, you'd think someone would come down to help?!)

Then the police call...

sigh.

After all of that, and about 2 calls to the office....we settle in for the evening.

This unit is suppose to have wireless internet connection....

I am unable to connect...We do everything, finally-we call the office......they suggest things to try...we do all of that again....nothing...she said to call back if it does not work, so I did...but nothing....

It is asking me for a security code and I tell them this, but they do not know what to do....they do not know of a security code....

AGAIN NO ONE can come down. BUT they told me they would put in a work order for the next day.

Ok, I can wait until tomorrow...were locked in now, and due to the security system, I feel safe.

SO we try the hot tub, and its ice cold.

I thought --not gonna call the office again since they were sending a worker out in the morning, 

I will deal with it then.

In the lower level where a smaller living room is located and the bedroom is also located, there is a lamp on the stand by the couch that does not work.  Its plugged in, but there is NO switch to turn it on...

I will ask the worker how it works tomorrow...

SUNDAY morning

No one shows up

SUNDAY noon

No one shows up

SUNDAY afternoon

I call the office again....

From the selections on the phone message system, I choose the repair / maintenance department.  A woman answers: she sighs as I tell her what is up, she sounds mad, sighs a lot (I think, if your on call you do not get to complain and be frustrated like this, after all-the phone system allows us to call you lady)

She says she will send someone out.  But for the hot tub: she tells me to flip the braker box switch....I tell her we already looked for the braker box, we can not find it...I ask where it is, she sighs again and does not answer-but changes the subject. 

I wait all day----No one shows up  I also called once and asked to leave a message with the manager (in the morning I did this) I asked the woman who answered the  phone if the manager would be in today, she said yes, so that is why I chose to leave a message on his answer system....it did not help apparently.

MONDAY: no show of anyone, mid-morning I call the office again.  The lady  says she will connect me with the manager.  His answer machine comes on again,  I leave a message again.

No one shows up.  No one calls. 

 Scott notices the fuse box on the outside of the cabin, around the corner.  I wish someone would have told us that.  He flips the switch, the hot tub then kicks on.  But he says the fuse area looks burned.  That is not safe. 

We notice that another lamp does not work (this one in the main floor living room) it had worked the day before.  SO I think the bulb is burned out, Scott checks it, and then follows the cord to the switch, thinking it might have come unplugged.  NO, the love seat was on the cord and it shorted out.  The bulb is still good, so it now works.  NO cut in the cord, but it does make me wonder a bit about the cleaners etc...IF I owned this cabin, I would expect a check on things like that when they clean!!!!

I also would NOT EVER allow a customer to mess with a fuse box!!! But that is me.  

We have been coming down here for about 23 years now, always have stayed with a different resort, had a few issues thru the years, but they have always sent someone out, and tried to make things right.  I am really surprised by this company-they are not doing anything!  I tell them this when I leave messages, it is disappointing to me actually.

The internet:  Well we kept asking for a password, and never received this.  BUT we finally found (just today on Tuesday morning) a cord to plug into the box on one end and the other to my computer so I can get on line---no password is needed then) WHY DID NO ONE TELL US THAT THIS WAS HERE LIKE THIS????  WHY DID WE HAVE TO SEARCH FOR THIS CORD??? WHY COULD THEY NOT JUST SEND DOWN A COMPUTER GEEK LIKE THE OTHER PLACE DID ONCE WHEN WE HAD TROUBLE????

The cabin is nice. 

It really is, but here is the items we have had to deal with:

1.  It was not as clean as I expect (had to go to town and buy bleach wipes to wipe things down because I did not trust stuff) dirt behind the doors, (like the bathroom doors, when you close them you see the dirt where they did not sweep) , front of cupboards and appliances are dirty..... dirt and old dried food particles under the couches..... So when I find stuff like that, I KNOW they are not cleaning well (If I would have thought I actually would have brought down some culture tubes and done a few of those-yes at my expense!) Now, I am NOT a perfect house keeper, but its MY dirt, this is someone else s.  So I AM picky!

2.  Dirt and dust found along the edge of the walls, some are worse than others.  I could have lived with all of that if all of the other things were not so bad!

3.  They have a automatic dishwasher-they only left 2 things to use, so that means only 2 times I can use it.  No other soap. (the other place always provides plenty of this)

4.  they expect you to wash all of the bath towels and washcloths-- to reuse them, but do not provide the laundry soap (the other place ALWAYS refreshes the towels every day) AND the water smells like sulfur   BAD!  So I will not wash our own laundry (thankfully we did bring enough!) I do not want my laundry to smell like that.  (Most of the cabins at the other resort have water systems)

5.  The dish soap they leave to use to wash dishes by hand, is so watered down, it makes no suds!  With no suds, it allows the grease to remain on the dishes!  Problem:  We have only 2 forks and even fewer spoons, so we have to wash them right after each use.... (the other place has enough silverware to use, and actual dish soap is NOT watered down)  We went to town and bought some dish soap....

6.  The hot tub was cold, ice cold.  (the other resort checks them and cleans them between uses and it has always been hot!)

7.  The wireless internet system does not work.  That means I am tied to a location which is NOT what they advertised!  They ADVERTISED wireless internet...  (The other place --I have never had a problem with this)

8.  The dish drainer is filthy.  (see photo below)  So we went to town and bought some extra towels to put the clean dishes on when we wash and rinse them, so they can dry.  I will NOT use the thing below.  AND they have old gross sponges!!!

9.  The extra pillows they have for us to use....there are NO pillow cases for them, but when you look at the pillow-its so gross, they have yellow stains..urine?  

We always bring our own pillows, I did, but Scott forgot his, so we went to town and bought 2 and 2 pillow cases too.  (it is hard to get a decent photo of what were seeing on the pillow)

OK, so that is what has been happening.  But there are many things that are good too!  Like I said, the cabin is nice, its just the staff that has a problem....

It does have a game system that is the OLDER games!  We have enjoyed that!

We can play the game with one or two people!

Scott has the top score on some, but I am doing pretty good too!   Some of these are the old games that they use to have in the laundry mats way back in the 80's.  I would go to do the laundry (before we had our own washer and dryer) and while waiting for them to finish, play the games!  Space invaders, stuff like that!

We also have a pool table to enjoy.  

This is the view from the 'game room'. 

The location -GOD's land, is wonderful to see!

Here are some great photos of HIS work!!!  (which we are enjoying a lot!)

View from our deck! above and below!

Going up to the smoky mountains!

Up to a elevation that has wonderful views!

The river is a bit low, but still nice!

Small water falls, but pretty!

Well I will post more later!