Egg Harbor Township, NJ -- Various Days, September - November, 2006

I have been trying to figure out the parameters of this blog. For example, I have taken a couple of day trips that I have not written about, and when I visit my family in Pittsburgh, or my friends in Philadelphia, I don't generally think that calls for an entry (though, I do think the Easter Egg extravaganza in Philly earlier this year does deserve to be seen). My New Jersey trips have been overnight, but I've not been doing a lot of sightseeing or anything. Nevertheless, I might as well put some of it down for posterity.

By way of explanation, I have a case that is taking me down to southern NJ for depositions. I went a few times in September and October, and have had to go down every week in November (this will continue through the end of the month). The depositions are taking place in a small, suburban-type town one exit south of Atlantic City on the Garden State Parkaway. Since it takes over two hours to make the drive on a good day, I have been staying overnight when I have to be down there more than one day in a row.

My hotel of choice? The fabulous Days Inn in Egg Harbor Township:

I'm actually not being sarcastic. I really like this hotel. Maybe it is my extreme exhaustion from getting up at the crack of dawn to make the drive down in time for the depositions, but the beds at the Days Inn are freaking comfortable! As in, there are very few beds I've ever slept on that could compare. Also, the rooms are somehow always warm and cozy without being sweltering, the cable channels are numerous, the desk staff is nice, and there is free wireless internet in the rooms (which I put to good use once I got my new laptop at the end of October).

As you can see, I do a really good job of keeping my hotel room tidy.

Do you know what else the Days Inn had? Free breakfast. With a freaking waffle bar!

In the mornings, they measure out cups of batter that you can pour right on the waffle irons. This takes me back to my freewheeling college dining hall days, though at that waffle bar, you just had to use the ladle yourself and take your chances with the measurement.

The vending machines are similarly awesome. Did you know that there is such a thing as Churros-flavored Bugles? Or Hershey's Sweet & Salty Granola Bar with Pretzels? Well, they both exist, and they're both in the vending machines in the Days Inn. I also encountered Blazin' Buffalo & Ranch flavored Doritoes (though, I have since seen these in regular stores). My only complaint is that the third-floor food vending machine never seems to accept my dollar bills.

In terms of meals, I tend to have lunch near the law firm where the depositions are taking place. There is a surprisingly good Thai Restaurant across the parking lot, as well as a cheese shop where you can get sandwiches or a cheese and fruit plate (as well as, obviously, a variety of cheeses to take home with you). More from sheer exhaustion than a love for the place, I have been eating dinner at the Shore Diner most nights, which is essentially on the same plot of land as the Days Inn. It's OK, but not spectacular. I did indulge in Pizza Hut one night, but the thin crust pepperoni just wasn't how I remembered it (though the salad was just as addictively good as the ones I got at Pizza Hut in my youth).

Finally, some of you reading this may know about my checkered history with cars. Before the New Jersey trips started, I hadn't been behind the wheel of a car since my fateful trip to Oklahoma in August 2003 for a wedding. I had to drive across the state, from the Oklahoma City airport to the wedding venue in Enid. I got a speeding ticket driving to Enid. The next morning, I got a speeding ticket driving back to the airport. I resolved to avoid driving after that. However, since the closest train station to where I need to be in New Jersey is in Atlantic City (a 10-20 minute drive from my hotel, incidentally -- I lost $60 at Caesar's one night), I have been renting cars to get to where I need to go.

Thus far, I have received the following rental cars from Avis:

Gold Ford Focus (drove to the outskirts of Philly one day for a deposition, parked overnight in a garage near my apartment, and drove to NJ the next day).

Blue PT Cruiser (still hideous).

Silver Chevy Cobalt.

Silver Chevy Monte Carlo (one of the other lawyers saw it and commented, "Nice car!").

Gold Ford Focus (the same one I had the first week!).

Black Dodge Stratus.

I may update this, as I have a few more trips, and therefore a few more cars to rent. Anyway, I will say that the staff at the Avis on East 43rd is generally pleasant, if sometimes confused, and the cars haven't broken down on me or anything. So in general, a thumbs up to Avis and the Days Inn.

Otherwise, this may be it until February, when I intend to blow a bunch of vacation days in Southeast Asia.