MARCY'S FLIGHT NUN TRAVEL BLOG- A SNOW STORM AND A FORMER HOUSE OF ILL REPUTE!

This story could start as "Once upon a time" since this happened early in my flight career. Stay with me, Dear Reader.  It's a good story, and a funny one!

One cold Winters night I had a flight to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan- with stops in Traverse City and Pellston. We were supposed to have a short overnight and return the next morning. The weather was not good, cold and snowy- overcast skies greeted us.

The aircraft was a Convair 580 turbo prop- holding 2 pilots, 48 passengers, and myself.  We uneventfully landed in Traverse City and Pellston- and proceeded to Sault Ste. Marie. 

We still had about 20 passengers onboard.  About 15 minutes after takeoff the Captain made an announcement.  Sault Ste. Marie was being hit with a howling snow storm- and the storm was heading our way.  We were turning around and heading back to Pellston. We landed in Pellston just ahead of the blizzard. At this point it was clear- we were going nowhere until the weather cleared!

Now, the Pellston airport served Pellston, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Cheboygen.  This area was considered a resort area in the Summer, but pretty quiet in the off season. Since we were in the dead of Winter there were very few hotels and motels that were open. The agent frantically called around to get rooms for the stranded passengers.

That being done, he then needed to find rooms for the crew! After what seemed like hours he came out of his office and announced he found us a place to stay, but it was a bit "unusual".

Our place of rest for the night was in the boondocks.  In it's hay day it was a house of "Ill Repute". Yep, a house of prostitution! We got in the car and started driving- in a blizzard, mind you- down dark country roads, through woods, and finally found the house.

We were greeted by an elderly woman who must have worked there in her youth! She had a sheer, see through night gown on- with nothing on underneath! Her hair was up in a slightly off centered bee hive.  Dark blue eye shadow, false eyelashes, red lipstick, and bright rouge adorned her face. And a cigarette hung from her mouth.

The Captain stood on the porch with his mouth hanging open. The shy First Officer blushed and stared at his shoes! Me? All I could think of to say was "Honey! Aren't you cold?!"

Once inside it was obvious this was a small house. The main level consisted of a living room, bathroom, kitchen, and I assume her bedroom. She motioned us to go upstairs. Our accommodations consisted of a bathroom and one large bedroom. There were three beds.  No walls, no doors.  They were sectioned off with curtains!

The Captain looked around and decided this place was none too clean, suggesting we all sleep with our clothes on! I fell asleep with the wind howling in my ears!

The next morning I woke with a start. It was utterly quiet!  Looking out the window, I couldn't believe my eyes! There were mounds of snow where trees and our crew car was supposed to be! It was obvious- we were snowed in!

My imagination went into high gear.  Questions and visions whirled in my head.  I had no change of clothes! If we were there for days would the woman downstairs have something I could borrow?  I saw myself in multi-layers of sheer nightgowns! Oh God!  Cancel that image! (I vowed I'd always bring a change of clothes, no matter how short the flight!) 

Would we have to hunt for food? Would our hostess finally put on something non-see through? Would the First Officer overcome his shyness?  The Captain overcome his shock? Could we walk out?  Did the airline know where we were?!

All three of us were now awake. We pulled back our curtains, sat on the edge of our beds, stared at each other, and wondered how long we were going to be there! We were all dying for a cup of coffee.  The Captain pulled rank and ordered the First Officer to go downstairs and as the woman for some.  The poor First Officer stuttered his "Oh God! I..I can't go down there!"  I offered to go instead.

There our hostess sat, dressed just as she was the night before- sheer night gown, cigarette hanging from her mouth, makeup still on- though her eyelashes looked like they were coming loose. She silently pointed to the stove, where I made the coffee.  I did my best not to stare. With little else to look at, I found myself staring at the coffee pot!  I couldn't help but wonder if she wasn't a shy disappointed that one of the pilots didn't come downstairs instead!

The phone wasn't working. There were no cell phones back then.  It looked like we were there for the long haul!  A few hours later we heard a truck with a plow coming down the drive.  It was the agent in one of the airport plow-trucks! Our Hero! Hurrah!  We've been rescued!

He greeted the woman, letting her know he'd be back to dig out the cre car.  (Why did he know her by he first name?)  He piled us into the truck and drove us back to the airport. We three remained silent until we got on the airplane, at which time we looked at each other and burst out laughing!  Now THAT was an experience!

The First Officer said that we'll have hundreds of overnights in our careers, but we'll never forget that one!  He was right!  That was 49 years ago, and the memory of it still gives me the giggles!

Sometimes the most ridiculous situations become your fondest memories!

Until next time, dear readers!

Life Is Indeed An Adventure, Especially When The Accommodations Are Way Out Of The Ordinary!