Ivory Coast Inn

A traveler seeking seclusion thinks small town people have something better to offer in the way of friendliness.

                                    
          Ivory Coast Inn

     Ivory Coast Inn, an imposing boarding house on the last stop after many other relative tiny one horse towns. The oceans water edge is the very last stop many visit to for as their retreat get away destination. Living at Ivory Coast Inn had its peculiar attractions. My journey became an obsession to live there in seclusion for as long as possible. Since then, later after being driven out of town by a group of small town narrow minded hicks. Which for no reason, sometimes puts me in complete wonderment. An apparent small town feel of welcome, an open arms seeming atmosphere in the beginning. Seemed as if a come as you are welcome turned into being exiled by an entire town. The wonderment of such still gives me a memorable chill.

      I remember pulling into Ivory Coast Inn, and parked my car there for a look. Doing this for several weekends just looking around for a while. An idea to find any signs of people to talk for a moment. One would believe a house this huge; you would think that people were't so hard to find. It is a large old boarding lodge which used to be a hot spot destination. Movie stars back in the seventies would rent rooms here to party with the rich and famous. Inside is a huge banquet room with a huge bar. The rooms have a picture of the movie star who stayed there over it.

      A small town by any scale, cars drive through and don't even see it's there. It has one cozy pub to drink and eat supper at; a lone breakfast dinner next door, and the Ivory Coast Playhouse across the street. At the entrance to Ivory Coast are an antique shop, and only four other dwelling homes are it. The towns view from the back road is hidden behind large old pine trees. Most drivers don't see it, and do not take the right turn into Ivory Coast. They just continue on to the left headed towards the beach.

      A lot of strange things didn't seem right about this small Ivory Coast town. A perfect combination set up it seemed like for them to monitor every single person coming into their town. I remember feeling as if eight eyes were following me. Just curious, and roaming around entranced by this cozy place. I had the feeling people were hungry for outsiders to visit there for a while, but no one was around any where. In the beginning I felt it was like being in a ghost town.

      My very first time coming out this far.  The entrance to Ivory Coast in winter.There were enough tree light decorations, which could have been seen from space by an airplane. Really one of my reasons for wanting to rent a small room at Ivory Coast Inn. Driving on the back road is a beautiful scenery. I could tell by the fresh country air alone, this trip would be worth driving. There are sections along the ride with huge boulders on either side of the road. And coming over the hills, the sky hits you as if it were inside the windshield. An inspiring, spiritual feeling just makes you feel alive and peaceful. Another reason to look into Ivory Coast Inn for a room to rent.

      Pulling into the parking lot another weekend to scope it out. I finally seen two persons. Which at first gave me some encouragement. At second glance, they gave me this creepy feeling. The way those two looked in my direction, to me they really didn't seem very friendly at all. So I headed back home to collect my thoughts on the whole idea. When I saw an add which appeared all the way back of shoreline news. Ivory Coast Inn: single room for rent. Will hold to first caller. Ask for Diane, and a phone number to call. My luck had changed, Diane said " It will be waiting for you." Then hung up...that's all.

      No law saying a guy can't go check it out, so I went out there another weekend, but this time I had a name. Checking out the breakfast joint first to get to know the place. The owner wasn't cooking, which I remember thinking this was strange, because it was still early in the morning. He mentioned the pub next door will make me a hamburger over there later. Being a loner, I figured this place could be interesting. A coastal bar usually have one character to listen to. I got nothing, I ended up being the only local new guy in town drinking all alone. The whole town as usual is dead. The bartender didn't even bother to say hello to me. And wasn't interested in me. I asked for a cheese burger, and she asked me if I wanted cheese on it. Like I said, there is always one character. Her comment started that ball rolling.

      At the Ivory Coast Inn, there was only one face there. But I first went in and no body was around until I made some Hello! noises. I guessed that is what your supposed to do in a hick town.  A guy came running down the stairs. Stopping in mid run coming down asking, who is it, and whose there? It was one of those two guys I saw earlier that gave me that creepy feeling, and he wasn't much different now.

      We made the transaction eventually. An old fashioned hand written receipt book, also I paid in a cash deal. Todd Dangoo, the name is known in town as him being a pure trouble maker. I got the sense he is the epitome, a clown idiot with a drug problem. At my interview of acceptance for the small room to rent. I was asked an unusual question. Todd wanted to know how I felt, if pot smokers offended me. I gave my humble, I don't care if a person has a three ring circus going on response. Needles to say, I landed a room at Ivory Coast Inn.

      The room is small but the most memorable thing was the spring well which made the shower feel like a spa. Everything included: cable, bed, dresser draws, heat and electric. Just what a single guy needs. All the comforts wrapped up into one. A bar two doors down with beer and food. I had an extra large cooler in my room to use for ice and beer, what more could you ask for at the Ivory Coast Inn.

      The personality chemistry didn't really start to get ugly right off the bat, but crazy things started happening pretty quick. The whole adventure has some enjoyable days. Mostly because of the way I was thinking of it while I lived there. Ivory Coast is the last place on a map in these parts of the country. If not for the nastiness  from a few people around, this would have seemed right out of a fairy tale story. Some places I've been before, weren't exactly what I expected to be, until you get there it's still a mystery.

      Well a decision I made was to try and keep my beer drinking in my room a secret. Not to let anyone see me lugging the beer upstairs. But in a small town, forget about that idea. It was like having a vulture watching me every moment. I could feel it, there is a lot of truth to the saying. People knowing everyone's business in a small town. Well It gives me the creeps even thinking about it. I live by a few simple concepts; Mind my own business for one thing. Be immune to rumor; and too each their own. Maybe to some folks it would be the equivalent of don't tread on me, or in all due respect; on others too.

      I liked meeting a neighbor of mine, Jane. I speak to myself on occasion; Jimmy like Jane. How we met was classic me all the way. I was having a sugar attack during a nightmare. Mainly because a flock of black birds swarmed me as I was coming up the front steps. So late one Saturday night, I needed a candy bar to calm me down. The only idea which came to mind was to knock on room eleven. I have to even admit it's a strange way to go ahead and meet someone. But I explain myself, and my neighbor Jane, also thought it strange I had asked if there were any jelly beans. Jane gave me bag's of caramel's, and large expensive chocolate bars to munch on. She handed me so much, it took both arms to hold it all. Later, I almost felt guilty, but Jane is a real nice country girl. She stood out among the hillbillies as a real decent person.

      Most of those country bumpkin's got on my nerves. But on Easter I went over to the breakfast joint for eggs Benedict and rye toast. Everyone were there, half the town showed up. I was sitting talking to a nice couple. As they were leaving, a waitress came to me and asked if I knew them. Seems as if they paid for my meal. Well that sounded like a good idea, so I paid for two people at the other end of the counter.. That is how people anywhere should be doing a decent thing. Pass humanitarian deeds around more often. Especially on Easter, come out and spread the wealth I say.

      I don't know where things went wrong in Ivory Coast. I still think the place was haunted. For no apparent reason, the following week was like living at one.  My neighbors across the hall accused me of leaving the back door open. Causing her heat to escape, and was cold all night. I would park my car, and without fail. Someone would stick their head out of a window, and have me  move it to another spot. I heard footsteps in the hallway all night with no one in sight. A few neighbors were fighting, yelling at each other constantly on the top of their lungs. So to get a break, I would go next door,and order a beer at the bar, and purposely walk out back just to get away from these crazy people.

      To top it off, to stay away from the rumor seekers. It was a Saturday in April. A particular day which I can't forget. I had just bought a full case of beer, fresh ice, and a good cigar. Wanting to set myself up for a quiet weekend all alone. I needed to have a break to stay away from the locals chitchatting on one another. I can't stand people who spread rumors. I knew it wouldn't last, as soon as I opened my second beer. Six knocks on the door, and you would never guess. Diane says, you have to go. Well, I said "You don't have to ask me twice "  Strange places, unpredictable people, and it's usually the ones who can't mind their own business. Some people just can't stand it to see folks have a good time anymore.

             End of Story JJN

                                    "Be Immune to rumor"      Jimmy Nuzz

     

     

     

     

     

     
     

     

      

      

     

     

Author's Note

I believe this journal will be acceptable. Hope ill spirited rumors aren't started. It's only a story