Some Locals Went West

Reporting contributed by Lynn Baker

Behind the desk at the Bloomsburg PA Comfort Inn, Marcy was juggling phone calls, housekeeping requests, and a long line of would-be guests. Out in the full parking lot, people leaned on their cars, or ate sitting on the grass, noting the many cars with New York and New Jersey plates.

“Yes, we came out here to get away from Irene,” said Lillian Bridges, who traveled from Long Island with two friends. “We have been here before, so we knew where the town was and what to expect.” She had arrived in Bloomsburg at 9 a.m. Like many in the parking lot, she was waiting for her room to be reads. “I think people who slept here last night aren’t in a real rush to leave,” she said. “I don’t blame them.”

 Others who ended up in Bloomsburg were less deliberate in their selection. “We have stopped every half hour to find a room,” said Raj V., who traveled west from Hoboken. “The problem is we have a cat, so we need to find a pet-friendly hotel.

The Comfort Inn filled quickly, reports a Bloomsburg local. Families took shelter in their rooms, used the hotel pool, or pushed strollers around the parking lot. The complimentary breakfast was a big draw, with the dining room filled to capacity. The hotel opened a conference room for overflow seating.

And then, just as Irene left town, so did many of the families taking shelter. By Monday morning, the parking lot was nearly empty.

“I’m glad I missed the storm,” said Lillian. “But there’s no place like home.”