Sumter, South Carolina

We arrived at the Springhill Suites after about 4 to 5 hours drive. Google Maps had said the quickest we could get here was about 3 hours and 45 minutes. It is supposed to factor in road closures, construction and traffic conditions. It said about one hour more to take route 401 all the way. So, Clay headed east to I-95. When we got there we rolled into a bumper to bumper parking lot rolling along at about 35 mph. After all the news of the crowds headed to the eclipse totality zone for tomorrow we were afraid it would be that way all the way. I thought Clay had checked the NCDOT web cams from home but he said in the car that he never thought of it! We got off I-95 at the next exit and followed Google maps instructions to wander over to 401. There was no traffic there and we drove it from north of Fayetteville all the way to Sumter. (I checked after dinner and I-95 from Benson to the SC border was clear so I have no idea what was happening when and where we were briefly stalled on I-95.)

The Springhill Suites had called us on Friday to confirm we were still coming because they are booked solid for the eclipse. It is very nice here. There are a number of chain restaurants nearby. We are happy with our choice of locations. Even better is that we got 2 nights free with Marriott rewards from last year's JW Marriott stay at Essex House for Macy's Thanksgiving Parade last year. Now just have fingers crossed for a few hours of clear skies for the eclipse tomorrow!

We had a nice hearty meal at Logan's Roadhouse nearby. We thought it was in walking distance and it might have been except there were no sidewalks in the area. Traffic was light so we drove. It was good and reasonable priced. It would have been excellent but my steak was seriously oversalted otherwise it was an excellent and tender filet mignon. Clay liked his ribs. Springhill Suite had given us free Chupa Chups and a treat bag with snacks and a Moon Pie and candy in it so we were full and skipped dessert.

We have HBO on the tv in the room, so it is movies for us tonight. Fingers crossed for clear skies tomorrow. We have to figure out how to spend the morning out of the room and hope it gets made up so we can come and go through the afternoon. We brought lawn chairs and have plans for the back parking lot or next door vacant lot as our eclipse viewing spot tomorrow afternoon.