Another hot day in Tracy and we decided to see if the Days Inn would let us use their pool. Yesterday as we were driving away from the pool at the Phoenix Lodge (pictured to the left), we spotted a big pool with nice patio furniture and pristine white umbrellas at the nearby Days Inn. The clear blue water looked delicious; not a soul was swimming there.

I brought my daughter into the hotel lobby figuring that when they saw her – in her swimsuit and towel – they would be unable to resist.

Wrong. "We only let guests use the pool," the lady at the desk assured me.

When we got back in the car, my daughter said: "Let’s  go to the pool from yesterday." And that’s exactly what we did.

On the short drive over, I was just hoping that the guy from yesterday would be there and he’d let us swim again. I decided in the car that if he said no for any reason I’d offer to rent a room – the rooms were $49 dollars a night my husband noticed. That way, we’d have access to the pool until check-out time tomorrow.

But that wasn’t necessary. I walked into the office underneath the neon vacancy sign:  "Hi, we’re back. Can we please use your pool again?" I asked feeling like I was talking to an old friend. The man smiled and said, "Sure. Just don’t swim too long."

Bingo. I’m in love with this guy. The nicest guy in all of Tracy, California. He may be the front desk person at a slightly down-at-the-heels motel just off the freeway, but he’s my kind of guy: generous, easy going, and willing to let my little mermaid swim.

The Phoenix’s kidney shaped pool looked more beautiful than ever. The water glistened and glowed in the sun. The fake Mexican tiles on the edge looked positively tasteful. Even the dirty white plastic chairs were inviting.

My daughter jumped in – her own private pool right by the freeway. I cooled off in the pool too. And would you know it – I was able to put my right heel down for the first time since my calf injury two days ago. This pool has magic powers is what I was thinking.

When we left, I jotted down the address of the Phoenix Lodge down in my noteboo: 3511 North Tracy Boulevard, 95376 ((209) 835-1335).  I intend to write that man a note thanking him for sharing his underused pool on two hot August days. What’s more,  I plan to spread the word about the Phoenix Lodge: A nice inexpensive motel next to the freeway with an awesome little pool. But more importantly, the guy at the front desk is cool. He might even let you have a free swim.