May 1, 2004
Just got back from Jerome and Sedona. Had two speeches in Red Rock Country for a San Francisco private club that has numerous famous names. Marshall Trimble was busy so they hired me.

I took Kathy along and we stayed at the luxurious Enchantment Lodge, nestled in an almost fake looking backdrop of red sandstone and spindly spires.

The whole experience was such a stark transition from most of our lodging last week down on the border. As a matter of fact, exactly a week ago, Bart and I stayed at a Nogales motel for $40. In contrast, our room (actually a casita) at the Enchantment Lodge was $285 a night (total bill was $670). Some of the differences in accommodations were:

The Enchantment actually had towels. It may not sound like much, but that’s pretty huge. It’s one of those things where you don’t know what you’re missing until you get out of a shower and realize they’re not there, and they’re never going to be there.

Both had stunning views, but the Enchantment’s were through the windows and not through the cracks in the walls.

The shower head in the Enchantment was above my head. And, more importantly, it was actually attached to the wall.

The bedsheets in both places were colored with splotchy patterns, but I think it’s safe to say only the Enchantment had done it on purpose.

On the other hand the toilet in the Enchantment didn’t have that whirring, thump-thump-thump sound when you flushed, so I missed that mechanical bull, E-ticket ride thrill I got in Nogales (it really woke you up first thing in the morning).

“Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.”
—Margaret Lee Runbeck