|
Telluride, Colorado When we drove into Telluride last fall, the town looked like a storybook illustration.  Our hotel, with its red brick and green awnings sat perfectly on the corner. It looked charming and quaint, but the New Sheridan hardly looked new. What's New? Actually, I believe the 2-story section on the corner is a new replacement of the original 1891 building that burned over 100 years ago. But the 3-story section of the hotel was built in brick in 1897.  That's when it became the New Sheridan Hotel. The lobby pictured above, still confuses me with its classy-new art and furniture. Maybe this part was built between the old and new buildings? Exploring Town Our room wasn't ready at check in, so Don and I wandered. There was an idyllic " Truman Show" feel to the town. We saw lots of beautiful local folks, walking dogs and parking their bikes at shops.
We saw children walking home from school, stopping at the hot dog stand or the library. We admired the old bank with its stained glass and flowers. I'm not sure how a store selling just sunglasses could occupy such a grand space. We studied the real estate adds and noticed a property for 10 million... and realized, we will never live here. Stairs for Exercise! When we returned to the hotel we killed more time wandering the 3 floors. With an elevation of 8,750, we got a real work out on the stairs.
But, I must admit, there actually was an elevator and on Day 22 of our road trip, that was a luxury with our luggage. Many historic hotels don't have that perk. Finding the Room There were only 26 rooms in the hotel, but there was a bit of a maze feeling. I loved the long, narrow hallway and the open areas with archival photographs.
When we were finally given the key to #20, we took our time finding it. The suspense! It's always fun in old hotels to open the door and see what you'll find. A Sweet Room! We were graciously given an upgrade since our check-in had been delayed. We had reserved the cheapest, so we were suddenly delighted to have a King room in the old building, overlooking Main Street.  It wasn't huge, but the high ceilings, tall windows and floral scented bath products, made the room feel airy and fresh. Open Windows! I loved the note resting on the plaid blanket. It had the usual instructions about wifi and ice.  But we also had instructions for what to do if we needed to cool down the room. "Open the window and turn on the ceiling fan." Clean! The air smelled clean when I opened the window. And just looking at the green ski slopes with splashes of yellow, made it all the fresher.
As I mentioned, the bathroom smelled of wonderful soaps and lotions. I enjoyed the "old" vintage, marble sink and tile... I loved "new" sparkling, clean smell. Exploring the Hotel Since we'd wandered the blocks surrounding the hotel earlier, we were ready to stay put.  We enjoyed a little beer on the rooftop lounge while the sun lowered over the mountains. Dinner? We could have eaten a more informal bite in the lobby bar, which they call The Parlor.  The name of the sleek looking bar and the crowds who arrived a little later, were a bit intimidating. Our "rumpled, traveler-look" wouldn't quite fit the scene. The Chop House We peeked earlier in the Hotel's, Chop House Restaurant. The place looked mighty classy, but the diners by the window were wearing (upscale) outdoorsy clothes and the waiter had sunglasses tucked into his collar, so I guess we could have fit in.  However our dining budget for our month trip didn't allow for nightly $50. steaks or even $11. bowls of soup. So we passed. The Historic Bar Luckily, there was one more interesting option at the hotel. This wonderful old bar has been a part of the New Sheridan since it first opened in the late 1800's. The mahogany bar was imported from Austria.  The room dividers with beveled and lead glass panels were also original. Some of the locals with long white beards, looked like they could have been sitting at the bar 100+ years ago! Food or Drink? We could have ordered a burger or steak, but we'd had a late lunch. We figured we'd have just one drink absorb our surroundings.  While we sipped, we wondered how different the atmosphere would be during busy ski season. And since our room was above the bar, we were glad it wasn't ski season. Fun People Encounter Don and I always appreciate chatting with locals or travelers on our trips, but it suddenly seemed like Telluride might be one of those places where we just enjoy the people watching. Then we met a very nice couple.  He was snapping a cell pic of her at the bar and I offered to take their picture together. We ended up chatting for quite a while. Roger talked to Don about just finishing a week hiking the Continental Divide. Cindy talked to me about what the town was like when she lived there in the 1970's. The talk of hiking lead to the fun trivia that Roger met the author, Cheryl Strayed when he first attempted hiking the Continental Divide. I am a big fan of the book and movie, "Wild" so it was fun to know that Roger was the "Greg" character in Strayed's book. He was the "nice guy" that Reese Witherspoon meets at the beginning of her journey, in the movie! Our Window Before heading back to the room, we grabbed some food from the car and decided we'd just enjoy the rest of the evening, picnicking in our cozy room.  Before it got too dark, I told Don I needed to hurry down and get a photo of the building. "Look out the window and wave, so I know which one it is!" I requested. A Haunted Head I dashed out the front door and aimed my camera upward. Then I burst out laughing so hard that a nearby woman rushed over to inquire.
"See that!" I laughed as I pointed to the lower window on the left. "That's the ghost of my husband." Don is very clever when it comes to using his pocket flashlight to amuse me! What's Notable? We stayed at a 118 year old hotel, built during the San Juan Mountain gold rush... without all the creaks and odors of an aged building! Don and I are charmed by a lot of fabulous vintage places that we would never recommend to friends.
But the New Sheridan was totally renovated in 2008 and it would be comfortable and cozy for the snobbiest of travelers. It felt classy and comfy and fresh, but still retained the high Victorian style with the decor of wallpaper, moldings and fabrics. This stay was definitely in the top 3 of our 28-day road trip.
0 Comments
First Motel in Moab, Utah? Maybe it wasn't the very first, but this dandy motel with the iconic sign, was built in 1955. That was just 3 years after the discovery of uranium in the area. About the time Moab became the Uranium Capital of the World!
I wasn't too excited about the uranium history, but I did think it was fun knowing The Apache Motel played home to John Wayne and his family a number of times. Why This Place? When searching for Moab hotels online, a photo of this motel sign with its 20-foot arrow caught my eye.  Then when I read about some of the motel's celebrity guests, I got curious. In the fifties and sixties, the modern and comfy motel provided long term accommodations for John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, Henry Fonda and others, while they were shooting westerns in the area. By the 1980's, I don't believe the motel was quite cushy enough for Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis. But the film crew shooting Thelma and Louise stayed here. "Modern American Movement - Victorian Eclectic Bungalow" Don and I were intrigued with the celebrity history. We were also curious about the architectural style of this 35-unit brick structure. We've stayed at vintage motor cottages and Victorian hotels, but this style is harder to find. This design was built in the mid-fifties, a transition between the earlier roadside motor courts and the that upcoming motor inns. You have to love this sturdy design.  Honestly, all this style talk is true, but it was the room price lured us. Moab hotel rates are generally high and our motel room was $89. for the night... which is still high for a small town motel. Lobby/Museum This eerie morning shot of the lobby, mostly shows shadows. They at least served coffee and donuts in the morning.  But when we checked in, I was disappointed. Yes, there was some knotty pine wood, that offered a bit of western homeyness. But I had been led to believe there would be sort of a museum, packed with memorabilia. I had hoped for a chatty desk clerk, with lots of stories.
There were lots of framed photos of Hollywood celebrities and the westerns they starred in. But the website said I could pose for a photo with John Wayne. Of course I knew he would be cardboard, but I didn't expect him to be quite so faded and bent. I did not pose with John. So I took a photo of the John Wayne toilet paper, instead. Ahh! A Place to Relax This doesn't really look too bad at a glance, but this was not a pool I wanted to lounge around. The sunny day just spotlighted the motel's peeling paint and murky water.  I tried to imagine the place in earlier years, when John Wayne was splashing in the pool with his kids. I pictured his wife playing solitaire under one of the shiny, metal umbrellas. I studied the upper floor where the Wayne's occupied their suite for long stretches of time, during filming periods. Evidently Mr. Wayne was a gracious and friendly guest and his kids loved the place. At least that's what I learned from lots of digging on the internet. No one working at the motel seemed to have much info. Just a Reminder I doubt this sign was around when the Wayne's stayed here.
I wondered what might have been the inspiration for putting up the sign. Our Upstairs Room Our room #22 was upstairs, a room away from John Wayne's family suite. I wonder how much the view has changed since the 1950's?  The red rock mountains were obviously there. But how about those mobile homes across the street? We definitely had a good view of the yellow sign from our picture window. Thumbs Up! I can't recall why Don gave the thumbs up in this photo. Maybe because our room was fairly spacious, with "rustic" wood beams and green trees through the picture window.
But mostly I remember being bombarded by the odor of musty carpet and cheap soap. A Seventies Update? I wish they had just kept the original 1955 furniture and thrown in a new mattress and linens. I enjoy and tolerate just about anything vintage.
But my own definition of vintage means it has to be from before the 1970's. Give me a chenille bedspread that looks like a 1950's bathrobe and I smile and sigh. Show me a shiny, quilted bedspread that's maybe 35 years old and I feel woozy. Happy Hour I felt much more relaxed after we aired out the room a bit. I checked for fresh sheets and was satisfied.  Then I removed the spread and grabbed the quilt from the car. Don shook us up some martinis in his thermal coffee mug and suddenly the corny framed art above the bed, titled "Cattle Drive", seemed sentimental and lovely. Night at The Apache It was actually a peaceful, pleasant night at the motel. There were no bikers, hikers, cowboys or film stars whooping it up.  We walked down the road a couple blocks to Milt's Drive-In, which has been around as long as Apache. By the time we returned, the yellow sign was glowing. I stopped in the office for some freshly brewed coffee and chatted with the woman. She seemed more friendly than when we checked in. It turns out her lack of smiling was due to her lack of teeth. She sweetly confided, that someone had recently given her the funds so she could get a set of "chompers". She was getting very excited about smiling again. That made me smile. What's Notable? The Apache Motel was a little odd and worn, but it served its purpose for us. I love vintage signs and I will remember the big arrow and Apache image. But I'm pretty sure I shouldn't say I love it.
Mostly I will remember the Hollywood connections. It was incredibly fun to drive just 5 miles from our motel and visit Arches National Park the next day. Just a bit further to Canyonlands Park. So many films have been shot in these areas... including "Fort Apache" from 1949. We enjoyed a different world and had a very different kind of overnight stay!
What Kind of Place? This "resort" is located in a spectacular setting, just outside of Escalante, Utah. You can tell by the sign, they had a hard time giving the place a name. I sure wouldn't call it a resort.
Resorts make me think of swimming pools and golf courses. This place had something that most small resorts don't have... a drive in movie theatre! And Airstreams! So you can bring your own RV or tent, or you can stay in one of their cute little bullet shaped Airstream trailers.  We happen to have an Airstream, so that wasn't what caught my eye on their website. It was the fact they had a little drive in movie screen! There's more on that later. Gorgeous September Day Last summer when we were planning our 1-month road trip, it was a puzzle piecing together 28 different accommodations.  There were limited trailers at "Shooting Star" and if we wanted to see a movie, we had to book for one of the nights they showed movies... and we had to hope for decent weather. We lucked out! The weather was beautiful. Sugar's Shack I had spoken with owner, Michelle, when I booked the "Kid's Hideout" trailer. It was the smallest, but it was decorated to look like the trailer Robert Redford stayed in, while shooting Butch Cassidy.  Later Michelle offered to move us to a bigger trailer for no extra charge, since someone requested the Hideout. We ended up in a trailer called, Sugar's Shack, instead. Our Host, Troy Michelle's husband Troy lead us to our trailer and showed us the ropes.  We double checked to make sure there would be a movie playing that night and he assured us we could reserve one of the vintage convertibles for our viewing pleasure! Looking Around This Airstream was a lot bigger than the one we own, but Don still could barely stand!
It was nice having a couch area and more of a kitchen and a useable bathroom, but we were mostly eager about the view. View The view from the window behind the couch was pretty darn nice!  In the summer, I imagine there could be some intense sun, since we were looking west. But the air was perfect. The Sugar Shack Theme? I do love a theme and I had looked forward to the western theme of Robert Redford's trailer, with burlap curtains, leather and pressed tin.
When we switched to Sugar's Shack, I figured that would be fine, since I love Marilyn Monroe's Sugar character in "Some Like it Hot". But there wasn't much of a vintage feel to the Airstream and I had to search a bit for some reminders of what the theme was. I do adore Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon in their dresses, so their framed image made me smile!
And there were some old magazines that took me back in time... and some framed Marilyn portraits... beside a flyswatter. The Hat There was a nice little hat on display beside the bed. It was the same style that Tony and Jack happily wore in their photo. When Troy showed us around the trailer earlier, he pointed out Marilyn's little black dress in the closet.  Now the idea that they put a black dress in the closet would just sound creepy to most. But Don and I are not your normal travelers. I laughed and said, "Oh that should be fun." (In a very G-rated way) and then we began to enjoy the evening. Music Don got out the uke. Trailers are much better for uke practice than hotel rooms with thin walls.  Actually this was a pretty appropriate activity for Sugar's Shack as it turns out. Marilyn's character, Sugar, plays the ukulele in the movie. If the Dress Fits... Ok, maybe that's a little weird putting on a dress and hat when you don't know who's worn it last.
But I'm all for making the most of our overnights and enjoying everything they have to offer. So I put on the dress and hat and did my photo shoot. I'm afraid I felt more like Jack Lemon than Marilyn Monroe. Happy Hour Then we made use of our deck with some drinks.  Luckily we had sunglasses, because it took a long time for that sun to set in the cloudless sky! Night! There are only three (sometimes 4) old cars you can "rent" for movie viewing.  We put dibs on the red Dogde Dart and it was quite a hoot watching Looney Tunes! Snack Bar Troy was up in the wooden tower where they project the films. Michelle was inside the Airstream-Turned-Snack-Bar. I had some fun picking out some goodies from their vintage candy display.
I had to laugh with Michelle when I noticed a photo of the "66" Park In Theatre. I told her that it's located in St. Louis and I'm pretty sure that's where Don and I first saw "City Slickers", which was the movie we were about ready to watch. Top Down When cartoons ended, we hunkered down with our popcorn and drinks and Troy asked if we wanted him to put the top down. Luckily we had a quilt with us, because the temps had dropped.  But what a perfect movie for the environment. The movie setting was similar to the land around us. And the chill in the air, the cozy quilt and the stars overhead and a fun enough movie! No worries about falling asleep. Morning It was a little crisp when I tiptoed around the other trailers early the next morning.
It was an odd sight seeing all the shiny metal Airstreams lined up, surrounded by mountains, green and blue sky! Another Sunny Day All was quiet and we were packed and on our way, without ever chatting with any of our neighbors.  Even at the movie the night before, we'd only seen the dark images of a few folks sitting in lawn chairs. It was a quick stay, but we made the most of it. What's Notable? Again, the Airstream experience was not the highlight for us.
The crazy idea of these trailers clustered together, along with a nearby drive is what made the stay unique. I think more than anything I'll remember the fun of watching the movie with the stars above.
Grand Canyon 2015 Last fall, we spent 2 nights at the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
After one night at the more well known, El Tovar, we moved to Bright Angel Lodge, next door. It was about half the cost and turned out to be a fun change in atmosphere. Built in 1935 The Lodge sits at the top of Bright Angel Trail Head, overlooking the Grand Canyon. It was constructed nearly 30 years after El Tovar was built.  Back in 1905, wealthy tourists began traveling by train to vacation at the exclusive El Tovar resort. But the automobile opened the west to more than just rich tourists. There became a need for more modestly priced lodging. Bright Angel was the answer. Designed by a Woman This may have been the more modest of the two hotels, but it was an beautiful lodge, featuring rock and logs which were designed to blend and harmonize with the wall of the canyon.
But even more mind-boggling to me, was the thought of a woman in the 1930's being in charge of design and construction! The Lobby There was a welcoming, laid back feel to the lobby. So many western lodges have made me think of Lincoln Logs... which is a fun thing.  But these smooth brown logs, just made me downright hungry. Toostie Rolls! That's all I could think of. Thunderbird Towards the rear of the lobby was a cozy sitting area around a large stone fireplace. Above the stonework was a colorful Thunderbird, that Ms. Colter called, "The Bright Angel of the Sky".
A few years ago, Don and I stayed at another Colter designed hotel. La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona was just as impressive as this, but evidently Mary Colter believed Bright Angel was her ultimate achievement. The Color I haven't researched enough to know if these were the original colors, painted on the doors and shutters.  But I love the colors!  The geometric designs, bold colors and Native American symbols were probably my favorite part of the building.
There was something just whimsical and primitive about the shapes and colors... especially against all the earth, log and stone. The Rear This is actually the back of the building, but it faces the canyon.  So really this is the side where people spend most of their time, wandering along the rim and watching the sunset towards the left and the sunrise towards the right... or the sunset in the reflection of the glass. Our Cabin Unlike El Tovar, there are no guest rooms in the lodge. Scattered nearby, there are a few cabin buildings that house about 90 lodging units.  We were in the Powell House with its orange door and blue framed windows. Before even entering, we were excited to find a parking space right in front of the door. This was a treat after many lodge stays with distant parking lots. One Story We also had no stairs once we got inside.  No hikes down long hallways and up and down stairs! Our Corner Our room was in the stone section of the building.  You can see our wonderful corner window, surrounded in pine trees. One Hall Well, there was a little hall to walk down, but it was cute. Knotty pine, western style rugs, loggy trim!
Our room #6141, was on the left at the end. The door with shutter/slats made me wonder about noise or privacy. But once we opened the door we found our own little hall with 2 more doors to our guest room and bathroom. Open and Airy  There was nothing fancy here, but it was so comfy and airy, with light walls and beams and lots of windows. Mixing New and Old It was updated just enough. I liked the porcelain doorknobs and iron hinges.  The furniture was obviously not from the thirties, but the style was close enough. Old Windows, New Bathroom The windows were a huge plus. There were at least 6, including the bathroom window. Something about screens and wooden windows gave the room a summer camp or sleeping porch feel. I love that!
And the bathroom was spotless and updated nicely. They even had the good sense to keep the original wooden mirror with its handy lower nook. Bright Angel's Western Saloon Our bartender was far too busy (or maybe just unfriendly) to be available for all the questions I wanted to ask about the old saloon.  The bar itself had a lot of history, with old photos and even iron horseshoes under layers of shellack. Murals The place was empty when we first entered, so I got a good look at the fabulous murals.  The yellowed images, behind glaring glass were quite entertaining! One whole wall was devoted to scenes of Hopi life, cooking, dancing, celebrating! Behind the Bar We had a good view of one colorful image behind a row or beer bottles.
I loved the cowboy with hat and scarf, clinking his glass above the head of the guy... who'd had one too many. And then there was the tourist woman riding her canyon mule!  And what whacky tourist scenes! I loved the goofy tourists wandering along the canyon wall, with binoculars and cameras. I have no idea when these were painted! Best Entertainment But the saloon, was the most fun once Barry Brenner sat down in the corner with his four guitars and began filling the place with music. He sported a cowboy cool beard and a hat to match and a voice that fit his "Blues Roots Music" well.  It was impossible to get bored as he moved from guitar to guitar (his girls) and changed his sound from honky tonk to ragtime to country. He only comes to perform (from California) twice a year. So we lucked out. Hungry At the lodge we had two dinner options. The Arizona Room had the big windows with canyon views, but it was too dark to see out. So we headed for the cafe with a Thunderbird etched in the glass.
No table cloths or bow-ties in this cafe, but it was just what we needed. We walked through the main dining room, towards the cozy booths in the back.  We were handed a menu with the same design from when Bright Angel first opened! This "Coffee Shop" had been one of Fred Harvey's famous eateries and the menu cover was classic!
The Harvey House restaurants and hotels were known for good food and service, but sometimes old recipes don't hold up. I was intrigued to see they still served up the original recipe of the Harvey House salad. The sunflower seeds, cucumber and slivers of carrot and beets gave the salad a good crunch. The lemon dressing made the little feast taste like desert! And the lace doily gave the whole thing a vintage touch! Good beef stroganoff, too! . Best Meal from Bright Angel More memorable than our dinner in the cafe, was the hotdog meal we had on the edge of the canyon.  The lodge had a handy snack shop where you could purchase hot dogs, coffee or ice cream. We grabbed hotdogs and chips and hiked up a ways for a little picnic. That was the best view I ever had, while eating a hotdog! What's Notable? Besides being just steps from the edge of the canyon, my favorite part of the stay was the Fun Factor. Maybe if it had been summer and the lodge had been overrun by families and kids, I wouldn't have felt so much like a kid, myself.
There was just such a delightful feel to the place with all the colors and the whimsical art murals, that it brought out the kid in me. Of course hotdogs and tootsie roll logs and honky-tonk music can bring out a little youth in all of us!
A Harvey House Grand Resort in 1905 I've been curious about the history of The Harvey House Hotels, since I saw Judy Garland in "The Harvey Girls". This was one of Fred Harvey's grander plans.
In the late 1800's, he envisioned the Grand Canyon attracting wealthy tourists, who might want to stay a while. Today the hotel charges a couple hundred a night, for a tiny room. So Don and I (not being wealthy) stayed just a night. El Tovar in September Mr. Harvey died before he got to see this 4-story hotel completed. That made me feel extra lucky, when Don and I arrived last fall.  It was also lucky that Fred Harvey had sons and grandsons who were able to oversee the limestone and pine construction. If he'd had daughters, would they have helped with construction plans? Or would they have been only welcomed as Harvey Girls, waiting on tables in crisp, white aprons? Near the Rim The Harvey Hotels were always built near the railroad, to accommodate travelers.  El Tovar was also built near the railroad, but it was situated just 20 feet from the Canyon's south rim. The roof is barely visible in the upper right of this photo. Details The rear of the hotel shows the long, shingled roof and fancy tower and turret.  The only way you can get this view is by looking across a bit of the canyon. Ahh! The Porches! I do love porches and I'm sure the guests made good use back in the day... smoking cigars or fiddling with parasols, while they rocked.
I wonder if the porch ever had this many empty rockers during the summer months, 100 years ago? Porch on the North I found an unoccupied swing on the porch, overlooking the canyon. Don and I sat for a while in the evening, chatting with a couple seated nearby.
I will always remember our conversation. He was about 65 and was seated in a wheelchair. He shook his head and seemed surprisingly good humored as he talked about the complications of maneuvering his wheelchair in their cramped historic guest room. His wife quietly shared with me that he'd been unable to walk since he was hit by a drunk driver, 15 years earlier. I sat on that swing a while after they left and reminded myself, "Beth, you have no right to complain. About anything. Ever!" Cozy Interior The log interior was dim, but cozy. Such a strong ceiling of peeled logs, held up by brown, varnished posts!  The structure brought me back to bored summer afternoons, as a kid. I loved constructing log cabins out of toothpicks and Elmer's glue. I somehow thought my cabins would look sort of like this. They never did. Time for the Newspaper This old lodge took us back in time, with the furnishings and decor. But the lack of wifi and bad cell service did an even better job.  It was odd to see so many people sitting around, reading books and newspapers... and talking with each other! The Red Carpet This carpeted stairway to the Mezzanine Lounge, looked pretty grand. It also looked a bit our of place.  There were rustic log beams, a plush velvety carpet, a Swiss inspired cutout railing, a very serious portrait and an awesome wooden box for mailing your postcards! The Mezzanine I liked the second floor lounge for two reasons. For one, I was a guest and I got to march right up those red stairs, past the sign that announced, "hotel guests only".  Of course no one was checking for keys or ID. But 3 years ago, Don and I were "non-guests" and obeyed the bold sign. When we were visited the canyon back then, we peeked in the hotel and dreamed about returning someday as guests. Second Reason... The View! I loved the circular hole in the floor of the mezzanine. I love being able gaze downward for a little nonchalant people-watching!  However, there wasn't much going on, so I enjoyed the close up view of the buffalo and a few other critters! To the Room I like to take photos of hotel hallways. You can tell a lot about a place by the hall. The upper hallway had nice rugs and wood trim.
The colorful Native American images on the wall, added a nice touch. By the time we headed to our "basement quarters" to find room 6402, the walls and floor had become less decorated. Cozy I'll say cozy, instead of tiny. (I swore I wouldn't complain) I'm quite fine with small rooms, but there were no real hints of the old hotel, down in this renovated section.  It was clean and the bathroom was attractive with retro tile work, but I do love the authentic old stuff. A Tight Squeeze When we entered our room, the wardrobe doors were open to reveal an actual TV, which is something most National Park Lodges don't offer.
It was pretty comical moving our few bags into the room. Even with the wardrobe doors closed, I could barely walk to the other side of the bed. It made me pretty glad I wasn't in a wheelchair. Dining at El Tovar The restaurant was a nice combination of cozy and elegant. There were no Harvey Girls in long aprons, but there were black bow ties, which the women used to wear.  The linens, log beams and stone fireplace made the atmosphere rustic, yet classy. By the Fire! We lucked out with the perfect table. Not only did we have a snug little spot with a fire warming our backs, but we had a nice view of the whole dining room.
When you're on a 28-day road trip with your husband, you don't mind being distracted by what's going on around you. It just gave us more to talk about! Cookbook Encounter with Tom! Our waiter, Tom was the best. Not only was he an expert on the hotel's history, but he was more than happy to take a look at the old Ford Motor Cookbook, which I had dragged to dinner.  It turns out Tom has been collecting hotel memorabilia for 35 years, since he became employed by the hotel. He actually knew about the vintage cookbook, which featured El Tovar, with a recipe for Beef Stroganoff. Tom has also written his own book or two. He happily posed with me and the book... then explained to us what was going on, when the whole dining room began to gasp! Excitement Up High While we were chatting with Tom, we suddenly became aware that diners were laughing and sort of shrieking... and staring upward. A cute little ringtail cat (which is not part of the cat family) was darting in and out of the beams.  Tom assured us, it was no big deal. "The ringtails just like the sugar packets..." He said the hotel has someone who handles trapping the little guys and transporting them elsewhere. Around the Hotel If El Tovar had been in the middle of nowhere, we would have been delighted to just stay put inside.
But there was so much activity just a couple steps away, on the porch. There were painters to watch and Native American dancers and musicians performing. The Canyon And obviously, there was the canyon... right there.  We had to share the sunset with other tourists... but not too many. I think the tour buses were gone by then. The Wall I ran out to the wall to take photos at sunset and sunrise. Sometimes the wall was crowded with tourists and sometimes empty.
I loved that pretty little wall that separated the tourist world, from nature. From that wall, we could see a mile across to the other side! Wow! What's Notable? We got to experience a hotel that was once only available to the wealthy. Back in the day, only the rich could afford the journey, or the cost of a stay at El Tovar. Travelers from the east probably felt very special as they enjoyed the rustic and ritzy lodge, in such an isolated part of the country. Today there's nothing elite about the place... except the price.
Tourists wander through the hotel and stop in the gift shop, or enjoy a few minutes on a rocker. I love knowing that families in vans and senior groups in tour buses, can all enjoy a piece of this lodge history. But I will always remember the fun of being a guest at sunrise and sunset. At those times, I could imagine the setting as it was 100+ years ago, when so few could make it to this magical and isolated place!
|
Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
June 2025
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed