An early Sunday morning on a muddy trail, the poor track and snow stopped us at first bench.
In all the years we have visited Sedona, many, we have never seen a mountain scene as this one.
One of Jenni's favorite hand positions while on an incline.
A view of Wilson Mountain from the buttes across the way.
'The Importance of being Earnest' and settling down in accommodation on the road.
We obviously utilize many different types of accommodation including those managed by groups, companies and individuals. Each one has its distinct flavor. While most have an obvious mission statement, the route traveled to provide the customer with a service otherwise known as a paying guest, differs. By the way, I’ve always been puzzled by the concept of using guest in the context of charging a fee. First there was ‘showbiz’ and now there’s high-powered marketing.
Things have changed over the recent past with the advent of the cursed virus. It is understandable. When we began this latest journey, things were beginning to unravel. We had cancelled two overseas trips, one a replacement for the former, and thereafter decided to move into the interior of the West. But first we decided to return to San Diego to visit family. We booked a motel/inn, under the franchise we often visit. We anticipated breakfast, advertised as a great reason to stay with the hosts, as this gourmet meal is included in the tariff. On our third day, we arrived at the dining room only to find it was closed until further notice. The virus. In the lobby, they provide 24 hour service of tea, coffee and cocoa. Closed. The business center—closed. Gym—closed. Swimming pool—closed. In addition, management withdrew servicing of rooms and unfortunately, the laundry was in a state of disrepair. Only the naïve person would, with the withdrawal of these services as advertised and expected, anticipate a reduction in tariff. We did say naïve person.
This type of limited service has followed us everywhere but for the Tonto Inn, in the basin of the same name. What really got to us is that when we booked accommodation and received continual welcome notices for ‘our valued guests’ right up to the day before our intended check-in, not one of the communications even hinted at a change of service. We like it when people are direct and mostly, honest.
After stays in Mesa followed by Tonto Basin, we found a terrific place to hunker down in Sedona, a timeshare. We read of all the services and benefits provided which the daily resort fee would cover. Normally, these services are typically part of the offering covered within the tariff of every place we have ever visited. This resort fee included internet service (poor) which every establishment from a hole in the wall in Nepal to sitting in a tent in a national park in Iceland offers. Okay, well that's the deal but it still looked good.
Upon arrival, bold signs and the confirmation of the receptionist instructed us that all the amenities covered by the resort fee were withdrawn but for internet, (now very poor). Strangely, the resort fee remained payable. What were we missing particularly when they tell us in the numerous communications how concerned they are for our safety and comfort, 'What can we do for our valued guests?' Is it a surprising that so much in the fields of advertising and marketing policies are akin to deceit? Just mentioning; not upset because after all, it's the norm.
It's only once you are standing before the receptionist, who at that time has your credit card in her hand, is a person confronted with signage indicating what you can no longer expect. Of course, we understand the situation but it does seem that some are taking advantage of it. Many places are not servicing rooms at all while others, only 3 times per week instead of 7. What difference does it make for passing on a virus if that’s the reason for ceasing service?
One of the vital first steps we take upon entering a room is to read the 'in case of fire' action notice. After our first years in the United States, we came to realize much is fashioned upon and around legal liability. After all, if a person is not warned that coffee or boiling water is hot and may scold a person, how would one know. We are most thankful for these considerate notifications that have our interests at heart.
Unlike many citizens, we believe attorneys are only interested in our well-being. While we have heard about ambulance chasers and the like, we are convinced attorneys follow ambulances to ensure their brake-lights and other parts are in working order to avoid being pulled over by traffic officers. To slow an ambulance in an emergency could be disastrous to a patient.
Getting back to the signs. I think many of these notices are designed overseas, perhaps part of the outsourcing process. Why we write this is because it appears the designers of these signs are not English speakers or writers. Some may not be logical, either. Dare we say that some may be close to brain-dead. Nevertheless, it's not for us to be judgmental as Jenni reminds me.
Anyway, what we have noticed is each room displays a diagram of the hotel/motel. Particularly in motels, most times there are two ways out: through the door or windows, the latter is tricky because many are sealed. There are not a whole lot of options for escape unless one thinks breaking down a wall is a possibility. The instruction is that in case of fire, one should either call reception or the emergency number (911) and let the person know what the problem is. Also, provide an exact location to reception. 'I'm in my bed, on the left side and on my back. My wife is making tea although I hear her relieving herself, as we speak.' 'Don't forget to feel if the door is hot', states the signage. We suppose should it be hot, it confirms a fire. If not hot, then what. Maybe it's a coal (cold) fire.
Thereafter, one should flee the room, not forgetting the room key or card and meet at the designated meeting place shown on the diagram. Don't forget the key. Why? Perhaps you'll need it to get back into your room after the fire. Leave your belongings but perhaps bring a bathing suit. Maybe with all the water from the fire hoses it may be appropriate. Should the door not open, one should block the gaps with a wet cloth and wait for the arrival of help. That seems like an awful lot of trust. What about blocking the door and sealing out the fire so well that it also prevents the firemen from entering? Yes. There seem to be many important issues besides opening the door or window and fleeing to safety. Don’t forget the keycard though—they’re expensive to replace.
Perhaps the best exit drill we heard was on the Kepler trek in New Zealand some years ago. The ranger was giving us 'the talk' and concluded in a typical modern day finish: 'Once we are all out of the hut and standing in the designated meeting place, we'll have group hug...(loved it)...and then figure out what to do.'
We also see signage at the swimming pools. Most establishments have places to jump in (hold-it: no jumping and diving) and refresh oneself. We are unable to ever use the pools which is a shame. There are two reasons for this: The less important one is that the instructions on the signboard make it clear, in some establishments, we should take a shower in our room before entering the pool. This annoys us, for after the shower, we don’t really feel like swimming. Anyway, we are cleaner after the shower than we would be following a swim. However, the main reason for refraining from taking a 'dip' is because of another notification on the board at the pool. Without exception, there is a note stating ‘No lifeguard on duty’. We take the odd risk from time-to-time but this is far too serious to ignore. Nevertheless, we appreciate the proprietors making the effort to inform us otherwise it’s unlikely we would notice the absence of a guard. The fact that in most cases, we are usually the only ones near the pool should not be considered.
There are other signs, too. Particularly in California, a list of legal jargon is displayed prominently on the door setting out the innkeeper's rights and obligations, the guests rights and responsibilities and any other pertinent information that should allay any fears one might have about the forthcoming stay. (There is usually, of equal importance, a take-out menu). It's a complex type of document but nevertheless it's posted for our benefit and therefore behooves us to read and understand it. On many occasions, I’ve had to ‘call’ Norman Smith of San Diego to go through some of the more onerous aspects. Norman probably appreciates this as I know he'd hate Jenni and me to worry ourselves sick about our ignorance of the law.
Of course, it also makes the point of all this legal jargon. Oops! Being judgmental again. In the end, it still beats sleeping in a tent...in most instances, even though the legal implications often keep us awake with worry.
When all is said and done, the apparent few gripes filtering through are meaningless in the great adventure of life.
Oak Creek below the trailhead.
Had a schoolmaster seen this pose you can bet that boy would be in trouble.
Scenes from the unique town of Sedona (Wilson Mountain). Midgley Bridge in the distance (over Highway 89A).
After good rains, the rocks were washed, the air cleaned and cleared and the greenery sharp and distinctive contrasting with the hues of red and orange. The cactus needles felt even sharper than normal on our rears.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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