Staying at a "swank" hotel

Lolita would approve. Because of some flight problems, I am staying at the Grand Hyatt in Dallas, TX. Although I am not happy to be in the land of TO, I am glad to finally be IN a hotel room and have eaten a proper meal. It's a beautiful hotel, and the room is the best I've stayed in during my research trips. I also had room service, or as it's called here, private dining. I just didn't want to go downstairs to the restaurant - or whatever they call it here.

So, it's been an adventure in CA/NV. I arrived Wed evening and stayed at the Excalibur in Vegas - there were some flight problems, which caused me to actually arrive SOONER in Vegas than I imagined, but also caused me to fly out of CVG and with a return to Dayton. Thankfully, today's flight problems took care of that, and I'll be back at CVG tomorrow. The Excalibur is where I stayed with my parents last time I was in Vegas. It's just an overwhelming experience to walk into a casino. Hard to explain, but there is a LOT of noise, lights, and general chaos. I must have looked lost as a woman asked, "Can I help you honey?" I would have preferred "young lady" as an address, but at least I didn't get the southern "ma'am."

After dropping stuff off at the hotel, I decided to wander. I wanted to goto Lance Burton's show, but it had already started. Eventually I found myself eating at the House of Blues - had a HUGE rack of ribs - and then at the Howie Mandel show. Some guy named Mendoza - I forget the first name - opened for him. It was fun. Although I really wanted to stay up late, I did try to get to bed at a decent hr - for Las Vegas.

The next morning I was off to Death Valley, CA. Before heading too far west, I picked up a six pack of WATER as I didn't want to break down and die of dehydration. It IS called Death Valley for a reason.

I took the shorter route - 190 to 160 or whatever it's called. It was through Pahrump? When I did hit the ranch I was a bit surprised at how bleak and desolate it seemed. I shouldn't have been surprised. And I should not have been shocked that my cell didn't work. I WAS surprised at no internet as it said on the Web site that there was internet. So here I was in the middle of the desert staying in a cabin much like what Humbert and Lolita would have stayed in back in 47 or 48 with no real amenities. Hmmmmmm... I truly was on the road with Lolita. On a sidenote, I forgot my copy of Lolita, which is the first time I've ever traveled without Lolita on a Lolita research trip. Oops.

Before I could check in, I had to kill a few hours, so I drove around for a bit. On the way in, I had stopped at Zabriskie Point, and of course I thought of Dave Z. To those of you NON-CYCLYING FANS, Dave Z. is one of the best cyclings in the world and one of the top time trialists in the world. I love that guy.

I also stopped off at the Visitor Center in Furnace Creek, which was a very good move as I picked up some books.

I did talk with a NPS ranger who told me I could speak with a woman, Blair, who is the curator for DVNM. I drove out to the station where she was located, and I got a chance to look at some materials in the library. I actually got a lot of information, which was great. I'm going to write her to see if I might get some more materials in the mail - such as old brochures, etc.

Dinner was at the Ranch at something called the Steakhouse Saloon? It was ok. I had a glass of wine - a Macmurray? Pinot Noir. After dinner, I went back to my room, did some writing, and watched some tv.

I got up pretty early - 6am - so I could go to Scotty's Castle, which was about an 1 hr drive from Furnace Creek. Breakfast was a buffet and it was disappointing.

The next morning I headed out very early for Scotty's Castle. I'll write about that soon, but I suppose I better post this before something happens to my computer and I lose everything I've typed!