Ode to Elmo

10/21/18 – 11/4/21

My little Elmo.

I gave Elmo everything I had to give. Every ounce of effort. Every minute of my time. Every loving beat of my heart. All I wanted was to love him and care for him the best I possibly could and make him as happy as he could ever be. Elmo brought me immeasurable love and joy. Just watching him sleep or enjoying the sunshine made me smile. I was in constant awe of his pure innocence, contentment, and incredible resiliency. But it was also so completely overwhelming at times, I felt like I was going to have a total breakdown – juggling 2 jobs, (and looking for a new job for the past several months), and all of life’s other stressors and drama, in addition to round the clock care for this little creature I called Elmo. Basically, I am a single mom of a severely special-needs child with no back up. It’s all me. 24/7/365. I hate when I am weak under pressure. I hate that I became impatient with him at times. I hate that I ever had a negative thought when it came to him. But I am only human. And I admit that I am weak at times. I hate how cranky I was the other night thinking horrible things as I was getting in and out of bed with him again and again and again and again in the middle of the cold night, wondering why he was not wanting to sleep as usual. The frustration of getting him to eat (although baby food became our saving grace … THANK YOU GERBER!) Or when he would eat and then spit up his baby food everywhere over and over again. Everywhere. On the floor. In the car. On my clothes. On the furniture. Washing his blankies that were covered in spit up. All part of the evil nature of kidney failure.

My first dog, Emmy (she was literally my alter ego in the form of a dog) died of kidney failure at 17+ years of age. She left on her terms, while napping at the hospital where she was receiving IV fluids to flush her kidneys. She did me the favor of taking her exit into her own hands, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

My beloved Elliott had bladder cancer but the tumor basically overtook his kidneys so, symptomatically, he died of kidney failure and his last few weeks were rather similar to Elmo’s. Eerily similar. Although Elliott’s passing was anything but peaceful and will always haunt me.

Knowing that Elmo has had a myriad of health issues crop up over the last 1-1 1/2 years – a collapsed trachea, chronic lung disease, heart condition, seizures (or so the neurologist thought) on top of kidneys that were starting to show signs of failure – I knew every day of the last year or more was precious, borrowed time with him. I know he hated all his (liquid) meds but he took them without fail (thank God for the compounding pharmacy here in Redondo Beach). He had extremely life threatening events that landed him in the hospital several times, where survival was questionable, yet he always pulled through. And somehow I had this crazy, (more like insane) fantasy that my love would bring him through this crisis as well. He has had collapsing episodes (cardiologist said they were heart related/ neurologist swore they were all actual seizures – although I agreed with the cardiologist 100%) for the past 2 years. And at this point, they don’t totally freak me out any more like they used to.

So yesterday, while I was in a Zoom meeting, he started convulsing on the blanket next to me. I was almost in disbelief wondering is this just a normal collapsing episode (?) because it seems to be quite different and thought, ok hopefully it’s just another “episode”. And then after like 2 minutes (the other ones were very short) I realized he wasn’t stopping. And that’s when I knew something was seriously wrong. On top of the fact that he had been VERY weak all day and literally couldn’t stand up and was twitching (??) but his family vet said oh he’s just got low blood sugar from not eating for a day or so. Just feed him his baby food with a syringe. So I did – before this episode happened on the couch next to me.

Sadly, it was more than just low blood sugar. Starting to panic, I left the Zoom meeting and scooped him up and called the vet and they said to take him to the ER right away at ACCESS hospital in Torrance. They texted me the address, sent over his medical records so the hospital would be prepared for his arrival. They all have been so incredibly kind at Redondo Shores. They love Elmo so much.

I was pretty hysterical on the drive over through afternoon traffic. My friend Anna talked to me the whole way there so I wouldn’t crash. They met us at the car and said he was having a grand mal seizure and took him in right away for treatment. He had bitten down on this towel that was near his blanket and would not let go and was seizing all the way to the ER which was a 20 minute drive. I wanted to just get there, but at the same time I didn’t want to get there because I was scared that would be the last time I got to hold him. They gave him 2 doses of diazepam to calm him down and at that time they thought ok, we will have the neurologist look at him in the morning and once he stabilizes, maybe we will just add phenobarbital to his long list of daily meds to control the seizures better. There was nothing else I could do at this point, so I told them I would call to check in every few hours, but to call me if anything came up. I called our awesome pharmacist at Pill Box pharmacy and asked for his input on phenobarbital. He reassured me it’s a very normal course of action to add phenobarbital to a medicine regimen and not to worry. It will help control the seizures when layered with his keppra. I called the hospital to make certain they knew the dosages of all his current meds and asked how he was doing. She said he’s just sedated and resting. Ok. I had faith that he would somehow recover from all of this.

That was, until they ran the bloodwork.

I was cleaning the apartment getting things ready for him to come home today and decided to take a long hot shower, as I rarely have the luxury to take showers because I don’t like to leave him unattended even for one minute.

When I really need to shower, I usually have my mom “babysit” via FaceTime so I can take a quick shower and know that he is being supervised. I even had my apartment maintenance man, Raul, babysit Elmo once during the day so I could take a quick shower. The things us doggy moms do for our babies.

So I figured since he was at the hospital being cared for, I would take an overdue, long hot shower. I thought about bringing the phone in to the bathroom but then was like nahh. Of course, as Murphy’s law always goes, I get out of the shower and I see a missed call from the hospital. My stomach dropped. The voicemail from the Dr said she had some “very concerning results” to go over with me and to call her right away. I called the hospital immediately and was on hold for probably 20 minutes, as she was on another call. My friend/hairdresser Chloe was kind enough to text with me while I was waiting to talk to the Dr.

The Dr finally picked up the line and she said that unfortunately, his kidney values came in “too high” to measure. They were literally off the charts (in a very bad way.) She went on to say his blood pressure was dropping. His heart rate was shallow and speeding up and his body temperature was dropping as well. Essentially, his body was shutting down and she felt that at this point he was suffering. She asked if I would like to come spend some time with him. Of course. So in a panicked stupor I got dressed, picked out his favorite blankie to bring with me, and drove to the hospital. Chloe talked to me the whole way there so I wouldn’t crash. I arrived, they brought me inside, and put me in a visiting room. A couple minutes later my phone rings and it’s the Dr asking where I was? How close? He started seizing again and his time was running short due to suffering. I said I’m here. Please ask them what room they put me in and bring him to me.

A minute later she brought Elmo in on a bed with a blankie over him. He was trembling and his eyes were glazed over. She said he was basically comatose due to the body shutting down from all the poison and toxins that the kidneys could no longer filter out.

I was petting him for just a minute before she started the injections. It was over so quickly. I was talking to him from the time I saw him, just in case he could still hear me. I wanted him to know I was there. Mommy’s here, Elmo. Mommy’s here.

She said I could stay with him for as long as I needed. So I curled up on the couch with him for about 2 hours. Just petting his head and his soft hair. Feeling each of his paws between my fingers. Just watching him and thinking what a perfect and precious little creature he is. As if he was just sleeping peacefully next to me.

I didn’t want to leave him. I really didn’t. I wanted to just stay in the room all night with him, but the room seemed to be getting colder and rigor mortis was setting in.

I signed some cremation papers and clipped a small tuft of his beautiful soft hair from his head (I had a whole baggie of hair that I clipped from him this summer, but had to have a little more). A tech came in and chatted with me for a few minutes and like a zombie, I left the building and got in my car for the drive home.

On my way home. Without Elmo. To no one. No more Elmo. That was the last time I would see and feel his little body ever again.

No more late night meds or the coughing from the bitterness. No more crazy medicine scheduling. No more spitting up. No more sub-q fluid appointments at the family vet. No more flea shampoos. No more shots. No more itching. No more kidney supplements. No more collapsing episodes. No more heart or trachea induced coughing. No more EKGs and no more blood tests. No more specialists. No more hospitals. No more counting his breathing rate to make sure his heart was doing ok. No more emails to numerous specialists trying to figure out how to treat all of Elmo’s conditions. No more running into brick walls and trees. No more freaking out about bad air quality days or high elevations and the dangerous effect they have on his heart & lungs.

No more walks around the neighborhood. No more sunsets over the ocean together. No more sunbathing or rolling blissfully in the grass. No more nuzzling his nose and napping in the grass while soaking up that warm sunshine. No more sitting in the sand and letting the sun hit our faces while smelling the fresh salty air. No more KFC thighs with rice for dinner. Or hearing the kids at the KFC drive thru window say oh it’s the dog lady!, upon hearing my order over and over again. “One thigh please.” And then all of them waiting at the window just to see Elmo. He was a celebrity. We were famous at the local KFC. No more Carls Jr kiddie patties. No more driving around town hoarding chicken and turkey Gerber baby food. No more cuddling on the couch together under our soft blankies. No more jumping in circles when he’s feeling feisty and playful. No more stopping at the edge of the bed or the couch waiting to be lifted up or placed on the floor. No more full body shake off each time I put his harness on, signaling that he was ready for his walkie. No more rubbing his face on a clean blankie or on one of his 4 beds, or rolling around to dry off after a bath. No more walkies, watching him trot that happy little trot with his tail swinging from side to side. No more digging and kicking dirt or wood chips all over the place. No more down-doggy stretches in the mornings after waking up. No more hanging out on our little lawns that I planted just for him to lay on while I work. No more scooting across the grass on his tummy while wagging his tail out of sheer joy. No more “jumping/flying” off of curbs. No more sharing my pita bread, cheese pizza, morning oatmeal, crackers, cucumbers, squash or muffins. No more road trips together to all sorts of fun places. No more feeding baby food with a spoon and Elmo letting me wipe his chin afterward. No more loving the sound of his little tongue lapping up the baby food from the spoon or water from his water bowl. No more visits to our bungalow in Denver and enjoying our own luxurious yard full of grass. No more watching him walk, run or prance toward the sound of my clapping. No more rubbing his perfect little face all the way down to the tip of his nose. No more nuzzling his head and face in my hand as he readjusts and plops back down to sleep. No more holding him in my arm while we walk, with his paw over my hand and wrist for support. No more midday and pre/post dinner walkies at the beach. No more waking up in the middle of the night just to watch him sleep peacefully. Oh he slept so beautifully.

This little one who saved me from myself, from the darkest depths of despair after Elliott died, is now gone as well. Many people told me I shouldn’t have gotten an older dog after losing Elliott. But when that girl brought in this itty bitty, scared, blind doggy who was bumping into walls and looked so thin and frail, with sparse hair, what was I supposed to do? I knew from the second she brought him in that he was coming home with me. Who needed who more? It’s a toss up. I just knew I had to take him out of that shelter and give him love. And boy did he ever flourish. He grew so much hair he was like a furry little monster. Put on 2 pounds and knew that I would give him whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it.

I saved him, but he saved me. I have never had quite this kind of love for either of my other dogs, whom I loved sooo deeply. But Elmo was just this helpless, innocent, completely content little creature, despite alllll the challenges, all the problems, all the scary things, and who knows what else before I found him at the shelter.

Emmy was my mini me. Fierce. Independent. Loved only me and hated everyone else. Did things her way until her very last breath.

Elliott, was like my husband and buddy. Totally outgoing. Social. Adventurous. Maniac. So loyal. Withstood 2 years of chemo and radiation and fought bladder cancer like a warrior JUST FOR ME.

And then there’s Elmo. This most innocent, helpless little baby doll who needed me 24/7. And I would have done it forever if I could have.

3 years was so short. Too short. Yet I’m so thankful I had the chance to love him and receive his love in return. And the mark he made on my heart is just as big as all the others.

The pain is so deep. I actually feel the pain in my heart. This entire apartment was set up for him. His beds. His blankies. The washcloths for his face. The washcloths next to the bed for when he spit up at night. The towel to dry his feet with after rinsing off when we came in from our walks. Special fragrance and chemical-free doggy wipes for his heiny. An air purifier to keep the air inside the apartment clean and safe for his heart and lungs. An air quality monitor to measure the air quality inside the apartment. The bags and bags of medicine in the fridge with labels and marked syringes so I didn’t accidentally overdose him in a fatigued or unfocused state of mind. An oxygen concentrator set up near the electrical outlet in case he collapsed or needed oxygen. Emergency oxygen canisters to take when we traveled in case he needed oxygen on a road trip. Anything and everything I could do to help this little one live longer and be comfortable.

Everything I did was for Elmo. And now, he’s gone. Just the memory of the sweetest and littlest doggy I’ve ever known and loved. As with my other babies, including my dear sweet kitty, Lumpy, there will never ever be another one like any of them. Nothing and no one will ever fill this void in my heart. I pray they are all in heaven together waiting for their reunion with mommy some day.

I love you Elmo, with all of my being. I just hope you know, without a doubt, how much you are loved and adored. My precious little Elmooooooo. Elmieeeee.

Back to My Happy Place!!!

My thoughts on my Disneyland visit May 25, 2021.

Knowing things are changing all the time these days, I thought it would be helpful to write out a detailed account of my visit on Tuesday, May 25th. Of course, some of these items may no longer be relevant over the course of the next few weeks, but this is how things looked as of yesterday at Disneyland.

To avoid any last minute crises, make SURE you have your ticket and reservation ready on your phone!!

Tram is not operating from the parking garage. It’s a 3/4 mile walk to the park. I just was not interested in dealing with the unknowns of the parking situation.

Parked at work in Huntington Beach and took Uber straight to Uber drop off/pick up area on Harbor Blvd. Only a very short walk to the security area.

Getting thru security check point was a breeze. Took maybe 1 minute total.

Checked my temperature.

Checked my purse.

Walked through metal detector.

Done!

Many signs on Covid rules and safety precautions. They truly are doing the best they can do to keep people safe.

Got to the gate. Again, it was a breeze. I was the only person in my lane. Showed my mobile ticket and got through in no time at all.

Upon first glance, it seemed pretty empty. The entrance area and Main Street were pretty sparse. It felt awesome, but almost a bit too lonely for Main Street?? But not to worry! Over by New Orleans Square/ Haunted Mansion/Pirates it was very congested, as usual.

Random thoughts and observations:

1. Ride lines were not short at Disneyland. Pirates = 45+ minutes. Splash Mountain = 45-60 minutes. Haunted Mansion = 45 minutes. Pooh = 25 minutes. Rise of the resistance = 40+ minutes. Peter Pan = 45+ minutes. Small World = 40 minutes. Reason being, they cannot fill the ride vehicles (boats, cars, etc) to capacity, so each vehicle may be only 50% filled (or less) versus 100% filled. This slows down wait times significantly. California Adventure was much more empty than Disneyland and ride lines were definitely shorter. Little Mermaid wait = 15 minutes. One weird and annoying first for me was the start of the “virtual queue” on the mobile app for certain rides, including Indiana Jones. Apparently the”queue” was full for the day and no walk up riders were allowed. Major bummer! Jungle Cruise is closed for major remodel. No Disneyland train or Monorail either. No submarine. No Lincoln theatre or Mickey Mouse cartoon theatre on Main Street either.

Note that any ride that usually has “indoor” lines are now all set up as outdoor lines. So the lines for rides do appear much longer than normal because everyone is outside. Also, add in the socially distanced tape lines which adds a lot of space between riders in lines.

2. Getting food was definitely a challenge if you did not order via mobile app ahead of time. A good number of restaurants/dining locations were closed in both parks. Check before you go for current status. Food cart lines were very long and slow. The only cart selling pretzels was at Frontier Land. They were running out of different menu items and would walk down the line to let people know what they had run out of. Some dining locations had a 30+ minute wait if you showed up and wanted to order via the mobile app on the spot. Flo’s Diner at California Adventure had a pretty short line, but could only take cash as their credit card processor was down. Half of the Cone Motel food teepees were closed. The line at Starbucks on Main Street seemed extremely long, however, I believe most of the line had to wait outside versus inside due to Covid safety precautions.

3. Tape lines were placed on the ground at all rides. People were very respectful of the lines. People were not crowding you. Everyone kept their distance.

4. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE was wearing a mask. And the cast was VERY strict about when and where you could lower your mask to eat or drink. Had to stop and sit on the ground or on a bench or at a table if you want to lower your mask to eat or drink. Before knowing this, I was reprimanded for lowering my mask to take a bite of my cookie while walking. I think people want to be at Disneyland SO BADLY that NO ONE wanted to break the rules. You are NOT allowed to lower your mask to eat or drink while in line for a ride. That is a bit rough when the line is long and it’s 84 degrees out and you are standing in direct sunlight. But again, I have to say: NO ONE could claim that they got Covid at Disneyland. It would be more or less IMPOSSIBLE if you are following the rules.

5. They had cast members who were sweeping and wiping down tables and handles CONSTANTLY. Under normal conditions, Disneyland is very clean, but now it is EVEN MORE SO.

6. Hand sanitizer machines and hand washing stations everywhere. You could not walk more than maybe 20 feet without seeing another hand sanitizer machine or hand washing station. I thought this was GREAT!! I hope they keep up with this forever!

7. IF YOU WERE AN ANNUAL PASSHOLDER: the whole legacy pass/link to your mobile app profile issue was a major pain if you, like me and apparently many others, did not receive the email with the “legacy pass” access code and instructions. The entire cast seems to be misinformed on how this works and how to fix it if you are one of the unfortunate many who didn’t get this taken care of before arriving at the park. And trust me, you are NOT getting your AP discount ANYWHERE until it is linked to your mobile app profile. After a handful of frustrating purchase experiences, I ended up going to the City Hall kiosk (City Hall is closed for Covid safety)and a very nice cast member there, Cathy from Palos Verdes, got it straightened out for me once and for all. BE SURE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS BEFORE YOU GO. CALL MEMBER SERVICES FOR HELP IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT LINKED ALREADY.

8. It was a toss up in terms of cast members’ attitudes. Some seemed SO happy to be there and see people again, others seemed completely confused and lost and uninformed, while others were visibly ambivalent, unhappy, and unhelpful. I do hope this changes because a happy,helpful cast member can make all the difference in your Disneyland experience! Shout out to Cathy at the City Hall kiosk. Over and beyond friendly, nice and helpful!!! Shame on the unhelpful, grumpy employees at Disney Clothiers (the older woman manager was very accommodating, but the rest need a refresher course in Disney customer service!)

9. I was sad to see none of the cast members in Star Wars Land were “in character”. When I was there several times around the opening of Star Wars Land, all cast members (those who work in the stores and food/drink locations) were TOTALLY in character and it was so fun!!! This time, none of them were (other than those in costumes – Chewbacca, storm troopers on stage, etc). I hope that changes back as well.

10. Oga’s Cantina was closed. So sad!!

11. I was happy to see the characters that I did see, but it would be fun to have more out and about. C3PO, etc. But I do understand they would probably be mobbed which is not in line with Covid safety precautions.

12. At Disneyland, the characters are far away and roped off so they won’t be mobbed by guests. You can wave and take pics but nothing close up. At California Adventure they would come up behind you by maybe 6-10 feet (mostly at the fountain at Carthay Circle) and you could either take a selfie or have a friend (or the Disney photo pass photographer) take your pic. But cast members are not allowed to touch your phone.

13. No parades. No fireworks. Praying they will make a come back soon!!

14. Many many very frightfully miserable children and babies at the Park yesterday. Nap time was definitely being missed! I think everyone is out of practice on what it’s like to be out and about for the day.

15. Depending on mask regulations going forward, bring a handheld fan, as it is VERY HOT to have a mask on all day in the warm sunshine while playing at Disneyland!

16. Overall an absolutely glorious day to be back at the Happiest Place on Earth, but definitely a few logistical and personnel snafus. So so so thankful I got to spend the whole day there yesterday!!!! 15 months is a LONGGGGGG time with no Disneyland in my life!!

Could not love this place more. Oh how I missed being here!!!

What a gorgeous day to be here at Small World!

I love taking the time to ride the Mark Twain. It is a relaxing and enjoyable old school ride!

I MUST have a Mickey pretzel 🥨 on every visit!

I absolutely love watching this guy and the store is so awesome!
Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities.

The First Order. Aka the bad guys. Fighting to destroy the Resistance.

Pirates of the Caribbean. No trip to Disneyland is complete without this ride.

This scene always reminds me of my beloved Elliott.

The magic fountain of the Tiki Room! Love these singing birds!

Had to get a park hopper pass to go check out what’s been happening at California Adventure!

I am pretty sure I was once a mermaid.
I love Ariel!

Oh to be here for the World of Color!!!!

Two of my favorite guys!!
Thank you, Walt for creating this much happiness for soooo many people!!

Does Anyone Really Know Anything?

Here’s a peek into my current situation as the Corona Virus crisis has virtually taken over the world. After an entire week of being drowned in panic and hysteria-inducing articles on social media, and newscasts, I finally caved to feeling compelled to gather “a few things” to have on hand in case of a full board lock down. Of course, living in Southern CA, it would be a good idea to have such said box anyway, in case of an earthquake, or whatever other unknown impending crisis that is lurking behind the next corner. It all started last Friday with me going on Amazon to place a small, simple order – only to discover that things like face masks, anti-bacterial gel, Clorox wipes, hand wipes, and even BOTTLED WATER are completely sold out on Amazon. Out of stock. Snatched up by those quick-thinking alarmists who beat me to the punch. So after placing my eBay order for a few obnoxiously overpriced items, I decided to cut out the middle man, get in the car and drive to the grocery store myself to buy these items in order to fill a small storage tub full of non-perishable food (which I have since nicknamed my “Armageddon Box”). Since then, other necessities have come to mind (like 400+ of them); those things which I MIGHT JUST NEED in case of an EXTENDED LOCK DOWN. I’ve now taken several subsequent journeys to Walgreens and various grocery stores to stock up “just in case” on every medicine and herb I have ever ingested. As well as joining the antibacterial gel, hand wipes, Clorox wipes, bottled water and toilet paper Hoarders Club, and other things like canned vegetables, bulk nuts, boxed soups, pasta, peanut butter, honey, turkey jerky, organic trail mix, Kind bars, laundry detergent, paper towels and, of course, Kleenex, since I have been sick with some unknown virus (including a KILLER sore throat) since last Saturday, and Lord knows if we are all on lock down, I don’t want to use up the last of my 98726362818 rolls of toilet paper blowing my ever-running shnoz. Not only are my sinuses full, but my fridge, freezer, kitchen cabinets and bathroom shelves are too! Yay me!

Remind me to tell you about my showdown with the Asian woman at the grocery store over the antibacterial wipes. Long story short: SHE played dirty and she WON. Little did she know, I unearthed a whole other row of camouflaged hand wipes to the far left. HA!! Take THAT! 🤣

Here’s a shot of my kitchen counter filled with a few ESSENTIAL remedies I am currently taking. I need to be committed, I know. I know!

Yesterday we were told by a Doctor on the radio that if you have a runny nose, it is NOT Corona Virus. NOW TODAY, I have read in several places that if you HAVE a runny nose, cough, SORE THROAT, headache or fever, you could have Corona virus. Well, hot damn! Other than the fever, I’m a SHOE-IN for Corona Virus.

In fact, maybe I WAS PATIENT ZERO in SO CAL and didn’t even KNOW IT?????

I wish the CDC and endless news sources (if you can even call them that!) would get their DAMN STORIES STRAIGHT ON SYMPTOMS. Every thing I read and hear lists different symptoms.

If they can’t accurately describe the symptoms, then that means either EVERYONE OR NO ONE will go to get checked at their local ER or Urgent Care. Why is there ZERO consistency in information being disseminated out? That’s simple. Because the media loves to watch us scurry around and freak out like a bunch of cockroaches running from the bright light. Including THIS cockroach. Pure insanity.

Well if I have it, then I think I’m gonna live, because I’m currently on day 6 and guess what? I’m still here. Coughing away and blowing my runny nose every 4 minutes, but here nonetheless.

Considering how fast and severe my sore throat came on, I’m wondering if I got it at Disneyland, where 9818837472746273828 of my closest friends from ALL OVER THE WORLD were visiting The Happiest Place on Earth last Thursday. Hmmmmm what to do?

Who the HELL KNOWS. Do I leave a message for my Dr? Do I go to Urgent Care? With my luck, I’ll go to Urgent Care to get tested, WHERE I WILL CONTRACT CORONA VIRUS FOR REAL!!!

I took the route of making a phone call and I am now on hold with an LA-based Urgent Care over the phone. I told the girl that I came down with a severe sore throat last Saturday, which turned into a bad headache, runny nose and now finally, a cough as well. I said, “FOR ALL I KNOW, I AM PATIENT ZERO IN SO CAL BECAUSE NO ONE IS GIVING CONSISTENT INFO ON SYMPTOMS!!” Maybe that will get their attention. She put me on hold to “check with the nurses and doctors.” I’m thinking that if I don’t know, then no one else knows if they have it either. So everyone that has a SNIFFLE should either ignore it, or run to Urgent Care or the ER to be tested? And possibly CATCH SOMETHING REALLY SCARY?? Pure madness.

If there is NO difference in symptoms between a cold and Corona Virus, then how the hell does ANYONE know what is going on?

As I wait on hold, I see an article where it says the main symptoms are ONLY: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Well now, that would be a different story, wouldn’t it? Hmmm, who to believe?

Come on CDC and news sources – get your acts together and give us some actual facts. Okay, girl gets back on the phone with me and says – Are you ready for this????

She tells me:

“You will need to call the CDC, which stands for CALIFORNIA DISEASE CONTROL.” 😳😳😳 (Ohhhh boyyyyy. We’ve got a live one here).

“You can tell them your symptoms and they will tell you how you should proceed.” 😳😳😳😳😳😳

I responded, “SO, AS AN URGENT CARE FACILITY IN LA COUNTY, YOU AREN’T FAMILIAR WITH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COLD AND CORONA VIRUS??? THAT’S PRETTY SCARY.”

She said, “we are routing all callers thru to the CDC, so they can determine who needs to take further action and testing.”

Really????? 😳

I call the CDC number (it’s actually the CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL, in case you were wondering) and the recording says,

“Due to the high volume of calls,

PLEASE

REFER

OUR

WEBSITE

FOR

INFORMATION.”

Huh. Wow. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STEERING ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO HELPFUL. Thank GOD I called. 😳😳😳😳

I see listed on their website that the main symptoms are – as stated above – fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Alrighty then. Well, I do not now, nor have I thus far had a fever. I also do not have shortness of breath. Henceforth, I will make the EXECUTIVE DECISION THAT I DO NOT HAVE CORONA VIRUS.

GOOD THING I CALLED URGENT CARE!!!!!!! 😳😳😳😳😳😳

What a JOOOOOOOKE. Oh yeah. LA county is WELL PREPARED FOR THIS EPIDEMIC. Good thing I AM!

Don’t panic, they tell us. Riiiiight. Because CLEARLY, they’ve got us covered and it’s all under control.

GOD. HELP. US. ALL.

P.S. In the interest of coming full circle, I currently have a month’s worth of food, meds and supplies on hand to consume before I even have to break into my Armageddon Box. Here’s hoping I’ll survive whatever’s around the corner in this crazy-ass world of ours!

Humptastic

Seeking Saturday night entertainment in LA.

Leave it up to me. I’ll sniff out something fun and juicy. I always do. After doing some digging, I came across this event I simply knew I could not miss, and since I had the extremely rare pleasure of having a human companion for the night (a beautiful gay male pal), I was off like a dirty shirt to The 15th annual HUMP! Film Festival in downtown LA.

The festival, hosted by well-spoken, and oh so handsome Dan Savage, featured 20 short movies made by very talented amateurs who use their creative minds (and bodies) to show the viewer what they think is hot, sexy, and kinky. The audience gets the chance to sit back and be voyeurs into others’ turn-ons and craziest fantasies from the comfort of their theatre seat, while munching on popcorn.

It was a melting pot of different ages, races, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishes who all want to share their version of sex-positivity. HUMP! celebrates the freedom of sexual expression. Some of the films were, dare I say it, adorable, hilarious, artful and endearing, while others definitely tested my personal boundaries. All the films were really well done and entertaining to say the least. Some, a bit mind blowing. Watch out for that confetti! I’m leaving out specifics because I don’t want to ruin the fun for those of you who go. My personal faves were Good Kitty, Best in Show, Fuck First and Lost + Found. Bravo! Loved these the most!

This wasn’t about slinking in to some decrepit, nasty theatre with a bunch of creepy old men and mop buckets on standby, to watch low budget porn. It was about expanding perceptions of the natural human instinct to … well … you know, and all the variations of that behavior. This was definitely a successful adventure and very much in line with my desire to explore the unknown. Keep things interesting. It’s what keeps us young.

PS – this festival is on tour – so check it out in a town near you! (Sorry no photos allowed, and this time I actually played by the rules!)

Bangkok to Chiang Mai

I hate packing up to leave the Okura Prestige hotel in Bangkok. Such a completely exquisite hotel with the best customer service ever.

Is it TMI to say that I have a new found fondness for heated toilet seats and automated bidets. Me likey!

Enjoyed sampling items from the stunning breakfast buffet. The presentation was sheer Fung Shui perfection. A fresh noodle chef. An egg chef who created an omelette good enough to weep over. Someone tending to the wide array of fruits and adorably tiny glass bowls of fresh yogurt. While others tended to the danishes, baked goods, and cheeses (oh my Camembert!). And don’t forget the honeycomb. A absolute work of art!

We bid Okura Prestige Bangkok a farewell and genuine “Arigato” as we were whisked away back to the Bangkok airport in our giant black Mercedes. I could most definitely get used to this kind of treatment. Most definitely.

Had to deal with an incredibly annoying snafu with my Charles Schwab ATM card (ENTIRELY THEIR FAULT) which blocked me from getting any cash for the next segment of the trip. The ONLY reason I didn’t go FULL ON POSTAL was because there were MONKS within earshot, and I didn’t want to frighten or offend my new favorite people. But let’s just say, Charles Schwab got to hear exactly what I think of them and their “premium international customer service and convenient international ATM card.” Stress-free international money handling? I THINK NOT.

Moving right along …

Here’s the thing about germs. Once they get you, they kind of have to run their course. Which, if I were on the ground in LA or Denver (with nowhere to go) would be a bit of an inconvenience, but not earth shattering. However, when those germs that have finally gotten ahold of you cause you to have any sort of nasal congestion whatsoever, GOD HELP YOU if you have to fly, and for medical reasons such as my heart condition, cannot take decongestants (aka Sudafed).

The flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was thankfully only one hour in length because from the moment we took off, my right ear plugged up, and as we continued the flight, the pressure and pain in my right ear grew to the point that I was scared my ear drum would burst. The flight attendant kindly brought me scalding hot napkins in a small cup and told me put the cup over my ear. I made it to landing and my ear continued popping and releasing pressure all day long. I am horrified at the thought of a repeat performance on my upcoming flights.

But I digress …

Arrived into Chiang Mai airport. So small and manageable compared to Bangkok Airport. Met our driver, Tony, who had a few hours of site visits planned for us for the remainder of the day.

We checked in at the Silver Temple. Whoa! Everything is done … you guessed it … in SILVER.

Anddddd … got another blessing by A MONK.

I wonder if the Monk’s blessing will make my cold go away super fast? I. LOVE. MONKS. Love them. They have such a clear and peaceful energy about them.

Moved on to spend some time at Chedi Luang Temple, the crown jewel temple of Chiang Mai. A massive complex. The detail. The history. The stories. I love it all so much.

Temples, Buddha’s, and elephants. What’s not to love? The stories of Buddha are totally fascinating to me. Lots of mythical creatures. Battles between good and evil, as well as our own egos.

Side note: considerably less death defying heat and humidity here today than in Bangkok yesterday. Still hot, but very manageable.

Onward to Chai Mong Kohn which is a temple set on a pier to the Ping River. Many Monks at work here. Of course I loved seeing them out and about. Lovely little Temple area. And a riverside coffee house for some tea while we awaited our boat. We were hitting everything on my wish list. Thank you, Fluke Kumpee for your awesome planning of our private tour.

I am really enjoying the river cruises here. You get to see things from a different perspective. Seems to be quite a bit nicer than the area along the river in Bangkok. Our guide Tony said that Chiang Mai is considered a highly sought out place to live in Thailand. Less poverty here. More relaxed. Less people and traffic. I can already see that for myself. The Ping River bank is home to hotels (such as ours!) and restaurants. I love the look and feel of the scenery. So lush. And everyone is getting SO EXCITED for the Loy Kratong celebration on Tuesday. The celebration is to honor the River Goddess, so we are definitely in the right place. I can’t WAIT! I deeply admire the traditions, the acts of devotion and honor of the Buddhist culture. Incense. Praying. Meditation. Candles. Bowing. All very humbling.

Time for some local Northern Thailand dinner with our guide Tony. Such a cool place. What an excellent choice! Strangely enough, this restaurant is exactly what I would envision an authentic Thai restaurant to look like. Dark. Cavernous. Lots of statues and such. Just felt good walking in. With the help of Tony, I chose the curry mixed vegetables. Such a unique blend of spices as compared to the Thai food I normally eat. Northern and Southern Thailand food are definitely distinctly different.

Driving to our hotel, we passed the area of celebration for the upcoming Loy Kratong. I cannot believe we get to be here to experience this very special annual event. Chiang Mai is lit up in lanterns and candles everywhere. People are buzzing for the big night, November 11!

Finally made it to our hotel, X2 Riverside Resort Chiang Mai. This place is seriously amazing (typing with one hand, patting my back with the other).

We were greeted by our host, BonBon. I need to hire BonBon as my Personal Assistant. Or just adopt him as my sidekick. He is the epitome and embodiment of 5-star customer service, mixed with just a little sass and humor. We received fresh jasmine necklaces, and a local cocktail upon arrival to the hotel. He took us on a tour of the resort as we made our way to our room. This place is so magnificent and exotic. Only one teensy complaint is that a room for two (separate) people means a room with two twin beds right next to each other. Not exactly my idea of personal sleeping space, but when in Thailand … wear headphones. And that, my friends, concludes today’s installment of Thailand adventures.

A Day in Bangkok

You know it’s going to be a good day when this is how it starts.

The Okura Prestige Hotel in Bangkok is so sensational. Every detail is perfect. I could not be happier with my choice. Enjoyed the scenery out our 26th floor room window as I sipped my morning tea.

Met up with our tour guide, May. From start to finish a true gem. So incredibly kind, sweet, and so informative. She was the key to our success in Bangkok. Hands down, a private guide is THE ONLY way to go. Here she is pronouncing the full official name of Bangkok (City of Angels):

We started out taking the Sky Train to the metro to visit the 24 hour flower market. It is an extra busy time right now, in preparation of the Loy Krathong celebration and thanks to the Goddess of Water, the Hindu Goddess Ganga. This is happening while we will be in Thailand on the 11th and 12th of November. SO EXCITED!

Millions and millions of marigolds, roses, and jasmine are grown specifically for this celebration. Garlands are made to float on little Krathongs that are floated down the river. Thankfully they now require all materials used to make the Kratongs to be natural so that they won’t hurt the environment. They even have edible ones for the fishes!

As we continue walking to our next destination, it becomes apparent that the blinding sun, and suffocating levels of humidity are what the lower depths of hell must feel like. This weather is not for the timid. Mind you, November and December are the coolest months here in Thailand.

We visited 3 temples in total today. We we were able to see the Reclining Buddha. The Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace (where the current Princess resides) and the Golden Mount. There are over 33,000 temples in use across the country of Thailand. Therefore, one must pick and choose. I asked May to take us to the best 3 in Bangkok. I was delighted with her choices! Traveler tip: not only wear shoes that was very comfortable, but also very easy to take off, as you will be removing them at every temple.

Some of the temple highlights from the day:

Thai people love their Buddha so very much. Praying. Meditating. Making offerings in gratitude. I loved witnessing it all.

We were lucky that there was a festival happening at Golden Mountain Temple, because it stayed open late last night. However, there after walking the 344 steps to the top, the line of people to go up inside was so long and it was so sweltering hot I decided to just enjoy the scenery out the window and be grateful for that.

But I digress a bit. Back to the afternoon break from the insane heat and humidity. May could tell that she was losing us quickly in the heat (especially after we saw a fellow patron of the Grand Palace get hauled off in an ambulance, no doubt after a heat stroke). So she quickly made a call to her longtail boat connection and off we went on a ride down the river in a longtail boat. This was an AWESOME experience. Beautiful. Yet tragic. Eye opening. And not which of least, cool and shaded.

Waiting for the lock to open to let us through. 3 longtail boats all lined up. See the flowers on the tip? That’s in honor of the River Goddess.

Wat Arun in the distance. Best viewing point. Magnificent!

No trip to Bangkok would be complete without one or many rides on a Tuk Tuk. I loved them. But Holli might say otherwise.

The traffic on the streets does indeed, put LA traffic to shame. It barely moves. Which is why there are so many scooters. Tons of them! Sometimes in large packs. I can see why though.

It’s official. I have a Monk fetish. I absolutely love them! Any time I can snap a photo. And then, it happened. I got to CHAT WITH A MONK! The Monk in the bottom photo spike English!! Not only did he bless me with holy water for “healthy, wealthy, and all good things,” but we chatted about his visit to UK to learn English and that his favorite song is HOTEL CALIFORNIA BY THE EAGLES! I loved him! I was so nervous, May was cracking up at me. Like I was meeting a celebrity. They are awesome and I would highly recommend chatting with a Monk if you ever get the chance. AWESOME experience!

Stopped here for a late lunch. Wasn’t even hungry all day because of the heat. I enjoyed a cold Chang Beer (delicious!) and THE BEST tofu pad Thai EVER. Thanks for the AWESOME dining choice, May! I agree it was probably a better choice for me than risking my gut at the food stalls on the street. Lunch for 3. $10. Not bad.

Took a quick walk through Khao San Road in Bangkok. It was everything I thought it would be. Trashy. Touristy. Like Tijuana or Cabo in Mexico. This is the place for elephant pants, fried scorpions and cockroaches, sautéed worms, you get the drift I’m sure. I am glad we only spent maybe 30 minutes total there. But now at least I can say I saw it. Not worth any more time than that.

After a Tuk tuk, failed taxi ride and then on to the sky train, we slogged back to our hotel. Completely and utterly exhausted. Somehow we mustered enough energy to make our way to the outdoor infinity pool overlooking the city and then to the spa for our massages. Spectacular!

I was literally asleep on the massage table in less than 10 seconds. So, I guess it was a wonderful massage. Or maybe she just let me lay there and sleep for an hour?? Either way it was awesome!

And … that’s a wrap for the day. Night night. See you tomorrow, my friends.

Journey to Thailand

After no less than 9827473828 hours of planning, all done in two weeks (yes, I work best on short deadlines), I arrived in Thailand late last night local time. I hope to write daily updates, as I think fresh thoughts and perspectives will be easier to recall than looking back after the fact.

I left my apartment in LA yesterday morning, a literal walking travel accessory store and pharmacy. After my unlucky health adventures in Peru, coupled with the fact that I have been fighting off this cold/virus stuff for the last week thanks to everyone around me being sick, I packed everything I could possibly think of for my health and convenience while here … and then some.

Joining me on this adventure is my good pal, Holli, whom I met while I was working at TOMS Shoes, and traveled with to Peru in 2014. She is one of the nicest, most laid back , tolerant, and easy going humans to ever walk the planet, which works quite well with my personality.

After staying up until 3:45am packing and preparing my apartment for my absence (including prepping all of my dog Elmo’s meals for the week), I woke up after only 2 hours to start my long day of 20-ish hours of flights. We arrived at Tom Bradley Intl terminal at LAX about 1 hour later than originally planned – did I mention I work best under pressure? To my surprise and delight, it was very empty and we slid through very quickly. Got upgraded to a reclining emergency exit row, had a bite to eat, walked what seemed like about 1/2 mile, took a shuttle bus way out into no man’s land where we boarded the GINORMOUS aircraft. I was feeling worse by the minute (tight chest, headache – lovely) and knew I needed to sleep A LOT. Perfect time for the germs to finally catch up to me. Thank GOD I packed every one of my cold, cough, and immune related herbs by Wishgarden for the trip.

The first flight to Taipei was 14 hours and 20 minutes. Seemed pretty daunting at the time, but I am pretty sure I slept at least 12 hours of those 14 hours. Under two blankets with my earbuds playing my sleep/meditation music. I did eat a little bun with a piece of curried chicken on it and some really tasty spiced crackers. Drank gallons of Evian I brought with me.

Notables: soooo many sick people on the plane. Coughing, sneezing. I was desperate to find a face mask once we landed in Taipei (I looked for one at LAX, but had no luck). The plane was unbelievably quiet. People were very quiet. No screaming children. No loud talkers (except one time and of course they were 2 American guys.) The bathrooms very immaculate and smelled nice. The flight attendants were very polite and efficient.

So glad I brought my slippers, eye mask, and ear buds. Must-have travel accessories!

I have zero complaints about EVA airlines … other than … when they offered me pasta, I said yes! I opened it and it looked like macaroni and cheese (yay!), but immediately caught a whiff of something VERY FISHY and realized it was shrimp with little shrimp flakes on top. Not so yummy. Only ate a couple bites.

Landed in Taipei around 5pm and had about 3 hours at the airport to hang out before our flight to Bangkok. Note to self, as you go through the transfer security check point, the machine can sniff out if you have a FEVER. Thank God I do not have a fever. Scary. Do they detain you until your fever dissipates? Whoa. I don’t want to find out.

We did a little shopping (got myself a new pair of Beats earbuds!). Loved the stores. Hello Kitty. All the beauty stores. Electronics stores. Cool luggage as well. We shared a pot of oolong, got a foot massage and relaxed. I would score our layover an A+. Very nice airport. Incredibly clean. And so quiet!! Everyone is so quiet! I love it! No loud Americans gabbing away. Very noticeable difference.

Next flight departed at 8:15pm. Another large plane. No emergency exit row seat this time. I was going to stay awake, but went ahead and slept some more. Woke up for dinner service. Ehhhh. Did not look appetizing. Ate the rice and bread roll.

I was told to be sure to bring a pen to fill out the immigration form. In typical Sally style, I brought 4. Filled out the form and got ready to land in Bangkok!

We landed about 11:15pm. Got to immigration and they opened another lane and motioned for us to go over to the Fast Track lane. Cool! Got through in 20 minutes. Score!

Grabbed our baggage, got some Thai Bahts, as instructed. Could not find the Superrich kiosk that was recommended, but at least I got my Bahts.

Finding our private driver was a bit of a challenge, as we went outside but you are supposed to stay inside. Good to know. Met our contact from the Okura Prestige and were whisked away in THE NICEST, largest Mercedes I’ve ever seen. The car had Wi-Fi, cool wet herbal cloths for our face and necks. And a bottle of cold water. Not bad. Not bad at all.

For one second toward the end of 30-ish minute ride, when the driver made a very slow turn down a side road, and two very sketchy looking dudes were on the sidewalk near the car, my head went to WELL THIS IS IT. He has kidnapped us and these guys are now going to rob and kill us. Thankfully, that was not the case, and we turned into the gated fortress that is the Okura Prestige hotel. We were greeted by bell men who took our life and guided us to the elevator where we went to the 24th floor lobby.

In one word – spectacular. Greeted by front desk representative who politely and efficiently checked us in. Got to the room and it is just lovely! Beautiful bathroom. A giant sunken tub that I cannot wait to slip into. Japanese robes on the beds, slipper (I’m a huge slipper fan), along with an Origami crane and a little card explaining the lore of the crane. So cool!

Ordered room service. Veggie fried rice to share. A Tsingtao beer and Tom Kha Gai soup for me (so excited to actually eat this IN THAILAND for the first time, as it has been a fave of mine for 20+ years!), and Holli chose the club sammie.

Food arrived and was out of this world! To top it off, I took a scalding hot bath in the best tub ever. Crawled into bed and slept … some more.

Night night, Bangkok. See you in the morning!

st-ART me up, Hollywood Style

Only in Hollywood, California. Last weekend the eternally cool and fabulously historic Highland Gardens Hotel hosted the second annual stARTup Art Fair, featuring over 50 evocative and inspirational artists. These creators of art were paired up, and together they transformed hotel rooms overlooking the whimsical old-school courtyard into mini art galleries featuring their works. Fantastico!

Impressively stiff cocktails, fine wine and tasty bites to nosh on were available as well. What an absolutely innovative, hip and cool way to see art, and to meet and converse with the artists themselves. Enveloped in the fusion of lush flora and fauna and the good energy and positive vibrations of art, the people who create it and those who admire it. Delicious combination.

The chicken tacos and fruity vodka cocktail got me nice and juiced up and ready to explore the art show.

Met Jesse Standlea and his Centerpiece. Some of these creations are only as heavy as the paper they are made from. His work is shown at the Torrance Art Museuk and he was really enjoying the weekend and meeting people who stopped by his gallery. Off to a great start!

Some rooms I slowly wandered through and others drew me in for quite some time. The beauty of it all; there was no time limit. I was free to peruse when, how and where I wanted.

It felt like I had entered another world, an art maze of sorts. In and out of different “galleries” (hotel rooms), gazing and studying all the different pieces, while others did the same.

I loved observing how some artists used the hotel room furniture as props or easels of sorts, while others hid all the furniture away in closets or behind curtains.

And then, I happened upon this incredibly friendly and talented guy and his work. Richard Gayler, a Los Angeles Westside elementary school teacher, who spends anywhere from 17 to 200 hours creating these pieces by utilizing individual dots. Yes, that’s right. Individual dots. That takes some seriously intense channeling of energy and focus, I’d say. Playful yet so detailed. Loved it!

Look at these two characters. Magnificent!

A little further along in my travels I met up with Randi Matushevitz. What a hoot! She has endless stories and energy and it shows in her art. She has lived in Vegas, Miami and LA multiple times and through those experiences she has reinvented herself and her art. She is very proud of the direction her new work is taking, and we can see why.

Another one of my favorite stops of the evening. I had the pleasure of spending a good chunk of time philosophizing with LA artist (by way of NYC) Wayne Chang. Sharing perspectives on the love/hate relationship with the concept of Disney and really, all things LA in general. Truly enjoyable running into someone who “gets” it. So profoundly talented, smart and admirably skilled at conveying his feelings both through art and words.

Last of all, I rounded out my night with a simple and lovely chat with Carlos Grasso. Listened to his tales of life in Ojai and even learned about the woman who had a very recent heart transplant and how deeply touched she was by Grasso’s heart piece (below). Such an open and kind soul in addition to being gifted with such talent.

What I love most about art is connecting with the people who are able to give visual form and life to their thoughts, passions, and emotions. I loved every minute of this event and wish I had gone all three days! Thanks to all who participated and helped to make this happen, and thank you once again to my all-time most favorite, the Highland Gardens Hotel, for hosting this sensational event! I have loved staying at this hotel on my countless previous visits to LA, but this rare experience will forever be etched in my memory.

Breathe in the Good Life of Prescott, Arizona – Day 9, Part 2

Prescott, Arizona. A picturesque and historic desert mountain town approximately 90 minutes north of Phoenix. Old West. Charming. Friendly. Relaxing. More than 800 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. A quaint and highly walkable downtown referred to as “Whiskey Row,” filled with shoppes, galleries, trading posts, restaurants, and historic hotels and saloons. How could I possibly explore all that this area has to offer in less than two days? I was as determined as ever to give it my best shot.

Spent a remarkable morning in the old mining town of Jerome. On the way back to Prescott, I made a point to stop off at the modern yet rustic hillside Phippen Museum of Western Art that I spotted on the way up the road earlier in the day. So glad I did! Check out the view from the parking lot. I was immediately and warmly greeted by volunteer Roger Gaddis at the registration desk, and I asked if it might be possible to get a highlights tour. Well, it just so happened that docent and local artist Joe Webster said he would be glad to do so. Seriously? Fantastic! People are so nice here.

Below is a bit of what I learned about this understated repository of Western art. Years after his passing, the George Phippen Memorial Foundation received a generous 3-acre land grant from the Deep Well Ranch and opened the doors of the museum in 1984 with the objective of honoring the memory and art of George Phippen and other great American West artists. Phippen, incredibly talented and self-taught, was one of the four founding members and the first president of Cowboy Artists of America, a members-only organization of traditional cowboy and Western artists. Current exhibits include the third annual “Hold Your Horses” art exhibit and sale of unique and expressive works and a phenomenal “Golden Age of Cowgirls” exhibit with a spirited collection of cowgirl-themed art, photography, memorabilia and artifacts. I was graciously allowed to snap a few photos to show as examples of the extraordinary art that lives within these walls. Permanent exhibits include works by Solon Borglum, Ray Swanson, George Phippen and the Western Heritage Gallery. Enjoy a few snippets of what this museum has to offer.

The glorious clouds. Humility. Gratitude.The cowgirl exhibit was so fun! Yee haw! Rebels before their time.And this guy … ever heard of him? Tom Mix, an early Western movie megastar. You will see him everywhere in Prescott. He starred in nearly 300 pictures, some of which were filmed in Prescott, where he owned the Bar Circle A Ranch back in 1913. Absolutely precious. So lifelike. I want to give her a hug. I agree with Ray Swanson, the artist of the painting below. There is something so captivating and magical about the Native American culture.

Thank you kindly for the tour and hospitality, Joe and Roger. What a magnificent museum! Much appreciated.

Moving on down the road, I parked right downtown and made my way in and out of the shoppes, galleries, saloons and eateries along Whiskey Row. Come along with me as I take you on a walking tour of historic downtown Prescott.

The Rancher’s Wife Van Gogh’s EarThe Ice Cream Parlour Ortega’s 6th Generation (trading post)Prescott Trading CompanyOne of my favorites, the Ian Russell Gallery of Fine Art, where I had the pleasure of chatting with the fashionable and sophisticated Christine. Very friendly and in the know about the local and regional art scene. Thanks for all the tips, Christine! I so love this! Bizarre and meaningful at the same time.I absolutely love meeting new, interesting and delightful people on my travels. So fulfilling!
The Palace Saloon. Opened in 1877 (some historians claim 1868). Boy, if these walls could talk! Well, they kind of did, actually, with all the amazing vintage photographs. It was sheer entertainment just standing there looking at all the history of this place. A hangout for the likes of “Doc” Holliday, and Virgil and Wyatt Earp. The oldest and best-known frontier saloon in the state of Arizona. Can’t you just see them busting through these swinging doors like in all the old Westerns? Sensational! Look! It’s our cowboy friend, Tom Mix! Devastating Whiskey Row fire of 1900 destroyed most all of the buildings along Montezuma Street. Patrons actually moved the intricately carved bar across the street and saved it from being burned, so it is still intact to this day. New and improved Palace Hotel and Saloon, reopened in 1901. Just a few gambling essentials from back in the day. You never know when you might have to use a little force to change the outcome of the game. A George Phippen postcard. How coincidental! Not only can you sit down for a beer and something tasty to eat, but the Palace Saloon also is a pure treasure trove of historical photos and memorabilia. Much of it is on loan from the Sharlot Hall Museum. Food smelled delicious and the staff were a nice bunch.

Let us continue on now, shall we?

Take in a cold beverage and some live music at one of the many saloons along Whiskey Row. At the very least, belly up to the bar and treat yourself to a sarsaparilla while getting to know a few of the locals.

Jersey Lilly’sMatt’sAnd the Bird Cage Saloon Savor the unique art and craft goods at the Newman Gallery. And down the street at the “Cornerstone of Prescott” stands the historic Hotel St. Michael. Opened in 1901, after the devastating fire of 1900 burned down the Hotel Burke that originally stood in its place, the Hotel St. Michael has hosted many dignitaries and VIPs over the years. I am intrigued and entertained by the way each hotel boasts the unique and historic qualities of its elevator! I love the displays of vintage photos everywhere you go. It gives the feeling of strong sense of historic pride within Prescott. Whiskey Row then …And now …Stunning Courthouse Square! It seems as though people treat this like a central plaza. A genuine gathering place within the community. So pleasant and beautifully kept up. Like a postcard! The location for many local events and concerts. So down home. I love it! Find your inner mystic among the books, crystals and such at Lifeways Books and Gifts. Another fantastical stop along my tour, ‘Tis Art Center and Gallery. An awesome space with good energy! I told the woman there that this would be ideal for private events.An old microwave door repurposed into art. Now that’s cool. I love this piece. So playful.The Elks Theatre and Opera House, built in 1904 as a clubhouse and lovingly restored by the city of Prescott. Sure would like to see a show at this vintage beauty.
Crossed the street to take a peek inside yet another remarkable historic hotel. The crown jewel of Prescott, the 1927 Hassayampa Inn. Hand-painted, wood-beam ceiling. Remarkable!
The elegant 78-room hotel, designed with Spanish and Italian influences, was completed for a total of $275,000 in only 10 months. With early guests such as Tom Mix, Will Rogers and Clark Gable to name a few, and more recently Sam Elliott, the Beach Boys and my favorite, Mr. Tom Selleck! The Hassayampa, too, prides itself on its vintage elevator. Oh, and they are dog-friendly too! The original Peacock dining room then. and now … The Bar. Love the colors in contrast with the dark wood. Wandered into this unbelievably cool coffeeshop/bakery/seasoning haven. The Spice Traveler is a wonderland for those who love to cook or want to learn how. Recipes, ideas, samples. They’ve got it all. Unadulterated discovery and exploration for your taste buds. As I made my way to the back of the shoppe, I stumbled upon the stairway to Superstition Meadery (aka Heaven), which just HAPPENED to be on my Prescott to-do list. Imagine the good fortune! Mead, the oldest form of alcohol known to man, made with fermented honey. This was a first for me. Quite tasty, I will say! If you have never tried it, do yourself a favor and find some. Better yet, come here to Superstition, and Matthew will serve you a flight that will sweep you off your feet. Lagrimas de Oro. Divine. Blueberry Spaceship. Tart and sassy. Relaxing in this cozy, dimly lit cavern with their mead flights, here are two very satisfied customers and new residents of Prescott, Elizabeth and Morgan. Enjoy your new town, ladies! It was great chatting with you. It really is the nectar of the gods. I highly recommend a visit here. Drinking all that mead, I worked up an appetite, so I slid on down to the Prescott Brewing Company for a tall glass of ice water and a Buffalo chicken wrap. Hit. The. Spot. Feeling like a million bucks as I headed back to my adorable nest at the Motor Lodge. I scooped up my furry, well-rested friend Elliott and make our way to the Granite Dells for sunset! No. This is not fake. This is not a stock photo. These are the 1.4 billion-year-old Granite Dells at Watson Lake. Characterized by the smooth and rounded rock formations caused by weathering. Photo taken with my iPhone and untouched. I was completely overwhelmed by this scenery. Awestruck.
Even Elliott had to pause for a moment to take it all in. Outstanding.Do be sure to cover yourself with bug spray, as I was viciously attacked by hordes of mosquitoes. Perhaps they come out at dusk, or perhaps my blood is just incredibly tasty? Ok, gross. Regardless … unforgettable views. So peaceful. Truly lovely.And as the sun sets on the Arizona horizon, I am grateful for all the adventure and beauty I experienced in just one day. One for the books. Making a beeline straight for my bed, I got distracted by all the neon and … wait a minute … is that jazz coming from Courthouse Square? Uh-oh. One last stop. Then it’s bedtime. I promise.
My good parking karma still in full effect, I scored a spot directly across the street and we were serenaded for another hour or so by mellow jazz harmonies, smooth grooves and classics like Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train.” I was completely exhausted but so incredibly content. Elliott and I even made some new human and doggy friends. Returned to the Motor Lodge just in time to drift off into a deep slumber in that white fluffy cloud of a bed. Night-night, my friends. Prescott makes me happy.

A Taste of Jerome – Day 9, Part One

No visit to Prescott would be complete without a side trip to the 1880s mining camp town of Jerome. Nestled atop Cleopatra Hill inside Arizona’s Black Hills within the Prescott National Forest, the leisurely 35 mile jaunt from Prescott delights the senses with steep and winding mountain roads and panoramic views of the Verde Valley. Spectacular!
Such an enchanting little town, Jerome. Fascinating and such well documented history. At the high point of copper mining (circa 1900), Jerome had approximately 15,000 residents and mining profits were estimated at $1 million A MONTH. After the mines shut down in the early 1950s, the population fell to a dismal 50 people. A veritable ghost town. Fires ravaged the town on four different occasions through the late 1800s, only to be restored each time, with many of the buildings still standing today. Thanks to the Jerome Historical Society there are biographical plaques placed conveniently around town brimming with juicy historical facts and information. As one might assume, Jerome had its share of gambling, prostitution, drinking, dining and entertainment.

Photos of the Cribs District (“prostitution row”). Be sure to read the captions! Saloons then…and now. Opened in 1918, the Liberty Theatre, with a pipe organ and a capacity of 536 seats, showed silent movies for 20 to 30 cents until its closing in 1929. Still standing today. The second floor of the theatre is more or less untouched since its closing. You can pay $2 to sit and watch a 30-minute documentary on Jerome’s history. Well worth your time!

Attached is the historic Hotel Conner which is actually still operating as a hotel. Opened in 1898 and offers 12 rooms with a quaint little gift shop/lobby that you are welcome to peruse. Vintage Post Office shotAnd todayLook at this shot I scored. So sneaky but so perfect, I couldn’t resist!The crown jewel of Jerome, the United Verde Hospital (now the Jerome Grand Hotel). Built by the United Verde Copper Company in 1926 as a state-of-the-art medical facility serving Jerome. With over 9,000 deaths reported until its closing in 1950 due to mining operations shutting down, this is a ghost hunter’s paradise. Countless reports of ghost activity, anything from coughing (of an ill patient) to newborn babies crying to things moving of their own volition. After closing, the hospital sat empty for 44 years until it was purchased and renovated into the Jerome Grand Hotel, which is still open for business today. Everyone I spoke to had a story or two to share. I must say, it did feel pretty creepy walking through the old hospital hallways and seeing the old hospital room doors at the hotel room doors. I glanced over at the Otis Elevator, Arizona’s first self-service elevator, installed in the United Verde Hospital in 1926 where the hospital maintenance man was found murdered in April 1935. Yikessss. How it looks today. A beautiful mission revival style structure built on a 50 degree slope. Impressive architecture. I ate at The Asylum restaurant at the hotel and enjoyed fabulous views and an incredibly delicious calamari salad. A MUST HAVE if you dine here. I was very pleased with my choice to dine here versus some of the more crowded eateries in town. Elliott enjoyed the nice cool patio. View over Jerome from the archway off the dining room patio. Gorgeous. Made a stop at Caduceus Cellars founded in 2004 by rock n’roll frontman (Tool, Perfect Circle, Puscifer) and Jerome resident, Maynard James Keenan. A captivating space where you can sample and purchase wine as well as a variety of other goods and even have a bite to eat. Very well done, Maynard. Nice wine. The Sancha was my favorite of the 3 wines I tasted. Really nice. In addition to trading posts, jewelry, clothing, and pottery stores, as well as a trinket shoppe or two, there are a few other worthwhile mentionables in this town of now 400 artistic and entrepreneurial full-time residents.

Craft gallery filled with local and regional art. A fudge and ice cream shoppe where I could not resist buying a SMALL (I swear) square of pumpkin caramel fudge. Oh my Lord. So decadent. The Mine Museum which houses a sensational collection of photos and memorabilia from Jerome’s history which you can visit for just $2! Excellent stop! And the old Surgeon’s quarters which is now a really lovely Bed and Breakfast. Though our visit was brief, and I know we didn’t get to see or do everything, we had such a fantastic time exploring and discovering Jerome. What an intriguing and appealing little historic town. I foresee a lot of positive growth and changes ahead for this place and look forward to returning!