Blog draft may 20 26

Hotels

In my youth we called roadside inns motels. Today we call many of them hotels. These are operated by major hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton. We stayed in a string of Hampton Inns, all owned and operated by Hilton. They are indeed hotels. Multiple floors, dining facilities, and roomy, well-furnished rooms. In our case we had handicapped accessible rooms that had safer showers for mobility challenged people, me.

All of these hotels provided sumptuous breakfasts in the morning for several hours. Early birds like me ate at 6 am. Others lazed and ate at 8 or 9. Selection of food was broad and all was delicious. These hotels earned their category as hotels.

In Santa Fe we stayed at the Hotel Santa Fe and Spa. It is a cozy hotel designed in the southwestern motif. An added plus is the hotel is owned and operated by a Native American tribe. The service personnel were exceptional. The meals were excellent. They welcomed us and kept us feeling welcome throughout our muti-day stay.

Because our return home was quick as suggested by doctors, we changed our reservations as we went. All was handled quickly and expertly. A good experience all around with accommodations just as we needed them to be.

When I was a kid, our family traveled throughout the southwestern and western states. From California to the Mississippi River. In those days hotels were in larger towns and costly. On the road we stayed in motels. They were highly variable in quality and availability. You took what was in front of you and you made the best of it. Some nights were a little rough, but then in those days travel was an unscripted adventure. Not so these day and I think I prefer the modern variety.

Of course we camped in the old days as well. Talk about adventure. We worried about bears and Mom had the task of feeding us in rudimentary conditions. Some vacation for her!

Still, travel is fun and allows an up close and personal experience with all of the passing scenery. So much reality of feeling and knowing. Much better than flying I think.

May 20, 2026

Remember the Epstein Files

 

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