Grand Canyon

About 1984, my wife, 2 sons, and I went out to California to visit relatives, about 1800 miles. Being as we were going close by the Grand Canyon, we decided to drop in, figuratively.

The first thing I noticed was that, just south of the canyon land was being advertised…dirt cheap. A hundred dollars an acre. A while later, I discovered the reason was no water. Even the local McDonald’s had to haul water in.

I don’t know for sure what the prices are today, but I do wish I had figured a way to buy 10 acres. I would suspect the prices have gone up a bunch, even though there is not much demand for farmland without water.

At any rate, after a short stop at McDonald’s, we drove to an overlook. There, before us was one of the most majestic scenes and all 3, the wife and kids couldn’t be bothered with it. They wanted to watch the baby squirrels crawl fearlessly up and down the sheer cliff.

I guess they were fascinating but we have squirrels in Desoto County, bunches of them. So much for seeing the Grand Canyon. Better to go to the local park and watch the wild life. Incidentally, much less expensive.

Now, let’s see. Had I bought a few acres, I could have charged the passerbys to see squirrels. Do you suppose it would have worked. I suppose it still will.

Bloganuary writing prompt
Think back on your most memorable road trip.

The Well Trained Staff

We had gone to Huey’s on Goodman in Southaven. We had the shrimp and fries. When they first arrived, we could warm our hands from the heat coming off of our dinner. The waiter cautioned us. It was a needless gesture. I had burnt my tongue on the food there before. Still, it was a good idea. I mean McDonald’s did get sued over the hot coffee.

When I had just taken my last bite and I still had a full mouth, the waiter asked if we wanted a Diet Coke to take home. Now that is how you tell a well trained waiter. I know the man was off to the side waiting for me to have too much food in my mouth to reply and then, in that instant, he jumped out and asked me that question.

They practice that, you know. It is a well honed ability and it does not come natural.

Well, of course the food was good and the last bite of fries were still warm. I paid the bill and left a tip. I would have left more, but as I have said so many times before, we are basically living off Social Security. He understood. I would have explained but he knew us and he has heard the explanation before.

Now. If I could just figure out how they make those fries so good and hot.

As an aside, you want to wait for your food, go to McDonald’s. On the other hand, you will rarely do much waiting at Huey’s unless they are really busy. I suspect, if they maid Big Macs, it would not take them 15 minutes to get it to you.