Setting: Matterhorn Inn in Sedona, Arizona

Wanna laugh? So I’m sitting here thinking of a good lead for tonight’s entry, and I look outside and realize the sun is setting! I mumble to myself, “Ang, what are you doing?” and grab my camera as I make a run for the balcony.

and BAM. I ran into the screen door — head first mind you – and actually bounced off like they do in the cartoons. I screamed.  Then I paused for a second and thanked God I was alone. I opened the screen door and walked outside to find my next door neighbor staring at me from his balcony. How embarrassing.

Anyway, here’s the picture I went through all that trouble for. JUST FOR YOU. So appreciate it.

View from my motel in Sedona, Arizona

Day 3. I woke up delirious and starved in my Quality Inn motel room this morning. I wondered where in the country I was, and why my Shamu pillow was on the floor all the way by the door. Somewhere on Route 66 in Arizona was all I could remember.

My mind was fixated on the free breakfast buffet the inn clerk told me about when I checked in. “Just show him this card and they’ll make you whatever you want,” she said. I remember my exhausted and cranky self rolling my eyes and thinking, “Well he can’t make EVERYTHING…” as I drove from the lobby to my room (yes it’s one of ‘those’ motels).

I was pleasantly surprised by the conditions of this motel, even after 10 hours of driving and my two-hour search for lodging in the dark. This inn was smack dab in the middle of nowhere and cost only $40/night, yet the room was nicely kept and spacious. They even gave me a microwave, fridge and TWO sinks. ha ha. But none of that mattered really. All I needed was a clean and comfortable bed, and toilet, and I was golden.

OK back to breakfast. So this morning I quickly wrote in my blog, cleaned, packed and jetted out the door. By the time I got to the lobby, breakfast was over. It just had to end at 9 a.m. and I got there at 10 a.m. My stomach and I grumbled together with disappointment. I didn’t eat dinner the night before and for those who know me, I have to eat a lot (and frequently so) in order to function. So you can imagine how crabby I was after running empty for 15 hours.

And so began my hunt for food. I drove away from the inn and kept an eye out for any open diners. A sign that said “Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner” popped up on my right and I took a quick turn onto the driveway, got out of my car and walked over to open the door of the restaurant. 

It was locked. Of course the place had to be closed.

That’s the tough thing about Route 66. I guess you’ll never know what’s still in business vs. what’s just a historical landmark. It took me 20 minutes to find a place to eat that wasn’t your typical McDonalds or Jack in a Box (I was tipped not to eat greasy, heavy food when driving long distance).

It’s also a challenge to eat right on the road in general. I imagined there being rest stops every 30-40 or so miles, but believe me that is not the case in Middle America. I’m not even in the heart of Middle America yet and I was already struggling. Shamefully, I almost ran a red light this morning as a result of my tunnel vision leading to a food establishment. It wound up being closed anyway and would totally have not been worth it.

Found Mr. D'z Diner on Route 66

Finally, I discovered Mr. D’z Diner and dined there with Marilyn and Elvis. The waitress had a hot pink wig and a strangely provocative outfit on — a flimsy black skirt, fishnet stockings, ghost white make-up, etc. I looked around to see if anyone else thought that was a bit weird at 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning in the middle of a desert.

My new friends

Halloween.