UMTravels

On my never ending (at least for know) quest to stay in all the great lodges of the west (and all the WorldMark locations as well) — I’m off to Oregon for a couple of days.

First stop is Crater Lake Lodge. One night there (at those prices — which we will just quote as “expensive” as in I could be having a hotel room in Manhattan for that price).

Next stop is the WorldMark Klamath Falls. Two nights there in a two-bedroom unit. I’ve been unsuccessful at finding company for this last minute trip.

Third stop is up in the air as I haven’t heard back from an email I sent my brother — I might actually have to pick up the phone and call. I mentioned the first weekend of August… which is coming up, but I’m sure he is still mired in July thinking.

That’s it for now — must pack up and hit the road — check in is at 4pm — and at those prices, I don’t want to miss a single minute.

Checked in at 3:45pm — could have made 3:15 if I hadn’t stopped at the world’s slowest Dairy Queen for a burger just off of I-5. Well, that, and not stopping at a bunch of the turnouts once I got into the park. Got to use my Access Pass and save the $10 entrance fee. I think the entrance fee was $25 at Glacier, so that would make $35 so far for my $80 pass. Maybe I should drive through Rainier National Park ($15) on the way home just to get some more use out of this pass. I wonder if I’ll need it on the Grand Canyon run in September?

I’ll have to wait to upload the photos until I’m on the EVDO connection (Sprint) and not the EDGE/GPRS connection (T-Mobile). But at least I’m getting an Internet connection (though it takes the chip from my phone, so no incoming calls).

Got settled and fiddled with antennas and amplifiers for an hour (while drinking scotch). Nice room — hands down the best size/quality of all the Grand Lodges I’ve stayed in — which is not surprising since they closed it for 5 years — added a basement, elevators, and all modern systems, while keeping all the charm. I’m in a lake facing room (looks out on Wizard Island) that is $191 + tax for the night. Ouch.

No phones in the room so went to make a dinner reservation (mandatory if you want to eat in the dining room) only to be told 9:15 was the earliest seating. Note to other visitors — make your reservations in advance of arriving. When she found out I’m only a single — she slipped me in at 7:45… meaning I won’t need to hit the cheese, salami, and crackers in the cooler. Man — it’s quiet here — unless there are people talking on the veranda…. total silence. Nice.

I’ll give you the report on dinner later tonight or tomorrow.