THAT'S HOW GC TRIPS SHOULD GO

This seemed a miserable chore:

pick up one couple in Tempe

pick up one girl at the airport

leave the girl in Sedona

drive all the way to GC with two people

fool around with the inane helicopter company

pick up three extra people at Grand Canyon

take forever to drop everyone off at night

expect NO money.

BUT! Michael and Vicki were pleasant company for the day. He is a business administrator for a Lutheran Church and School in UpState Ill. She is an office manager for a Realty Company. Been in Phoenix several times but never seen the rest of AZ. Just here on vacation.

They were excited to hear they would be my only company and quickly negotiated to let me customize their tour. They've been to Four Corners and Mesa Verde and didn't need to see the Navajo Res. They weren't interested in "tourist kitsch". I could take the same route I took with Michelle a few weeks ago. If it worked out, it would be great.

We were joined by Jennifer, a "Travelling Property Manager". She works for a company out of D.C. that sends her to "re-organize distressed properties". (Read: in need of repair and tenants won't pay rent.) Stressed-out queen bitch who evicts people and hounds contractors. She's only on each property 3 - 6 months. Then, when she gets it fixed, go do it again. When she's older, she'll realize her resume will say, "Transient Uber-Kapo" for some unappreciative regime that considers her "expendable".

But she was pleasant company. Gregarious. Smart. Funny. Interested.

Good stop at the Church of the Holy Cross in Sedona. I called my friend, Shirley, at the sedonartscenter.com -non-profit gallery for local artists. She opened early for us. Michael and Vicki spent about $50 and Jennifer found a $135 vase to send her mother. (So, Shirley will work with me again. )

When we left Jennifer in Sedona, she gave me $20 - (She gets a "come back again" coupon).

Skip the All-things-made-in-China Navajo "trading post" and go to the Double Eagle - run by a white couple, Barb and Bill, but doing actual business with Indian artists and craftsman. Mike and Vicki loved it. She spent another $100 there.

This gets them to Grand Canyon Village by 12:45, where they could explore (without me!) till 2:45.

The weather was perfect: 60 degrees and crystal clear.

While Mike and Vicki were on the helicopter - which went off without a hitch - I picked up Denise and Bill (retired middle school teachers from upstate NY) and Claire (British PhD candidate).

Everyone friendly, outgoing, interested, fun. A good group to be with. Everyone enjoyed each other's company on the way home. Claire paid $10 for her ride home (from a Brit no less!). Denise and Bill paid $20 (retirees!) and Mike and Vicki were last. They got back to their hotel by 8:10! The raved about their day, and I enjoyed being with them. They paid $40.

Everyone gets a You Can Come Back coupon today.

Dear Lord, give me these days more often.